The Detroit Red Wings battled and clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit, coming away with an overtime victory against the Washington Capitals.
First Period
Detroit’s power play got to work early in the first after a tripping call on Dmitry Orlov just 23 seconds in. They failed to convert, and the game grinded on.
Seventeen minutes into the period, the Washington Capitals had their own shot at the man advantage. Naturally, it was Alex Ovechkin that banged in a rebound to kick off scoring with just over ten seconds left on the power play. Former Red Wing Anthony Mantha was credited with an assist on the goal.
Washington went into the locker room with a 1-0 lead, although a penalty with a few seconds remaining would give the Red Wings an immediate man advantage to start the second.
Second Period
Again, the Wings failed to take advantage of an early power play and the Caps retained their lead. A couple minutes later, the lethal Washington power play got to work quickly, scoring just four seconds into the 5-on-4.
Adam Erne finally got the Wings on the board, cashing in on a slick pass to the front of the net from Filip Hronek to cut Washington’s lead down to the one.
The Wings killed an ensuing Capitals power play to keep the game within reach.
Third Period
Robby Fabbri scored his second goal of the season just over two minutes into the period, knotting up the game at 2-all.
Strong defense and aggressive forechecking limited offensive chances for either teams for a majority of the third.
Just over halfway through the third, the Capitals were given a power play after a hooking call on Michael Rasmussen. But the penalty kill clamped down (thanks to some blocked shots) and kept the game tied.
Chances started to build up for the Capitals in the third, but some timely saves from Thomas Greiss and excellent plays by Detroit’s defenders ended sixty minutes of hockey with a 2-2 tie.
Overtime
Patience won the day for the Red Wings. The team kept things slow in 3-on-3, patiently waiting for a defensive lapse. The Capitals gave the captain a bit too much space near the net, and Dylan Larkin took advantage and sniped the top right of the net.
The Red Wings are back at this Friday night hosting the red-hot Florida Panthers.