RALEIGH, N.C. — After all the pregame concern over how COVID-19 protocol would impact the home team, the Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes looked full of vigor.
They put on an entertaining and energetic performance before fans at PNC Arena on Thursday, scoring a combined five times in the first period.
The 5-3 final did not reflect well on the Wings: They are used to losing on the road, where they are 4-10-1, but Thursday brought a loss to a team that couldn’t even field a standard lineup.
Alex Nedeljkovic made 29 saves in his first game against his former teammates, who did their best to countermand COVID-19.