DETROIT — The Carolina Hurricanes secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, with goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov playing a pivotal role. The win marks a positive end to the Hurricanes’ challenging six-game road trip.
Jordan Staal, the Hurricanes’ captain, was instrumental in breaking the tie in the second period, contributing to the team’s victory. Jack Drury also scored for Carolina, who have improved their season record to 16-12-1. They now look forward to hosting the Nashville Predators on Friday.
Staal praised Kochetkov’s performance, acknowledging him as a difference-maker in the game. The goaltender made 25 saves, providing the Hurricanes with the stability they needed.
On the Red Wings’ side, Michael Rasmussen scored, and goalie Ville Husso made an impressive 37 saves. Despite Husso’s efforts, Detroit coach Derek Lalonde expressed frustration over a crucial mistake that reflected the team’s need for consistent excellence. The Red Wings have now lost four of their past five games, dropping to a record of 15-10-4.
Drury opened the scoring for the Hurricanes at 4:48 of the first period, immediately following a power play. His goal, assisted by Stefan Noesen, caught the Red Wings’ penalty killers off-guard.
Rasmussen equalized for Detroit at 5:20 of the second period with a precise wrist shot, but Staal’s opportune goal at 11:49 put the Hurricanes ahead. Husso’s miscalculation on Brett Pesce’s dump-in allowed Staal to seize the moment, beating Husso and Justin Holl to the puck for the decisive goal.
Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour praised Staal for his perseverance throughout a challenging season, noting his significant contribution in this game.
The Red Wings had a chance to tie the game late in the third period, but Kochetkov’s remarkable saves, including a critical stop on Alex DeBrincat’s one-timer and a point-blank save on Robby Fabbri, secured the win for the Hurricanes.
The game, characterized by aggressive play, especially from Carolina, saw the Hurricanes outshooting the Red Wings 14-7 in the final period.
Notably, Staal was dominant in face-offs, winning 13 of 16, while Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis led with seven shots on goal. Both teams opted for 11 forwards and seven defensemen, with Rasmussen achieving his 100th NHL point. On the Red Wings’ side, David Perron served the third game of a six-game suspension.
This match showcased Carolina’s resilience and ability to close out a game, while the Red Wings will look to rebound from their recent struggles.
