Detroit @ Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 20, 2018 ) Detroit 4, Carolina 1

Andrei Svechnikov may not be able to pull off the play that led to the tying goal last time out again for a while, but the 19-year-old right wing looks to continue his hot streak when the Carolina Hurricanes host the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. Svechnikov picked up the puck lacrosse style behind the net and stuffed it in to tie the game Tuesday before scoring the winner with 7:25 left for his fourth goal in two games as Carolina defeated Calgary 2-1.

Svechnikov said he thought he had room for the fancy play so he thought he should try it, and Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour told reporters: “He never misses it in practice, so it was just a matter of time before it was going to happen. A goal like that. … it’s almost what needed to happen.” The Hurricanes have allowed one goal total while winning their last two games after a 1-3-1 stretch and hope to take advantage of a Detroit team that has dropped eight of its last nine contests and entered Thursday tied for 28th in the league in scoring. The Red Wings, though, snapped an eight-game losing streak (0-7-1) with a 3-1 victory over Edmonton on Tuesday, a performance that followed improved efforts the previous two contests. "Our process had been pretty good in the last couple games, but we needed to get a win to build confidence,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill told reporters. “That’s why it was huge to find a way to get this one done.”

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Carolinas

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (4-8-1): Forward Brendan Perlini, who was acquired from Chicago earlier in the week, could make his debut with the team after playing only once this season. “I think sometimes when guys go through struggles, they can come out stronger on the other end,” Blashill told reporters. “That’s what we’re hoping, that with the opportunity he’s going to have here, with the learned things he’s had to go through. … that he can come in here and make an impact for us.” Center Dylan Larkin recorded two goals and two assists over the last two games to push his total to 11 points - third behind Tyler Bertuzzi (13) and Anthony Mantha (12).

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (8-3-1): Svechnikov had one goal before the last two games and boasts 12 points overall - second on the team behind defenseman Dougie Hamilton (13), who has made the scoresheet in five straight contests. Petr Mrazek (6-1-1, .917 save percentage) notched his second shutout of the season Saturday 4-0 against Chicago and likely will split duties with backup James Reimer (2-2-0, .918) with a game against New Jersey at home Saturday. Forward Sebastian Aho, who scored a career-best 30 goals last season, is off to a slow start with three in the first 12 games despite unleashing 36 shots - tied for the team lead with Hamilton.

OVERTIME

1. Detroit’s veteran C Valtteri Filppula had a point in each of the last two games and is two shy of 500 for his career.

2. Carolina C Erik Haula leads the team with seven goals despite going without one the last three contests.

3. The Red Wings entered Thursday 27th in the league on the penalty kill (71.4 percent) and 24th on the power play (14.3).

PREDICTION: Hurricanes 5, Red Wings 2