Red Wings Rally To Edge Blue Jackets In Overtime

DETROIT — For the second time in three games at their NHL Rookie Tournament, the Detroit Red Wings worked extra time to fashion a victory.

Defenseman Justice Christensen scored his second goal of the game at 3:14 overtime, as the Red Wings rallied for a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“I was happy to be able to find the back of the net and get the one in overtime,” Christensen said. “Felt good for sure.”

Detroit rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat Dallas 4-3 in a shootout in the tourney opener on Saturday.

Noah Dower Nilsson sent Tuesday’s game to OT. He scored with 1:00 left in regulation and Detroit goalie Trey Augustine on the bench for an extra attacker.

Former Michigan man Josh Eernisse beat Michigan State alum Augustine to give Columbus the lead. After Christensen had tied it, Justin Dumais netted a third-period power-play goal for the Blue Jackets.

Christensen is playing on an AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

“He’s got a great shot,” Griffins coach Dan Watson said. “We saw that for his first goal.

He can skate well. And he won a race for the second goal.

“He kind of does a little bit of everything. And so we’re excited for him.

We’re excited to see how he translates into professional hockey.”

Center Nate Danielson and defenseman Anton Johansson were back in the lineup after sitting out Detroit’s second game. They both assisted on Dower Nilsson’s tying goal to send the game to OT.

Dower Nilsson was moved up to the top line with Danielson and Carter Bear. Jesse Kiiskinen dropped to the second line alongside Theo Rochette and Dylan James.

The Red Wings wanted Dower Nilsson to shoot more and he complied. He put four shots on net in Tuesday’s game.

Johansson led all shooters with five shots. Augustine made 21 saves for his second victory over the tournament.

“Two really good showings, and I think the pace of the games, the quality shots that he saw weren’t great defensively at times,” Watson said. “So he had to make some big saves.”

Columbus grabbed its 2-1 lead after Red Wings forward James was penalized for delay of game.

The Red Wings finished the NHL Rookie Tournament with a 2-1 record. Detroit lost 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.

The NHL rookie tournament is in the books. The Red Wings will open training camp on Thursday at Little Caesars Arena.