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Matt Luff has been activated and sent to GR for a conditioning stint. Most of you know that Zadina and Bertuzzi are “day to day” and Zadina has been skating. We’re getting to the “weird” rumor zone. I.E. - Hughes ‘might’ be available out of VAN. The warning was given that agents are trying to stir the pot to get some movement. I have no idea. I do know that I’d pay a lot for that young man to be on the blue line.
Game Summary:
A big congrats to Larkin for scoring his 400th point tonight. This was a frustrating game in regulation. Detroit would work the puck and finally score, and both times the Sharks would tie it back up within about 2.5 mins. Luckily, you can’t play that way in OT.
It’s impossible to overestimate what Karlsson brings to a Sharks team that is in the awkward pre-build stage that Detroit was in until Lidstrom hung up the skates. He can single handedly change the game.
Beyond that, Rasmussen has become a good story of a history of bad first round picks by the past administration. Last year, I credited him with becoming more physical, taking whatever role they gave him and running with it. This year, he’s taken steps forward. He plays physically, is handled physically, and can win puck battles. That, in the end, won the game for Detroit.
Ras, as my own first star of the game, had a goal and an assist. More than that, he just plays. There’s something about an athlete that shows up and wants to play that is so refreshing in the ever changing landscape of sports. Of the three “big men” picked in the first round (Mantha, Svech and Ras) I would not have guess that Rasmussen would be the one to make it through Yzerman’s cleaning house. Good on him for making it work.
Otherwise, this game was all over the place. Up and down the ice. Shots off target, good blocks, interceptions. Two teams who are struggling who played fairly equally. The Sharks would get a temporary boost after giving up a goal and then go right back to the up and down hockey that seemed to define this contest.
It’s not always fun watching two teams who used to be considered top contenders and let themselves just float to the bottom. Thankfully, Detroit has started the process of better drafting and clearing out anyone who can’t step up to the role or at least make the effort. Copp needs to find his way here, as the rare long term deal that Yzerman has made. This was a good moment for him to be sure.
Montreal is next on the list. Another team that is having a rotten turn of events with a -48 goal differential (DRW have a -14). Another team more the “speed” of where Detroit is at as the rebuild tarries on. I’m not for “tanking” simply because the lotto treats this team pretty badly. Maybe a year in which Detroit does their level best they’ll finally have some serious movement up once Bettman borrows a set of, um, bingo paraphernalia and Yzerman sits and waits to get knocked back 2 spots. Only time will tell.
First Period Detroit goals:
No first period goals
Shots: 12-12
Score: 0-0
Second Period Detroit goals:
Larkin finally helped open the scoring for his 400th point as his shot on net was deflected in by Erne. Seemed like an innocent enough play to open things up. Hronek with secondary assist. The puck rode Reimer’s pad and bounced off the post and in. Pinball wizard.
At 7:58 Sharks tie it up. 1-1
At 16:29 Rasmussen went from being tripped up to getting the puck and ripping wrist shot through a space in the goalie’s arm. Better energy for the big man these past years, and glad to see him get rewarded. Oesterle with an apple here.
With 6 seconds left Sharks tie it up
Shots: 22-19 SJ
Score: 2-2
Third Period Detroit goals:
No Third Period Goals
Shots: 29-27 DRW
Score: 2-2
Overtime:
Copp scores off the faceoff (see, they are important) after Rasmussen did a yeoman’s task of getting the puck past 2 sharks and a goalie to Copp for the tap in. Ras had an excellent game, and paid the price physically more than once.
Shots: 32-28 DRW
Score: 3-2
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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