Carolina Hurricanes vs Detroit Red Wings Box Score on Jan 14, 2021

Petr Mrazek needed to make just 14 saves to record the shutout as the Carolina Hurricanes silenced the host Detroit Red Wings 3-0 in the season opener for both teams on Thursday.

The Hurricanes dominated the game, holding a 43-14 advantage in shots on goal. However, they didn't secure the win until they scored twice in the final 2:34.

Nino Niederreiter, Ryan Dzingel and Andrei Svechnikov scored the goals.

Thomas Greiss made 40 saves in his Red Wings debut after signing with Detroit as a free agent during the offseason.

The Red Wings were playing their first game since March. The Hurricanes were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Boston last season.

Carolina outshot Detroit 13-5 in the opening period and took a 1-0 lead.

The Hurricanes struck just 3:38 into the game. Sebastian Aho made a steal just outside the blue line, brought the puck into the Wings zone and backhanded a pass to Niederreiter, who beat Greiss on the short side.

Detroit's Mathias Brome clanged a shot off the crossbar late in the period.

Once again, the Hurricanes had a clear edge in shots on goal in the second period but Greiss made 12 saves to prevent Carolina from extending its lead.

The Wings' Sam Gagner squared off with Dougie Hamilton with less than two minutes left in the period and each were given five-minute fighting penalties.

Detroit failed to get a shot on goal during a power play early in the third. Mrazek didn't need to make a save until nearly nine minutes into the period.

Detroit's Dylan Larkin was sent off for tripping with 5:10 left. Just as the Wings were about to kill off that penalty, Patrik Nemeth was sent to the box for hooking Aho.

That allowed the Hurricanes to get an insurance goal. Dzingel tipped in a Jake Gardiner shot from the point. Martin Necas also had an assist.

Svechnikov tacked on an empty-netter with 1:05 remaining.

The teams will meet again on Saturday in Detroit.

--Field Level Media