Hurricanes Rally From 2 Goals Down in Final 2 Minutes to Win

Carolina Hurricanes complete improbable comeback against Utah Mammoth

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:15am

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The Carolina Hurricanes scored three goals in the final two minutes of regulation to complete an improbable comeback and defeat the Utah Mammoth 5-4 on Thursday night. Jordan Staal's goal with 29.4 seconds left capped the rally, making the Hurricanes only the third NHL team in over 30 years to overcome a two-goal deficit in the final two minutes to win in regulation.

Why it matters

The Hurricanes' comeback is one of the most remarkable in recent NHL history, showcasing the team's resilience and the unpredictable nature of hockey. The win also extends Carolina's points streak to six games, further cementing their status as a top contender in the league.

The details

With the Hurricanes trailing 4-2 late in the third period, Andrei Svechnikov scored on the power play with 1:59 remaining to cut the deficit to one. Shayne Gostisbehere then tied the game with 1:29 left, setting the stage for Staal's game-winning goal in the final seconds.

  • The Hurricanes scored three goals in the final 1:59 of regulation to complete the comeback.
  • Jordan Staal's game-winning goal came with just 29.4 seconds left on the clock.

The players

Jordan Staal

The captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, who scored the game-winning goal with 29.4 seconds remaining to complete the comeback.

Andrei Svechnikov

The Hurricanes' forward who scored a power-play goal with 1:59 left to start the late rally.

Shayne Gostisbehere

The Hurricanes' defenseman who scored the game-tying goal with 1:29 remaining in regulation.

Rod Brind'Amour

The head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, who guided the team through the improbable comeback.

Brandon Bussi

The rookie goaltender for the Hurricanes, who became the first goalie with 20 wins in his first 24 career games.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know you draw them up, but at the end of the day we found a way. Kind of a crazy last couple of minutes.”

— Rod Brind'Amour, Head Coach, Carolina Hurricanes

“That's how we should play all the time. A couple of bounces for us, obviously, but we (stuck) with the plan.”

— Andrei Svechnikov, Forward, Carolina Hurricanes

“I think that's something to be said about this building, too. I think the fans here are great. They're always behind us. But when it gets going and gets fired up, you can tell guys feed off of that. Momentum is a funny thing in this game (and) the fans pushed us to another level.”

— Jordan Staal, Captain, Carolina Hurricanes

What’s next

The Hurricanes will look to build on this dramatic win as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the highly competitive NHL Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

The Hurricanes' stunning comeback victory showcases the unpredictable nature of hockey and the importance of never giving up, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. This game will be remembered as one of the most thrilling and improbable comebacks in recent NHL history.