It's no secret that this past regular season wasn't a good one for Andrei Svechnikov.

The Carolina Hurricanes winger entered his seventh NHL season with high hopes for a productive season to build upon his return from an ACL tear he suffered in 2023.

By all accounts, he was physically and mentally ready and looked poised to once again break through as a game changer for Carolina.

But that's not how the season went for Svechnikov as a variety of problems plagued the 25 year old.

Early on, it was just a complete struggle to score at 5v5.

In his first 37 games, Svechnikov had just one 5v5 goal and eight 5v5 points.

He was still contributing on the power play, with eight goals and 14 points in that same span, but he just could not get it going at even strength.

But once the power play slowed down entering the new year, Svechnikov's overall production took a hit and that, coupled with a myriad of minor injuries, had him in and out and up and down the lineup.

It wasn't a lack of effort by any means for the 2018 second-overall pick, things were just not going his way.

But despite that, Svechnikov never shrugged off the game, pouted or let the struggles change him. He just continued to work.

"He always plays with the same kind of passion and pace," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "He puts the work in, and I think that's the most critical part of anything. Things aren't always going to go your way, but it's about how you respond. He's hard on himself when things aren't going well and that's obviously why love him, because he does care."

And now, Svechnikov's hard work is paying off as he's risen to the occasion and made his presence felt in the playoffs, helping put the Hurricanes one game away from the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"Obviously, it was a hard season for me, but right now, in the playoff times, it's kind of my time," Svechnikov said following his three goal outing in Game 4. "I love this time of the year. Playing a physical game and just trying to do everything I can to help my team win the game."

And Svechnikov is doing a lot to help his team win.

The Russian winger leads the team in goals (4), points (5), shots on goal (13) and is one of eight players with double-digit hits (11).

He also leads all forwards in total chances while he's on the ice (82) and Corsi For (67.21%), expected goals for (70.03%), high-danger chances (20) and has yet to be on the ice for a goal against.

"He's a huge part of our team and he can control a game out there with his presence, his physicality and just his overall game," said Jaccob Slavin. "When he's playing like that, it just makes us that much better of a team."

"I feel like he's been impactful all series, which is no surprise to me," said Sebastian Aho. "He's a big body, strong, plays hard. Definitely a big player for us and obviously if he can score goals, that's always helps."

Svechnikov credits the emotions and energy of the playoffs for his revitalization, equating it to starting a new season.

"It's just the excitement and that you feel good every game," Svechnikov said. "I feel like that's kind of what I needed. Something new and fresh just to forget that [regular] season and just to play my game. I think it's my time right now."

And he showed that it was certainly his time on Sunday, as the forward potted three goals — his second career postseason hat trick — to lift Carolina to victory.

"I think that first goal was huge for him," said Jordan Staal. "He's obviously been up and down this year. One just sneaks in for him and you could tell. I know the feeling. It goes in and you just start feeling more confident and you start finding holes and the game slows down a little bit. He was just steady with the puck. Not forcing much and just playing Svechnikov hockey. We're going to need him to keep doing that and be the player we all know he can be."

"We talked about this for a long time," Brind'Amour said. "Your best players have to be your best players. They have to be at this time of year. They have to be noticeable, but they also have to actually be on the scoresheet. He came out, got on the scoresheet, so that's huge, but he was around it. If you want to be successful, you have to get those contributions."

Even beyond the on-ice impacts, Svechnikov is also noticeably getting to New Jersey netminder Jacob Markstrom, who has gone out of his way to slash and swing at the Russian on multiple occasions throughout the series.

Maybe a small thing, for sure, but one little slip is all it could take for a goal or a penalty that can change the outcome of a game.

"I love those moments,' Svechnikov said. "I love every second of that. Just love those little dirty moments and playing physical.

"The playoffs is always a fun time and I kind of always feel good in it. You have to go every game and you just have so much fun. Every game is a good opportunity. Lots of fun and I'm excited for tomorrow's game."

Be sure to check out the Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Hub for all postseason stories!  

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