3 takeaways from Knights’ loss: Hurricanes win in Misfit’s return

Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud was called for a hooking penalty 8:47 into the second period Monday at T-Mobile Arena. He slammed his stick on the bench as he entered the box.

It was so quiet inside the rink that the sound echoed throughout the building.

The Knights’ barn was never silent when they won their first eight home games this season. The Carolina Hurricanes made sure the winning streak didn’t extend to nine. The Hurricanes were dominant in a 5-2 victory that gave the Knights their first home loss of the season.

“They stuck to the way they play and what they know works,” Whitecloud said. “They executed and we didn’t.”

Center Jack Eichel and left wing Ivan Barbashev scored in the defeat. Goaltender Adin Hill was pulled for the first time this season after giving up four goals on 21 shots. Akira Schmid, who came on in relief of Hill, made 12 saves in his Knights debut.

Hill allowed three goals or more for the eighth time in 10 starts. But he didn’t get much help.

Carolina (11-3-0) opened the scoring 4:24 into the first period when left wing Eric Robinson deflected a point shot from defenseman Sean Walker past Hill.

Center Jesperi Kotkaniemi extended the Hurricanes’ lead to 2-0 when he got his own rebound and fired it into the net with 7:14 left in the first.

The Knights (9-4-2) had no answer for Carolina. They were outshot 16-4 in the first period.

“We dug ourselves a hole early,” Whitecloud said. “Hilly deserved better from us as a group.”

Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal put his team up 3-0 with a short-handed goal 3:38 into the second period after forcing a turnover behind the net from defenseman Shea Theodore. Left wing Tyson Jost deflected a point shot from defenseman Jaccob Slavin into the net 3:35 later to end Hill’s outing.

Carolina goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov had an easier night in the other net. He made 30 saves to help the Hurricanes win for the ninth time in 10 games.

There wasn’t much for the Knights to feel good about. They played their worst game of the season in a place they’ve been dominant so far.

“Their goalie made some incredible saves,” center William Karlsson said. “It’s 4-0, it’s tough to come back.”

The Knights will get a chance to regroup by going on their annual fathers’ trip this week. They’ll play the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday and the Utah Hockey Club on Friday.

Here are three takeaways from the loss:

1. Defensemen struggle

The Knights’ biggest strength, their blue line, was a detriment Monday.

Robinson’s goal early in the first period was due to a defensive breakdown. Defenseman Noah Hanifin went to shield Robinson near the crease, but then went away from him. By the time Hanifin could react, Robinson got a stick on the puck in front.

Staal’s goal might have been worse. The NHL’s third-best power play was neutralized 11 seconds after right wing Keegan Kolesar drew a tripping penalty when Theodore turned the puck over behind the net and Staal let a shot go from the slot.

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and Theodore were each a minus-3 on Monday. Hanifin was a minus-2.

Coach Bruce Cassidy said the defeat was a team effort and didn’t come down to one position group.

“Some of our veteran guys, they didn’t have their ‘A’ game in terms of transition and execution,” Cassidy said. “I thought they could’ve worked better together in pairs and work closely together to beat that first forecheck.

“They could’ve been better, but I think it was a team loss, to be honest with you. I thought they skated pucks better as the game went on, but you have to move your feet. The puck can’t do all the work. You have to create some separation. We didn’t do enough of that early.”

2. Stone out again

Captain Mark Stone missed his second consecutive game with a lower-body injury Monday.

Cassidy is hopeful that Stone, the Knights’ second-leading scorer with 21 points, will return for the team’s upcoming road trip, but it’s unclear if he’ll be available to play.

The Knights’ top line got a goal when Eichel scored 6:11 into the third period, but it’s clear the group misses Stone.

3. Carrier returns

Carolina left wing William Carrier was a plus-1 in 12:46 in his return to T-Mobile Arena.

The Original Misfit, selected in the 2017 expansion draft from the Buffalo Sabres, was a fixture on the Knights’ fourth line for the team’s first seven seasons.

Carrier was given a two-minute video tribute early in the first period. He scored 99 points in 372 games with the Knights and helped the team win the 2023 Stanley Cup. He signed a six-year, $12 million deal with the Hurricanes this offseason.

“It’s one of those where you’re going to stay focused on the game. You start watching it, you get emotional,” Carrier said. “This organization was great to me. They’re professional, and I’m grateful for the opportunity they gave me and my family.”