After a scoreless first period in Stockholm, the Detroit Red Wings took a 2-0 lad over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the middle frame off goals from Daniel Sprong and Lucas Raymond, on Friday.
The problem for the Red Wings was, they let the Maple Leafs up off the mat and surrendered three goals in the third period to lose, 3-2.
“It’s tough to really think about [scoring] right now so close after this game,” Raymond said. “Obviously it’s been a special experience being in my home country in front of family and friends, but at the end of the day we came here to win two games. … Not the best mood right now.”
William Nylander pushed his point streak to 16 games on a goal and two points in the third period rally.
He now has 11 goals and 25 points on the season.
“Family being here, the Swedish fans,” said Nylander, who lives in Sweden during the offseason. “I think this was really special and a lot of fun for sure and then obviously the win we were able to pull off after we had a slow two periods.
“The streak for me is what it is. I’m just focusing on working hard and if there is a point that happens, it happens. But the most important thing is that we get the win.”
Ilya Samsonov made 27 saves in the Leafs win.
Toronto improved to 9-5-2.
Tyler Bertuzzi scored at 3:53 of the third period to trim the deficit to 2-1 for the Maple Leafs.
Nylander knotted the game, 2-2, at 13:03 of the third, his strike came off the power play.
Detroit dropped to 8-6-3.
“It’s little mistakes for sure that ended up costing us and it’s very disappointing,” Red Wings forward David Perron said. “We felt like we played a pretty good first 40 minutes and didn’t come away with any points at the end of the game.”
John Tavares scored at 14:27 of the final stanza to give the Maple Leafs a 3-2 lead.
“That was great work along the boards in behind the net there by Bertuzzi just being strong and winning a battle and obviously having the awareness once he came up with the puck seeing me on the backside,” said Tavares. “I had the easy part just putting it in.”
Alex Lyon made 26 saves in the Detroit loss, it was his season debut with the Red Wings.
“It was a learning experience after not playing for so long,” said Lyon. “I just tried to be patient with it, try to feel it out as I go, but obviously not good enough for the win tonight and that’s disappointing, but it is what it is and I’ve got to find a way at the end there to make the extra save. Those tiny margins are what the NHL comes down to.”
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