Red Wings sound off after late collapse vs. Ducks

The Detroit Red Wings appeared ready to secure two important points in the standings early Wednesday morning (or late Tuesday night, depending on your time zone location) against the Anaheim Ducks, enjoying a 2-1 lead late in regulation.

Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be, as defenseman John Klingberg tallied his first goal as a member of the Ducks in the waning minute. And despite Detroit controlling most of the 3-on-3 overtime session, it was a brutal turnover right in front of their own net by forward Tyler Bertuzzi that allowed the Ducks to seize the win. 

It was a harsh welcome back to action for Bertuzzi, who was appearing in his first game in a month after having suffered a broken hand last month. 

Afterward in the dressing room, Detroit certainly was understandably sour over having let one slip away.

"We didn't manage the third (period) very well," head coach Derek Lalonde said. "We didn't give up a ton, but four penalties and trying to manage the lead in the third, it's a recipe for disaster. Our guys get a little gassed, and unfortunately we gave up one at the end. But we still had plenty of opportunity with the way we want to play in overtime, and possessed the puck, but we just couldn't do that for the entire overtime."

"We have to look to create more five-on-five," captain Dylan Larkin explained. "We have to put the puck in the net more. Tonight it was a tale of John Gibson, he was good, we had a lot of looks. But we have to be able to bear down. We're getting looks. We just have to put the puck in the net more."

The Red Wings will continue their road trip with two more games, first in San Jose and then finishing in Columbus.