Detroit Red Wings (7-15-3, 17 points) at Carolina Hurricanes (15-6-1, 31 points) 

3-4-2021

Tonight's Venue: PNC Arena

All-Time DET vs CAR Record at Venue: 12-5-0-0

Season Series vs DET: 1-1-0

Goaltender Probables

J. Bernier (.913 SV%, 2.84 GAA)

J. Reimer (.902 SV%, 2.90 GAA)

DRAFT KINGS ODDS

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DET: Puckline +1.5 (-106), Moneyline +240

CAR: Puckline -1.5 (-113), Moneyline -295

Players to Watch

Players to watch (DET): R. Fabbri, E. Svechnikov, A. Mantha

Players to watch (CAR): A. Svechnikov, D. Hamilton, M. Necas

Detroit Red Wings vs Carolina Hurricanes Predictions

Jesse's Prediction: 

Matt's Prediction: 3-1 Hurricanes

Mike's Prediction:

Red Wings at Hurricanes March 4, 2021

It’s been a long time since these two have faced off and quite a bit has changed for both teams. After the Red Wings were shutout in game one, they had a wonderful turnaround game and took down the Canes 4-2.

Injuries and COVID have been a cause for concern in both locker rooms, but the Red Wings never stopped playing. While the Wings looked strong in the second game against the Hurricanes, earlier this year, they weren’t able to keep the same roster of players together for any other point this season.

Heading into tonight’s game, the Red Wings are without two of their top three forwards: Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin. Recently, the Wings prevailed, despite a losing effort, with Larkin in the lineup, but the next two games looked to be too much for the bottom-barrel-squad, losing consecutive games (7-2 and 4-1) with a goal differential of -8.

The Hurricanes come in having won 3-in-a-row, with two wins in extra time vs the Florida Panthers and then a 4-2 victory against the Nashville Predators. It was Martin Necas who got the game-winning shootout goal in the first of those three wins and he has since helped with 3 points in the following two games. If Necas continues to heat-up, it’ll mean the Hurricanes come equipped with 5 forwards who are all sniffing a point-per-game pace.

Keys to the Game

1. Let Svechnikov Brothers Clash - We know Geno was called up from the Taxi Squad, but what I mean here is that we should be actively forcing the idea of these being on the ice at the same time. Let them tussle, see if Evgeny gets a new fire lit underneath him, and see if this allows his point-accumulating-potential to finally reveal itself.

2. Back to Basics - While Svech isn’t on the ice, the rest of the team needs to focus on limiting chances. The last couple of games have been nightmares on 5-on-5 and having one of the best 5-on-5 teams being your opponent tonight, it’s never been more important.

3. Keep the Game 5-on-5 - This is about being responsible on your own end, not taking bad penalties. With Carolina beings a strong power-play team (just like Chicago, Dallas, and Tampa Bay) it is important AGAIN for the Red Wings to trust Bernier to do his job, avoid dumb mistakes, and limit the Power Play opportunities

The problem with all of these ‘Keys’ is I have trouble believing they can be accomplished against a team that is such a high nightmare, matchup-wise, for the Red Wings. And that would be the same if Larkin and Bertuzzi were in the lineup.

The big difference tonight, considering the high number of shots Carolina can muster (Detroit only had 36% CF% in the first two games this year) will be goaltending. Trust Bernier to do his job 5-on-5, but it’ll be crucial to not put the defense at a disadvantage. If the WIngs can do that, they’ll have a chance in the 3rd to take another one from the Hurricanes.

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