The Detroit Red Wings looked like they might rout their opponent, scoring three times within half a dozen minutes.
Then came penalty problems, and their cushy lead over the St. Louis Blues dwindled to one goal. Then it was gone.
It took a two-goal performance from Mr. bobblehead of the night, Tyler Bertuzzi, to salvage Wednesday’s affair at Little Caesars Arena with a 4-3 victory.
The Wings dressed seven defensemen, which turned into a prescient move as Trevor Daley did not return after the first period because of a lower-body injury.
The first half of the game went well, as Thomas Vanek, Andreas Athanasiou and Bertuzzi each scored, and the Wings consistently got into their offensive zone.