RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 04: Filip Zadina #11 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates following a goal scored during the first period of their game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on March 04, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Despite a fantastic performance by Filip Zadina, the Red Wings collapsed in a single period – again.
Heading into the matchup, the most interesting storyline of the night was that fans were finally getting the long awaited battle of the Svechnikovs – Detroit’s Evgeny, and Caroline’s Andrei. Both found the scoresheet tonight, Evgeny notching an assist, and Andrei finished with a goal and an assist.
Although losses are hard to get excited about, some of the Red Wings had solid nights – namely Zadina. After a failed breakaway chance early in the first, Zadina redeemed himself with a snipe past Carolina’s Alex Nedeljkovic. Zadina’s ecstatic celebration after the goal said it all–this goal was an important one for the developing 21-year-old. The goal seemed like just the adrenaline shot he needed, as it was obvious finished the rest of the game playing with confidence. Zadina’s excellent play even resulted in the Red Wings other goal for the night, as he zipped another shot just past Nedeljkovic on a man advantage.
Anthony Mantha also looked confident. After breaking his nine game cold streak on Tuesday, Mantha was back to shooting first, and playing with consistent effort. He had multiple solid chances throughout the night, finished with six shots. The aforementioned Evgeny Svechnikov also played a good game, and remains a point-per-game player since being called up to Detroit.
However, individual performances were not able to overcome the teams poor play in the third, where the Wings gave up three consecutive goals.
This was the last game before a short break, which is needed for a team with so many key injuries. Detroit looks to stop the three game skid next Tuesday against Tampa Bay.
The Goals
Game Notes
- Although Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier has not had a great couple of games, most of the goals in this game were not on him, but on the rest on defensive lapses in front of him.
- The power play continued to stay hot, as the team scored for the fourth straight game.
- Dylan Larkin, Troy Stecher, and Tyler Bertuzzi are all still out and are dearly missed.