The Detroit Red Wings squandered an opportunity to gain a little more ground as search for an identity.
They coughed up a short-handed goal in the third period to the Carolina Hurricanes, a disappointing turn after showing good fight through the first two periods Tuesday on Little Caesars Arena.
The Wings (17-49-5) fought through two deficits but their failure on special teams – they went scoreless on five man advantages – led to a 5-2 loss.
With the defeat, the Wings clinched last place in the NHL. They are 23 points behind 30th-place Ottawa with 11 games remaining.