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Detroit Red Wings History: Wings win thriller over Dallas

By Mike Laybourne

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On this Throwback Thursday, we’ll be taking a look at one of the more thrilling games of Detroit’s 2014-15 season.

On February 21st, the puck dropped at the American Airlines Center in what would be a 13 goal thriller of a game.

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The Detroit Red Wings sat third in the division and were looking to distance themselves from the Boston Bruins, while the Dallas Stars were struggling. The Stars had only taken 62 points from 56 games and were six points away from a wildcard spot.

As the game unfolded, it was clear it wouldn’t be pretty. Jamie Benn and Jonathan Ericsson made the first real impact after six minutes with an ugly fight–both given a major for their trouble. After 12 minutes though; Benn kept it in the family by scoring on brother Jordie Benn‘s rebounded shot. The lead would last long though, Detroit’s budding superstar Gustav Nyquist evened it up with three minutes left in the first. The opening period ended 1-1.

Feb 21, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) skates off the ice during the third period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Datsyuk has two goals and two assists and is named the number one star. The Red Wings defeated the Stars 7-6 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Halfway through the second period, Pavel Datsyuk scored his first goal of the night and gave Detroit the lead. The lead didn’t last long. Dallas took advantage of sloppy Red Wing defending and Trevor Daley restored parity in Dallas, the first of three Dallas goals in as many minutes. Daley turned from goal scorer to provider when he set up Cody Eakin to give Dallas the lead again. A minute later Erik Cole added his name to the scoresheet to give the home team a 4-2 lead going into the second intermission.

Detroit’s Jakub Kindl was called up to replace the injured Kyle Quincey and quickly validated his selection by scoring the first two goals of the third period less than a minute apart. That put Detroit level again with Dallas, although the Stars would not go down without a fight.

The Stars’ Curtis McKenzie scored his second goal of the season and give Dallas back the advantage just  five minutes into the third period. A powerplay goal by Shawn Horcoff was enough to give the Stars another two goal lead with just over nine minutes left in regulation.

But the Wings wouldn’t go away. Justin Abdelkader gave the away fans hope when John Klingberg‘s delay of game penalty gave Detroit the man advantage. Abdelkader was able to find Dallas twine with an assist from Niklas Kronwall.

With under two minutes left and still a goal behind, Datsyuk linked up with Nyqvuist and Tomas Tatar to provide yet another equalizer and force overtime. Backup goalie Jonas Gustavsson had played the last ten minutes of regulation, but for overtime head coach Mike Babcock pulled his goalie in favor of the extra attacker.

The gamble paid off.

After providing the earlier assist for Abdelkader,  Kronwall sealed the two points for Detroit when he scored on a backhand pass from

Darren Helm

.

That night in February was a blow for Dallas, who would go on to miss the playoffs, while Detroit made it to its 24th consecutive postseason. What did you think of this eventful match-up?

Let us know your thoughts below!

Next: Detroit Red Wings Rumors: Todd Nelson and the Griffins?

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