Recap: Canes Edged by Red Wings

DETROIT - The Carolina Hurricanes had a competitive third period, but by that point, they were working from behind.
The Canes scored two game-tying goals in the third period, but it was Robby Fabbri who found the difference-maker for the Detroit Red Wings with 2:42 left in regulation in a 4-2 final.

HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTO GALLERY | STATISTICS

The Difference

Give the Red Wings credit: They put forth a consistent compete level for 60 minutes. The Canes, on the other hand, were slow to get going, especially in the first two periods, and that was their downfall, even though they were able to mount a pair of comebacks in the final 20 minutes.
"It wasn't that we didn't work hard. We didn't play our game," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "I didn't know what I was watching for two periods. That's what really frustrated me."
What was the reason for the slow start? It begins with preparation, and the Canes, for whatever reason, weren't ready to meet the challenge from the drop of the puck.
"Preparation is all mental. It's on each and every one of us individually to prepare for each game. It's the NHL. It's pro hockey. You've got to be ready to come every night. We weren't tonight," Vincent Trocheck said. "We just didn't bring it."
With the game tied at two late in regulation, the Canes survived a flurry of chances on a Red Wings power play. Then, it was Fabbri who snuck a shot through for the game-winner with 2:42 remaining. Dylan Larkin added an empty-netter to seal it, a split in the season-opening series between the two teams.
"If we compete on a night-to-night basis like we did in game one, we have a chance every night," Trocheck said. "Tonight we just didn't bring that compete level. They outworked us and wanted it more. The end result showed that."

Plus/Minus

Plus: Andrei Svechnikov
Svechnikov led the way offensively for the Canes in the third period with a goal and an assist, en route to tallying his 100th career NHL point. He helped the power play get on the board just 28 seconds into the third period with a shot from the left circle that glanced in off the right thigh of Trocheck.

A little more that eight minutes later, he tied the game with a highlight-reel cap on a stellar individual sequence. He first forced Marc Staal to turn the puck over behind his own net, the puck then popping off Jordan Martinook and out into the slot where Svechnikov corralled it and fired home a quick shot as he fell to the ice.

"He led the way in the third," Brind'Amour said.
Minus: The First Two Periods
For as better as the third period was, the Canes weren't in sync for the first two periods. Passes were in skates. The team couldn't organize much of anything in the offensive zone. Two early power plays went by the wayside, and Detroit had the better of the scoring chances on the first one.
"If everybody's just a little off, it can look like that," Brind'Amour said. "[The Red Wings] were going from start to finish. You can't give teams that much room. You've got to respect every shift, and I don't think we did that tonight."
Being without their captain Jordan Staal, who was placed on the COVID-19 Protocol list on Friday, didn't do the Canes any favors, either. They struggled in the faceoff circle early and missed his space-eating, puck-possession game.
"That's what it looks like when he's out of our lineup, and we've got to figure it out," Brind'Amour said. "It's a huge loss, and we need guys to step up when someone like that is out."

Stats Pack

101: Svechnikov's primary assist on Trocheck's power-play goal was the Russian forward's 100th of his career. His goal later in the period put him over the century mark. The second overall pick from the 2018 NHL Draft leads his class in goals (46) and points (101) and ranks second in assists (55).
300: Another milestone was crossed off the list on Trocheck's tally, as Dougie Hamilton tallied his 300th career NHL point with the secondary assist.
5: Trocheck had a game-high five shots on goal, in addition to two attempts that were blocked and one that missed the net.

Quote of the Night

"It's all about mindset. It was a tough start for us. We came out and weren't ready at all." - Andrei Svechnikov

Up Next

It's off to Nashville now for the Canes, who will face the Predators on back-to-back nights beginning Monday.