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Power Play, timely saves, and smart play Gives Detroit 5-2 win over Boston |
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Game Summary:
**before going into the summary, broadcast confirmed that Detroit will choose which pick to send, Boston is top 10 protected but that’s unlikely to come into play. I incorrectly stated that Detroit’s pick was headed there. I got it wrong, and I apologize.
On to the game. If at the start of the season someone told you that in 19 games Boston would only have 2 regulation losses, 14 wins and 3 OT points after all the departures and shifts you’d probably think they was crazy. If they told you that Detroit was the only team to beat them in regulation and did it twice, where would you be? Well, that’s where we’re at.
After a veteran flavored 3rd period against New Jersey, Detroit had a similar hill to climb against a team that doesn’t lose much right now. Perron’s empty net goal saw the stadium start to empty with 1:45 left and a sigh of relief from the Red Wing’s bench.
Swayman had a very rare outing in letting more than 2 in, and the line of Veleno/Larkin/Raymond was a very different look for the club. Larkin isn’t 100%, but Veleno is carrying the mail and Raymond is starting to get a lot more confident. Fabbri has been really good in his return, and Debrincat’s no assist steal and drive was the type of play fans hoped for in bringing the cat home.
Full marks to the Bruins. If the club does start to slip a bit more in the next few years, there are players that can sell tickets. Boston is reportedly hungry to add another Lindholm to the roster and strengthen the center position. Pastrnak (like we used to say about Datsyuk) is worth the price of a ticket and will be for a while.
The Red Wings are seeing things start to click into place in terms of chemistry. Maybe the disappointing results overseas and a long plane ride home helped get things moving for some players. Gostisbehere has been good at keeping the puck alive during cycle plays, and continues to add that. Petry seemed to have a better step, and Husso obviously looked like he really wanted a quick win for the new addition to the family.
Rasmussen has a good amount of maturity that is coming out. A depth player that gets coaxed continually by other players but seems to be able to maintain control. During the final 4 minutes, he made a simple clear grabbing the puck out of the air and getting it far enough out for a change but not far enough for icing. Yes, that’s not on a highlight reel but it’s something you need.
Compher has been a breath of fresh air, and seems to help Copp when he gets frustrated by a play gone wrong. The team has seemed more measured and confident in the past 2 games and it would be a great trend to see continue. Should Yzerman still keep his eyes open for upgrades? Absolutely. However, not feeling a pressing need puts the GM in a better position for negotiations. He’s obviously not been shy about making changes. About half the team is new this season and most of the previous regime has moved on.
The Power Play was directly responsible for 3 goals, though technically an even strength score on Fabbri’s tally (just expired). Good movement, confident shooters, and nice to see Larkin warming back up. Even hurt, the Captain finds a way to contribute.
Detroit will take on Minnesota on Sunday, a team with a tough start to the year. Obviously, no game can be taken for granted. The trip to the post season could start in the mid 90s in the East (and the mid 80s in the West). Just have to grind away knowing that Toronto, Florida, Boston, Tampa Bay, New York and New Jersey are going to be going for it. Hopefully we’re getting a glimpse of a team that sees itself in the mix, even if it is on the bubble.
First Period Detroit Goals:
Compher Power Play tip in
Debrincat steals and scores his 12th
First Period:
Wings back to 12 and 6 as Walman is feeling the Swedish damage a bit more. For head injuries (assuming that’s playing into it) effects can have delay impact. For those that know, I’ve been on disability since 2016 after a close headed injury. I tried to go back to work, then started stuttering a couple days later and spent a month in complete darkness. If you’re out having some fun in the winter, please be careful.
Wings to their power play at 5:02. 10 seconds in Gostisbehere shot the puck (snap) from the blue line and Compher got his stick on it for a really nice tip. 1-0 DET.
At 12:22 Wings now lead in shots 7-2 but Perron is heading to the box for holding. Exactly the way Boston was busted and right in front of the ref. Not the best look.
Wings kill the penalty. Looks like Detroit back on the power play at 10:59. Wings with some good movement, unable to get any great looks. Sprong (even after the power play) made multiple plays where he would have been better off shooting.
6:17 left, shots 8-4 DET
At 15:01 Debrincat steals the puck right at the O zone blue line and marches in scoring 5 hole. 2-0 DET. Very nice goal for 93. Husso had to come up big just about 5 seconds later and looked good.
3:41 left and the Bruins are coming on. Shots now tied at 9-9.
Score: 2-0 DET
Shots: 9-9
Second Period Detroit goals:
Fabbri’s post power play tally
Second Period:
At 2:06 Holl to the box for holding. Bruins back on the power play.
53 seconds in Debrusk scores on a rebound in tight. 2-1 DET.
Bruins definitely picking up the tempo. Detroit may feel the effect of that boost for a while today.
attorney 10:04 it looked like Detroit was heading to the power play but on review the high stick was determined to be a follow through on a shot by Geekie. Right call was made.
At 11:19 some extended O zone pressure by Detroit led to a power play. About a minute in Compher passed on a shot. Too much passing at times. Stop in play with 43 seconds left in the advantage. Some looks, 14 seconds left as puck went out of play. Fabbri scores again taking a beautiful cross crease pass just a second or so after the power play expires. 3-1 DET. Shots are 19-16 DET
With 5:34 left Raymond hits the post, Detroit then ices the puck a few seconds later. Raymond is doing a lot better getting angles and flex on his stick on moving plays in tight.
46 seconds of pressure off that faceoff win by Boston, Husso shut it down with 4:44 left in the period.
With just 2 minutes left Boston heads to the power play as Holl goes off for a hook. This was a huge kill as Detroit held on.
Score: 3-1 DET
Shots: 20-20
Third Period Detroit goals:
Larkin’s power play tally, 7th of the year
Perron’s empty netter
Third Period
Just 4:12 in Boston scores after winning a faceoff, getting a rebound off the back boards and the 3rd is now going to be a lot tougher. 3-2 DET
Wings get a big opportunity at 5:02 as they head to a power play. Larkin scores just 5 seconds in! 4-2 DET. That was a big moment for Detroit.
Detroit back to the power play at 7:20 as Rasmussen managed to avoid taking a matching penalty. Bruins faithful not happy.
1 minute into the power play Marchand to the box for a cross check to Gostisbehere. 5 on 3 for 1:01. Wings call time out to reset the top unit. 11:41 left in the game.
Detroit loses the opening draw and about 20 seconds. Bruins clear again. Wings set up with just about 17 seconds left in the 2 man advantage. Easy shot for Swayman. 9 seconds in 5 on 3 left, Bruins clear and kill it. 1 minute of regular power play left. Bruins holding the line. They kill both penalties. 9:23 left.
8:36 left and Wings ice the puck. Still 4-2, shots 27-23 and a big faceoff. Wings win and get puck out to center.
6:29 left, Detroit blocks a shot and puck goes out. Quick (and welcome) break. Rasmussen making good small plays to keep the puck moving and avoiding penalties at this point.
4:36 left, shots at 27-24. DET doing well to keep things flowing, but very passive in any attack. Wings lose a draw off an icing but Husso stops a shot that was going wide. 4:26 left, off to commercial. Must have had too few commercial breaks. (Though by definition that should be impossible according to Cable’s original standards).
4 minutes left and Bruins pull the goalie. Wings clear with 3:30. With 2:57 left Larkin ices the puck. Good play, but gassed defenders. Wings clear again with 2:26 left. Bruins right back in, Chiarot ices the puck, 2:12 left to play.
With 1:45 left to play Perron scores an empty net. 5-2 Detroit. Bruins only got 2 SOG in over 2 minutes of 6 on 5 and multiple icings.
Final Score: 5-2 DET
Final Shots: 29-27 DET
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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