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Summary: Yes, Detroit still hasn’t posted a win with fewer than 4 goals. This was still a desperately needed win. Sprong has been a solid playmaker and tonight he and Perron connected for 2 power play goals. Raymond’s 20 assists are certainly a nice look for the former 4th overall pick. Perron’s two tallies led the way and Compher was able to convert an attempt as well.
It was pointed out before the game that Detroit’s previous contest vs San Jose was a loss that seemed to derail the club. Hopefully the converse will come into play as well. There was some frustration watching the back and forth as Detroit just didn’t seem to have their legs and Copp got San Jose on the board late in the first by accidentally scoring into his own net trying to help Lyon freeze the puck. Detroit would gain the lead again in the second, then San Jose tied it. The Sharks took the lead 9:24 into the third but Detroit tied it on the power play about a minute later. Perron’s goal (thought to be Larkin’s) with 90 seconds left saw a visibly relieved team celebrating. An empty net tally finished the game with 6 seconds left courtesy of Rasmussen.
This wasn’t an easy contest, by any means. Even in a very rough season for San Jose it’s a team that still gives Detroit a rough run reminiscent of rivalry days 6 or more years ago. There was legitimate bad blood between the teams for a good stretch before and after the salary cap was implemented.
Enjoy the win. The team needs a good couple days and in honesty could use 3 of 3 in this California swing. 5 of 6 points would still be a good step forward. This team has had some rough times and the defensive structure still feels cringeworthy far too often. By request, it seems like it’s Lyon’s net for now. He’s made important saves and that first goal was a tough pill to swallow. If the team can button down the D zone there’s still the possibility of finding a way forward beyond the last game of the season.
Detroit First Period goals: Sprong opened the scoring as he took a no look pass from Perron as he skated down the half wall. The left Sprong with no coverage as the D closed in on Perron and a nice quick release found its way through for a power play tally. 1-0 DET
Feed from Razor 👌
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 3, 2024
Quick release from Spronger 🙌 pic.twitter.com/EEj3doTdeh
Score: 1-1 Shots: 11-8 SJ
Detroit Red Wings Second Period goals: An innocent looking play turned into a Wings goal as Holl skated the puck into the O zone and dropped it to Compher at the line. An easy looking wrister squeaked through to give Detroit a 2-1 lead.
Pucks on net! pic.twitter.com/4JoelaJWeS
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 3, 2024
Shots: 2-2 Score: 22-19 SJ
Third Period Detroit goals At 10:55 Detroit tied it up on the power play. Raymond skated the puck in and dropped it to Sprong who got the primary assist on a cross ice half wall pass that Perron ripped in on his off wing. 3-3
Perron ties it at 3! 💥 pic.twitter.com/gk65QqyGoN
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 3, 2024
It looked like Larkin had the go ahead goal but Perron’s shot/pass deflected in after a neutral zone rush was created with Raymond skating the puck in again. 4-3 Detroit. Jokingly I texted a former Wing who had 3 assists congratulating him on an ASSist trick. He thought it was funny. Raymond has quietly gathered 20 assists now on the year
PERRON'S 2ND OF THE NIGHT.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 3, 2024
THE GAME-WINNER. pic.twitter.com/Ib5vyz5RKo
Rasmussen seals the win with an empty net shot at 19:54
Shots: 31-27 DET Score: 5-3 DET