RECAP: Second line stands out for Detroit in 5-4 overtime loss to New Jersey

DETROIT – Seeing their second line – Alex DeBrincat, Emmitt Finnie and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård – drive the offense with seven combined points, the Detroit Red Wings took the New Jersey Devils to overtime but ultimately lost 5-4 at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday night.

“(The Devils) are a good team,” said DeBrincat, who had two goals and an assist. “They have a lot of skill. First period, I think we weren’t too sharp - sitting back too much. Then, I think the next two we found our game a little bit, pressured their D, created some turnovers and got some chances. Overall, not a bad effort. Obviously, we’d like to get one in OT and get the win, but something we can build on.”

Goaltender John Gibson made a season-high 32 saves for Detroit (1-3-2; 4 points), which has now earned a point in two straight games. At the other end of the ice, netminder Jake Allen stopped 23 shots for New Jersey (3-3-0; 6 points).

“We’re a work in progress,” Detroit head coach Todd McLellan said. “That’s what we are, and we’ve had complete games. We’ve had complete games and lost. We’ve had partial games and came close. Tonight was one of them.”

While Detroit entered its three-game homestand opener not having played since Saturday, New Jersey had been in action less than 24 hours ago – which may have benefitted the visitors early on, as Evan Rodrigues scored from the slot on the fourth shot of the game to make it 1-0 at 6:07 of the first period.

“I think we were sitting back too much,” Finnie said. “They came ready to play and brought some speed, and I think that caught us by surprise. I don’t think we were making enough plays in the O-zone.”

It took a little bit for the Red Wings to get their legs going in the opening frame, but they managed to tie it 1-1 with 1:25 to go when Finnie ripped a wrist shot from the middle of the left face-off circle into the top right corner off a flip pass through the neutral zone from Brandsegg-Nygård. Finnie’s second goal of the season was also assisted by Anton Johansson, who recorded his first career NHL point.

“It’s been pretty easy playing with (DeBrincat and Brandsegg-Nygård),” Finnie said. “They make lots of plays for me and can find me.”

A quick snap shot from Brandsegg-Nygård, who was assisted by Finnie and DeBrincat, on a 2-on-1 rush flew behind Allen into the back of the net and gave Detroit a 2-1 lead just 1:43 into the second period.

“I’m just trying to play my hockey,” Brandsegg-Nygård said. “I play with DeBrincat and Finnie, so that makes it pretty easy.”

But before that frame was 11 minutes old, the Devils had lit the lamp twice – Anthony Mantha converted a snap shot at 7:03 and Nico Hischier tipped in Jesper Bratt’s centering feed on the power play at 10:16 – to quickly jump back in front 3-2.

The Red Wings knotted the score a few minutes later, this time on a snap shot from the high slot by DeBrincat while Allen was screened by Brandsegg-Nygård to get it to 3-3 at 15:10.

DeBrincat’s third goal of the campaign was set up by Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Justin Faulk.

At 16:52, capping an action-packed back-and-forth middle stanza, the Devils retook the lead when Bratt snapped one home through a screen to make it 4-3.

“I thought, the second period, we mismanaged the puck,” McLellan said. “They got in behind us, which was clearly part of our game plan. We weren’t going to do that, but we did, and that cost us.”

The third period was scoreless until DeBrincat beat Allen a second time, ripping a one-timer past Allen to tie it once more to 4-4 at 5:48. It was his fourth goal of the season, and the assists were picked up by Moritz Seider and Ben Chiarot.

Jack Hughes scored a breakaway goal at 1:19 of overtime, helping New Jersey collect that second point.

“We showed bits and pieces of our overall game, and I don’t think we’ve been able to put a full game together where offense and defense have been clicking,” Finnie said. “Once we find that, I think it’ll lead to some success.”

NEXT UP: Detroit is set to host the Philadelphia Flyers for Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday.

POSTGAME QUOTES

McLellan why Detroit’s second line works

“(Finnie), with his speed, we weren’t sure that he would grasp the center-ice position right away. He’s been trained as a winger in the League, but we believe he’s a center. (Brandsegg-Nygård) has played really well. He’s been a bully and shoots the puck, and so does (DeBrincat). So, the speed, with two shooters, some tenacity, has worked for us so far.”

DeBrincat on why his line is clicking

“I think the speed, and those guys work so hard. You see there we get a lot of pucks back. (Brandsegg-Nygård) and Finnie are both playing the body, getting pucks, moving it up and then we’re able to create in the O-zone. I think also their speed off the rush really creates a lot.”

Brandsegg-Nygård on his stretch pass that led to Finnie’s goal

“We talked a lot about that, just trying to get it out of the zone, especially in the beginning of the game. We struggle with getting it out of the zone, so just getting it out there.  We know Finnie is a fast player, so just trying to get it as far as possible and not make it an icing.”