Hurricanes’ Mark Jankowski Stepping Up Amidst Jordan Staal’s Injury

Over the last two weeks, the Carolina Hurricanes have been on a roll, winning seven straight games and now sitting at 7-1-1. Even with injuries to Jordan Staal, Taylor Hall, and Seth Jarvis, they keep finding ways to win games. From depth scoring to stars contributing to special teams going perfect most nights, it’s been a mixture of everything. Amid it all, forward Mark Jankowski has been one of head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s hottest goal scorers. “Janks” has scored in six straight games and is filling in for Staal with him out of the lineup. How has he been a huge factor for the Hurricanes during their current winning streak?

Stepping Up as the 3C While Continuing Goal Streak

Over the last three games, Jankowski has had some Conn Smythe-shoes to fill with Staal being out for the next month or two with a partially torn calf. One of the main questions was how the Hurricanes would be without their captain, and so far, the Hamilton, Ontario native has stepped up hugely.

Through nine games, Jankowski has six goals and seven points and is currently on a six-game goal streak. He has won 52.9% of the faceoffs (27 wins to 24 losses) over the last three games with Staal out. His shooting percentage (S%) is at 37.5% after scoring three goals on eight shots in that span. Plus, he has been productive while averaging 15:56 of ice time. The thing is, the Hurricanes knew that if they needed someone to step up in Staal’s absence, they could rely on Jankowski.

After Jankowski signed his two-year, $3.7 million extension on May 11, Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky stated, “Mark has been an excellent fit for our organization throughout his time here. He’s proven he can contribute in different ways, and we are glad he’s chosen to remain with the organization.” Since being acquired via trade from the Nashville Predators during the 2024-25 season, he has 25 goals and 36 points in 96 games. His 25 goals on 99 shots on goal have him at a 25.3 S%. That is the definition of efficient with shot selection.

After scoring in his sixth straight game in the Hurricanes’ 3-2 win on Saturday, Oct. 17, against the Winnipeg Jets, Jankowski stated, “It just feels great to help the team win any way possible. That’s always been my philosophy. [I’m] just trying to do all the little things right and then eventually, the goals and all that come afterwards…”

With how Jankowski has been playing, especially stepping into the third-line center role, it’s good to see him be rewarded. Since joining the Hurricanes, he’s done whatever role Brind’Amour and assistant coach Jeff Daniels ask of him. Whether it’s the fourth-line or third-line center, taking minutes on the power and/or penalty kill, he fills the role well. As he closes in on 100 games with the Hurricanes, he’s been a solid center depth addition.

As the Hurricanes prepare to face the Calgary Flames on Sunday night, could we see Jankowski score in seven straight games? He is currently tied for the most in franchise history since relocation in 1997. Only Ray Ferraro (7 games in 1988-89) and Pierre Larouche (9 games in 1981-82) are longer. He’s been a huge key to the team winning as of late, especially with his six-game goal streak. Plus, he’s been winning faceoffs in Staal’s absence and producing on the second power play unit as well. That said, over the next month or so, until the captain returns, Jankowski will be one to watch as he continues his current run of form.