Kane’s Overtime Heroics Lift Red Wings Past Ducks After Another Late Collapse

The Detroit Red Wings managed to escape with a victory against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, despite surrendering a late lead for the second straight game. Patrick Kane played the hero, scoring his second goal of the game just four minutes into overtime after the Ducks narrowly missed scoring on the other end.

Marco Kasper played a crucial role in setting up Kane’s breakaway, securing possession, and delivering a perfect pass. This marked Kane’s 14th career overtime game-winning goal, giving the Wings a 5-4 victory. Kane acknowledged the team’s struggle in closing out games and emphasized the importance of learning from such situations.

Todd McLellan Stresses Defensive Improvements After Cutter Gauthier’s Late Game-Tying Goal

Anaheim staged a dramatic comeback in the final minutes of regulation, scoring twice with their goaltender pulled. Olen Zellweger found the net from the high slot at 17:44, followed by Cutter Gauthier’s game-tying backhand goal with just 52.5 seconds left.

The Red Wings faced a similar situation the previous night against Minnesota, where they failed to hold onto a late lead and ultimately lost in overtime. Coach Todd McLellan highlighted the need for improvement in six-on-five defensive play, stressing that all six players on the ice must execute better in these crucial moments.

The Red Wings showcased an effective power play, scoring three goals with the man advantage. Alex DeBrincat, Kane, and J.T. Compher all capitalized on special teams opportunities. However, despite their strong start, the Wings struggled to put the game away late, icing the puck multiple times and missing key chances, including a potential breakaway for Kane.

McLellan acknowledged that while earning three out of four possible points over the weekend was positive, the team must find a way to secure leads more effectively and avoid unnecessary mistakes in critical situations.

Red Wings Face Injury Concerns Amid Physical Battle and Playoff Push

The game featured heightened physicality, particularly after Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras elbowed Michael Rasmussen in the head during the second period, leading to a heated altercation between the teams. Rasmussen did not return for the third period and was still being evaluated postgame.

McLellan expressed concern over the injury, noting that a blow to the head is never a good sign. The Wings were already without Andrew Copp, who suffered an upper-body injury the previous night and is expected to miss their next game. These injuries add to the team’s challenges as they push for a playoff spot.

With the win, the Red Wings (29-22-6) secured the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Goaltender Alex Lyon made 24 saves, and Kasper opened the scoring early in the first period. Detroit dominated early, scoring three goals in quick succession, including two power-play tallies.

However, Anaheim fought back, keeping the game competitive throughout. Despite another late-game collapse, the Wings managed to regroup and secure the crucial two points. Moving forward, the team aims to improve its composure in tight situations and prevent opponents from capitalizing on late-game opportunities.