RECAP: Copp scores eventual game-winner as Red Wings edge Capitals, 3-1

DETROIT --Thursday night was a special one at Little Caesars Arena.

The atmosphere started proud and nostalgic as the 1997 Detroit Red Wings, the team that ended the franchise's 42-year Stanley Cup drought, were introduced to a roaring crowd for a special pregame ceremony and banner raise, kicking off a
weekend-long 25th Anniversary Celebration. 
And Andrew Copp brought Hockeytown faithful back on their feet by scoring the eventual game-winning goal in the third period, helping the Red Wings defeat the Washington Capitals, 3-1.
"A great effort," head coach Derek Lalonde said. "We won the special teams battle. Our goalie was very good tonight. We'll take that. That was a good win for us."
Lucas Raymond's power-play goal tied the game, 1-1, halfway through the second period. Detroit thought it had grabbed its first lead of the night roughly three minutes later, but captain Dylan Larkin's goal was waved off after David Perron was called for goalie interference. Copp snapped the tie late in the final frame, then Larkin's empty-netter with 28 seconds left sealed the win for the Red Wings, their first in regulation against the Capitals since Nov. 10, 2015.
"A little sense of relief, I think," Copp said about scoring his first goal of the season with his hometown team. "A little bit of a slow start in the goal column, but it's nice to get the first one. Hopefully that opens up the floodgates a little bit."
Ville Husso made a season-high 33 saves for Detroit, which improved its overall record to 5-3-2 (12 points) in the 2022-23 campaign.
NEXT UP:The Red Wings will salute the 1998 championship squad on Saturday afternoon against the New York Islanders, concluding a weekend of festivities at Little Caesars Arena.

SCORING SUMMARY
Washigton 1, Detroit 0 (7:11, 2nd period)
Alex Ovechkin scored a skate-to-stick goal from the left faceoff circle in the second period, breaking a scoreless tie. It was Ovechkin's 786th career NHL tally, tying Gordie Howe for the most with one franchise in NHL history.
Detroit 1, Washington 1 (14:48, 2nd period)
Raymond received Dominik Kubalik's backdoor pass, then beat Washington netminder Darcy Kuemper for a power-play goal. Perron was also credited with an assist on Raymond's third goal of the season.

Detroit 2, Washington 1 (16:10, 3rd period)
Larkin's behind-the-back feed bounced along the boards to Adam Erne, who fed Copp in front of Washington's crease. Copp then quickly snuck the puck past Kuemper, breaking a 1-1 tie.
Video: WSH@DET: Copp buries Erne's pass for Red Wings lead
Detroit 3, Washington 1 (19:32, 3rd period)
Detroit extended its lead before the game's end when Larkin, assisted by Michael Rasmussen and Copp, scored an empty-netter for his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

QUOTABLE

Lalonde on what Detroit did right on Thursday night
"I think our overall approach in our game has been better at home. We have a chance to put two (wins) together on Saturday. We'll get some touches tomorrow. We'll look to be a little cleaner with the puck, then try to replicate this performance."
Copp on the Red Wings' effort
"That was A-plus tonight, was how hard we competed and how hard we battled. You see a lot of the desparation-type plays in the third to keep it tied or up by one. That was great. Execution-wise, we have a ways to go."
Husso on how his teammates played in front of him against Washington
"They played good. They battled hard, blocked shots and made my night pretty easy. A good kill at the end, too."