After the night began with a celebration of Pavel Datsyuk, the Detroit Red Wings drop a 3-1 decision Friday night in Toronto
Last night in Toronto, the Detroit Red Wings dropped to 6-6-1 with a 3-1 loss to their hosts, the Maple Leafs. The evening began in style for the Red Wings, as beloved forward Pavel Datsyuk dropped the ceremonial first puck as part of his Hockey Hall of Fame celebration.
[gallery ids="622,623,624"]
Detroit conceded the lone goal of the first period in the form of a Mitch Marner power play marker 11:12 into the frame, with assists from William Nylander and Morgan Rielly. Toronto out-shot their guests 10-8 during the period and emerged from the frame with a 1-0 lead.
In the second, Dylan Larkin tied the score with a power play goal of his own, his ninth of the young season. It was a quintessentially Larkin power play goal, from his customary bumper spot, receiving a pass from Lucas Raymond before wiring home the puck to tie the game. The assist was Raymond's 12th of the year (and Alex DeBrincat picked up an assist on the play as well).
However, the tied score didn't last for even two minutes, before John Tavares restored the Maple Leafs, with the game's third power play goal. In the final 20 minutes of action, the Red Wings out-shot Toronto 8-4 but the Leafs nabbed the lone goal, with Tavares hitting the empty-net with 1:30 to play, all but ending the game.
For the Red Wings, the loss isn't disastrous, though it does snap a two-game winning streak. Detroit continues to make hay on its power play, but the penalty call is also only becoming a more glaring blemish, with two PP goals against the difference on Friday night.
The Red Wings will look to bounce back quickly, with the New York Rangers in town this evening. The Rangers have beaten Detroit twice already in the season's early going, with the New York power play paying significant dividends in both games. To get two points, the Red Wings will need a stingier short-handed effort than they managed last night in Toronto.
Also from THN Detroit
Larkin on New Hall-of-Famer Datsyuk: "Those Were Cool Memories"
How Can the Red Wings Generate More Forechecking Pressure?
Red Wings Take Care of Business for 4-1 Win in Chicago
How Christian Fischer Found His Role as the Red Wings' "Motor"
What Would a Good November Look Like for the Red Wings?
Griffins Run Down: Lombardi & Cossa Continue to Impress, Even in Losing Streak