Todd McLellan reacts to Patrick Kane's bad penalty, Red Wings meltdown
An inexplicable tripping penalty from Patrick Kane, who had just tied the score a few minutes earlier, cost the crumbling Detroit Red Wings.
The Detroit Red Wings turned boos into cheers after rallying from a three-goal deficit in the third period. But then, suddenly, the air was zapped from the Little Caesars Arena crowd on an inexplicable penalty from Patrick Kane, who had tied the score just minutes earlier. The Minnesota Wild took advantage and scored with 14 seconds remaining on the ensuing power play, a dagger in the Wings' playoff hopes with 1:51 to play en route a 5-4 win .
The Wings' loss further twisted the knife as they try to break a nine-year playoff drought − now the NHL's longest active streak after the Buffalo Sabres clinched a postseason berth on Saturday night. SUNDAY'S ACTION: Huge 3rd-period rally falls short as Detroit Red Wings slide continues “It hurts,” McLellan said when asked about the ending. “It hurts.
We get the comeback and we take a penalty 150 feet from our net not even in the play. It hurts. " Kane was whistled for tripping Michigan alumnus Quinn Hughes away from the play − a mindless penalty that likely cost the Wings at least the one point they would have earned from getting to overtime.
Patrick Kane, after scoring the tying goal in a wild 3 goal comeback, takes one of the most needless, stupid penalties I've ever seen late in the 3rd period, leading to a Minnesota goal & a regulation loss for Detroit with their season on the line. Can't believe it. #LGRW pic.