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Summary:
The discussion of a “winning formula… is often had after a win or even a close loss. Detroit’s 5-2 victory wasn’t ideal as Husso played a strong game stopping 36 of 38. The Red Wings scoring 5 goals on 23 shots is well outside what you can expect. 3 of the goals were on the power play, and 2 even strength goals came from Joe Veleno. Perron, Gostisbehere and Larkin had the man advantage tallies (Larkin now with 9 points on the year 2-7).
Still, you celebrate the wins. 4 straight at the beginning of the year is a good start. The power play is clicking at a level that, while unsustainable, is a massive upgrade from what we’ve seen during the rebuild. Sprong is still one of my favorite new acquisitions, and his playmaking ability has been a lot of fun to watch.
So, Sens fans will rightfully lament a stronger effort being met with an inferior final result. Wings fans will celebrate the effort of Husso who kept the team alive (especially in the first period). We’re still only 5 games in, but it’s been nice to see goals and points piling up in the early goings. The coaching staff seems to like the 7D 11F setup right now. Depth players benefit from having a top line forward fill in the gaps.
We’ll see how the team looks on a back to back tomorrow. Today, Husso shouldn’t be buying his own dinner.
First Period:
Ottawa came out ready to go and were controlling the play. At 16:54 they broke through as Sanderson cashed in on a power play.
Ottawa dominated Detroit throughout the first, but with 1:45 left the league’s best power play struck in just 7 seconds on the advantage Larkin found Gostisbehere skating into the slot, got a quick pass from the side of the net and Ghost tied it up. 1-1, Perron with the 2nd assist.
Score: 1-1 Shots: 14-3 OTT
Second Period
Detroit carried some momentum into the second and came very close to cashing in on a power play at around the 4 minute mark. Following the advantage, Veleno found the net for his first of the season on Detroit’s 5th shot of the period at around 15:15 after a beautiful behind the net and pass from Fischer. 2-1 DET
At around the 11 minute mark Raymond had a near disastrous drop off of the puck right in front of the Detroit net. Thankfully the netminder was up to the task.
Detroit to be short handed after an interference call on Compher and Ottawa heads to the power play at 11:45. After some lucky bounces and timely saves by Husso, Detroit killed it off.
At 14:36, Larkin drew a penalty as he used his speed to get the puck down the ice and an old friend in Hamonic did his best to stop the rush. Wings to the power play.
Just 20 seconds in Perron scores from the slot getting a pass from Larkin from just outside the trapezoid. Perron went skate to stick as fast as I’ve seen it. 3-1 DET while being outshot 21-9. Seider with the 2nd apple. Detroit is now 8 for 16 on the power play.
With 4:19 left Tkachuk and Rasmussen head off for 2 minutes each for roughing. Some 4 on 4 for the next 2 minutes.
With 2:02 left, Chiarot ended up in the box as he pulled Grieg out of the goal area after Husso took the brunt of a post chance collision. Plenty of scrums, refs may be trying to get ahold of this one. Husso had to come up with a big save 25 seconds in. 25 seconds left and Husso has had to come up with some big saves. With 9 seconds left in the power play, Chycrun heads to the box for tripping. 4 on 4 for 9 of the final 11 seconds of the 2nd period.
Score: 3-1 DET Shots: 28-11 OTT
Third Period:
Just 28 second into the 3rd Period the power play struck again as Larkin took a pass from Gostisbehere between the faceoff circles and launched a high flex wrist shot into the net (plenty of screen on that play). 4-1 Detroit.
At 7 minutes in Sprong intercepts the puck in the neutral zone and drives to the night down the right side with Veleno on the left. Sprong got a beautiful pass to Veleno that the forward buried for his 2nd of the night. 5-1 Detroit.
At 8:49 Grieg got the Sens back to within 3 as he scored, 5-2 Detroit. The clock wound down and Husso continued to hold steady and that ended up being the final tally of the night.
Score: 5-2 DET Shots: 38-23 OTT