Hurricanes’ Dustin Tokarski Shines in First NHL Start in 21 Months

Veteran goaltender Dustin Tokarski made a triumphant return to the NHL on Sunday, delivering a stellar performance in the Carolina Hurricanes’ 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. This was Tokarski’s first NHL start in nearly two years, marking a significant milestone in his hockey journey.

Big Night for Tokarski

The 35-year-old netminder stopped 27 of 28 shots, demonstrating calmness and precision in front of the home crowd at the Lenovo Center. His contributions helped the Hurricanes secure the win, with offensive support from Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook, who both recorded two points.

After the game, Tokarski reflected on his mindset going into the start: “Just like any other game, that’s how you have to treat it. Just do the work that got me to this point and try to translate it onto the ice tonight. Fortunately, it did, and the guys played awesome in front of me,” he said.

He added: “I’ve been going day-to-day for the last 30 days, and I’m going to keep doing that. But (I’m) grateful for the opportunity, grateful for the belief. I’m enjoying it. Can’t complain one bit.”

A Long Road Back

Tokarski’s journey back to the NHL hasn’t been easy. Known for his perseverance, he has spent much of his career navigating between the AHL and NHL. The Hurricanes signed him on December 2 to address their injury struggles in goal.

Before joining the Hurricanes, Tokarski signed a professional tryout agreement with their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, showcasing his readiness for a call-up. His last extended stint in the NHL was during the 2021-22 season with the Buffalo Sabres, where he played 29 games.

High Praise From Coach and Teammates

Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour praised Tokarski’s composure and impact in the game, emphasizing his subtle yet crucial contributions: “Our goalie was great tonight. You could see that nothing really fazed him. He made some subtle puck touches behind the net to our defense, things that kind of go unnoticed. All around, I thought he was the difference tonight.”

Brind’Amour also highlighted Tokarski’s determination to stay in the league despite challenges: “We understand how hard it is to get in this league, and then to stay around, that’s a testament to him to hang in there. It’s a great story. Hopefully, it continues. It’s a good start here. I’m happy for him, and I know the guys are really happy for him, too.”

What’s Next for Tokarski and the Hurricanes?

With injuries still plaguing the Hurricanes’ goaltending roster, Tokarski has an opportunity to solidify his spot and contribute further. While Carolina may still explore additional options in goal, Tokarski’s performance has undoubtedly earned him more chances to prove himself.

For the Hurricanes, his strong play comes at a critical time as they look to maintain momentum and overcome roster challenges. If Tokarski continues to deliver, his story could serve as a cornerstone of Carolina’s season.