In Detroit, the Red Wings broke out to a 3-0 lead over the visiting Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday and then hung on for a 4-2 win.
Vladislav Namestnikov scored twice for the Wings who had to hold off a charge by the Oilers who crept back to within 2-3.
“This was definitely one of our best games this season,” Namestnikov said. “If we keep playing like that, we’re going to win a lot of games.”
Alex Nedeljkovic made 31 saves for the Wings win..
“We’ve played some good games this season, but I thought we were very good for two periods against a team with a great record,” Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill said. “The third period wasn’t as good, but it is important for us to learn to win games like this.”
Detroit improved to 7-5-2.
Edmonton dropped to 9-2-0 with the loss.
Connor McDavid and Jesse Puljujarvi were the Oilers goal scorers.
“We didn’t well play enough to win,” Oilers coach Dave Tippett said. “We didn’t have enough urgency. They came out and played desperate hockey, and we didn’t match them.”
Dylan Larkin also scored, his marker made it 3-0 before the Oilers tried to rally back.
Moritz Seider scored an empty-net goal with under a minute to go in regulation to ice the win.
Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner made 35 saves in the loss; it was his first start of the season.
“I liked our third period, but we dug ourselves a hole again,” McDavid said. “We gave ourselves a chance to tie the game, but you can’t keep digging yourself into that kind of hole.”
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