Canes lose first three games of road trip with Metro Division-leading Capitals looming

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Since dominating the Washington Capitals in a 5-1 victory to open April, the Carolina Hurricanes are mired in the midst of a cold road-trip.

The Canes started their 4-game road trip at the Detroit Red Wings, who are fighting for a playoff spot, on Friday, April 4. Carolina traveled east to face the Boston Bruins on Saturday, then found themselves clashing with the Buffalo Sabres on April 8.

The above are three teams the Canes should beat comfortably, but the exact opposite happened. Let’s take a deeper dive into Carolina’s recent road slump.

Canes shutout by Buffalo despite facing a lack of shots

Carolina already clinched its spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while the Sabres were eliminated in March. Technically, the Canes can lose out and still be fine, but they want momentum going in.

Tuesday’s 3-0 loss in Buffalo was the last thing Carolina (46-27-4,  wanted. Canes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov faced just 18 shots, but allowed goals to Tage Thompson, JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch, with Tuch’s coming via the shorthanded variety.

Carolina shot the puck 33 times, but former goalie James Reimer stopped every attempt.

Boston’s offensive explosion puts Canes away early

Playing the second night of back-to-backs is always tough for teams, especially in an intense sport like hockey.

Carolina was overwhelmed in a 5-1 loss to the Bruins, whose 73 points put them last in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division.

Boston’s (32-38-9) first two goals came from Morgan Geekie and Elias Lindholm, a pair of former Canes, followed by a hat trick from star David Pastrnak.

Carolina salvaged a possible shutout, with center Justin Robidas scoring his first goal of the season in third period garbage time.

Solid offensive outing can’t overcome tough night for Kochetkov

The Canes nearly completed a third-period comeback in Detroit, but couldn’t tie the game and take a lead during a 5-3 defeat.

Kochetkov struggled in net, saving 16 of just 20 shots faced. Carolina’s offense helped Koochie out, though – Jackson Blake, Eric Robinson and Brent Burns all scored.

Five different Red Wings (36-34-7, 79 points) scored, with Alex DeBrincat’s empty-netter ending the offensive onslaught.

Who do the Canes play next?

Carolina heads to Washington, D.C. on April 10 for a 7:30 p.m. rematch with the Metro Division-winning Washington Capitals. The Canes’ last victory came against Washington, 5-1, on April 2 in Raleigh.