Red Wings Return The Favor...
As the remainder of the first period was contested tightly and penalty-free, the two sides moved to the second with their 1-1 score.
The two sides combined for just 11 shots in the opening stanza with eight belonging to Carolina, setting the tone for what would be the story of the rest of the night.
Chances were few and far between for each side, as both groups showed they were comfortable playing at even strength and waiting for the opposition to make a mistake.
As the middle frame progressed, the Canes were able to claim their first lead of the night in the late stages.
Necas, who returned to the lineup after missing five games due to an upper-body injury, put his full offensive skill set on display and earned his team their second goal of the night.
Unfortunately, like the first period, the advantage didn't last long.
The first penalty of the night was finally called inside the final two minutes of the period, and it went against Carolina. Jaccob Slavin, one of the most important penalty killers for Tim Gleason's units, was sent off for holding, and it proved costly.
It took just 21 seconds for the Red Wings to cash in, counter-striking after Carolina tried to push shorthanded.
