"For the Mentors": 2024-25 Regular Season, Game 62: Hurricanes at Detroit Red Wings

With the mentors along for the ride, the Canes took a quick trip to the Motor City to face the Detroit Red Wings for the first time on Tuesday night. The Canes gave their mentors something to cheer about on Sunday night, winning in overtime to salvage a tough back-to-back. With wins in two of their last three, the group tried to change its road luck by taking it to the Red Wings early. Detroit, featuring a trio of lethal scorers, hoped for better fortunes in their Stadium Series jerseys after losing at Ohio Stadium to the Blue Jackets on Saturday night.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (18:59)- Jordan Martinook (11) (Jalen Chatfield (9))

2nd Period

CAR (1:29)- Jordan Staal (12) (Jordan Martinook (18) & Shayne Gostisbehere (27))

3rd Period

DET (10:05)- Elmer Soderblom (3) (unassisted)

My Thoughts

When the Hurricanes visited Detroit last season after a rough trip through Western Canada, the Canes beat the Red Wings 2-1 after Ville Husso misplayed a puck in the second period, leading to the eventual game-winner. Tonight, Alex Lyon misplayed a puck early in the middle frame after the puck bounced on him, allowing an easy wrap-around goal. Who was the common thread in those two goals? The captain. Jordan Staal scored in both instances, putting the team on his back with hard work to capitalize on poor puck handling from the goalies. It was fitting that he and Jordan Martinook got the goals in front of the mentors on this trip. Two of the hardest-working men on the ice put on their hard hats to help the group a huge regulation victory. 

On Sunday, I praised the goalie battle between Pyotr Kochetkov and Dustin Wolf. I have just as much praise, if not more, for tonight's duel between Frederik Andersen and Alex Lyon. Andersen had to be sharp in the first period as Detroit owned the early portion of the contest. There was no letdown in his game, even after the Red Wings got on the board midway through the third. On the other end, Lyon was the only reason the game didn't get out of hand. The Canes could've scored a handful of goals in the second period with the amount of pressure they put on Detroit's defense. He was also big early in the third before Detroit's goal. As well as he played, Lyon did make the biggest mistake of the night, mishandling a bouncing puck early in the second period. 

After a tough start, the Canes' defense settled in to play one of its most complete games in recent memory. Detroit transitioned the puck well early in the game but wasn't able to get anything out of it. Jaccob Slavin did Jaccob Slavin-like things all night. He broke up a 2-on-1 in the first minute. He also made two plays on a 3-on-2 in the second period to prevent a great scoring chance. We're simply spoiled by his play every night. Jalen Chatfield sparked the group by setting up the first goal. He stripped Moritz Seider of the puck and found Martinook for the late goal in the first period. Outside of Dmitry Orlov getting blown past on Detroit's goal, it's hard to point to many things the defense did poorly. It translated to the penalty kill, too. The Canes went 3-for-3 against the second-best power play in the league, returning to form in that aspect as well.

With consecutive wins under their belt, the team returns home with a ton of momentum. With things getting even tighter in the division and the trade deadline looming on Friday, this was a perfect effort to instill confidence in the fanbase. There are bound to be several moving pieces in the lead-up to the deadline as teams try to find their final form before the stretch run to the postseason. The Canes have put themselves in an excellent spot, but I suspect they won't leave a stone unturned before the 3 pm deadline. Once the excitement of Friday subsides, everyone will breathe a little easier.  

When We Meet Again- These two teams will clash again in ten days as the Red Wings visit Raleigh on March 14th. The season series concludes in one month when the Canes return to Detroit on April 4th. 

#RaiseUp First Star of the Game- Taylor Hall

There were several deserving players tonight and while Taylor Hall didn't find the scoresheet, it felt like he was the team's best forward tonight. Hall finished the night tied for the team lead in shots (4) with linemate Jackson Blake, who benefitted from Hall's playmaking ability on more than one occasion. The former Hart winner was flying tonight. He wasn't rewarded, but he continues to be impactful even when he isn't scoring.

Checking In on the Playoff Picture

Washington (10 Points Ahead for 1st)- While they coughed up a late lead on Monday night, the Capitals managed to beat the Senators in the shootout. They face another tough test on Wednesday against the streaking Rangers. 

New Jersey (4 Points Behind for 2nd)- Despite Dallas' best efforts to lose the game, Thomas Harley was the hero with 4.8 seconds left in regulation to beat the Devils in regulation. This allowed the Canes to extend their lead while maintaining their game in hand. Dougie Hamilton left the game tonight, possibly adding more pressure on New Jersey to do something at the deadline.

Columbus (8 Points Behind for 2nd, Current WC1)- Zach Werenski scored twice to reach 20 goals, but that was the only positive thing in a 6-2 loss to the Bolts tonight. They maintained their spot as the top Wild Card team, but six teams are within four points of them right now. 

New York (R) (10 Points Behind for 2nd, Current WC2)- The revolving door for the second Wild Card has a new occupant as the Rangers jump into the spot after Detroit's loss tonight. The situation is far some solved, but New York has started to get hot at the right time.

The Road Ahead- A four-game homestand will begin on Thursday night with the Boston Bruins in town. They'll be without Brad Marchand for the game but should be plenty upset after losing 6-3 on home ice tonight to the Nashville Predators. The Canes will also host Winnipeg, Tampa Bay, and Detroit during the upcoming homestand.