Compher put Detroit ahead 3-2 with a power-play goal at 14:26 of the third period. Erik Gustafsson ’s point shot hit the post and Alex Nedeljkovic ’s back, then slid toward the line. Compher was the first to react and pushed it in.

A tumultuous 2024 during which the Detroit Red Wings missed a playoff spot due to a tiebreaker and fired their coach eight months later, ended in a positive fashion on Tuesday. J.T. Compher’s power-play goal with 5:24 remaining in the third period snapped a tie and the Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 in their traditional New Year’s Eve game at Little Caesars Arena.