By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Ducks 4, Red Wings 3 – The Red Wings fell short of overcoming a late two-goal deficit in Saturday’s loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
Detroit pulled its goaltender Jimmy Howard to gain an extra skater with three minutes left in regulation.
Danny DeKeyser cut the Red Wings deficit to one goal with 1:16 remaining, but Detroit failed get score the equalizer during the final minute.
Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry each scored two goals for the Ducks.
Red Wings’ forwards Darren Helm and Tomas Jurco scored the other goals for Detroit.
Detroit’s goaltender Jimmy Howard took the loss, stopping 31 of 35 shots.
The Red Wings are now 24-16-8 on the season, good for 56 points and a second place tie in the Atlantic Division.
Detroit will head to Brooklyn to play the New York Islanders on Monday night.
Record: 24-16-8 56 pts
Tied for 2nd Place in Atlantic Division (5 pts behind Florida)
Tied for 4th Place in Eastern Conference (17 pts behind Washington)
3 pts ahead of Pittsburgh for the last playoff spot
Magic # to clinch 25th straight playoff berth: 67 pts
Magic # to clinch Atlantic Division title: 74 pts
Magic # to clinch Eastern Conference: 90 pts
Next Game: 01/25/2016 @ New York Islanders 7:00 p.m. @ Barclay Center
Stats: Goals- Darren Helm (4), Tomas Jurco (2), Danny DeKeyser (5). Assists-Mike Green (17), Gustav Nyquist (13), Teemu Pulkkinen (6), Brendan Smith 2 (9), Tomas Tatar (7). Goaltender- Jimmy Howard L (7-7-4) 31 saves on 35 shots.
Nuggets 104, Pistons 101 – Danilo Gallinari’s 30 point game led the Denver Nuggets over the Pistons on Saturday night.
Gallinari sealed the victory with a fade away two-point basket with 24 seconds left in regulation.
The Nuggets outscored Detroit 39-20 during the third quarter, erasing a nine-point halftime deficit.
Marcus Morris led the Pistons with 20 points, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 16 points and Aron Baynes scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds off the bench.
The Pistons are now 23-21 on the season, good for a sixth place tie in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Detroit will close its road trip on Monday night against the Utah Jazz.
Record: 23-21
4th Place in Central Division (8 games behind Cleveland)
Tied for 6th Place in Eastern Conference (8 games behind Cleveland)
1.5 games ahead of Washington for the last playoff spot
Magic # to clinch a playoff berth: 39
Magic # to clinch Central Division title: 48
Magic # to clinch Eastern Conference title: 48
Next Game: 01/25/2016 @ Utah Jazz 9:00 p.m. @ Vivint Smart Home Arena
Stats: Marcus Morris 20 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 16 points, Aron Baynes 13 points 10 rebounds, Stanley Johnson 12 points.
