Andrei Svechnikov Delivering for the Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes are heading back to the Eastern Conference Final after their 3-1 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 5, winning the series 4-1. There is a reason why the Hurricanes always believed in Andrei Svechnikov; he delivers in the big moments.

He did it again in Game 5, recording the game-winning goal with 1:59 left in the third period. Svechnikov’s shot was an off-angle shot that caught Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson off guard.

He had a quiet night up to that point. However, Svechnikov’s goal was his eighth of the playoffs. He only trails Mikko Rantanen by one goal, with nine goals in the playoffs. In addition, Svechnikov has nine points in the playoffs: those eight goals and one assist.

Not to mention, Svechnikov is now on a three-game goal streak in the playoffs after potting that series-clinching goal in Game 5 as the Hurricanes are off to the Eastern Conference Final under Rod Brind’Amour for the third time.

And every one of those goals has been a big one or a game changer. With the series tied at 1-1, Svechnikov opened the scoring in Game 3 in the second period as the Hurricanes survived an early threat by the Capitals. However, the play of Frederik Andersen allowed Svechnikov to score midway through Game 3 en route to a 4-0 victory.

Then, in Game 4, he iced the game with an empty-net goal as the Hurricanes continued their fabulous home record in the playoffs. This brings us to Game 5, where he scored the game-winning, series-clinching goal.

One of the team’s weaknesses or knocks has been its lack of a game-breaker or playmaker who can win a series. The Hurricanes would not make a big splash at the NHL Trade Deadline.

Dallas Stars: Mikko Rantanen Coming Up Clutch in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto Maple Leafs Continue To Fold Under the Pressure

New Jersey Devils: Tom Fitzgerald Vows To Reshape the Roster This Offseason

New York Ranger: Was Mike Sullivan The Right Choice for the New York Rangers?

While they were always heavily involved in the rumors, management hesitated to act and find the right superstar to fit into the system. Last year, Carolina finally took action and traded for Jake Guentzel. That move only got them to Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While Guentzel played well and potentially wanted to stay in Carolina, he left via free agency. This year, GM Eric Tulsky traded for Mikko Rantanen in hopes of getting that playoff performer. However, Rantanen did not want to sign or go there in the first place. In addition, he did not fit the Hurricanes style of play.

For some reason, Andrei Svechnikov fits Brind’Amour’s style of play. Early on, he was known for his highlight reel Michigan goals, but he has changed his game. It took some time, but sometimes that is the case when the team believes in a player.

Carolina has always believed that Svechnikov could be a playoff performer. In his first year (2019) in the playoffs, he recorded five points (three goals and two assists) in nine games. But those totals went up each year after that.

In 2020, when the bubble was forming, Svechnikov had seven points (four goals and three assists) in six games. Then, in 2021, he recorded eight points (two goals and six assists) in 11 games. The following year, in 2022, He only had five points (four goals and one assist) in 14 games.

After missing the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Svechnikov exploded for 11 points (two goals and nine assists) in 11 games. He averaged a point per game. But there was still that knock on him that he wasn’t a playoff guy.

In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Svechnikov is putting that to bed—massive goals in significant moments of games for the Carolina Hurricanes. Without his play in the first round, the Hurricanes wouldn’t have gotten by the New Jersey Devils.

Andrei Svechnikov had six points (five goals and one assist) in five games in Round 1, including a hat trick in Game 4. Each one of those goals was big for Carolina in Game 4 as the Devils pushed.

He opened the scoring 42 seconds into the first period. Then, he put the Canes up 3-0 early in the second period. After the Devils got within striking distance, first Brent Burns made it 4-2, and he iced the game to make it 5-2, recording the hat trick.

Then, in Game 5, with the Hurricanes trailing 3-0 early, he had the tying goal to make it 3-3, before Sebastian Aho ended the game and the series in double overtime.

Again, the Hurricanes play an aggressive style of hockey, constantly shooting the puck on net to create chances for them to score. See the game winner and series winner in Game 5 against Washington. However, the Hurricanes can also play a defensive style that frustrates teams.

Andrei Svechnikov has been the playoff game-breaker the Hurricanes have needed, but just overlooked.