Compher's power-play goal lifts Red Wings past Penguins 4-2

Compher’s power-play goal lifts Red Wings past Penguins 4-2

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Detroit Red Wings right wing Jonatan Berggren (48) scores while being pursued by Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Detroit Red Wings right wing Jonatan Berggren, right, is shoved into the boards by Pittsburgh Penguins center Noel Acciari (55) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Detroit Red Wings right wing Jonatan Berggren (48) celebrates his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins with defenseman Justin Holl during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Drew O’Connor (10) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings with teammates during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) tries to get control of the puck passed by Detroit Red Wings left wing Lucas Raymond (23) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Detroit Red Wings right wing Jonatan Berggren (48) tries to pass the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) traps the stick of Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jeff Petry (46) while they chase a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) skater toward the goal past Detroit Red Wings center Joe Veleno (90) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

By DANA GAURUDER

DETROIT (AP) — J.T. Compher scored the go-ahead goal on the power play with 5:34 remaining and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 on Tuesday night.

The win gave Todd McLellan his 600th head coaching victory. McLellan, who replaced Derek Lalonde last week, is now 2-1 as Detroit’s coach.

Patrick Kane, who reached the 1,300-point mark against Washington on Sunday, also scored a power-play goal for the Red Wings. Jonatan Berggren and Dylan Larkin with an empty-netter also scored for Detroit while Alex Lyon made 23 saves.

Drew O’Connor had the second multi-goal game of his career for Pittsburgh. Alex Nedeljkovic made 21 saves.

The Red Wings won the season series over the Penguins, 2-1.

Takeaways

Penguins: Their power-play units continue to hum along. O’Connor’s power-play goal early in the third period was their seventh goal in 12 opportunities over the last four games.

Red Wings: They have won consecutive games for just the third time since early November.

Key moment

With his team clinging to a 2-1 lead in the final minute of the second period, Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider blocked two shots by Anthony Beauvillier shots despite getting pushed into the net by Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin.

Key stat

The Red Wings’ power-play unit has perked up since McLellan took over. It has produced at least one goal in each of the three games he’s coached. Detroit was 2 for 26 on the power play in its previous 10 games with Lalonde as coach.

Up Next

The Penguins visit Florida on Friday night while the Red Wings visit Columbus on Thursday night.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl