Carolina Hurricanes: Takeaways from Road Win vs. Detroit Red Wings

The Carolina Hurricanes won their second game in a row last night, this time on the road against the Detroit Red Wings. Here’s what went right.

The Carolina Hurricanes are on the path to starting another winning streak after beating both the Florida Panthers and the Detroit Red Wings in back-to-back games.

Last night, the Hurricanes walked out of Little Caesars Arena with two more points in the standings, and have elevated themselves to 6th overall in the league. The Carolina Hurricanes have managed to find their game after losing 4 in a row, and have been able to win 6 of their last 7 games.

The Detroit Red Wings, on the other hand, are firmly planted at the very bottom of the league table with 17 points – two points behind the Los Angeles Kings.

Last night’s game was the Hurricanes’ to lose from start to finish, and James Reimer and Co. managed to keep the Red Wings off the scoresheet entirely, as Reimer earned his first shutout as a Carolina Hurricane.

Many, many things went right, but there were a few that stuck out more than others: Reimer stood tall all game, the Canes managed to play a tight game defensively, and the Canes actually managed to play a full 60 minutes, for the first time in what seems like ages.

1. James Reim-demption?

James Reimer got his first shutout as a Carolina Hurricane last night. Let that sink in a bit.

Since the Carolina Hurricanes acquired James Reimer in exchange for Scott Darling, I’ve been huge on his upside and what exactly he can bring to the Canes’ lineup, even as a backup goalie.

Last night, I believe he showed us just exactly what that potential is. There are quite a few people in the Carolina Hurricanes’ fanbase that can’t stand Reimer, or think he is a ‘bad’ goaltender; I think more than a few of those people have changed their tune (or at least quietened down about it) after last night’s performance from Reimer.

To be fair, 19 saves isn’t a ‘huge’ game, by any stretch of the word, but Reimer did exactly what goalies are paid to do: make the stops that need to be made.

His best of the night, a beautiful stop on a Darren Helm breakaway, left me (most of us, honestly) with mouths agape, and in awe at just how clutch Reimer can be, has been, and will continue to be down the road.

Hopefully last night helped not only Reimer, but his teammates and the non-believers in the fanbase build up a bit more much-needed confidence in the newest Hurricanes’ netminder.

2. Canes’ Defense Showed Up to Play

The Carolina Hurricanes have had incredibly hit-or-miss defense from their 2nd and 3rd line defensemen so far this season. One game, everyone is firing on all cylinders, and the next it seems like some players just missed their assignments, or let the opponent’s offensive players walk right in.

That absolutely wasn’t the case last night. The Canes’ defensive corps all showed up to play, and in a big way.

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Last night’s game was a grind, for sure, but the Hurricanes’ defense was able to not only keep up with the Red Wings’ offensive threats, but surpass them in speed, skill, and physicality.

We also got treated to Dougie Hamilton destroying Andreas Athanasiou in the corner, which is not something that happens every day. Early Christmas present, perhaps?

Speaking of Christmas presents, Brett Pesce managed to only miss a few minutes after blocking a shot with his own… er… package. In true Pesce fashion, he went to the locker room, walked it off, and hopped right back on the ice and played an incredibly noticeable game the rest of the evening. The defense showed up in more ways than one, there is absolutely no doubt about that.