Red Wings retire Kelly’s jersey, beat Maple Leafs 3-2 in OT

“Anytime you can see a guy’s number go up into the rafters, it’s a very special moment,” Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard said after making 19 saves.

The Red Wings went ahead for a third time in overtime, setting off a celebration on a night in which fans for both teams cheered and jeered.

“The atmosphere was great, just like it always is when they are here,” said Detroit’s Gustav Nyquist, who broke a scoreless tie midway through the second period. “We have a lot of fans and they have a lot of fans and it’s always crazy.”

Larkin scored a tiebreaking goal on a power play with 6:27 left in the third, putting him a goal away from matching his career high of 23 goals. Patrick Marleau had a goal to make it 2-all with 2:19 remaining in regulation, giving him two points in the game.

Auston Matthews tied the game late in the period and Frederik Andersen stopped 30 shots for the Maple Leafs.

Both teams were coming off a long break, playing for the first time in more than a week after a bye week and the All-Star break.

“I didn’t know how smoothly executed the game was,” Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “It looked like the teams had about a week off.”

Toronto looked rusty while going nearly 14 minutes before getting its first puck on Howard and was outshot 10-5 in the opening period.

The Maple Leafs failed to take advantage of two power plays in the first period and went 0 for 5 with an extra skater midway through the third period.

“We had some trouble getting into their zone and when we did, they were pressuring us all over the ice,” Marleau said.

The Red Wings, likewise, were struggling on the power play on three chances before Larkin scored from the left circle with a shot that went off Andersen’s left shoulder.

Marleau scored after Toronto pulled Andersen to add an extra skater and he knocked in the puck after Matthews made a fluttering pass across the crease.

NOTES: Kelly played for the Red Wings from 1947 until they traded him to Toronto during in 1960. He was an offensive defenceman in Detroit and played centre for the Maple Leafs. He retired in 1967 with 281 goals and 823 points. “Red Kelly was the premier offensive defencemen throughout his time in Detroit,” Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman said. … D Jake Muzzin made his debut with the Maple Leafs after being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings for a first-round pick and two prospects. “It’s going to be an adjustment for me, because this is a faster team,” he said. … Detroit scratched Tyler Bertuzzi and he is expected to miss at least another game with an upper-body injury. … Toronto’s Jake Gardiner (back) and Andreas Johnsson (concussion) were cleared to play after being out with injuries.

UP NEXT

Maple Leafs: Host Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

Red Wings: Play at Ottawa Saturday night.

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Larry Lage, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Red Wings retire Kelly’s jersey, beat Maple Leafs 3-2 in OT

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