By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Red Wings 3, Hurricanes 2 – Pavel Datsyuk broke a 2-2 tie with 8:35 left in regulation as the Red Wings took a step closer to clinching their 24th straight playoff berth.
Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg led the Red Wings with a goal and an assist each.
Zetterberg’s goal was his first in the last 12 games.
Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard stopped 29 of 31 Carolina shots.
The Red Wings need one win or one Ottawa Senators regulation loss to clinch a playoff spot. There are two games remaining. Detroit owns the tiebreaker over Ottawa.
Stats: Henrik Zetterberg G (17) A (47), Pavel Datsyuk G (25) A (38), Gustav Nyquist G (27), Darren Helm A (17), Stephen Weiss A (16), Danny DeKeyser A (29), Marek Zidlicky A (8). Goalie: Jimmy Howard W (23-13-10) 29 saves on 31 shots.
