Wings get “gritty… OT win after Montreal’s impressive pushback (Red Wings)

Red Wings

Wings get “gritty… OT win after Montreal’s impressive pushback

By Jeremy Laura

Dec 2, 2023 • 10:16 pm

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Summary:

Seeing Lindstrom score is about as rare as it gets. The former failed prospect made a big impact and helped lead to a tie in the third by Montreal. The harder the Habs pushed, the more mistakes Detroit was making. Not clearing the zone, sometimes on 4 tries. Suzuki almost found the game winner after a horrible turnover with just a few minutes left in the period. However, OT saw better play, a huge lucky break, and a gritty celly.

For just a second as the puck was leaving the zone it looked like Debrincat was going to give up a 2 on 0 that likely would have ended the game. However, Larkin in his first game back helped shut it down as Seider stepped off the ice and was replaced by Walman.

Larkin had several chances and his team was more than hoping to see him with a goal on the board. Even though his Overtime wrap around missed the target, it led to the passing sequence that set up Walman for the final goal. Walman is another feel good story. He played hard, and at times just looks like he is struggling and fighting his way back to form.

Regardless of who scored the goal, it was a redemptive shot as Detroit was well aware of what they’d given up after a 3 goal opening period, then being outshot by Montreal 25-11 according to the commentary crew. Numbers aside, Montreal did take over. However, in overtime, a won faceoff and sustained possession led to a much better flight home and probably a few more world famous hotdogs at catering.

Give Montreal credit. Just as their coach St. Louis did throughout his entire playing career, the team kept pushing past boundaries and stayed in it. Martin St. Louis is potentially the finest example of a forward who made a career (a very good career) after ever exhausting all the traditional options. That fighting spirit will forever endear him to anyone who had the honor of watching him.

Gallagher has the same spirit. It’s painful how well he can slice through the defense and players with 100lbs on him. Comparing that to Anderson, who is an ideal physical specimen, but for now isn’t able to fight through and get back on track. The fans are intense and even on a TV with smart volume the room was shaking when Montreal tied it up.

For Detroit, Rasmussen (early on especially) continues to make little plays and follow through, one such effort leading to Fischer’s short handed goal.

One note on Raymond. Obviously, a blown tire led to a short handed goal against. However, Raymond was falling or being thrown around a big. He still needs to put on 10 or 15 lbs and potentially move to a shorter skate cut. Watch old video of Pav who could dig in and bounce guys off of his side. He could also free squat with 8 wheels on the bar on a game day.

Veleno continues to make plays, and adding Kane to the mix while Larkin reacclimates could be a lot of fun to watch. We’ll see what the coming weeks bring, but 5 wins in 6 games is worth feeling good about. Still, a tip of the chapeau to the concentric “C… squad for a full comeback after a rough start.

First Period Detroit goals: Veleno opens scoring on delayed penalty

Fisher’s short handed tally

Sprong’s last minute goal

First Period:

At 7:21, Detroit was 6 on 5 and Veleno good advantage with a nice roof shot at the crease on his off wing. 1-0 DET, shots 5-0 DET. Montreal still without a shot.

Wings were on the PK, Rasmussen gets the puck out and to Fischer who returns the puck to Ras. Ras walks in but the puck barely stays out. Fischer sees it sitting and dives to poke it in for a short handed tally. 2-1. Shots 7-2 DET

With just 39 seconds left Sprong scored Detroit’s 3rd as part of a 2 on 1 with Kostin, sprung from D Zone by Seider. 3-1 Detroit.

6 seconds left and Barron got Montreal on the board after a bit rebound off a shot from Suzuki went found its way to his stick in front of a wide open net. Zero hesitation.

Score: 3-1 DET Shots: 11-6 DET

Second Period Detroit goals: Debrincat’s 200th goal on the power play

Second Period:

At 3:47 Detroit was buzzing in the Montreal zone, but a trip to Raymond sent Detroit to the power play. 19 seconds in Armia scored a short handed goal as Raymond blew a tire. 3–2 DET. Less than a minute later Debrincat gets it back as he takes a pass from Seider and shoots from below the faceoff dot on his off wing. His 200th. 4-2 DET

With 13:36 left Detroit looked to have a breakaway, but it was due to interference behind the play. Montreal to the power play.wings manage to kill of penalty.

With 8:46 left Kostin had a breakaway but not enough speed. Montreal defender checked the forward and both slid into the net and the goalie. There’s a review as to whether or not the Montreal defender knocked the puck in during collision. Hard to see this one resulting in a goal for Detroit. No goal on the play.

Fabbri to the box for elbowing with 5:48 left. Not ideal time for retaliation. Now a 5 on 3 for over a minute courtesy of Chiarot. Wings kill 5 on 3 and draw a penalty w 33 secs left. Walman came up huge. 4 on 4 for 33 secs. Unable to convert.

Score: 4-2 DET Shots: 20-15 DET

Third Period Detroit goals:

Third Period:

Wings go to power plate at 1:11. Unable to convert. Habs to power play at 3:32. Ras can’t clear and MTL scores. 4-3.

Wings back to pp at v 4:40. Unable to convert. Look terrible as MTL takes over momentum.

At 16:01 Montreal ties it up via Lindstrom. Detroit has been awful in the 3rd and now they pay for it. 4-4. So many giveaways, zero sustained forecheck. Just trying to hold on, LaLonde does not do well coaching in games like this. The 1-2-2 was read perfectly by Montreal and innumerable failed Dzone clears and lost faceoffs in critical moments.

3rd Period Score: 4-4 3rd Period Shots: 30-30

Overtime goal:

Overtime: 54 seconds in the still injured Walman ripped a slapshot after Larkin missed a few good chances. However, the Captain and Debrincat kept Montreal from a 2 on 0. Almost a disastrous finish to a game that at one point had Detroit up 3-0. Walman did some nice dancing to celebrate.

OT Score: 5-4 DET OT Shots: 32-30 DET

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