SALT LAKE CITY – After a competitive first period, the Carolina Hurricanes devastated the Utah Hockey Club by lighting the lamp a total of seven times on Saturday afternoon. Despite some pushback from Utah led by Clayton Keller, Carolina orchestrated a relentless storm of offense to bury their visitors.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s deflating loss in North Carolina.
Since making his return to the Utah Hockey Club in January, forward Josh Doan has continuously become more comfortable with each passing game.
After being recalled from the Tucson Roadrunners on January 10, Doan has recorded two goals and three assists.
Every shift, Doan battles like he isn’t guaranteed another as he suffocates teams behind the net, in the corners and near the crease.
Over the last two games, Doan’s impressive IQ has been on full display as he’s made clever plays to put the puck in the back of the net.
While he demonstrated his playmaking against the Blue Jackets on Thursday, Doan’s stickhandling and release helped him light the lamp in Carolina.
Uh yeah, nasty little move here from Doan to avoid the defenseman and whip it on net.
High IQ play. pic.twitter.com/USlLr6c34V
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 8, 2025
Not only did Doan recognize the defenseman’s positioning and reach, which he quickly adjusted to with a toe drag, but he also got his head up and swiftly sniped the netminder.
These are the types of performances that will help Doan remain in Salt Lake City more permanently as he’s become a reliable source of energy and points are beginning to translate.
Despite a competitive first period, the Utah Hockey Club was completely overwhelmed by the Carolina Hurricanes during the middle frame which effectively put the game out of reach.
After a bit of a break-in period for the Hurricanes, Carolina flooded the ice in the second and consistently got in behind Utah to create grade A scoring chances.
“I think we were too short on detail defensively,” Head coach Andre Tourigny said.
“We give a shorty, we give a goal on the goalie breakout, empty net…if you look, all in all, I think we gave up too much in terms of offense for them.”
Chategory 5 coming through 💥 pic.twitter.com/1o2wbjlnNr
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 8, 2025
May someone love you as much as Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho love scoring shorthanded pic.twitter.com/VQw74vTd3i
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 8, 2025
SETH JARVIS IS A DAWG pic.twitter.com/t2fBWYvu1i
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 8, 2025
With seven goals on 38 shots, Carolina continuously punished Utah for pinching too high defensively and lacking composure in their own zone.
Far too often, Utah was either unaware of shooters or overcommitted in the offensive and neutral zones which allowed an abundance of odd man rushes that Carolina capitalized on.
“We were in it, but for whatever reason, we just kind of turned our brains off maybe for a second,” Clayton Keller said.
“It’s not one guy. It’s everyone. It’s something we’ve got to learn from and dial that in.”
A rough afternoon, but one that Utah will need to quickly bounce back from on Sunday.
With the loss to Carolina on Saturday, Utah remains fourth in the wild card race with 55 points.
However, the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues all play later today which will give St. Louis a chance to catch up, and the other two to create a little more separation.
While Utah will certainly have their hands full against the Eastern Conference’s best in the Washington Capitals, the team has to quickly regroup and refocus.
“Couple mistakes that cost us…We were in that game & we kind of just did it to ourselves a little bit giving up a shorty and simple mistakes,” Keller said.
“It sucks to lose that one but it’s a huge game tomorrow for us…we all know it’s a huge game for us.”
Those two potential points are as precious as ever as the NHL approaches a two-week break for the Four Nations tournament.
With Sean Durzi nearing a return and hopes of getting Logan Cooley back in the not-so-distant future, remaining within striking distance going into the break will be critical for Utah.
As of right now, Utah’s game against the Capitals on Sunday will be the most important of the season.
The Utah Hockey Club will face the Washington Capitals on the road on Sunday morning. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
