Elias Lindholm scored two power-play goals in similar fashion in his first game with Vancouver and J.T. Miller provided the winning goal in the Canucks’ 3-2 victory against the host Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.
Lindholm, a veteran centre who began his career with the Hurricanes, had one goal in each of the first two periods as the Canucks returned from the NHL All-Star break and increased their points streak to 12 games.
Quinn Hughes and Brock Boeser each had two assists. Thatcher Demko made 22 saves, including 12 in the third period.
“We stuck with it and got the two points."
🗣 First star Elias Lindholm with @CanucksReporter following a two-goal performance in his #Canucks debut! pic.twitter.com/RitL4exY36
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 7, 2024
Jordan Martinook and Sebastian Aho scored for Carolina, which had a three-game winning streak snapped. Pyotr Kochetkov, playing for the Hurricanes for the first time since Jan. 11, stopped 16 shots.
Vancouver acquired Lindholm last week from the Calgary Flames. He played five NHL seasons with the Hurricanes, which drafted him in 2013.
Miller scored his 22nd goal of the season four minutes into the third period for the game’s lone even-strength goal.
Lindholm’s first goal for Vancouver came on a power play with 2:37 left in the opening period. He redirected Hughes’ blast.
Martinook’s power-play goal came early in the first period. But by the game’s midway mark, the Hurricanes had only seven shots on goal despite averaging more than 33 per game.
Lindholm’s second goal came with a tip-in from Hughes’ delivery. That gave Lindholm 11 goals this season.
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Just 62 seconds after Lindholm’s second goal, Aho converted on Carolina’s second power play of the game for his team-leading 18th goal.
Hughes leads NHL defenceman in points with 64.
UP NEXT
Canucks: Visit the Boston Bruins on Thursday.
Hurricanes: Host the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Bob Sutton, The Associated Press
