Stankoven hat trick leads Hurricanes past Canucks 7-2 for third straight win

The Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes beat the Vancouver Canucks 7-2 on Thursday night at Lenovo Center. It was their first home win of the season in three tries and their third victory in a row, according to The Associated Press. [2]

Carolina's Logan Stankoven scored three goals, the first three-goal game of Stankoven's career, and was named the game's first star. According to the AP, the goals were a natural hat trick. Stankoven scored short-handed and on a power play in the second period, then added an even-strength goal in the third with 8:24 left. The AP said the goals gave Stankoven 100 career points. [1][2]

Sean Walker, the second star, had four assists. The AP reported it was the most assists Walker has had in a game. Shayne Gostisbehere, Jackson Blake and Taylor Hall each had two assists. [1][2]

Andrei Svechnikov, the third star, scored twice on power plays in the first period, less than 2 1/2 minutes apart, according to the AP. K'Andre Miller and Mark Jankowski also scored for Carolina. Pyotr Kochetkov made 18 saves in goal. [1][2]

The Hurricanes had three goals in the first 10 minutes. The AP said they had not led at any point in their first two home games last week. Carolina led 3-0 after one period and 6-1 after two. [1][2]

Jake DeBrusk scored both Vancouver goals, and Elias Pettersson had two assists. Goalie Kevin Lankinen stopped 12 of 18 shots through two periods. Leevi Merilainen replaced Lankinen for the third and made 14 saves. [1][2]

Vancouver opened a six-game trip and plays at New Jersey on Saturday. Carolina plays at Chicago the same night. [2]