Necas shines on 'big stage' for Hurricanes in Stadium Series

RALEIGH, N.C. --Martin Necas never played in an outdoor game prior to Saturday, but he had no problem making an immediate impact for the Carolina Hurricanes in a
4-1 victory against the Washington Capitals
in the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Necasfinished with a goal and two assists, the first of which came on Jesperi Kotkaniemi's goal just 2:11 into the first period.
It was Necas' first three-point game since Nov. 4.
"It didn't really matter if I scored or not, we got a huge win," Necas said. "The fans were unbelievable and really enjoyed every second of it. So yeah, it was a special night, and obviously I'm happy I got the goal, too."
Necas, who hadn't scored a goal in his previous six games, leads the Hurricanes with 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists) in 55 games this season.
"He's looking like he's been around the League forever," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "It's kind of like I knew what was in him, and we all knew it was kind of there, and now it's really starting to show it, and it was great for him to show it on a big stage like this."
RELATED: [2023 NHL Stadium Series coverage]
After Paul Stastny made it 2-0 at 5:47 of the second period, Necas extended the Hurricanes' lead to 3-0 at 8:48 with a one-timer from the top of the left circle for a power-play goal.
Shortly after that, he worked a give-and-go on a 2-on-1 with Teuvo Teravainen, who tapped Necas' return pass into an open net to push it to 4-0 at 11:17.
"I really felt the energy from the fans," Necas said. "I just didn't feel tired at all out there and tried to play the game we kind of wanted to play. It was good."

So were Necas' linemates Kotkaniemi and Teravainen, who each had a goal and an assist in the win.
"It was special," Teravainen said. "Of course there were a little nerves going during the game, but it was an awesome, awesome game to be a part of."
Forward Jordan Martinook, who had an assist, said the line of Necas, Kotkaniemi and Teravainen has been playing well all season.
"Yeah, they were great tonight," he said. "Our top six is pretty incredible. So you put them out there, they're going to make things happen."
On top of scoring, Necas also had a bit of fun during the game.
At one point, he skated backwards toward Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper and put the puck through his legs, but he shot wide of the net on what would have been a highlight-reel goal.
"I should probably stop doing that," he said. "But I really felt the energy from the fans."

That energy was just one of the memories that will last for Necas, who was one of 11 Hurricanes players who had never played in an NHL outdoor game before.
"Yeah it was something that all of us will ever forget," he said. "And obviously when you get the win it feels much better. ... Every second of it was kind of time you enjoy, trying to focus on the game, but you still feel the fans and the energy. It was my first outdoor game and it was unbelievable."