Fewer than 24 hours after the final horn of their 4-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators, the Canes jumped right back into action on home ice.
If there was any fatigue, it certainly didn't show in the early going, as the Metropolitan Division's leaders took control of the play right from the opening puck drop. Dominating possession and peppering John Gibson with shots, Rod Brind'Amour's club worked its way to a 13-2 advantage in the shot department through the opening 15 minutes.
However, the NHL's leader in saves was up to par on everything thrown at him, setting the tone for what would be a monster night for him.
Gibson's play allowed Anaheim to put together a push in the late first, but that's when Frederik Andersen had to step up and make several high-danger saves to keep the contest 0-0 at the end of 20.
When the second period began, it was more of the same from the Danish netminder.
As the 2015-16 Jennings Trophy-winning duo traded save-for-save, eventually, the first goal of the night came with 3:42 remaining in the second period. Anaheim defenseman John Klingberg wound up for a drive from the glove side circle of Andersen, blasting one across his body to open the game's scoring.
The tally would hold as the only through 40 minutes, sending Carolina into the third period trailing for just the 10th time in 58 games.
Unfortunately, in the third, their hole became 2-0 when Ryan Strome set up Jakob Silfverberg from behind the net just 4:06 into the frame. Adding insurance to their lead, the goal aided in the feeling that it may just be Gibson's night, and the home team may not be able to get one by the visiting netminder.
Instead, just 13 seconds later Jesperi Kotkaniemi washed away that thought.
