The Carolina Hurricanes are looking to reverse a three-game losing streak when they take on the Detroit Red Wings Saturday.
Losing streak snapped
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Carolina surrendered multi-goal leads in each of their previous three loses. Old habits die hard as the Canes gave up a goal early in the third. Andrew Copp scored on the power play to cut the lead to 3-2 with about 17 minute remaining in the third period.
Hard to watch the rest of the third with the last few blown leads in mind. Andrei Svechnikov eased those concerns with a spectacular play late in the third. He stole a puck in Detroit's zone then beat Gibson one on one to seal the game for Carolina.
Jordan Martinook would add an empty netter. The Canes snap their losing streak with a 5-2 win to take possession of first place in the eastern conference.
Canes lead after two periods
Canes get rewarded to start the second period. Shayne Gostisbehere was able to keep a puck in the offensive zone. He fired a shot from the blue line that was deflected by Jackson Blake for the goal. The goal was Blake's 11th of the season, and a team leading 24th assist for Gostisbehere.
About a minute later the Canes cash again. Andrei Svechnikov led an odd-man rush with Sebastian Aho and Eric Robinson. Robinson is able to score on a rebound in front of a net to give Carolina a 2-1 lead.
Gostisbehere has one of the best shots from a defenseman in the NHL and with 4:34 left in the second Gostisbehere was able to score on a wrister on a pass from Jalen Chatfield to give the Canes a 3-1 lead after two periods.
Strong start for the Canes but trail 1-0 after first period
The Hurricanes getting a few players back in the lineup after the holiday break. Will Carrier and Jordan Martinook both able to play. K'Andre Miller out with a lower body injury.
The Canes started strong versus Detroit. About midway through the period they just missed on several chances. Eric Robinson was stuffed right at the goal line by the stick of goaltender John Gibson. Mark Jankowski hit the crossbar and had another back hand attempt go wide in front of the net.
Canes wishing they cashed one of those chances as Michael Rasmussen scored with 7:12 left in the first period.
The Canes sticking to their game despite trailing. Shayne Gostisbehere had a clear with to the net with 2:15 left in the first, but Gibson was able to make the save yet again.
Canes outshot the Red Wings 16-5 after the first period. Detroit up 1-0.
PREGAME: Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings meet as division leaders
Carolina (22-11-3) and Detroit (22-13-3) have identical win records and sit atop their respective divisions. But the Wings have won three while Carolina is on a losing streak. Saturday is their first meeting of the 2025-26 season.
The Hurricanes have seen the greatest production this season from Sebastian Aho (13 goals and 19 assists), but they come into the post-Christmas stretch with two key players lost to injury. Stars Jaccob Slavin and Seth Jarvis are both on injured reserve.
"It's been all year, we've dealt with (injuries),” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “A lot of teams have dealt with it, maybe not to this extent, but for the whole year, it feels like we've had maybe two games where we've had our full group.”
The game, at 7 p.m. at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, is part of Hockey for the Holidays and will be broadcast live and for free on WRAL-TV.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes and bring this special holiday hockey tradition to viewers across the Carolinas,” said Heather Gray, VP & General Manager of WRAL and FOX50. “Our viewers are passionate about the Hurricanes, and these broadcasts are a great way to celebrate the season with family, friends, and exciting live sports right at home.”
