Game Recap | Detroit Red Wings: 0 – Philadelphia Flyers: 5

Jan 28, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Scott Hartnell (19) celebrates his goal with center Claude Giroux (28) against Detroit Red Wings goalie Jonas Gustavsson (50) during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Before the game even started the Detroit Red Wings found out that they were going to be without their first line centerman once again because Johan Franzen was out due to concussion like symptoms. It was up to Joakim Andersson, who was activated off IR, to step in and fill the first line center role.

After a rather boring first and second against the Florida Panthers, the first period and against the Flyers was a fast, grinding period for both sides. 13:18 into the period, Danny DeKeyser was given a “cross-checking” penalty and on the ensuing power play Scott Hartnell tipped a puck past Jonas Gustavsson. The Wings lost their positioning and Hartnell was doing a get job screening Gustavsson, but it was scored on a power play which should not have been awarded to them.

After the goal the refs decided to slow the game down as much as possible by calling ever potential infraction. Because of this there were two straight coincidental minors, which led to four on four hockey, and a singular penalty against the Flyers so fans could get a glimpse of the elusive four on three power play in regular time. No goals were scored for the rest of the period though.

The second period started a lot like the first, it was a very quick start and neither team had a great opportunity until Giroux fed Hartnell for a great chance out front, but it was shutdown by a sprawling Jonas Gustavsson. The Red Wings countered that rush by getting the puck down near the Flyers’ net, but were not able to get any real opportunities until Sheahan hit the post on a deflected shot.

The Flyers capitalized on their second odd man rush in the second period though as Niklas Kronwall was caught pinching and Claude Giroux found the trailer Scott Hartnell, who beat Gustavsson and put the Flyers up by two goals. The Flyers were not done there though, they fore-checked the Wings and did not allow them to control the puck, which led to a bounce puck heading toward the net and a chip shot from Adam Hall to send it over top of Gustavsson.

The Red Wings had their chances in the second as well though. A great pass of Drew Miller to Luke Glendening was just closed off by Steve Mason, but just as the Flyers thought they were out of the woods, Kyle Quincey roared up the middle of the ice to grab the puck and ripped a shot at a pretty wide open net, but unfortunately he caught crossbar and not net.

Third period did not change anything for Detroit, who could not capitalize on any of their power play attempts and for the most par they were out worked regardless of if they were up a man or not. And the 10:32 into the third period Claude Giroux blasted a puck through Gustavsson’s glove to score to put the nail into the coffin.

Sean Couturier was not happy with the nail job by Giroux and pulled Gustavsson out of his net, took the puck around the net, and scored on a wrap-around goal to make it a five to nothing game.

The Flyers ended up winning the game 5-0 against the Wings, but it was a much closer game than that on the ice.

Now to the bullet points:

• Danny DeKeyser was the victim of an AWFUL “cross-checking” penalty call and it led to a Flyers goal of course.
• Not sure what the ref could have seen, but it might have been the worst call since the ref missed the puck bouncing off the netting in Detroit.
• Johan Franzen was an early morning scratch for Detroit and was replaced by Joakim Andersson, who won 50% of his face-offs, but no shots on net.
• Brendan Smith was knocked down and went back first into the post. He will not be feeling well for the next couple days.
• The Red Wings hit 4 posts and the crossbar tonight against the Flyers. The puck was not bouncing in the Wings’ favor tonight.
• Jimmy Howard backed-up Jonas Gustavsson tonight and look very good sitting on the bench charting face-offs.

The Red Wings will be back in Joe Louis Arena Friday night to take on the Washington Capitals at 7:30 p.m.

I hope you guys enjoyed this recap of the Red Wings game against the Flyers. Take care and thanks for reading.

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