Rookie Steps Up as Red Wings Edge Sabres

BUFFALO —Something had to give for the Red Wings on Monday.

Fortunately, it was the team’s five-game losing streak.

Dylan Larkin made Sebastian Cossa’s NHL debut one to remember, beating former teammate James Reimer to give the Red Wings a 6-5 win in a shootout at Buffalo.

The Wings had to rally from two goals down twice. Trailing 5-3 after two periods, Andrew Copp and Moritz Seider scored in the third period to send the game into overtime.

Neither team did much in overtime, as neither the Wings nor the Sabres had a shot on goal in the extra period.

Reimer, making only his fifth start of the season, was in net for the Sabres. Ville Husso starter for the Red Wings, but was pulled after the first period.

Husso Pulled After First Period

“It was one of those nights where Ville did not look comfortable,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “It was a lot of games in a week for Ville, and he was really sharp up to this. It was a really tough situation for (Cossa), and he battled through it and found a way to get the full two points.”

Larkin had a pair of assists during regulation play.

“I think the way they play, they give you offense if you play the right way,” Larkin said. “And I thought we played the right way.”

Andrew Copp ended a long scoreless streak by scoring a pair of goals.

Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond also scored for Detroit, while J.T., Compher had a pair of assists. Buffalo got a pair of goals from Jason Zucker in losing its seventh game in a row.

Besides making his debut, Cossa became the first goalie in NHL history to make his debut in relief and get a win in a shootout.

“A really special moment for me and my family tonight,” he said.  “Obviously, they’re really excited. I don’t know how much sleep I’ll be getting tonight.”

That’s understandable. It won’t be a surprise if the Red Wings sleptsoundly after a hard-fought victory.