Derek Lalonde is “proud” of Red Wings

It may have ultimately been designated a loss in the standings, though for those who believe in the concept of a moral victory, the Detroit Red Wings may have provided one on Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit jumped out to an early 1-0 lead against the visiting Buffalo Sabres thanks to rookie Jonatan Berggren's second National Hockey League goal. However, the Sabres soon jumped all over the host Red Wings, tallying two quick strikes in the first period followed by another pair of goals in the game's middle frame. Things seemed to be going by the wayside for the Red Wings before a furious third period rally.

David Perron's 7th of the season squeaked past veteran goaltender Craig Anderson, setting the stage for Oskar Sundqvist to play the hero with two quick goals of his own to tie the score at four in front of a rocking LCA. The roof may have exploded off the venue had Detroit been able to convert on a lengthy 5 on 3 power play opportunity near the end of regulation, though it wasn't meant to be. Buffalo would eventually emerge victorious thanks to a snazzy shootout tally from Jack Quinn.

However, head coach Derek Lalonde was full of positives afterward.

“Really proud of the guys,” Lalonde said following the game. “You just don’t come back from three goals in this league. I really thought the fight back started at the end of the second. Down 4-1, our guys just dug in. Asked them after the second to just keep that same effort we gave the last 4-5 minutes in the second and they did that. They got rewarded. This is a huge point we’ll tap back into throughout the season.”

The Red Wings will have a chance to get back on the winning side of things when they host the Western Conference-leading Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday evening.