Detroit coach Mike Babcock calls comeback hockey losing hockey, but for the sixth time this season, it paid dividends for the Red Wings, who rallied from a 4-1 deficit for a 5-4 shootout win over the New Jersey Devils Friday at the Prudential Center.
Drew Miller’s first goal of the season forced the game to extra time and then Gustav Nyquist netted the only goal of the shootout, the first shootout-deciding goal of his career.
Weiss Guy Speaking of comebacks, in his third game since returning from a groin issue, Stephen Weiss continued to hold a hot hand. He drew an assist, giving him a point in every game since he’s come back and 3-2-5 totals over that span.
“All I know is he’s faster and got better hands and got jump in his step today compared to what he was a week ago,… Babcock said of Weiss. “It’s called confidence. It’s earning the right to feel good about yourself.
“He’s been a real good player in the past. Can he get himself back to that level? We’re giving him every opportunity to do that and the onus is on him to do that.…
Ouellet Tallies Rookie defenseman Xavier Ouellet kick started the Detroit rally, scoring his first NHL goal to make it 4-2, but even when he wasn’t scoring, the Wings are suitably impressed by how seamlessly he’s fit in since being called up to replace the injured Brendan Smith.
“X looks great,… veteran Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. “He’s making the right plays, the right decisions all the time.
“He looks like a veteran already.…
Powering Up Detroit scored twice on the power play for the seventh time in a game this season and for the sixth time in their last 11 games.
One of those power-play goals came from center Riley Sheahan, who has four goals in his last seven games.
“I think he’s been playing great,… Nyquist said of Sheahan. “He’s doing a lot of scoring for us, the whole line with Tats (Tomas Tatar) sticking together most of the time. They’re a really good combination; they’ve got a lot of chemistry. It seems like forever they’ve been on that line and it seems to be going good. They’re very important for this team.
“Coming off last year, I thought that whole line did a great job. Sheahan stepped in right away and showed he can be real productive in this league. He plays real well offensively and defensively. He’s great in faceoff circle as well.
“He brings a lot to this team.…
Mrazek Rebounds After allowing three goals on the first 11 shots he faced, Petr Mrazek bore down to bar the down as the Wings rallied, stopping all three shots he faced in the shootout while posting his second win in as many starts since being recalled from AHL Grand Rapids to fill in for the injured Jonas Gustavsson.
“He was great, he battled hard,… Detroit forward Johan Franzen said. “He always plays good when he comes up. It’s great to see.…
The Wings don’t sense any dropoff when it’s Mrazek in the net as opposed to regular No. 1 goalie Jimmy Howard.
“He's a hard-working guy, a really athletic guy, and he competes on every puck,… Detroit forward Darren Helm said.
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