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DETROIT – Andreas Athanasiou scored the tying goal on an electrifying game with two minutes to play in the rules. He then made a smooth pass to Dylan Larkin for the winning goal with 5.1 seconds to play in overtime.
Games are the difference. Athanasiou has what it takes to make the difference – elite speed and finishing ability.
So far this season, he has also shown something that was missing during his career: constant competitiveness. It's good for the Red Wings.
"From the first day of the camp, I think he's been hired and has done all he needs to be a good hockey player," said Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, following Friday's 3-2 win over the New York Rangers at the Little Caesars Arena. "His habits were very good in practice and he really did a good job for us."
Athanasiou returned after missing four games due to a leg injury. He scored five goals and eight points in 12 games and said he was confident of being able to produce with opportunities.
"I know that these chances will come, so I play hard when I go out and I take advantage of those chances," Athanasiou said.
His first big chance against the Rangers came when his momentum was built, but he ran out of time. Justin Abdelkader scored the Red Wings on the goalscene at 1:46 of the third period, after New York scored two goals in 40 seconds at the end of the second period with Jacob of the Rose serving a double-minor for very shot strong.
Athanasiou ran on the ice, grabbed a pass from Frans Nielsen just inside the blue line, overtook a defender who hung him and shot Henrik Lundqvist on goalkeeper for equalize.
"I had a lot of speed to the finish and I knew I had the track to cut, so I was preparing to cut and I hung a little there," said Athanasiou. . "I was fortunate enough to grab the puck and I somehow pretended to deceive Lundqvist – I had a chance to get her in."
Athanasiou then dubbed Kevin Shattenkirk ahead of Larkin, who put his hand on the ball to mark the comeback, giving the Red Wings (6-8-2) a fifth win in six games.
"There was not much time left and (Mike Green) came back for the puck and she bounced back," Larkin said. "A little wandering shot, but Andreas managed to cut it down." After doing so, I saw the way at the net and I knew that he was going to send it to me, so I jerked it to him. I just tried to put On the other side of the net and I knew Lundqvist, it was difficult for him to slip in. All was AA, he did a great game to drop the puck and a good pass. I had only to hit her there. "
Athanasiou said: "Whenever you have two players who can really speed up to speed, it's really a nice feeling to be with someone who's going to be in the running with you. It's very fun to play with him. "
That's what people who make the difference, says Blashill. Larkin has imposed himself as one of these players with his constant level of competition, an engine that does not stop.
Can Athanasiou do the same? He certainly has the ability.
"His first three or four years here, and since I've known him, my first development camp with him, I could see his speed and playability," said Larkin. "I think that with the experience he is now a player and he appears in great moments and he wins battles for us – he's a key player here."
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