Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
TV: ESPN+, FDDT, FDSO
A heavyweight Eastern Conference showdown closes out February as the Detroit Red Wings visit the Metropolitan-leading Carolina Hurricanes. Detroit sits firmly in the playoff picture (2nd Atlantic / 3rd-4th East) and is riding momentum from a gritty overtime win, while Carolina has been one of the league’s most consistent teams all season and boasts the East’s second-best record with elite defensive structure and home dominance.
Team Context
- Red Wings: 34-19-6 (74 points), 2nd Atlantic / top-4 East. Even goal differential (176-176), strong road play (16-9-4), and excellent special-teams execution keep them in the mix for home-ice advantage in the first round.
- Hurricanes: 37-15-6 (80 points), 1st Metropolitan / 2nd Eastern Conference. +35 goal differential, league-leading defensive metrics, and a stellar home record (22-8-2) make them Stanley Cup favorites in many models.
Recent Form
Red Wings picked up a huge two points in their post-Olympic/break opener, winning 2-1 in OT at Ottawa on Feb. 26. Dylan Larkin scored both goals (including the OT winner), and Detroit has gone 5-3-2 in its last 10 while showing resilience on the road during a five-game trip.
Hurricanes enter on fire with a four-game winning streak and an 8-0-2 mark in their last 10. They handled business in their first post-break game and have allowed just 2.88 goals per game overall while generating high-danger chances at an elite rate. Carolina has been nearly unbeatable at Lenovo Center this season.
Injury Report
Red Wings
- Simon Edvinsson (D) – Lower body, on IR (out since late January; missed the Olympic break and remains sidelined – significant loss on the blue line).
- No other major absences reported; core group (Larkin, DeBrincat, Kane, Seider) fully healthy and available.
Hurricanes
- Pyotr Kochetkov (G) – Lower body (surgery in December), out for the season.
- Eric Robinson (LW) – Upper body, out (missed recent games).
- Frederik Andersen expected to start in net; Jaccob Slavin and other key pieces are healthy and rested post-break.
Carolina’s depth has allowed them to weather the netminding loss, while Detroit is missing a top-pair defenseman.
Key Player Matchups
- Goaltending: Detroit’s tandem (likely Alex Lyon or Ville Husso) faces heavy shot volume against Carolina’s elite forecheck. Frederik Andersen (CAR) has been rock-solid at home. Clear edge to the Hurricanes.
- Top Centers: Dylan Larkin (DET – red-hot with two goals in last game, team leader in points) vs. Sebastian Aho (CAR – two-way superstar, drives Carolina’s transition game).
- Scoring Wings: Alex DeBrincat / Patrick Kane (DET – veteran skill) vs. Jake Guentzel / Andrei Svechnikov (CAR – speed and finish). Carolina’s depth forwards (Staal, Jarvis, etc.) give them the advantage in a heavy forecheck battle.
- Defense: Moritz Seider anchors Detroit’s young blue line vs. Carolina’s shutdown pair (Slavin and company). Expect the Hurricanes to control possession and limit odd-man rushes.
Special teams favor Carolina slightly: elite penalty kill and strong power play vs. Detroit’s opportunistic but less consistent units.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
Hurricanes lead the season series 2-1:
- Dec. 27: CAR 5-2 vs. DET (Lenovo Center)
- Jan. 12: DET 4-3 OT vs. CAR (Little Caesars Arena)
- (Third meeting earlier in season went to Carolina)
Carolina has owned most recent home games against Detroit, but the Red Wings have shown they can steal points in tight contests.
Betting Trends
- Total: Detroit has gone Under in 5 of its last 6 games; Carolina’s structure keeps totals in check at home (many 3-2 or 4-2 outcomes).
- Other Trends: Hurricanes 8-0-2 in last 10 and cover as home favorites; Red Wings 5-3-2 in last 10 but 2-4 SU in recent road games vs. top teams. Under has cashed in 4 of Carolina’s last 6 home contests.
This is a measuring-stick game for Detroit against one of the East’s elite clubs. Carolina’s home dominance, four-game win streak, and defensive identity make them the clear side, but Larkin’s hot hand and Detroit’s road grit could keep it within a goal.
Game Odds
Detroit Red Wings 6.5
Carolina Hurricanes – 185
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 27, 2026
