Ann Arbor native and University of Michigan product Andrew Copp has always liked playing against his hometown team. He's scored goals more frequently against the Red Wings than against any other NHL team. He scored twice in Detroit when he came to town with the Jets earlier this season, and returned for more Wednesday night with the Rangers.
Copp, who was traded to New York at last week's deadline, had been quiet for most of the game. Then the game went to overtime, and here came Copp on a two-on-one with Artemi Panarin. Copp beat his man to the backdoor, took a perfect pass from Panarin and slipped one past Alex Nedeljkovic to send the fans home unhappy.
It was Copp's fifth goal in 12 games against Detroit. It was also a little piece of history. Of the 172 Michigan-born skaters who have played in the NHL, a group that includes Hall of Famers Mike Modano and Mark Howe, Copp is the first to score an overtime goal against the Red Wings.
The win was the Rangers' fourth in a row; the goal was Copp's seventh point in five games with his new team.
It was also the fourth straight loss for the Red Wings, who are winless in 30 games this season when allowing four or more goals.