A Little Puck Luck Goes a Long Way: Red Wings Beat Blue Jackets 3-2 in OT

We saw a little history and both Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi found the score sheet as the Red Wings flipped the script and won 3-2 tonight in overtime. Larkin ripped a shot that ricocheted off of Bertuzzi and into the net just 15 seconds into OT.

Bobby Ryan continued his budding status as new fan favorite by setting a Red Wings record. He became the first player in franchise history to score four goals in his first three games with the organization. Later though, Ryan fell awkwardly in a race for a puck and immediately went down

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the tunnel–but returned a few shifts later.

The Red Wings held a 2-1 late before Columbus tied it on a bizarre sequence that saw Marc Stahl in the crease with Jonathan Bernier as the puck found its way between both of them and into the net. Head coach Jeff Blashill challenged the goal for interference. Not only did he lose the challenge, but the Wings got a bench minor—which they killed. The game continued at 2-2 until Bertuzzi’s overtime winner.

Some Thoughts:

• In my preview, I talked about freeing Brome from the fourth line and the power play getting on the board. It was great to see both happen. Though the first period was a slog, it felt like the lines were more balanced as Larkin, Mantha, and Bertuzzi all set up on shop on the first, second, and third lines respectively.
• It may only be the second win in the first four games, but this team already has a different feel to it. No, it’s not a playoff team. It’s still not close to it. But it’s great to see them be competitive each night so far and not fall apart at the first sign of conflict. I know Blashill gets ripped (fairly at times, like the challenge tonight–c’mon Blash!) but this is a testament to coaching. He’s been given a better hand by Stevie and he’s at least making the most of it. Yes, I know they started out 3-1 last season before the bottom fell out but I still feel as if they’re improving in small ways that are adding up later. That puck luck, like on the last goal, happens when you do the little things–something we haven’t seen in a long while.

The Red Wings take on the winless Blackhawks Friday in Chicago. Welcome to Rebuild Hell, Chicago–we saved you a seat.