Carolina suffered a big blow at the end of their eventual 4-3 loss to Detroit on Monday night, and it's not about their playoff race. Things started off right with Jeff Skinner (55 pts) scoring his 31st goal of the season less than six minutes into the game. In the second period, the Red Wings' Anthony Mantha (36 pts) scored an unassisted goal at the 9:04 mark and followed it up with another goal around a minute later to make it 2-1. Those were his 16th and 17th goals of the year. Right before the end of the period, the Hurricanes' Justin Faulk (33 pts) scored his 15th goal and tied the game up at 2-2.
Red Wings finish things up in overtime
In the third period, Tomas Tatar (41 pts) recorded his 23rd goal during a power play to give Detroit the advantage again. With just under a minute left again in this period, Faulk was able to score a clutch goal to make it 3-all, give the Hurricanes a point, and to force overtime. Roughly two minutes into the overtime, Andreas Athanasiou (29 pts) was able to score the game-winning goal for the Red Wings but also slammed into opposing goalie Eddie Lack (7-5-3). The goal was able to stand as the collision happened after the fact.
Hurricanes lose goalie during final score
Carolina's tough night was helped by the fact that they're closer to the playoffs thanks to results around the NHL, but all eyes will be on the status of Lack.
He ultimately was dealt with an upper-body injury that laid him out in the contest. A stretcher was needed to get him off the ice after the medical staff was around him for 15 minutes. The backup has played in 17 games this season, and it was unfortunate that the injury occurred right at the end of the contest.
The Hurricanes faltered despite having a 42-27 edge in shots on goal and winning the faceoff battle 32-23.
The Red Wings went 1-for-3 on power plays while the Hurricanes missed all three opportunities. After Monday's action, Carolina sits with 80 points, four points back of the second seed in the wild card. Detroit mathematically is still alive with 74 points, but they face near impossible odds to reach the postseason.
