Welcome Back, Stephen Weiss: Detroit Red Wings 4, Ottawa Senators 3

I’m currently on vacation in Florida for Thanksgiving, and after exiting the shower, I opened my suitcase and grabbed two t-shirts: my Winter Classic Stephen Weiss shirsey, and my Philly Winter Classic James van Riemsdyk shirsey. Looking at Weiss’ shirt, waves of disappointment flew through my memory and I just had to suit up for JVR. Can you blame me? A season riddled with injuries that could have easily been avoided, followed by consistent scratching and another injury. After his groin pull in his first conditioning stint of the 2014-15 season, many started to wonder if Stephen Weiss’ NHL career could be heading toward a finale, and this weekend he turned the bus around on all of us. Sent to the AHL for another conditioning run, Weiss scored 2 goals in 2 games, and in his NHL return tonight, he did what was seemingly impossible – he scored.. and he did it twice. Stephen Twice; IT HAPPENED.

OTT  PP Goal – 5:19 1st – Turris, asst: Karlsson, Ryan

This one was inevitable, and it wasn’t the start Detroit wanted. a 5-on-3 power play after a Tatar high-stick and a Quincey hold at center ice, Detroit found themselves at the mercy of a Kyle Turris wrister; the icing on the cake of a sluggish start by Detroit. Don’t fret, however, because it gets much better.

DET PP Goal – 16:45 1st – Nyquist, asst: Zetterberg, Kronwall

Zetterberg won the faceoff at the left dot, who dispensed the puck to Kronwall at the point. #55 skated in reverse to the right side, and then passed off to Zetterberg at the previous spot. Zetterberg fired a shot, and Anderson allowed a huge rebound to Gustav Nyquist in the slot, and the Goose ripped it home for his 1oth of the year, also tying for a league-leading 6th power play goal.

DET PP Goal – 2:23 2nd – Sheahan, asst: Tatar, Howard

It’s nice to see Detroit’s power play converting this year. Howard left the puck for Tatar at the faceoff dot, who lead the breakout. Breaking the zone, he fired a slapper on Anderson, who was at the mercy of another huge rebound. The puck found itself at the feet of Riley Sheahan, who had a wide-open net to seal the deal on the go-ahead goal.

DET Goal – 13:34 2nd – Weiss, asst: Quincey, DeKeyser

Here’s where the homecoming began! Another rebound left the puck in a mess of Wings and Senators, and the only person able to find it was none other than Stephen Weiss. He drove the net hard as he had been doing all night long, and flicked the puck over Anderson’s blocker side to extend the lead.

DET Goal – 17:52 2nd – Weiss, asst: Helm, Jurco

Oh look.. another rebound. Helm’ threw a garbage backhand shot at the net to generate said rebound. It bounced off of Anderson’s right pad, and Weiss was tied up by a defender, but he was still able to get a backhand on the puck and slip it past the netminder for his second of the night.

Well, the other two goals were by Ottawa, and they were stupid by stupid players for stupid reasons, yada yada yada who cares? We won anyways. Let’s move on.

FINAL: Detroit 4, Ottawa 3

3 Positives to Take From the Game

-Obviously, it’s very nice to have a competitive Stephen Weiss on the team for the first time. He’s had a nightmare of a time ever since his wrist injury in Florida, and he’s fought hard for a roster spot. No reason to take him out right now.

-The power play is going, and I think our special teams problems are finally over. The PK is wonderful, Nyquist is leading the league in PP goals, and we are becoming extremely competitive.

-EVERYONE is scoring. Zetterberg hasn’t scored in weeks, and the Wings are still winning games. Sheahan, Nyquist, Weiss, Jurco; everyone is contributing, and players are looking consistent. Get ready for this team when Datsyuk comes back.

My 3 Stars of the Game:

1-3: Stephen Weiss: He deserves it! I couldn’t have expected him to be this impactful, especially with such sheltered minutes. On a third line, no less. Welcome back, bud.

Nov 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Stephen Weiss (90) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period against the Ottawa Senators at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports