Raleigh, N.C. — To stay in the lineup and remain in the NHL, Teemu Pulkkinen has to score goals.
He’ll never be confused with the defensive stoppers in the game, or make a list of the biggest or ferocious players in the NHL.
But Pulkkinen can score goals, as he did twice Saturday in the third period of the Red Wings’ 4-3 victory over Carolina.
And that’s a pretty important skill to have. And as long as Pulkkinen keeps scoring goals, he and the Red Wings are happy.
“That’s why I’m here, my strength is to play in the offensive zone and score goals,” said Pulkkinen, who triggered the Red Wings rally with those two early third period goals.