Recap: Depleted Carolina Hurricanes overcome Red Wings, 5-3

The Detroit Red Wings were not able to get past a COVID-ridden Carolina Hurricane squad in a 5-3  loss. Lucas Raymond collected two assists, now with 27 points on the season (leads all rookies).

First Period

The first period saw a flurry of goals, with five scored throughout.

The Hurricanes got on the board first, capitalizing on an early power play just a couple of minutes into the game.  A hooking call on Ethan Bear gave Detroit their own shot at the power play less than a minute later, but the unit could not convert.

Just after the power play expired, Sam Gagner tied things out at the front of the net, spinning around and flicking the puck off of the goaltender’s stick.

The goals kept coming, as Tony DeAngelo retook the lead for Carolina just two minutes later.

The next few minutes were a back and forth affair, but the Red Wings struck back. Lucas Raymond flipped a pass to a racing Dylan Larkin for a breakaway, Larkin cashed in on the fantastic pass, sneaking a backhander into the net.

The depleted Hurricanes were able to retake the lead for the third time in the period with just over a minute left, as Jack Drury whacked in a rebound for his first NHL goal.

Second Period

The Hurricanes controlled the first five minutes of the period comfortably, applying plenty of pressure in the offensive zone and limiting Detroit’s opportunities on offense. A penalty on Drury halted that momentum for the Hurricanes, but the Red Wings couldn’t capitalize on the man advantage.

A few minutes after the power play expired, Tyler Bertuzzi attempted a wrap around goal that seemed to bounce off of the goaltender’s pad. Seconds later, the horn sounded for an official replay. Upon further review, it was clear that the puck had actually slipped well past the blue line, and Bertuzzi was given the game-tying goal.

The second period ended without another goal for either team, although the Red Wings had their third power play attempt of the game.

Third Period

Eighteen seconds into the period, Nino Niederreiter scored his second goal of the night, making it 4-3 Carolina.

That turned out to be the game winner for the Hurricanes. The Red Wings struggled to get past a stifling defense, as Carolina mucked up the neutral zone and made life hard for the Detroit forwards. The Red Wings best chance to tie things up came with under a minute left in the game, as Bertuzzi just missed what would’ve been his second goal of the night.

Detroit is back home this Saturday, hosting the New York Islanders.