Detroit Red Wings Win Regular Season Opener at LCA

The Detroit Red Wings were victorious in their first game at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night.

It was just the start the Red Wings needed in their 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. The Wings had four different goal scorers and got a stellar outing from Jimmy Howard in net.

How it Happened

At the end of the first period, the Wings and Wild were deadlocked at zero. However, the opening period did contain a goal waived off after Howard was interfered with.

In the second period, the Red Wings would take advantage of a 5 v. 3 power play opportunity to record two goals. The first came from Anthony Mantha as he tucked home a rebound in front of the net.

Dylan Larkin scored just 23 seconds later, directing an initial shot from Mike Green.

A poor start to the third period looked like it could cost the Red Wings as the Wild recorded two quick goals from Joel Erkisson Ek and Chris Stewart.

Thankfully for the Wings, Henrik Zetterberg would come to the rescue and put home a goal less than five minutes later to reinstate the lead.

An all-important insurance goal would come from Martin Frk with nine minutes remaining.

In the end, the Wings were able to hang on as it finished 4-2.

Game Notes

• Howard finished with 37 saves on 39 shots.
• Green had four assists on the night which takes his NHL career past 300.
• Mantha finished with three points and Frk had two points.
• The Wild outshot the Wings 39 to 31.
• Both power play goals saw the Wings finish two for five on the power play. They were able to successfully kill to four power-play opportunities the Wild had.

Up Next

The Red Wings will play their first away game of the regular season on Saturday night in Ottawa.