Jackson Blake’s overtime goal lifts Hurricanes past Rangers 3-2

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Jackson Blake’s power-play goal on a deflection 4:47 into overtime lifted the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers on Monday night.

Sebastian Aho had a goal and an assist and Jordan Martinook provided the tying goal in regulation for the Hurricanes, who’ve won two straight following a three-game skid. Nikolaj Ehlers had two assists. Rookie goalie Brandon Bussi stopped 17 shots to improve to 13-1-1.

Vladislav Gavrikov and Jonny Brodzinski scored for the Rangers, who’ve dropped back-to-back games. Igor Shesterkin made 31 saves.

The Rangers were trying to kill off the final 1:59 of overtime following a tripping penalty on Matthew Robertson. New York had won its previous three games that extended beyond regulation, but Blake deposited his fourth goal in a six-game stretch.

Bussi was in the nets unexpectedly because earlier in the day would-be starter Pyotr Kochetkov, who shut out the Rangers last month, was placed on injured reserve. Coach Rod Brind’Amour said before the game that Kochetkov has opted for what’s likely to be season-ending surgery for a lower-body injury.

The teams each scored on power plays in the first period, with Gavrikov converting 1:39 into the game. Aho’s tally came late in the period with the Hurricanes on a 5-on-3 advantage.

Brodzinski put the Rangers on top in the second period. Martinook has goals in consecutive games after his tying marker with 10:49 to go in the third period.

The Rangers had only five shots on goal in each of the first and third periods.

It's the first time in three meetings this season that the home team won.

Rangers: Wednesday at Washington

Hurricanes: Tuesday at Pittsburgh

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

New York Rangers' Braden Schneider (4) tries to gather in the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) with Jalen Chatfield (5) nearby during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

New York Rangers' Taylor Raddysh (14) stretches for the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period of an NHL hockey game, in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) deflects the puck towards Carolina Hurricanes' Nikolaj Ehlers (27) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Jackson Blake (53) controls the puck in front of New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) during an overtime period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Jackson Blake (53) celebrates after his winning overtime goal with Sebastian Aho (20) nearby following an overtime period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

MIAMI (AP) — Denver star Nikola Jokic was having another brilliant game: 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the first half, with behind-the-back passes to set up scores and generally doing whatever he wanted.

Then came one misstep from a teammate with about three seconds left until halftime — and now, the Nuggets wait to see how bad the news might be.

Jokic limped off the court in Miami on Monday night, after appearing to hurt his left knee just before the intermission. He was not on the floor for the second half and an MRI — probably sometime Tuesday — will determine what happens from here.

“Immediately, he knew something was wrong," Nuggets coach David Adelman said after Denver's 147-123 loss. “Hey, this is part of the NBA. Anybody who gets hurt in this game, it's kind of gut-wrenching, especially somebody as special as he is. We'll find out more tomorrow. We'll move on as a team. Obviously, right now, I'm more concerned just about him as a person and the disappointment of going through something like that.”

If Jokic misses any significant time, it would be a massive blow to Denver, and in some respects to the entire NBA given how he's considered one of the game's absolute superstars.

“Tonight my mind will wander,” Adelman said. “And it'll wander about what we have to do going forward if he is out for a while or for a long time.”

Jokic is a three-time MVP and certainly was in the early MVP conversation this season, having entered Monday averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists — well on his way to a triple-double average for the second consecutive season.

Jokic was alone under the basket and appeared to step forward to help Denver's Spencer Jones defend a drive by Miami's Jaime Jaquez Jr. as time was about to expire in the second quarter. While backtracking, Jones stepped on Jokic's left foot and it seemed the center's knee buckled.

Jokic collapsed to the court, grabbing at the knee and writhing in pain. He was helped to his feet, then made his way to the locker room under his own power. He was evaluated by doctors, and the Nuggets were working through a logistical plan for how to schedule an MRI around the team's flight to Toronto on Tuesday for a game against the Raptors on Wednesday.

“It's just part of this process,” Adelman said. “You don't get definitive answers right after these things happen. I know he's an extremely special player that people want updates on right away; makes total sense to me. But we'll go through the process properly, for him and for our team.”

The Nuggets have dealt with some major injury issues this season and were playing Monday without three would-be starters — Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) and Cam Johnson (right knee injury management).

Denver has managed its way through those — thanks in large part to Jokic.

“The things that he’s doing this year,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said before Monday's game, “are really remarkable.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) shoots as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Peyton Watson (8) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)