Ehlers' hat trick leads Hurricanes to 9-1 rout of Panthers

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Nikolaj Ehlers had three goals for his sixth career hat trick and first with Carolina, and the Hurricanes scored six times in the third period to cruise past the Florida Panthers 9-1 on Friday night.

Ehlers, who signed with Carolina in the offseason after playing 10 years with Winnipeg, also had an assist. Taylor Hall had two goals and Mark Jankowski had a goal and two assists. Alexander Nikishin and Andrei Svechnikov had a goal and an assist and Eric Robinson also scored.

Brandon Bussi made 16 saves for the Hurricanes, who had four power-play goals and improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven games.

Uvis Balinskis had the lone goal for the Panthers, who gave up eight unanswered goals and had their two-game winning streak stopped. Sergei Bobrovsky allowed all nine of Carolina's goals while stopping just 26 shots.

Ehlers gave the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead with 1:25 left in the first period. Balinskis tied it at 1:19 of the second — but it was all Carolina after that.

Jankowski put the Hurricanes up 2-1 at 13:10 of the second and Nikishin made it 3-1 with a power-play goal three minutes later.

Svechnikov, Ehlers and Hall also scored power-play goals in the third as Carolina pulled away.

Ehlers completed his hat trick on a one-timer off a pass from Logan Stankoven to make it 7-1. Hall and Robinson capped the scoring.

Panthers: Play at Washington against the Capitals on Saturday night.

Hurricanes: Take on the Devils in New Jersey on Saturday night.

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

Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after a goal by Nikolaj Ehlers during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Mark Jankowski, center, celebrates his goal with Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Robinson, right, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (82) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) celebrates during a "Storm Surge" celebration following an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Alexander Nikishin celebrates his goal with teammate Sebastian Aho, right, and Nikolaj Ehlers (27) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Nikolaj Ehlers celebrates his hat trick goal against the Florida Panthers with teammates Seth Jarvis (24) and Sebastian Aho during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

TORONTO (AP) — James Harden had 31 points and 10 assists, Jordan Miller scored 19 points and the Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to five games by beating the Toronto Raptors 121-117 in overtime on Friday night.

Ivica Zubac had 16 points and 14 rebounds, Cam Christie scored 16 points and Kris Dunn had 15 as the Clippers won for the 12th time in 14 games since starting the season 6-21.

Toronto’s Scottie Barnes scored 24 points and Brandon Ingram had 19.

The Clippers are 7-14 on the road. They've won four of their past five away from home.

Kawhi Leonard missed his team’s lone regular-season visit to Toronto because of a sprained right ankle. Leonard won the 2019 NBA championship with the Raptors.

The Raptors lost for the second time in 21 games when leading after three quarters.

Toronto led 109-101 with 3:35 remaining in regulation, but missed six straight shots as Harden forced overtime with a personal 8-0 run. Harden made four straight free throws to begin OT.

Harden shot 10 for 27 and finished 2 for 15 from 3-point range. He went 9 for 10 at the free throw line.

Barnes scored with 55 seconds left in the extra session to make it a one-point game before Harden answered with a pull-up jumper.

Toronto’s Jamal Shead had 15 points and a career-high 13 assists. Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick each scored 15 points and Sandro Mamukelashvili had 13.

Zubac returned after sitting out Wednesday’s home win over Washington because of a sprained left ankle.

Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley (back spasms) missed his second straight game, while RJ Barrett (left ankle) missed his fourth straight.

Clippers: At Washington on Monday.

Raptors: Open a five-game Western road trip at the Lakers on Sunday.

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

Toronto Raptors' Brandon Ingram, center, battles with Los Angeles Clippers' Cam Christie (12) and Kobe Sanders, second from right, during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes (4) drives past Los Angeles Clippers' Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Clippers' James Harden (1) shoots over Toronto Raptors' Collin Murray-Boyles (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Clippers' James Harden, left, looks to pass the ball over Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes, right, during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Clippers' James Harden (1) drives past Toronto Raptors' Brandon Ingram, left, during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)