Toronto, ON (Best E Casino) - Nik Antropov's goal 1:02 into overtime helped the
Toronto Maple Leafs stun the Detroit Red Wings, 3-2, at Air Canada Centre.
The scoring chance came after a Red Wings turnover led to an odd-man rush for Toronto. Then, with Detroit goaltender Dominik Hasek scrambling to get back into position, Antropov took advantage of some crisp passing and knocked a feed from Anton Stralman into the net. It marked a career high in goals for Antropov, who recorded his 19th of the season.
"Kabe (Tomas Kaberle) got the puck to me but I took a look at Hasek and I thought I was too close, so I passed the puck back to him," said Antropov. "Then I made my way to the front of the net. Anton made a great pass and I was able to put it in."
It was Detroit's first visit to Toronto since a 5-2 loss on December 6, 2003 and only the second meeting between the clubs since the '03-04 campaign. Furthermore, the Maple Leafs had not hosted an afternoon game since Feb. 9, 2002.
Darcy Tucker and Mats Sundin also tallied, Kaberle had a pair of assists and Vesa Toskala made 32 saves for the Leafs, who have won three of their last four games.
Nicklas Lidstrom had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings, who have dropped two straight on the heels of an eight-game win streak. The loss came after Detroit imploded in the third period and dropped Thursday's home test to the Los Angeles Kings.
Mikael Samuelsson also scored, while Hasek turned aside 22 shots in defeat.
"I thought we were playing a little bit better early in the game," said Detroit's Dallas Drake. "We have to create more chances offensively. That's our style of game and we seem to be getting away from it."
With the score tied heading to the third period, the Red Wings jumped on top with 8:42 left in the contest, as Lidstrom's slap shot from the high slot was deflected past Toskala. Samuelsson got credit for the goal, as he slipped between two Leafs' defenders and, from the top of the crease, got the blade of his stick on the disc.
Toronto made it 2-2, though, when Sundin got a good bounce at the blue line, snuck between three Wings' players and from the bottom of the right circle, directed the puck through the pads of Hasek with 6:25 remaining.
The Maple Leafs took a 1-0 lead with a power-play tally at the 9:00 mark of the first period, as Tucker's shot deflected off a Detroit skate and slid in behind Hasek.
A scary moment occurred a short time later, as Detroit forward Dan Cleary was struck in the face by a slap shot. Cleary fell to the ice and immediately covered the left side of his face with his glove. He then skated off with a towel covering his face, was immediately escorted to the locker room, and taken to the hospital.
Detroit tied it up with 3:01 remaining in the second, as Pavel Datsyuk's shot from the blue line was tipped home by Lidstrom.
Game Notes
Antropov returned after serving a three-game suspension for abuse of officials, while Toronto's Alex Steen played after missing five games with a separated shoulder...There was no update on the condition of Cleary, who has recorded 20 goals and 20 assists for the Red Wings this season...The Maple Leafs assigned center Kris Newbury to their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, prior to the game...Detroit fell to 20-7-2 as the visiting team this season. The Red Wings had won five straight and 11 of their last 12 road contests coming in...Toronto is 13-10-5 as the host club, and has won five of its last seven on home ice.