Kochetkov reaches 8-0-0 start as Hurricanes defeat Bruins 2-1

Carolina defeated Boston 2-1 on Tuesday night to maintain the best record in the National Hockey League.

Pyotr Kochetkov recorded 14 saves to improve his season record to 8-0-0. That performance ties the franchise record for the longest opening winning streak by a goaltender, a mark previously set by Frederik Andersen five years ago. The Hurricanes were the first team this season to reach 20 points, a milestone not achieved by the franchise in its history.

Jackson Blake tied the score with 52 seconds remaining in the first period. Sebastian Aho provided the decisive goal with 9:41 left in the third period. Aho's eighth goal of the season gives him 19 points, a team-leading total. The Hurricanes forced Boston to settle for one power play goal from Pavel Zacha, who scored 1:31 into the game. Carolina killed two power plays in the final five minutes to end Boston's eight-game points streak. Jeremy Swayman made 28 saves for the Bruins, whose two-game winning streak was snapped.

The Hurricanes return to home ice Thursday to host Columbus. The Bruins travel to St. Louis for a Thursday contest. Carolina played its first home game in two weeks after a 3-1-1 road trip.