Kochetkov Sets Hurricanes Record With Ninth Straight Win to Start Season

Pyotr Kochetkov is writing his name into Carolina history one win at a time. The Hurricanes goaltender made 24 saves in Thursday night's 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in Raleigh, improving to 9-0-0 and setting a franchise record for the longest winning streak to begin a season. Kochetkov broke the mark he had shared with former team-mate Frederik Andersen, who won eight straight to open a season five years ago. Now firmly established as Carolina's top goalie, he was making his third consecutive start and was bidding for his second shutout in three games before Columbus finally broke through. Jordan Martinook opened the scoring late in the first period, Logan Stankoven made it 2-0 with his team-leading ninth goal of the season, and Mark Jankowski added what proved to be the winner in the third. Denton Mateychuk and Kent Johnson pulled goals back for the Blue Jackets, who remain without a regulation win since their season opener, but the defending Stanley Cup champions held on for a fourth win in five games and the best record in the NHL. Seth Jarvis added two assists for Carolina, who host Winnipeg on Sunday, while Columbus head to Dallas on Saturday still searching for a first regulation victory.