"Is PK Ok?" 2024-25 Regular Season, Game 75: Hurricanes at Detroit Red Wings

The Canes begin their final long road trip of the season on Friday night, visiting the Motor City for the final collision with the Red Wings this season. Carolina won both meetings in March, both of which were tight battles between the cross-division foes. Detroit still has a lot to play for as they chase down one of the final playoff spots, but there are plenty of teams in their way. This game still has some meaning for the Canes as they try to wrap up home ice for the first round this weekend.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

DET (9:03)- Ben Chiarot (4) (Alex DeBrincat (30) & Dylan Larkin (35))

DET (9:29)- Marco Kasper (16) (Elmer Soderblom (7) & Lucas Raymond (48))

2nd Period

CAR (1:57)- Jackson Blake (15) (Seth Jarvis (31))

DET (9:05)- Patrick Kane (20) (unassisted)

DET (9:26)- Michael Rasmussen (11) (Tyler Motte (5))

CAR (12:36)- Eric Robinson (14) (Justin Robidas (1) & Jaccob Slavin (19))

3rd Period

CAR (12:44)- Brent Burns (6) (Jack Roslovic (16) & Jaccob Slavin (20))

DET (19:59)- Alex DeBrincat (34) EN (Dylan Larkin (36))

My Thoughts

Honestly, who cares? I surely don't. Did you see that Alex Ovechkin tied the record tonight? That happened while this game was happening. The Canes have one thing to play for right now, and they're so close to it that it really doesn't natter. Obviously, my tone will change if this turns into a terrible road trip and it leads to the team spiraling, but we're far from that happening. The Canes didn't play a great game. The Red Wings were better for two spurts in two periods, accounting for four goals. That was enough to win them the game. I genuinely think this game is as simple as that. If not for those moments, the Canes might've faced a better outcome, or it wouldn't have changed a thing. Who's to say? Either way, they lost. 

I can't look at tonight's game and put the blame on Pyotr Kochetkov. He got bad iron luck after getting good iron luck on the first goal. Sebastian Aho lost his footing, allowing his man to score a tap-in on the second goal. Patrick Kane got a breakaway to score the third goal. No one picked up Michael Rasmussen, and Kochetkov was stuck in no-man's land. It wasn't his fault. However, this game continues a stretch of tough outings for Kochetkov that began in Los Angeles in March. It feels like he's lost his confidence, and I don't know what it'll take for him to regain it. I thought he played well despite those offensive sports from the Red Wings. He made a big breakaway stop in a 2-1 game on Lucas Raymond. I thought that might've been a potential game-altering moment. He needs to snap out of it quickly.

NHL debuts for the Carolina Hurricanes under Rod Brind'Amour are tough because you're not likely to play a ton in your first game. Justin Robidas only played 8:14 tonight, the least for any player. Still, he found a way onto the scoresheet with his first point. Robidas threw the puck at the net, getting a deflection from Eric Robinson to make it a 4-2 game late in the second period. Initially, I thought it was Robidas' goal before the replay confirmed Robinson tipped it. He also had a good face-off night, winning more than half of his draws. With Andrei Svechnikov not on the trip and the coaching staff holding players out for precautionary reasons, Robidas should get plenty of chances to show why he's having such a good year in the AHL. He's already a point-per-game player in the NHL. 

In closing, the top line scored again tonight, with Seth Jarvis knocking down a pass and setting up Jackson Blake. The Canes' top group has been scoring at a blistering pace. Jarvis has points in six straight and in 12 of his last 13 (7 goals, 15 points). Blake has points in six of his last nine games (4 goals, 9 points). Sebastian Aho didn't score tonight, but he has 11 points in his last 13 games. This group is magical, despite their lack of size. I'm hesitant to say the coaching staff will keep them together for the long haul, especially with how much juggling they do, but it's worth riding it out until it's clear the magic is gone.

#RaiseUp First Star of the Game- Justin Robidas

Truly, either Seth Jarvis or Jackson Blake should be in this spot. However, playing your first game and getting a point is a pretty cool accomplishment, especially when you don't play a ton. Justin Robidas' assist helped the Canes work back as they tried to complete another comeback. It fell short, but the guy playing his first game helped get it started. 

Checking In on the Playoff Picture

New Jersey (9 Points Behind for 2nd)- The Devils have been idle since Monday, with their next game coming Saturday afternoon against the Rangers. If the Devils lose in any fashion and the Canes beat the Bruins, I believe the Canes wrap up second in the division. 

New York (R) (8 Points Behind NJ for 3rd)- The Rangers sit just two points behind Montreal and two ahead of Columbus and Detroit in 9th place in the conference. Along with their visit to New Jersey on Saturday, they'll host the Lightning on Monday night.

Columbus (10 Points Behind NJ for 3rd)- The Blue Jackets have a tough three-game stretch ahead of them. They'll play a back-to-back against Toronto and Ottawa this weekend before playing the Senators a second time on Tuesday.

The Road Ahead- The Canes are back in action tomorrow night in Boston, completing their season series with the Bruins. The road trip will continue in Buffalo on Tuesday night before Thursday's highly-anticipated meeting with the Washington Capitals in D.C. They'll finish the season with a pair of back-to-backs, starting at home against the Rangers and the Leafs next weekend.