In Anaheim, the Ducks started Lukas Dostal in goal in his first career NHL start on Sunday.
Dostal made 33 saves and the Ducks downed the Detroit Red Wings, 4-3, after the skills competition.
“It was unreal after the game, I just started crying because there was so much pressure at the end,” Dostal said. “I just wanted to win it for the guys.”
Anaheim bounced back from a lose to the New York Rangers on Saturday night.
Trevor Zegras had a goal in regulation, and scored the only marker in the skills competition.
”I didn’t feel nervous, to be honest,” Dostal said. ”I felt so excited. I just went through and enjoyed the moment because it’s huge. You’re dreaming about it as a kid. It’s unreal. I’m so blessed.”
The Ducks improved to 19-12-7.
Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Hronek had goals for the Red Wings.
“We kind of get into a wait-and-see mode when we get on the road instead of just playing our game like we do at home,” the Red Wings’ Marc Staal said. “It’s tough to win on the road and it’s something we have to learn as a team to do.”
The Red Wings dropped to 16-16-4.
“We did enough good things to be in position to win the game, we just didn’t win it,” Detroit head coach Jeff Blashill said.
Detroit’s Vladislav Namestnikov scored in the third period to tie the game, 3-3, and force the extra session and skills portion of the evening’s affair.
“I thought our second period was excellent,” Blashill said. “I think that’s how we have to play to be successful. We have to hound (the puck), we have to be in their end.”
Troy Terry picked up his 22nd of the season, and Max Comtois hit for his first of the season for the Ducks in regulation.
Thomas Greiss made 24 saves in the Detroit loss.
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