SAN JOSE, Calif. — David Perron scored the tying and go-ahead goals in the third period, including the winner with 1:30 left, and the Detroit Red Wings beat San Jose 5-3 on Tuesday night to push the Sharks’ losing streak to nine games.
Daniel Sprong and J.T. Compher also scored for Detroit. Lucas Raymond had three assists, and Michael Rasmussen added an empty-net goal with six seconds remaining. Alex Lyon stopped 24 shots.
Fabian Zetterlund, Justin Bailey and Alexander Barabanov scored for the NHL-worst Sharks (9-26-3), who dropped 11 in a row to begin the season. Kaapo Kahkonen made 26 saves.
The Red Wings had lost three of four and 10 of 13, but they started their three-game California swing on a positive note.
“We’re fighting for our lives,” Lyon said. “Every point is massive right now. Huge victory for us on the road.”
With the score tied 3-all, a centering feed by Perron went off the foot of Sharks defenseman Kyle Burroughs and in, with Dylan Larkin driving to the net.
“I saw Larks on the backside,” Perron said. “Obviously, if you see the skate … I feel like when there’s (a few minutes left), it’s always good to kind of throw it towards the net and this time it worked in our favor where it hit their skate.”
Detroit Red Wings left wing J.T. Compher, left, is congratulated by Olli Maatta (2) after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. Credit: AP/Tony Avelar
Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said Perron and his linemates drove the team’s performance.
“He was great all night,” Lalonde said. “That line was our best line by far. And he was playing hard, the right way from the opening faceoff. Glad he got rewarded with the game-winner.”
The teams entered the third period tied at 2.
“It’s unfortunate,” Sharks forward William Eklund said. “They’re getting a lot of bounces that we aren’t getting right now, so it’s tough.”
San Jose Sharks…
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