The Pittsburgh Penguins lost a golden opportunity to gain ground in the playoff hunt with a loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

With the season closing in on its conclusion, the Pittsburgh Penguins are still looking for their spot in the playoffs.

The Penguins arrived to take on the Detroit Red Wings looking to stay in the win column after a thrilling victory over the Washington Capitals.

Head coach Mike Sullivan decided to roll with the hot hand and start Casey DeSmith in goal for the third straight game.

At first, it didn’t seem like as the greatest idea as the Red Wings got out to a 3-0 lead through the first 20 minutes.

On just 10 shots from the Red Wings in the first period, they scored three goals, including the opener on a power play.

Despite being down by three, the Penguins climbed all the way back to tie the game in the first nine minutes of the second period.

Jason Zucker opened the scoring for the Penguins with his 25^th of the season, kicking a seven game goalless streak.

The Red Wings gave the Penguins a 5-on-3 opportunity that was taken full advantage of.

Jake Guentzel scored on the two-man advantage followed a minute later with a controversial goal from Jeff Carter.

The puck squibbed its way under Alex Nedeljkovic skate before he pushed it completely over the goal line.

The Red Wings challenged that call, but it was determined to be a clean goal.

The second period ended at a 3-3 tie, but the Red Wings started the final frame with the upper-hand.

After an extended shift in their offensive zone, former Penguins’ forward David Perron scored to give the Red Wings an early third period lead.

Josh Archibald was the only player on the ice who knew where the puck was when he scored to again knot the game.

A bad penalty from Bryan Rust led to an immediate Perron power play goal for his second of the game, but he wasn't done there.

Perron scored 45 second later to seal the eighth hat trick of his career.

Dylan Larkin sealed the game for the Red Wings with an empty net goal and a 7-4 victory.

The Penguins may have lost, but will luckily maintain a spot in the Eastern Conference wild card race.

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