Field Level Media
20 Jan 2020, 23:49 GMT+10
Justin Williams made a grand return for the Carolina Hurricanes, and now he'll be looking to do even more after his much-anticipated season debut following an abbreviated retirement came with quite a bit of fanfare.
Williams delivered the decisive tally in his first game of the season in a shootout Sunday against the New York Islanders, so he already has proven valuable.
"Just trust yourself, trust your ability, trust your instincts and go get it," Williams said. "That's what got me here. That's what will get me going further."
Next the Hurricanes take on the visiting Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night in Raleigh, N.C. It will be Carolina's last game until Jan. 31 because of the All-Star break.
Williams, a former team captain, returned earlier this month and worked his way into the lineup for the first time against the Islanders. It was his 1,245th career regular-season game, ranking fourth among active NHL players on that list.
"I was nervous the whole game," Williams said. "Thankful for the opportunity to take a penalty shot."
The shootout conversion was his first since Nov. 27, 2013, but it marked his fifth career shootout-deciding goal.
"I just tried to get involved in the game," Williams said. "Butterflies are going, but you need to settle yourself down. ... It was fun and we got what we wanted -- two points. And we got another (game) before the break."
Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour was pleased with Williams' solid showing.
"He certainly didn't look out of place," Brind'Amour said. "I expected him to be a little more rusty, just the pace because that was a fast game. But he fit right in. He put in the work and it showed."
Williams said he'll calm down after a few games.
"There's always a period where you're going on adrenalin and I think these first few games I'm going to go on adrenalin," Williams said, "and then I'll be on my way to being the player I know I can be."
Brind'Amour said he'll have to continue to monitor Williams' minutes "but I don't want to put too much on him yet."
The Hurricanes snapped a three-game losing streak with Sunday's victory. Carolina has gone five consecutive games without scoring more than two goals.
Winnipeg has lost two games in a row by a combined score of 12-3, including Sunday's 5-2 setback at Chicago. The Jets have two team points across their last five games.
"I like the idea if we go out and get a jump on a team," Jets coach Paul Maurice said. "We're slow out of the gate, for sure."
Winnipeg lost Adam Lowry to a first-period injury during the Chicago game, although Maurice said he's waiting for an update on the center's status.
Maurice is just hoping his team won't make things too complicated.
"There's a lot of simplicity that can come into our game and make us more effective," Maurice said. "It's a challenge for us right now."
Maurice spent two stints as coach of the Hurricanes, so he will have another return to Raleigh.
This is the middle game of a three-game trip across four nights for the Jets, who go to Columbus on Wednesday night.
Carolina won 6-3 at Winnipeg on Dec. 17.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Cleveland Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cleveland Star.
More InformationHONG KONG: China has fired back at the European Union in an escalating trade dispute by imposing new restrictions on medical device...
NEW YORK, New York - Monday's trading session saw mixed performances across U.S. and global markets, with several major indices posting...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. government has granted GE Aerospace permission to resume jet engine shipments to China's COMAC, a person...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: Saudi Aramco is exploring asset sales as part of a broader push to unlock capital, with gas-fired power plants among...
MILAN, Italy: Italian regulators have flagged four non-EU countries—including Russia—as carrying systemic financial risk for domestic...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: With just weeks to spare before a potential government default, U.S. lawmakers passed a sweeping tax and spending...
(Photo credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images) The Boston Red Sox are facing a light portion of their schedule and taking advantage...
(Photo credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images) Brayan Rocchio lined a go-ahead, two-run double into the left field corner with two outs...
(Photo credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images) Janson Junk held the Cincinnati Reds to one hit over six innings and Agustin Ramirez...
(Photo credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images) Brayan Rocchio lined a go-ahead, two-run double into the left-field corner with two outs...
(Photo credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images) Byron Buxton has solidified his status as a two-time All-Star for the Minnesota Twins....
(Photo credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images) The Atlanta Hawks officially welcomed Kristaps Porzingis on Monday while waiving forward...