PREVIEW: No lead is safe when Ducks, Red Wings take the ice (4p, Prime Ticket)
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Lately, when the Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings are on the ice, no lead is safe.
Sunday, the Ducks blew a 2-0 third-period lead on home ice and dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to the Pacific Division rival San Jose Sharks.
It was the eighth time this season that the Ducks have let a third-period lead disappear, although in six of those games they at least managed to garner an overtime or shootout point. They've lost an NHL-high 11 games via OT or the shootout.
"It started in the second period," Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf told the Orange County Register. "We didn't play very well at all. We had two shots in the second period. At that point, you're receiving the game a little bit.
"We have to find ways to put those games away."
The Red Wings also aren't enjoying prosperity. On Sunday, they squandered a 4-1 third-period lead at Washington, but rallied to defeat the Capitals 5-4 in overtime. Two nights earlier, the Wings let 3-0 and 5-2 advantages escape their grasp in a 7-6 OT setback to the New York Islanders.
As with the Ducks, Tatar felt the Wings got away from what was working for them as the game wore on.
Anaheim right winger Corey Perry, the Rocket Richard Trophy winner with an NHL-leading 50 goals in 2010-11, has also rediscovered his scoring touch after a brief demotion to the fourth line. Perry has 3-4-7 totals in the past four games after scoring four times in his previous 22 games.
"Nobody wants to be demoted, as per se or perception," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "Goal scorers seem to score in streaks and he's on a streak that's going his way right now and that's great. He's helping our hockey club.
