March craze on ice? Red Wings’ Jake Wollman hits the Hurricanes

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Wolman got into the March spirit with his game-winning buzzer hit against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night.

Wollman’s players crept inside the blue line behind Canes goalkeeper Federik Andersen as players from both teams battled for position in front of the crease.

The Wings are currently seventh in the Atlantic Division and unlikely to make the playoffs, but Detroit coach Derek Lalonde praised his players after the win for staying focused amid a difficult season.

“This group hasn’t quit all year and I don’t expect them to quit now,” said Lalonde.

Dominic Kubalik and team captain Dylan Larkin scored for the Red Wings and Alex Nedeljkovic made 31 saves to defeat his former team.

Kubalek scored 59 seconds into the game and Larkin connected with a slam dunk at 7:26 of a second. Larkin increased his team’s lead in goals with 28 and power play goals with 15.

Carolina’s defensive partners Brent Burns and Jacob Slavin clocked 3:36 in the second — at 42 seconds and 4:18.

Andersen made 19 saves in his first loss against Detroit. He went into the game 10-0-1 against the Red Wings.

It was a costly loss for the Cannes, who held a one-point lead over second-place New Jersey in the Metropolitan Division.

And speaking of the Devils, Eric Hola and Timo Meyer scored and Vitek Vanicek made three great third-period saves to lead New Jersey to New York Thursday in Newark.

Vanecek finished with 24 saves as the Devils won the season series 3-1 and opened up a four-point lead over the Rangers in the Metropolitan Division with two weeks left in the season. He held Vincent Troshek close twice and Vladimir Tarasenko in the last 12 minutes to claim his 30th win.

Tarik Wolman sneaks off the blue line behind Canes goalkeeper Federik Andersen