Kotkaniemi has 5 points, Hurricanes hand Lightning 5th loss in row

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Jesperi Kotkaniemi had an NHL career-high five points for the Carolina Hurricanes in a 6-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at PNC Arena on Sunday.

Kotkaniemi, who entered the game with only 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 60 games this season, finished with a goal and four assists.
"Not bad," Kotkaniemi said. "The team had a [heck] of a night, and a couple points is a nice plus."
Teuvo Teravainen had a hat trick, Frederik Andersen made 14 saves for his first shutout of the season, and Shayne Gostisbehere had a goal and two assists for the Hurricanes (41-12-8), who have won two in a row and seven of their past nine. Martin Necas had three assists.
Carolina moved four points ahead of the New Jersey Devils for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
"I think it helps the guys feel good about themselves," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "You want to have some confidence. We've had a lot of games this year where we put a lot of action at the net but didn't score. Especially against these guys, generally, we don't get a lot because their goalie is the difference. So, it's nice to see us get a few."

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 32 saves for the Lightning (37-21-5), who have lost five in a row and remained five points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for second place in the Atlantic Division.
"We're in a rut right now, and at some point you've just got to work your way out of it," Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. "Guys have got routines. They're used to making plays, and when that's off a bit, guys start questioning themselves.
"We're just not executing right now, so it's slowing our game down. As coaches, we've got to instill some confidence in these guys. We've got a veteran group in there, so we'll be all right."
Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman left the game after a check by Andrei Svechnikov at 1:18 of the second period. He returned for an 11-second shift later in the period, but left again and did not return. Cooper said Hedman would be evaluated on Monday in Tampa Bay.
Svechnikov put Carolina ahead 1-0 at 6:30 of the first period. His initial shot was blocked by Lightning defenseman Zach Bogosian, but Svechnikov kicked the puck to his stick and roofed a shot over Vasilevskiy.
Teravainen made it 2-0 at 17:13 with a power-play goal, taking a cross-ice pass from Kotkaniemi and scoring under the crossbar.
Teravainen extended it to 3-0 at 11:57 of the second. Kotkaniemi intercepted Vasilevskiy's clearing attempt and passed to Necas, who fed Teravainen for the tap-in.

"I feel like sometimes it takes a little time for me to get going and get my confidence," Teravainen said. "I always feel like I can play better."
Gostisbehere made it 4-0 at 15:50, scoring on a one-timer from the left point on a power play.
"They told me my role, they were honest with me from Day One," Gostisbehere said. "That's what I focus on. I'm just happy to get on board this train and hopefully keep it rolling."
Teravainen completed his second NHL hat trick with another power-play goal to push the lead to 5-0 at 11:03 of the third period, burying the rebound of Gostisbehere's shot.
"It's pretty special to score three goals, for sure," Teravainen said. "I lost my grandfather (a week ago), so that's going for him."
Kotkaniemi tipped Brent Burns' shot in the high slot during a power play at 16:34 for the 6-0 final.
Tampa Bay was outshot 23-4 in the first two periods, including being held without a shot in the second.
"No one is happy about what's gone on here in the last little bit," Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. "When things start to go wrong, it can get in your head a little bit. We've been in this skid for a while now, and we've got to work ourselves out of it as players and coaches. I think people forget we've lost some good players, we've had some young guys come up.
"It's a different group, and you have to figure out the identity of that group. Just because you've had success in years past doesn't automatically translate to, we're just looking to the Stanley Cup Final again because we've been there three straight times. Mental fortitude is part of it, the ability to rely on past experience is part of it. There's so many things that need to come together."
NOTES: Necas has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his past three games. … The Hurricanes have scored seven power-play goals in their past two games after scoring three in a 6-1 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Friday.