Sean Walker scores late in OT as Hurricanes nip Penguins

Carolina rallies from late deficit to win in overtime

Mar. 19, 2026 at 6:57am

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Sean Walker's goal with 28.3 seconds left in overtime gave the Carolina Hurricanes a 6-5 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night in Raleigh, N.C. The Hurricanes rallied from a late deficit to force overtime and then win it on Walker's late goal.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Hurricanes in the hunt for a top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Penguins missed an opportunity to gain ground in the standings. The back-and-forth nature of the game showcased the high-powered offenses of both teams.

The details

Jackson Blake posted a goal and two assists, while Walker, Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall each had a goal and assist for the Hurricanes. Carolina's Jordan Martinook and K'Andre Miller also scored, and Nikolaj Ehlers logged three assists. Erik Karlsson finished with two goals and an assist, while Sidney Crosby marked his return to the Pittsburgh lineup with a goal and an assist for the Penguins. Pittsburgh's Bryan Rust and Ben Kindel also scored.

  • The game was played on Wednesday night in Raleigh, N.C.
  • Walker scored the game-winning goal with 28.3 seconds left in overtime.

The players

Sean Walker

Carolina Hurricanes forward who scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

Erik Karlsson

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman who scored two goals and had an assist in the game.

Sidney Crosby

Pittsburgh Penguins captain who scored a goal and had an assist in his return from injury.

Frederik Andersen

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender who made 30 saves in the win.

Stuart Skinner

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender who made 38 saves in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We showed a lot of fight to come back and win this one in overtime. It was a big two points for us against a tough opponent.”

— Sean Walker, Carolina Hurricanes forward

“We had our chances to win it, but they kept battling back. Credit to Carolina, they found a way to get the job done.”

— Sidney Crosby

What’s next

The Hurricanes will look to build on this overtime win as they continue their push for a top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins will try to rebound from the tough loss as they return home for their next game.

The takeaway

This high-scoring, back-and-forth game between two of the Eastern Conference's top teams showcased the offensive firepower and resilience of both the Hurricanes and Penguins. The late heroics by Walker to win it in overtime highlighted Carolina's ability to battle back and find a way to win, even against a tough opponent like Pittsburgh.