DETROIT (AP) – Nino Niederreiter and Hurricanes Carolina rolled before they stumbled into an amazing place.
Carolina lost for the first time this month when Adam Erne scored twice for the Detroit Red Wings lead to a 4-2 win Tuesday night, breaking a series of eight hurricane wins.
“We let them outdo us,” Niederreiter said.
Jonathan Bernier made 35 saves, and Robby Fabbri equalized in the middle of the second half, restoring Detroit to just their ninth win in 30 games.
“This was one of our best games of the season,” coach Jeff Blashill said.
The Hurricanes entered the game just one point shy of the NHL leader.
“Sometimes you become too satisfied,” Niederreiter said. “The more you win, the more teams want to beat us.”
Erne’s two goals in the first period lifted the Red Wings to a 2-1 lead. Fabbri broke the equalizer after being set by the fall of Dylan Larkin with 7:32 in the second. In the last minute, Filip Hronek scored a rare victory with an empty goal.
Niederreiter brought Hurricanes 1-0 with their 13th goal 2:21 in the first, and Sebastian Aho equalized at 2 early in the second. Carolina’s James Reimer managed to defend 24 minutes into the game.
The Hurricanes beat last-placed Detroit 2-1 on Sunday night and took the lead in the Central Division ahead of Tampa Bay and Florida. The Hurricanes entered the game in second place on Tuesday, a point behind the astonishing Panthers and a point ahead of the Lightning title defender in the division.
The New York Islanders, leading in the Eastern Division, who shared the NHL lead in points with Tampa Bay entering Tuesday, broke a nine-game winning streak in Washington, just before Detroit ended the Carolina series.
Detroit has won just one of its previous six games, but has competed very well with one of the league’s best teams.
The Red Wings outscored the Hurricanes 15-7 in the first half and scored in two of three power games.
Carolina had a powerful game in the opening minute and took advantage of Niederreiter’s shot from the top of the fold.
The Red Wings made the most of their own power-play opportunity early in the opening period, while Erne scored a rebound created by a single shot and a shot by Filip Zadina.
Erne scored the fifth goal in another power play in the middle of the first. He converted one timer from the slot while Reimer was without a stick.
“The powerful game is really clicking right now,” Erne said. “I think the communication is good and we know what we want to do. We have a lot of skilled players and we got started. ”
Aho’s one-off player from the right circle in addition to adding Martin Necas from the left circle increased by 1: 1 in the second.
The hurricanes pulled Reimer by 2:01 and Hronek scored in the empty net with 26 seconds left for his first goal of January 14, 2020.
“We’re a pretty good team when we have all our guys healthy,” Blashill said.
INJURY REPORT
Detroit’s Bobby Ryan was scratched for an upper body injury, missing a game for the first time since opening against Caroline two months ago. Ryan, who turns 34 on Thursday, has six goals and 13 points in 28 games and is potentially a trading target for the opposing team.
Hurricane striker Warren Foegele is limited to a 4:54 ice injury.
“He retired,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “I don’t know what the status is on that.”
TREND WATCH
Carolina fell to 0-3 when they fell behind after two periods, while Detroit improved to 9-0-1 when they took the third lead.
Hurricane defender Dougie Hamilton provided an assist, bringing him at least one point in nine consecutive games for the NHL’s longest active streak.
NEXT
Hurricanes: Host Columbus on Thursday night.
Red Wings: Host Dallas on Thursday night.
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