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Video: Red Wings’ stars stun Penguins with late surge

Detroit Red Wings v Phoenix Coyotes

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 25: Henrik Zetterberg #40 of the Detroit Red Wings talks with Pavel Datsyuk #13 and Niklas Kronwall #55 during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 25, 2013 in Glendale, Arizona. The Red Wings defeated the Coyotes 3-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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The Pittsburgh Penguins seemed like they had a victory sealed quite a few times against the Red Wings on Thursday, yet Detroit’s biggest stars pulled off a stunning comeback to win 4-3 in OT instead.

The Red Wings scored two goals in a two-minute span with their net empty to send the game to overtime. After some promising chances in extended play, Justin Abdelkader fired home the game-winner, handing the Penguins two defeats on a tough back-to-back set.

Sidney Crosby had a breakaway opportunity to make it 4-1 for Pittsburgh, but Jimmy Howard made a huge stop to keep Detroit within striking distance:

Mike Babcock removed Howard from the net with a healthy amount of time left in the third period, which turned out to be a deft move (which might prompt a nod to Patrick Roy). Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall and Pavel Datsyuk took over the game from there.

First, Zetterberg made it 3-2 on this blistering shot:

Evgeni Malkin, Blake Comeau and Pascal Dupuis had a few chances to end the rush with sustained possession in Detroit’s zone with an empty net, yet they couldn’t score. The Red Wings took advantage when Datsyuk made an unreal pass - and an audacious decision not to shoot - which opened things up for Kronwall’s second goal and third point of the night:

Abdelkader had a great night of his own, with the biggest moment coming when he scored the overtime clincher:

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins