The Detroit Red Wings came up short on the road once again, this time suffering a 3-2 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks.
Right winger Martin Havlat popped in a rebound over Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard in the extra time to give the Sharks the win and avoid a shootout. Havlat had missed the previous 39 games for San Jose with a hamstring injury but made his presence felt with a first period goal to go along with his game-winner.
Detroit welcomed back a key contributor, as well with left winger Pavel Datsyuk also making his presence felt quickly, scoring a goal late in the first period to help Detroit begin rallying from an early 2-0 deficit. Center Valtteri Filppula completed the comeback with a goal in the third period.
The road weary Detroit Red Wings will be happy to return home for their next game on Monday at Joe Louis Arena against the Washington Capital. The Wings have now lost four consecutive games, all on the road, and have slipped eight points behind the Central Division leading St. Louis Blues.
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