When the Lights Go Out in the City: Wings 5, Canucks 3

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

GIF for today’s recap were provided by Steph from her website gifgoldmine.com. Wasn’t it nice of her to do that? She has our thanks, and you should totally follow her on twitter @myregularface.

Alternative titles to this recap included Dancing in the Dark, Ain’t No Sunshine in the Joe, and Darkness! Imprisoning Me! All That I See! That’s because the some of the lights went out 30 seconds into the game. (Insert Detroit bankruptcy joke here). The game was scheduled to start at 2:00 pm but needed a 33-minute delay to get things up and running again. Play resumed at 2:45 pm.

Vancouver came on very strong after the lights were back, but Howard kept the Wings in it. Ryan Miller wasn’t quite so lucky, as Kronwall was able to score after sneaking in from the blue line to the faceoff dot to give the Red Wings an early lead.

It’s worth mentioning that Kronwall’s goal was a pretty big deal.

It’s also worth mentioning that it may or may not have deserved to have been called back…

But hey, for all the goals that get called back for no apparent reason, this could be the universe’s way of balancing things out (Sorry about that Vancouver).

Detroit wasn’t done there, however, as Burrows would take a high-sticking penalty after introducing Jimmy Howard’s neck to his stick. The Wings made quick work of the opportunity, with Zetterberg making a cross-ice pass feeding Nyquist who buried the puck about ten seconds into the ensuing powerplay.

Datsyuk looked real good during this period, especially during the 4-on-4 play. Vancouver’s best scoring chance came towards the end of the first period, as an atrocious giveaway by Jonathan Ericsson lead to a scoring chance. Howard was beat but the goalpost bailed the Red Wings out. The Canucks had one powerplay opportunity to Detroit’s two. The Red Wings outshot the Cancucks in the first period, but only by 11-10.

It didn’t take long for the Canucks to make the game more interesting. Quincey went off for hooking about two minutes into the second period. After cycling in the offensive zone, rookie Linden Vey cut the Red Wings lead in half. Kronwall had a rather uncharacteristic turnover that lead to the goal. (More like Oy Vey, Am I right?)

The Wings went shorthanded again shortly thereafter when Smith went off for cross-checking. The Canuck’s powerplay wouldn’t last though, as goal-scorer Linden Vey took an interference penalty with about 50 seconds left in the man-advantage. The Wings were unable to convert on the minute-long powerplay, however, and barely mustered a shot on net in the opportunity.

In fact, the Red Wings were having trouble getting any shots during the second period…

The Wings weak second period continued on until they had a powerplay, featuring a scary moment when Franzen’s skate made contact with the Burrow’s face as the two dove on the ice in front of the crease. Thankfully Burrows wasn’t hurt. Pavel Datsyuk got credit for a goal on said powerplay after Vancouver defenseman Luca Sbisa accidently put the puck in his own net. It was a wacky goal, going off the goal post and another Canuck before crossing the line.

Kindl had a great chance for goal number four after the powerplay, unfortunately the goal post denied him. The Wings looked strong for the last five minutes or so of the period, particularly the Eurotwins (Datsyuk and Zetterberg, not the Sedins, sorry). Both teams had powerplays in the second period, including one mentioned above that was split, and Vancouver took a big lead on shots, outshooting the Wings 12-7 in that period and 22-18 overall.

The third period started with a bit of a mystery. The top line originally consisted of Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Abdelkader, but at the start of the third Franzen had taken Abdelkader’s spot, while the former Michigan State Spartan was nowhere to be found. Speculation pointed to a blocked shot earlier in the second period, as Quincey had done the same and he was seen trying to ‘walk it off’ behind the bench. It was shortly thereafter announced that Abdelkader had suffered an upper-body injury and would not return, as the Red Wings continue to be unable to play an entire game with a healthy roster. Mike Babcock would report after the game that Abdelkader actually got hit and hurt his shoulder. Babcock also reassured that it wasn’t serious and he was to be considered day-to-day.

Detroit spent some time evening up the shot count, but Vancouver really turned it on in the last half of the third period. Yannick Weber took a shot off right after a face off win, which the Canucks were able to often in this game. Weber’s shot was deflected several times before it found the back of the net, giving Howard little chance of stopping it.

The Red Wings were determined to keep a two goal lead though, and got back to one less than a minute later. Danny DeKeyser had a wristshot from the blueline that Ryan Miller never even got to see, giving the Wings another goal up on the Canucks. It was DK’s first goal in 39 games.

The Wings continued to come on strong, including a Drew Miller breakaway on his brother Ryan. Vancouver pulled their goalie with about 4:30 left and it paid off. Linden Vey scored his second goal of the night and third point of the game by kicking a cross-ice pass to his stick and putting it in off of Jimmy Howard’s skate. It was quite the impressive display of hand-eye coordination.

The goal was under review for the potential of a distinct kicking motion but it was ruled to be a good goal.

Miller would go back in net for the Canucks, who continued to make Red Wings fan nervous with their play in the remainder of the third. Vancouver’s net would be empty again with about 1:45 left in the third as the Canuck’s onslaught continued. Pavel Datsyuk calmed fans’ nerves as he put the biscuit in the basket from the Detroit’s own blue line. Darren Helm chased the slow-moving puck but it wasn’t enough to get a chance to touch it, and Datsyuk’s 2^nd accidental goal would be enough to get the Joe to start playing Don’t Stop Believing. Vancouver would outshoot the Red Wings 33-30, but never had the lead or a tied score.

The Red Wings are now one point back from the Habs and Lightning for lead of the Atlantic Division. The Wings also have a game in hand on Montreal. Funny what four wins in a row can do for you.

Fun Facts
Nyquist is now tied for the most PPGs in the league with seven. Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin is right there with him.

Darren Helm took ten faceoffs and won every single one of them. Wow. The second period was less kind to him, bringing his total down to 68%.

Stephen Weiss’ three-game scoring streak was snapped. He had five points over those three games. Double wow!

Michelle’s observation at the end of the 2^nd period held true for the third as well.

Teemu Pulkinnen is leading the AHL in scoring right now, don’t be surprised to see him get called up to take Abdelkader’s place despite their very different roles. Although Dan Cleary or Joakim Andersson should be able to step into the lineup without any trouble.

Jimmy Howard is now tied for 3^rd all-time in Wins for the Red Wings.

Not So Fact

Chris Osgood wasn’t on hand for Fox Sports Detroit today after the passing of his stepfather Peter Perepelkin. Jimmy Howard did his best to honor the late Perepelkin but writing a “PP” on the knob of his stick.

Gordie Howe suffered another stroke, according to his son Mark. He is reported to be in stable condition. You can read more about that here.