by Mike Whitaker
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings came into Sunday afternoon’s tilt with the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues aiming to break their seven-game losing streak. And had it not been for careless penalties, the losing streak could have been history.
Unfortunately, the winless skid reached eight after the Blues earned a comeback 5-4 victory in overtime against the Red Wings, spoiling what was a gutsy comeback effort of their own.
Detroit was able to overcome 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to eventually take the lead midway through the third period, only to see St. Louis tie things up thanks to a too many men on the ice penalty; David Perron’s overtime goal would seal the win.
Afterwards, the team lamented yet another sluggish start and the mental breakdowns that led to the Blues comeback.
“It’s something to build off of,” forward Dylan Larkin said of Detroit’s comeback effort, ”but we didn’t like the too many men penalty at the end. It was a mental error in an emotional game that cost us.”
“It’s my bench so I’ll take responsibility,” head coach Jeff Blashill said. “There’s no plausible way that should happen at that point.”
Goals from Filip Hronek (PP), Dylan Larkin, Valtteri Filppula, and Tyler Bertuzzi led the way for Detroit’s offense. Ryan O’Reilly (two goals), Brayden Schenn and Zach Sanford also tallied for St. Louis, who won their sixth game of the year. Detroit dropped to 3-8-1.
Things don’t get any easier for the Red Wings, as they’ll welcome in the upstart
Edmonton Oilers led by former GM Ken Holland to Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday night.
