DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 31: Michael Rasmussen #27 of the Detroit Red Wings prepares for a face off against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Little Caesars Arena on January 31, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Kings sent the Detroit Red Wings into the short All-Star break with a 5-3 loss. LA finished with 45 shots on goal, while the Red Wings had just 25.
First Period
Despite being outshot, outplayed and out-possessed for the first twenty minutes of the game, the Red Wings went to intermission with a one-goal lead. Michael Rasmussen banged in a rebound from Filip Zadina, scoring his fifth goal of the season. Surprisingly, the Erne-Rasmussen-Zadina line was Detroit’s most effective, managing to create consistent pressure in the offensive zone.
Second Period
The Kings were determined to take firm control of the game in the second period, and they did just that. They finished the second with 36 shots on goal, and they scored twice. The Red Wings just could not find much consistency on offense and barely managed to threaten LA’s goaltender.
Third Period
Los Angeles continued to turn up the heat in the final period. It seemed as though the Kings were going to send the Wings to the All-Star break with an embarrassing loss.
However, almost nine minutes into the period, Tyler Bertuzzi tipped in a shot from Gustav Lindstrom to tie up the game at 2-2. Just a few minutes later, the Kings cashed in on a two-on-one chance, taking a 3-2 lead. They tacked on an empty netter with under two minutes left.
Joe Veleno scored with under a minute to bring the game within one, but Los Angeles scored their second empty netter of the game, sealing a 5-3 victory. The biggest highlight of the period for Detroit? Gemel Smith got into a fight in his first game as a Red Wings.