Aho, Svechnikov lead Hurricanes over Lightning to hand coach Rod Brind’Amour a win in his 600th game

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov each had a goal and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Saturday night.

Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour coached his 600th career game for the franchise and picked up his 367th career win, the most for a head coach at the 600-game mark, besting Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper, who set the previous record of 364.

Jordan Martinook broke a third period tie and Frederik Andersen stopped 17 shots. Logan Stankoven added an empty-net goal.

Yanni Gourde and Charle-Edouard D’Astous scored for Tampa Bay, which fell to 3-7 since the Olympic break. Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 31 saves.

Martinook broke the tie when he swept a puck from outside the left circle toward the net that hit the inside of the pants of Victor Hedman and hit the inside of the far post at 9:18 of the third period.

The Hurricanes scored on the opening shift of the game on a delayed penalty call. After Svechnikov was denied in close to draw a penalty, he was left alone in front moments later for Aho to find him 36 seconds into the game.

The duo connected again late in the first period when Aho was stopped on a breakaway chance but stayed at the side of the net for Svechinkov, who sent over a quick pass.

It’s the third time this season in three meetings Carolina has built a multigoal lead in the first period against Tampa Bay.

But the Lightning struck back with a pair of goals in the second period.

Hurricanes: At Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday

Lightning: At Seattle Kraken on Tuesday

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Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) stops a shot by Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (22) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a save on a shot by Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall (71) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Lightning center Zemgus Girgensons (28) loses control of the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Lightning center Zemgus Girgensons (28) and Carolina Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis (24) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) watches his shot get past Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) for a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Anze Kopitar scored his second goal of Saturday night's game against the New Jersey Devils with 6:18 to play to surpass Marcel Dionne and become the Los Angeles Kings' career points leader.

The 38-year-old Slovenian forward scored his 450th career goal against Jake Allen to tie the contest 4-4 and moved past Dionne for the franchise points lead with 1,308.

Kopitar was mobbed by his teammates after the record-setting goal.

Kopitar, who has played his entire 20-year career with the Kings, has 858 career assists, most in team history. Dionne scored 550 goals with Los Angeles. Luc Robitaille leads the franchise with 557 career goals.

The Kings captain and a two-time Stanley Cup winner said he will retire after this season.

Kopitar scored to tie the record at 4:14 of the second period.

Kopitar had an earlier chance to set the record at the 14-minute mark of the second when his one-timer beat Allen but hit the crossbar.

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

Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar skates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)