Penguins Nip Red Wings in Overtime

Kris Letang marked a milestone with a memorable goal Thursday night, scoring in overtime to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Letang scored in his 1,200th career game, all with Pittsburgh, converting a pass from long-time Detroit nemesis Sidney Crosby, who scored the first two goals for Pittsburgh.

Letang’s winning score came 58 seconds into overtime.

By gaining a point in the standings, the Red Wings moved into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference.

The Red Wings never led during regulation. They tied the game on a power-play goal by Alex DeBrincat with 2:58 left in regulation.

Pittsburgh’s Blake Lizotte broke a 2-2 tie late in the third period.

Lizotte banked a shot off Detroit’s Simon Edvinsson with 4:09 left in the third period to give the Penguins the lead.

Crosby scored twice in the first seven minutes of the first period, the first on the power play, while the Red Wings countered with a power-play goal by James van Riemsdyk late in the period.
Andrew Copp tied it 1:01 into the second period.

DeBrincat’s goal was his first since Dec. 16.

Cam Talbot stopped 26 shots for Detroit.

It was the first of three meetings between the teams this season.

Takeaways

Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson recorded a pair of assists, giving him 900 for his career.

Red Wings Key Moment

The Red Wings appeared to have scored on a shot by Lucas Raymond midway through the third period after taking a pass from Emmitt Finnie, but the goal was disallowed after a replay showed that Finnie was offside.

Red Wings Key Stat

The Red Wings had eight power plays, but converted on only two.

Next Up

The Red Wings and Penguins play the second half of their home-and-home Saturday at noon at Little Caesars Arena.