1) We've Seen This Movie Before
Nedeljkovic may have entered the night with a .900 save percentage (SV%) and just five wins in 19 games since the All-Star break, but he turned it on against his former teammates.
The Canes outplayed their opposition from the opening puck drop, but every time Detroit needed a stop, they got one.
There were power play opportunities, partial breakaways, two-on-ones, chances from the slot - you name it, "Ned" stopped it. While he struggled with his rebound control in the opening 20 minutes, he hit a groove in the second as he faced 18 shots, looking more and more comfortable as play went along.
29/29 after 40 minutes, you started to sense that it might be a little extra difficult to beat the 2014 second round selection of Carolina.
2) Work To Be Done On The Power Play
It was another 0-for-3 night on the man advantage for Carolina, an area that both Rod Brind'Amour and players alike have cited as of late that needs to improve.
The Canes had one chance in every period to either get ahead or cut the deficit, but instead were not able to beat Nedeljkovic.
3) Kotkaniemi Back In Action
For the first time since suffering a lower-body injury on Monday, March 28 in Washington, Jesperi Kotkaniemi was in the lineup for Rod Brind'Amour.
Stopping the total at eight games missed, #82 skated between Jordan Martinook and Martin Necas, allowing Max Domi to move back to the wing.
Kotkaniemi logged 15:20 of ice time, including 2:48 on the second power play unit.
They Said It:
Jordan Martinookon Nedeljkovic...
"You just have to tip your cap. Ned was good. Obviously we've seen that he can steal games. We had enough chances to score a couple, you just have to tip your cap. We created a lot, but we couldn't get one by him."
Sebastian Ahotouching on the man advantage...
"Not good enough. If the power play gets one today, I'm pretty sure we win that game. The power play let us down today, especially our first] group. We have to keep working on it and next time we go out there we have to have a lot of confidence, trust each other and score goals when it comes down the stretch. We'll keep working on it and the bounces will come."
**Rod Brind'Amour***offering thoughts on Kotkaniemi's return...*
"He got better I thought as the game went along. You could tell in the first he was a little red-faced. He hadn't really had a team practice or anything, so I give him credit for getting his game going. I think he'll get better too as the games go along."
**What's Next?** **:**
The Canes fly to Colorado Friday to begin a two-game road trip. They meet the Avalanche on Saturday for a 9 p.m. EST puck drop.
**Bonus Notes:**
**Worth A Click:**
[Writers Roundtable: Wrapping Up The Regular Season
CanesCast Episode 208: Who's Peaking?
In, But Not Done: Canes Clinch Playoff Spot
Hurricanes April Schedule
NHL Standings
