In a game that saw the team get better as it went along, the Carolina Hurricanes (1-3-2) fell 4-2 to the Detroit Red Wings (5-2-0), as an awful first period sunk Carolina in the finale of its season opening six-game road trip.
The first period was a rough one for the Canes, as the team fell behind 3-0 and was outshot 10-5. The Red Wings struck quickly, as forward Thomas Vanek put one through starting goalie Cam Ward’s legs from the slot off a nice feed by forward Andreas Athanasiou less than five minutes in.
The Red Wings would extend their lead with eight minutes left in the first, as forward Dylan Larkin came flying in on a breakaway and beat Ward, who made 21 saves on 25 shots, on his backhand. The Detroit onslaught continued with 4:05 left in the period, as Larkin banked one in off defenseman Brett Pesce for a 3-0 Detroit lead.
The Canes came out much better to start the second, and got on the board about seven minutes in as forward Jordan Staal beat Red Wings goalie Peter Mrazek, who was excellent in this game stopping 29 of 31 Hurricanes shots, glove side off the rush to cut the Red Wings’ lead to 3-1. The Hurricanes continued to press throughout the second, but came up empty on two straight power plays. However, right as the second one expired, forward Victor Rask beat Mrazek with 7:48 left in the second to bring Carolina within one.
Detroit halted Carolina’s momentum with 2:56 left in the second, as Athanasiou snapped one home to make it 4-2 Red Wings.
The Canes pressed hard in the third, outshooting Detroit 16-6, and appeared to get within one with 3:03 to play as forward Teuvo Teravainen tipped a point shot past Mrazek, but his stick was above the crossbar, so it was ruled no goal. The Canes kept the puck in the Red Wings zone for most of the last two minutes with Ward on the bench for an extra attacker, but Mrazek made several good saves, the Canes fell 4-2.
The Canes definitely got stronger as the game went along tonight, but the terrible start in the first period did them in. A combination of poor defense and a soft opening goal allowed by Ward put the team far behind the eight ball early on tonight. This one will sting for the Hurricanes, as a win would have sent the team home with a .500 record, but instead they will return to Raleigh at 1-3-2, losing five of six on the road.
The Canes will finally have their home opener Friday, taking on the New York Rangers at PNC Arena.
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