Athanasiou scores 6 seconds into OT, Detroit tops Ottawa 2-1

DETROIT — With record speed, the Detroit Red Wings finally won in overtime.

Andreas Athanasiou scored six seconds into the extra period to give Detroit a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night. The goal tied an NHL record for fastest overtime goal in the regular season. The Red Wings improved to 1-6 in games decided in overtime, although they have won three shootouts.

“I think we’re just playing good hockey right now, trying to make the most of what I get,” Athanasiou said. “Anytime I get a chance I’m trying to make something happen. Anytime I can help the team out it’s definitely a good feeling.”

Detroit has won three in a row for the first time this season.

Athanasiou scored twice and also had a penalty shot stopped in the third period. Dylan Larkin took the opening faceoff in overtime and, after the puck went forward a bit, both Athanasiou and Ottawa standout Erik Karlsson reached for it.

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Athanasiou was able to control it and skated in behind Karlsson on a breakaway. He beat goalie Craig Anderson with a backhander high to the glove side.

“The puck was bouncing a little bit and I kind of saw Karlsson’s stick on the left side of me, so I figured I’d go to the backhand again and try to get it up over his pad and fortunately it worked out,” Athanasiou said.

The most recent player to score 6 seconds into overtime in the regular season was Washington’s Alex Ovechkin on Dec. 15, 2006, at Atlanta.

Ryan Dzingel scored for the Senators, who lost for the 18th time in 22 games.

The Red Wings opened the scoring in the first period after a clever play by Anthony Mantha. The Detroit forward was in front of the net when he shot the puck backward through his legs, forcing Anderson to make a save. Athanasiou put away the rebound to make it 1-0.

Athanasiou and Martin Frk had good chances to double Detroit’s advantage in the middle of the second period, but they couldn’t convert, and the Senators tied it just 39 seconds into the third. Darren Helm mishandled the puck in front of his own net, and Dzingel pounced on it and beat goalie Jimmy Howard.

The play was reviewed for possible goaltender interference, but the goal stood.

Athanasiou drew a penalty shot with 9:19 remaining in regulation, but Anderson calmly made the save . Detroit had a chance to win it late in the third, but Anderson turned aside two shots by Helm, and Danny DeKeyser hit the pipe with about 20 seconds to play.

“That was two good old American goalies having a great game tonight,” Anderson said. “It was fun to play in a game like that.”

NOTES: The goalies had 33 saves each. … Mantha returned after missing two games with a lower-body injury. … Detroit went on the power play in the second period, but Mike Green of the Red Wings was called for holding almost immediately after it started. Rather than try to score during the delayed penalty, Ottawa tried to keep the puck and waste as much time as possible before Detroit could force a whistle. The delayed penalty wasn’t called until there were 7 seconds left in Detroit’s power play. “Great job by them,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “That was unreal. It’s got to go down as one of the worst two minutes of power play in the history of mankind.”

UP NEXT

Senators: Host the San Jose Sharks on Friday night.

Red Wings: Host the Florida Panthers on Friday night.

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Noah Trister, The Associated Press