Brad Marchand’s antics not enough to slow down the Detroit Red Wings

Brad Marchand was up to Brad Marchand things last evening in Boston.  It was not enough to take Howard or the Detroit Red Wings off of their game, as the Wings beat the Bruins 4-2 at TD Garden.

I add “at TD Garden” into the mix because the Detroit Red Wings prior to last night had lost eleven straight games in that building.  Frans Nielsen finally found the back of the net notching his first goal of the season.  He is not a perennial goal scorer by any means, but I had hoped he would be able to bury 18-20 goals.

Let’s get to the good stuff right away; Brad Marchand took a hack at Jimmy Howard while he was skating to the Detroit Red Wings bench during a delayed Boston penalty. Pandemonium would occur next with all the Wings players on the ice meeting for a scrum in front of the benches.

Tuukka Rask came flying into the pile looking for his friend Jimmy Howard, but before the pair could have a dance, the linesman spoiled the fun making sure they remained separated.  It seems Marchand was doing his best to get under the skin of Howard who was once again dialed in for Detroit.

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If I am Howie, I am just grateful that Brad didn’t try to lick me.  This guy is so talented, but he continues to make boneheaded plays on a regular basis.  I am not sure who I dislike more Tom Wilson or Brad Marchand?  I wouldn’t trust either of them; both love to deliver dangerous cheap shots.  Matt Cooke was the same way.  Marchand is a great offensive player; it almost seems like he needs to play this way to get himself amped up or something.

After the game, Howard mentioned to the media that he was happy that he and Rask didn’t exchange blows because they are friends.  He also mentioned he was ready to go though if the linesmen were not between them.

Shortly before all of this went down, Luke Witkowski who drew into the lineup late rotating in as the seventh defenseman squared off against Joakim Nordstrom.  It just so happens that it was an excellent game to dress Witkowski and I will say one thing, it comes as no surprise Marchand took a hack at Howard WHILE Witkowski was confined to the penalty box.  It all happened with Luke sitting in the box serving his fighting major.

Jimmy Howard was spectacular last evening making 38 saves.  Howard’s stock continues to rise, and the phone inside Kenny Holland’s office is about to be bombarded with voicemail messages inquiring on Howie.

The statistical leader of the night was Gustav Nyquist.  Gus scored the insurance, empty-net goal late and recorded a pair of assists earlier in the evening. This will come as a surprise to a lot of you; Nick Jensen led the way in ice-time for Detroit.  He played a team-high 22:39, it seems Jeff Blashill has picked up on Jensen’s shot-blocking ability.

Tyler Bertuzzi netted another goal, pushing his season total up to nine.  He also now has 4 points in his last 5 games.  We expected Larkin to come out flying in this rivalry game and he did not disappoint us.  He found the scoresheet as well as playing north of 22 minutes.

Dennis Cholowski, on the other hand, had 4:00 minutes in penalties which hurt his time on ice, he played a mere 13:38 in Boston.  With the Wings dressing seven defensemen, Witkowski took a little bit of ice from Ericsson, Cholowski, and Kronwall.

The next matchup is march 31/2019; it will surely be a must-see game between the two clubs.  By then some of the rising blood-pressure will have leveled out, but it will only take one stupid decision from #63 to get the water boiling once again.