Red Wings Blow Lead, Score in OT to Beat Blues, 4-3

The Detroit Red Wings gave up a three-goal lead Thursday night but got an overtime goal from Darren Helm to pick up a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues.

Helm’s goal came after the Blues forced overtime, rallying from down 3-0 midway through the game to tie things up with 5:46 remaining in regulation.

After Helm chipped the puck out of the Detroit zone, Jiri Hudler carried it down the right wing and into the St. Louis end. Hudler centered the puck to Helm, who swatted it past goalie Jaroslav Halak to give the Red Wings the win at 1:51 of the overtime period.

Patrick Eaves had opened the game’s scoring with 7:35 left in the first. Eaves forced a turnover in the right wing corner and then went to the front of the net, taking a pass from Henrik Zetterberg and banging home the puck.

At 7:34 of the second, Todd Bertuzzi made it 2-0 when Halak tracked Valtteri Filppula’s wraparound attempt, not noticing that the puck was left for Bertuzzi at the side of the goal. Bertuzzi roofed a shot with Halak looking the other way.

Jakub Kindl’s first NHL goal made it 3-0 2:16 later. Kindl joined Filppula and Hudler as the late man on a rush, getting the puck from Filppula and trying to work it to Hudler at the side of the net. The attempted pass deflected off of defenseman Roman Polak and past Halak.

TJ Oshie got the Blues on the board with 8:16 left in the middle period. Oshie put a shot from the left faceoff circle over Detroit netminder Jimmy Howard’s shoulder.

Patrick Berglund was left uncovered in the slot at 6:35 of the third period, open to take a pass from Vladimir Sobotka and snap a shot past Howard, pulling St. Louis to within a goal.

David Backes tied the game with 5:46 remaining, banging home the rebound of a Brad Boyes chance.

Neither team scored a power play goal on the night. The Blues had two attempts with the extra attacker to Detroit’s one.

Howard made 26 saves on 29 shots in his first game back after missing two with a bruised knee. Halak stopped 25 of 29 shots.

The Red Wings host the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday afternoon and then are off until Wednesday when they host the New Jersey Devils.

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Detroit announced the signing of free agent goaltender Evgeni Nabokov immediately after the game. Nabokov will have to clear waivers before joining the team but is not expected to do so.