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Red Wings postgame: Buzzer beater stunner

Photo credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

By Tom Mitsos

Feb 22, 2018, 22:38 EST

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The Detroit Red Wings hosted the Eastern Conference’s last-place Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. However, the Sabres came out with two points, beating the Red Wings 3-2 in overtime at Little Caesars Arena.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

The Red Wings came out of the gate hot, owning most of the possession time early in the first period. However, at the 3:39 mark, Rasmus Ristolainen’s shot from the point deflected off Jonathan Ericsson and past Jimmy Howard to put the Sabres up 1-0.

Buffalo Sabres

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This one had eyes. 👀

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1:10 AM · Feb 23, 2018

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The Sabres took control for most of the period, but it ended 1-0. Buffalo outattempted Detroit 22-15 (19-15 at 5 on 5) and led 14-10 (11-10 at 5 on 5) in shots.

Early in the second period, Robin Lehner attempted to play the puck behind his net, but flubbed it, eventually squirting out to Jonathan Ericsson in the high slot, who wristed a low shot past Lehner to tie it at 1-1.

Detroit Red Wings

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that puck has eyes. 👀 #LGRW

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1:48 AM · Feb 23, 2018

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About 10 minutes later, on the power play, Evander Kane came into the offensive zone with speed and scored on a wraparound to put the Sabres up 2-1.

Buffalo Sabres

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Count it. 🚨

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2:12 AM · Feb 23, 2018

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The Red Wings outattempted the Sabres 28-14 (18-12 at 5 on 5) in the second period and outshot them 16-10 (11-9 at 5 on 5).

It looked the Sabres were going to come out with a regulation win, but Justin Abdelkader tied the game with 1:25 remaining, after picking up a Frans Nielsen rebound.

The Red Wings outattempted the Sabres 22-7 (16-4 at 5 on 5) in the third and outshot them 8-2 (4-0 at 5 on 5).

In overtime, the teams traded scoring opportunites, until Marco Scandella scored with 0.2 seconds remaining.

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Does not get any closer than this. OT winner.

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3:24 AM · Feb 23, 2018

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THE STATS

The Red Wings had a slow first period but started to take control midway through the second period. However, Lehner stood tall, making 37 saves. A late goal by Abdelkader gave the Red Wings a point, but the team continues to struggle in overtime with a 2-9 record.

MOTOR CITY MVP

Tonight’s Motor City MVP is Abdelkader for getting the game-tying goal late in the third period.

NEXT UP

The Red Wings will be back Saturday night, as they host the Carolina Hurricanes at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET, and you can catch the game on Fox Sports Detroit. As always, we’ll have the pregame report early Saturday afternoon.