Earlier this week, the Detroit Red Wings had their playoff destiny in their hands as they headed into a game against the Washington Capitals at home. They came out hard in the first period and put a lot of shots on goal but no score. They came out hard again in the second and were playing a great game, but they gave up a couple of goals in the second. Then, in the third, they finally got a goal from Patrick Kane in the literal last second but couldn't grab the win.
That loss didn't take the Red Wings entirely out of the playoff race, although it did take away a level of control they have over their destiny as it pushed them into needing other teams to lose to make it in. The best thing they could do is go out and win all of their remaining games, but they at least got a point against the Penguins, who they are also competing with for the final playoff spot.
In the first period Detroit had a decent start but gave up a tough goal to Drew O'Connor early in the period. Luckily for the Red Wings, Lucas Raymond came back quickly to tie the game at one goal each. The game went back and forth, with each team getting good chances. Then, near the end of the first frame, Kris Letang scored a goal with about five minutes left, giving the Pens a one-goal lead. Near the end of the period, Raymond scored another goal to tie the game at two with 14 seconds left. The Red Wings were in a good spot heading into the second!
The second period started decently for the Red Wings, with some good chances, with the best being a shot from David Perron putting the puck off the pipe. Not too long after that, Sidney Crosby put another goal in the net for the Penguins on a great pass from Bryan Rust to give the Pens a one-goal lead. A bit later in the period, Rust got his own chance and put a puck right past Alex Lyon to take a two-goal lead on the Red Wings. Luckily, with 36 seconds left, Jeff Petry, of all players, was able to get his third goal of the season to make it a one-goal game again.
The Red Wings came back huge in the third period to get a point.
Only a few minutes into the third period, the Red Wings were put on the power play, and it looked like a perfect opportunity for them to tie up the game. Unfortunately, they gave up a short-handed goal to Jeff Carter and were in a two-goal deficit after Daniel Sprong turned the puck over at the offensive blue line. Later in the period, Lucas Raymond was able to set up Dylan Larkin with a sweet pass to get a goal and make it a one-goal game. The Red Wings looked like they had some life.
Not too long after that Dylan Larkin was able to get the puck and had Lucas Raymond breaking away. Larkin was able to put the perfect pass on Raymond's stick, and he went five hole on Alex Nedeljkovic and tied the game at five goals each! It was quite the comeback for the Wings after being down a pair of goals in the third period for another comeback by the team, which they have become known for this season.
Unfortunately for Detroit, they could not seal the deal in overtime as they gave up the game-winning goal to Erik Karlsson, and the Penguins came up with the win. I am still pleased with the effort that they put forth in this game, and they are still not out of the playoff chase since the Capitals also lost tonight. The second wild card spot in the east is still up for grabs, and it is anyone's spot to take. Let's go Red Wings!