Adam Erne Gets Shootout Winner in Red Wings 5-4 Victory

Adam Erne continued his torrid goal scoring, getting his tenth of the season in regulation before potting the shootout winner in the Red Wings 5-4 victory.

Dylan Larkin notched the first Wings goal and tied the game with a backhand that found its way past Petr Mrazek to tie the game. Anthony Mantha gave the Wings a 2-1 on a redirection from an Alex Biega shot from the point. After Carolina tied the score, and then took the lead, Valtteri Filppula evened the score mid way through the second period and both teams headed to the third with three goals apiece.

The game was tied throughout the third until Adam Erne broke through and roofed a shot backhand past Mrazek for his tenth of the year.  Carolina appeared to tie the game at four but the goal was waived off with 5:13 left, ruled as interference. Blash has been pretty stellar with his challenges this season. But it didn’t hold up. Carolina came right back and Sebastian Aho picked a corner, ripping it past Greiss to tie the game at four, and force overtime.

Heading into the extra period at 1-5, Detroit had some outstanding chances but couldn’t put anything past Mrazek. The shootout saw Larkin bury a shot as the first shooter but it wasn’t until Erne buried the winner in the seventh round that the Wings prevailed. Even Blash was caught celebrating the goal with a little celly.

Red Wings Goals

Red Wings Game Notes

• After having a decent last five outings, Greiss certainly struggled at times tonight. Jonathan Bernier was off after surrendering seven goals Thursday evening, and you almost wonder if there would have been a different outcome had Bernier been between the pipes. Greiss was finally given some goal support as the Wings rallied twice to tie and had the lead with Mantha’s goal. But I’m sure there were a couple he’d like back.
• Adam Erne, man. Adam Freaking Erne. Raise your hand if you had him scoring ten goals, let alone in eight in his last 17 games. Is he getting re-signed or could he be a deadline deal?
•  Head coach Jeff Blashill talked about how it was about focusing on the here and now–what could be controlled in the moment. We’ll see over the next couple days what Steve Yzerman will do after dealing Patrik Nemeth and Brian Lashoff, both for fourth round picks in 2022, and 2021 respectively.
• After watching the puck harmlessly roll off of Evgeny Svechnikov’s stick during the shootout, you have to wonder if it was a metaphor for his career in Detroit–unlucky. In spite of the talent, it really does feel like his time in Detroit might be slipping away–knowing full well he’s on the trade block.