It feels like a slog through the mud especially with the early 0-3 hole that the Hurricanes dug, but the team is actually 2-3 so far through 5 games of a long 7-game road trip that coincides with the North Carolina State Fair. As tough of a time as the Canes have had, a win Tuesday in Detroit would put the team at break even through 6 games with only 1 game remaining in Long Island...errr check that -- Brooklyn.

Ultimately the Hurricanes need to push above .500 to be a surprise playoff contender, and the team does need to make up for the 0-3 start at some point. But all in all something like a 3-3-1 road trip would be a win.

And winning tonight seems reasonable. The Hurricanes have actually dominated the Red Wings by all statistical measures except the score board in both games. Only a cold shooting night and a few key plays netted the Wings a win in the first game, so at least through 2 games, it seems like the Canes match up well with the Wings. In addition, the Red Wings are in shambles health-wise right now still minus Pavel Datsyuk and also Mike Green and Kyle Quincey.

Ideal would be for the Canes to extend from the previous 2 games, pounce early and hopefully ride that to a 'start from ahead' win.

Couple things to watch:

For Detroit:

--Henrik Zetterberg. He stole the first game in Raleigh with a couple good plays on a relatively quiet night. With a depleted Wings' roster, he is definitely one to watch.

--The blue line. Unless 1 of the veterans returns, they have a bit of a makeshift group back there. Perhaps the Canes can exploit them.


For Carolina:

--Skinner/Nash/Versteeg. Though they only scored once (Nash) on Saturday, the trio was the Canes best offensive line on Saturday, so just maybe they are ready to break out.

--Cam Ward. Though basic stats are not impressive, he has been solid over his last 4 games and arguably the Canes best player. He stole a 1-0 overtime win last Wednesday in Colorado and seems primed to win a few hockey games if he gets any support from his team mates.

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