This is how the Detroit Red Wings inject meaning into the last weeks of their season: By making it difficult for opponents with playoff positioning on the line.
They challenged the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday at Little Caesars Arena, limiting quality scoring chances as the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes tried to cement home-ice advantage through the first two rounds. Jake Walman played spoiler with 3.2 seconds to play, though, giving the Wings a 3-2 victory and a little two-game feel-good streak.
Dominik Kubalik scored in the opening minute but it was goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic who was busiest in the first period, making 10 saves.