The Carolina Hurricanes will try to pick up the pace offensively in order to meet the high standard they set for themselves throughout most of the past month.
The next test will come Thursday at home when they face the Detroit Red Wings at Raleigh, N.C.
The Hurricanes lost 4-1 in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, making it three of their past four games when they failed to score more than two goals in regulation.
“We couldn’t score. We didn’t get to the net,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We didn’t really get enough at the net. We were a little light around that area. We put up some good shots, but not enough traffic and we made it an easy night for them.”
The outcome marked ended a seven-game points streak for Carolina (45-21-7, 97 points), which is in position to have home-ice advantage in a first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. But there’s more work to be done.
One result isn’t reason for major concerns for a team that has been one of the hottest in the NHL.
“We’ve strung together some good games in a row,” Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal said. “We’ve played some good hockey.”
Detroit (36-29-7, 79 points) has lost consecutive games, including a 4-3 overtime disappointment Tuesday at Washington.
“Flip the page and focus on Carolina,” Red Wings left winger J.T. Compher said. “One game at a time. Even less than that, one period at a time and be ready for that first period in Carolina. … Continue to build on what we’ve been doing and try to get some results.”
The Red Wings have won just three games in March, yet they remain in contention for a wild-card spot.
“We’re doing some quality things,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Our team game is coming around. In reality, six fairly good periods on the road and only one point to show for it. We’re going to need to be even better with the competition we have coming up on the road.”
The Hurricanes have defeated the Red Wings twice this season, winning 2-1 on Dec. 14 on the road and claiming a 4-2 victory Jan. 19 at home. The second matchup came with Carolina using goalie Antti Raanta, who isn’t currently on the roster.
It figures to be goalie Frederik Andersen’s turn in nets for Carolina based on his rotation with Pyotr Kochetkov. Andersen is 6-0-0 since returning to action earlier this month after being sidelined due to blood-clotting issues.
Veteran defenseman Dmitry Orlov scored Tuesday’s goal for the Hurricanes. Of his six goals this season, three have come across a 10-day period.
He said finding the right times to join the rush has sparked the offense.
“Just be yourself. Just use your instincts and try to play hard,” Orlov said.
The Red Wings, who have played two games as part of a five-game road stretch, have gone 0-6-1 across their last seven road games.
“We got to get back at it,” Red Wings center Dylan Larkin said. “It’s no easy task going into Carolina, but we’re trying to catch someone now. We have to keep going. We have to keep clawing and fighting for points.”
–Field Level Media