DETROIT _ The once-a-season appearance of the Colorado Avalanche prompted steady reminders of how entertaining that rivalry was, much more so than the product on the ice.
The Detroit Red Wings played better Monday at Little Caesars Arena than they have in the last week, but directing shots on net was a struggle. Jonathan Bernier was pulled with almost two minutes to go for the extra attacker, but the Wings (15-48-5) came up on the short end of a 2-1 final.
The atmosphere was fun, as fans were treated to video clips from the 1990s Wings-Avs games on the Jumbotron. And home fans had something to cheer early, when Anthony Mantha provided a 1-0 lead.
That was leveled by Vladislav Namestnikov before the period ended.
The Wings blew through two straight power plays in the second period, and while Robby Fabbri put a big hit on Gabriel Landeskog, Landeskog had time to make a pass first _ a stretch pass that Logan O'Connor turned into a 2-1 lead.
Mantha had a breakaway late in the second period but Hutchinson blocked the shot and the puck went high.
