Detroit Red Wings take 2-1 home win over Anaheim Ducks
Dylan Larkin and Frans Nielsen scored in the first two periods and Detroit held off the Anaheim Ducks for a 2-1 win on Tuesday night.
“We’re not folding,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said.
Detroit has won two straight, hoping this is the beginning of a push to rally into a wild-card spot in the playoff race before the NHL trade deadline Feb. 26.
“It’s desperation,” Larkin said. “We know our situation and what has to be done.”
Adam Henrique pulled Anaheim within a goal with 3:54 left in the game. The Ducks took goaltender John Gibson off the ice with a minute remaining in regulation to have an extra skater, but couldn’t score to extend the game.
The Red Wings went off the ice with a sense of relief after blowing third-period goals in recent games.
The Ducks were dominant in the first, outshooting Detroit 16-5, and still trailed after Larkin scored off Kevin Bieksa’s giveaway in front of net with 6:28 left in the period.
Nielsen scored late in the second to put the Red Wings up 2-0.