Detroit Red Wings center Andrew Copp (18) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during overtime in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at Little Caesars Pizza Palace in Detroit (AP News photo)
By Matthew Harrington
San Jose twice found responses to the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday night at little Caesars Arena, but Andrew Copp scored 25 seconds into overtime to hand the Sharks (14-25-10) their third loss in a row and sixth loss in seven games.
Erik Karlsson assisted on both Sharks goals, strikes by Logan Couture and Timo Meier and James Reimer made 32 saves in the loss. Ville Husso made 28 saves in net for the Red Wings (20-18-8), Michael Rasmussen had a goal and an assist and Adam Erne also lit the lamp for the Winged Wheel.
Copp’s game winner, his fifth of the year, came on a net front scramble after a Rasmussen shot bounced off Reimer. With Reimer down and all skaters searching for the puck, Copp picked up the loose change to end the game.
Erne opened the scoring on a tip-in 2:17 into the second period, but Timo Meier was able to cash in on a wrap around from behind the net to Husso’s left, scoring his 28th goal of the year 7:58 into the period. Karlsson and Tomas Hertl assisted on the goal.
While Little Caesars may not have the lively boards that Joe Louis Arena was known for, the Wings still can benefit from a Detroit bounce from time to time.
That was the case for Rasmussen’s goal, after a clearing attempt off the glass by a Sharks defender found its way right back into the slot on an unexpected carom. Rasmussen was there to wire it home past Reimer for a 2-1 Detroit lead with 3:31 left in the second.
Couture tied the game in the closing seconds of the middle frame, beating Husso with just seven seconds remaining before the second intermission. Karlsson took a pair of shots that took healthy bounces off a pair of Wings defenders. Couture, waiting to Husso’s left, managed to bat the puck out of mid-air for his 17th goal of the year.
Nico Sturm nearly won the game for San Jose on a breakaway after a dogged back check forced a Wings turn over, but Husso was able to shut the door to set up Copp’s heroics.
The Sharks continue the arduous roadie, heading to Carolina to face Brent Burns Friday night. They’ll then head to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins in a back-to-back before adjourning for the All-star Break. They’ll open post break with contests against the Lightning and Panthers on the road , finishing up with another road game in Washington D.C. Sunday the 12th. In total, that’s four playoff teams of five with the Panthers also waiting in the playoff wings.
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