Thoughts and Highlights 

• The Kings were buzzing from the puck drop. The Wings did kill off Helm’s slashing penalty 2 minutes in, but it wasn’t long after before LA’s eager start made Detroit pay.
• Iafallo’s deflection that came from a pass from Walker hit the goal post, but Kopitar gets the rebound when he’s behind Bernier and earns his 7th of the year just a little over 5 minutes in.

• Green had some excellent blocks to keep it a one goal game despite Detroit only testing Quick with 5 shots, but thankfully went 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
• Detroit scores the early period goal this time. Mantha and Bertuzzi capitalize on the odd man rush, with Mantha showing of the beauty of a backhand pass to Bertuzzi who finishes with the wrister.

• Back and forth action finishes the period with a much better effort for Detroit as they carried the play. A close call as the puck goes into the Wings net but Wagner collided with Bernier, so it was ruled no goal immediately.
• Wings failed to convert starting the third on the man advantage, but another early goal comes regardless. There was confusion from Walker and Doughty behind the Kings net as Mantha stole the puck, passing it to Larkin, who sends it to Bertuzzi for his second of the game.

• Unfortunately, LA gets the equalizer in the late minutes of regulation. It’s Kempe who takes the game to overtime after Roy teed up a shot and Kempe buried the rebound.

• To overtime! The game winner comes just 23 seconds in from Iafallo, ending the Wings win streak.

• Jonathan Bernier’s 4th consecutive start and another good performance has earned him the current starter role. Despite the goals allowed, he gave the Wings a chance to win with some quality saves. Cholowski also had a solid game, as well as the entire first line, with Mantha getting two helpers.

Gif of the Game

Motor City MVP

Tyler Bertuzzi