By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Raleigh, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes got the breaks they needed Thursday night to get past the Boston Bruins — including the game-winning goal by Seth Jarvis with 18.6 seconds left that came off a failed clearance due to a broken stick.

Now the team just wants to get past Friday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline, whcih has cast a shadow over the franchise given the uncertain status of recently acquired Mikko Rantanen.

“It’s tough,” Jarvis said after the game. “I wish I could say it isn’t. It’s hard on everybody, but we got what 24 hours until all this is done? That’s what a lot of people are waiting for is just noise be gone and we can really focus on ourselves.”

Rantanen aquired from Colorado last month is an unrestricted free agent after the season. He has declined to sign a contract extension so far, leaving the Hurricanes to decide whether or not to trade him again rather than risk losing him for nothing in the offseason.

The deadline has weighed on him, too. Rantanen did not speak to the media earlier in the day or after the game.

“Since he got here, it’s been pretty tough,” Brind’Amour said. “And tonight, I think, we probably the toughest.”

Carolina Hurricanes’ Mikko Rantanen (96) concentrates on the puck as Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Despite the distractions and being generally outplayed by the Bruins, the Hurricanes found a way to earn their third consecutive victory.

Thanks, in large part, to goaltender Pytor Kochetkov. He had 32 saves in the victory, including several tough ones.

“The difference,” Brind’Amour said.

A few good breaks helped.

Jarvis’ goal in the waning seconds came after Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov broke his stick while trying to clear the defensive zone. The puck trickled right to Jarvis, who beat Boston goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.

The goal came after the Canes had a go-ahead scored taken away on a challenge with 1:15 remaining in third. Taylor Hall’s wide shot deflected into the net off Boston’s Mason Lohrei.

It was that kind of night for the Hurricanes. Brent Burns scored on a deflected pass in the second period to give Carolina a 2-1 lead. Carolina got a shorthanded goal from Sebastian Aho in the first to open the scoring.

The Hurricanes were 0-for-3 on the power play and were outshot 34-23 in the game.

“In games where you just don’t have it, we need some individual efforts,” Brind’Amour said. “Fishy [Aho] on that first one, it was 100% individual effort.”

Aho stole the puck, skated across the crease and waited out Bruins’ goaltender Joonas Korpisalo before flipping a backhander into the net less than seven minutes into the first. It was Aho’s 20th career shorthanded goal. He is one of four active players to have 20 career shorthanded goals, a list that includes teammate Jordan Staal.

Aho has scored seven goals in his last nine games and 24 goals on the season. He has 60 points this season, the seventh time in his career that he’s reached 60 points. Only Ron Francis with 13 and Eric Staal with eight have scored at least 60 points in a season more times than Aho.

Boston’s Morgan Geekie scored twice, including less than 90 seconds into the third period to even the game at 2.

Carolina Hurricanes’ Seth Jarvis (24) celebrates his game winning goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

The Hurricanes were without defensman Dmitry Orlov, who was injured in morning skate and was unable to go in the game. Riley Stillman replaced him in the lineup, but he took a skate to the face on his first shift. Stillman delivered a big hit on the play, but he did not return to the ice.

“You’re putting a little more stress on certain guys that aren’t used to it, and the pairs get all mixed up,” Brind’Amour said.

It was announced as the 100th consecutive sellout at Lenovo Center, including playoff games — a span that dates back more than two calendar years.

The Hurricanes made a major deal for Rantanen last month, dealing away forwards Martin Necas, Jack Drury and two draft picks. The Hurricanes also acquired Hall in the three-way trade.

The Hurricanes swung big last season landing Jake Guentzel, only to see him leave in free agency. Carolina did receive a third-round pick in a pre-free agency deal with Tampa for Guentzel’s rights.

Previous coverage

Read: As trade deadline looms, Rantanen’s status with Canes a hot topic

Watch: Canes react to the Mikko Rantanen trade deadline situation

Watch: WRAL interview with Darren Yorke, Hurricanes associate general manager, on the eve of the trade deadline

Read: From North Carolina to the U.S. national team: Kayden Beasley’s sled hockey journey

Source: wralsportsfan.com