Detroit Red Wings are California Dreamin' as they finish off sweep vs. Ducks

The Detroit Red Wings needed a big win on Sunday. They were closing out their California road trip, looking for a sweep, coming home with six points. They were up against Anaheim and were able to get the job done. It was no smooth ride, but they were able to throw the shades on, ride with the top down, and come away from their Cali trip victorious with a three-game sweep.

This comes after the Detroit Red Wings grabbed wins against the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks as part of this road trip. December was not kind to Detroit, and making up any ground they can is huge; a road trip where they add six points with three wins is a big one. It had to be a nice plane ride home for the Red Wings, knowing they get a chance to regroup and keep tacking on wins.

The Red Wings started off slow. After a grueling road trip, it was not expected to see Detroit come out and absolutely take it to Anaheim. But Detroit's lack of shots in the first ten minutes was concerning. Trevor Zegras grabbed an early goal, his first of two on the night.

The Ducks ended up leading the first half of the period, but Dylan Larkin was able to make an excellent play on the power play to hammer one home with a wrister. He found a soft spot between the forwards and defenseman, releasing to open space and getting set up for the gorgeous shot.

Not long after, Larkin took another nasty cross-check in front of the net. It was a bit scary and had some dangerous similarities to the bad hit in the game against Ottawa, seeing Larkin lie there on the ice. He was able to get up and left the game before returning in the second period.

Detroit Red Wings grab win in Anaheim to secure Cali sweep.

Joe Veleno gave the Red Wings a lead on a nice wrap-around goal. It was reviewed, and the Red Wings had the goal confirmed. The questionable reffing continued throughout the game, but Detroit kept their foot on the gas, with whatever they had left in the tank.

Defensively, they held strong on the penalty kill, finishing the game 4-for-4 on the penalty kill, holding the Ducks off the board with a man advantage. It's something that has not always gone smoothly for Detroit this year. Veleno's goal in the second let the Red Wings carry the lead into the second intermission.

Zegras picked up his second in the third to tie it. Late in the third, with just over a minute left, Moritz Seider fired a firm pass toward the net. It caught Michael Rasmussen's skate and was deflected into the back of the Ducks' net. The goal was reviewed and confirmed, giving Detroit the 3-2 lead.

They carried it over the finish line and came away with the win. Alex Lyon held strong in the crease for Detroit, making 29 stops on 31 shots. Detroit grabbed the win and picked up two more points. It was a big win for Detroit, who gets a nice break. They will be off until Thursday before getting back in action on home ice against Kenny Holland and the Edmonton Oilers.