WINGS ANSWER BACK WITH THREE GOALS BEFORE FIRST INTERMISSION
The Wings had lost two in a row coming into Scotiabank Arena Thursday, but they've proven to be a streaky squad thus far this year, winning and losing in bunches. And after Kapanen's goal put them on their heels early, they pushed back with force, scoring the game-tying marker 33 seconds later, then taking their first lead of the night at the 6:28 mark.
Detroit had only one more shot than the Leafs did in the opening frame, but the Wings added their third goal of the game with 14 seconds before the first intermission. And suddenly, it was the visitors who had the Leafs trying to dig out of a hole.
DETROIT GETS LONE GOAL OF SECOND FRAME, EXTENDS ADVANTAGE TO THREE
The Leafs haven't had many periods this season that an observer could call "flat", but with just five shots on Red Wings goalie Jonathan Bernier in the second period, an observer definitely could say Toronto wasn't as sharp at the offensive end as it has been.
That lack of execution opened the door for Detroit to extend their lead, and that's what they did at the 11:07 mark of the middle period when blueliner Mike Green beat netminder Garret Sparks with a shot from the blueline for his third goal of the year.
The Wings carried a 4-1 advantage into the third, and the challenge to come back was on. And, to the delight of Leafs Nation, the Buds began the third frame energized and focused.
TAVARES STRIKES EARLY IN THIRD, CUTS WINGS' LEAD IN HALF
The difference in the Leafs' play in the third was noticeable from the opening puck drop, and Toronto quickly struck to cut the Wings' lead to 4-2 at 2:38 of the frame on centre John Tavares' team-leading 18th goal of the season: