The Carolina Hurricanes lost 6-3 in Game 82 of the regular season against the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena.
The Canes, who were resting nine regulars and even more down the stretch as the game progressed (Brent Burns didn't play the third period and Jesper Fast was pulled with an injury scare), had the offensive pressure, generating over 40 shots, scoring on three of them, but it was the defensive play that really suffered from the lack of regulars.
Jackson Blake and Bradly Nadeau also each made their NHL debuts.
Nadeau played 19:08, including some time on PP2, and had three shots including nearly a tap-in late in the third period.
Blake played 15:18, had some power play time as well, and finished with two shots on goal.
Both had some good offensive showings, but it was also clear that there's some work still to be done defensively, but it's not like they were alone in that regard tonight.
Teuvo Teravainen, who returned to the lineup after missing the last two games, scored twice to set a new single-season career high in goals (25) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi found the back of the net for the Canes' only other tally.
And so ended the regular season.
Carolina will now prepare for its first-round matchup against the New York Islanders.