Although the Detroit Red Wings got a much needed early goal, and it was even a PPG they were unable to carry the play throughout the evening. Surprise? Nah, not really, it’s been this way much of the season. The Wings would lose 4-3 in a shootout.
Breaking News: The Detroit Red Wings scored a power play goal tonight. It was a thing of beauty. Dylan Larkin won the offensive zone faceoff back to the point. It went side to side across the blueline, to the half wall, down low, in front, and eventually across the crease to a wide-open Gustav Nyquist he buried it.
The PP had been struggling mightily in fact; it was only the third PPG over the last 15 games for the Wings. To go with the struggling power-play, the penalty kill has really been something. At home, the PK is the absolute worst in hockey, yet on the road, it is the leagues best. I don’t understand the splits. You’d think the statistics would be a touch better at home behind a cheering crowd providing some extra adrenaline.
Dennis Cholowski is playing more significant minutes now that Mike Green is sidelined for a long stretch. He had some tough luck while taking a point shot it got blocked leading to him being caught in the offensive zone. It was a two on one for the Islanders, and they didn’t miss. Anthony Beauvillier buried a pass from the young phenom Mathew Barzal.
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Trevor Daley got the Wings second goal with about 12 seconds left in the first period. It was not a thing of beauty. It was banged towards Greiss during a scramble at the side of the net and somehow trickled through the wickets. Some including myself yelled “leaky” as he was unable to squeeze it, the puck just barely crossed the goal line.
A game that saw the New York Islanders outshooting the Wings to the tune of 35-11 at the 10-minute mark of the third period. The Detroit Red Wings were recipients of six straight penalties against and a lot, especially in the third period were soft/questionable calls if I do say so myself.
The Islanders controlled the play all night and late in the third period took over the score sheet as well. A PP goal from Brazal on the teams sixth straight PP tied it and shortly after fourth line center Cody Cizikas gave the Islanders the lead. The Islanders fourth line of Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck with Cizikas love to go out and bang the body. They forecheck hard and use the cycle down low, plus they hit anything that moves. It’s a group that can be tough to handle when they are playing that way.
Thomas Vanek was spotted tonight, he notched a pair of assists to go with a game-tying goal late in the third period, all this playing merely 10:19 TOI. A huge three-point night for Thomas. He needs to be much better and was tonight. Andreas Athanasiou has also gone ice cold of late, was the one who found Vanek wide open in front of the net after receiving a Kronwall pass at the side of the goal. This was all with Bernie on the bench and the extra attacker on the ice for the Red Wings. Although it was only an assist, he needed that. He did have a great opportunity on a mini-breakaway.
Despite being extremely outshot 48-17 after the third period, the Wings were able to force OT and surprisingly dominate the OT by out-chancing & outshooting the Islanders 6-2. The contest would be decided in a shootout. The Wings got skunked. Nielsen, Vanek, and Nyquist all came up empty. Barzal was the lone scorer for NY. The Wings lose the game 4-3.
It was an odd decision by Jeff Blashill to keep Larks on the bench during the shootout. I understand Nielsen is going to shoot, I am even ok with Vanek with how hot he was tonight. I second guess Nyquist shooting rather than Larkin. Larkin has been terrific all season long on break-a-ways, I feel he should have been our third shooter tonight.
Impact Stats:
- Thomas Vanek – 1 Goal, 2 Assists, 3 Points, Plus 2, 10:19 TOI
- Trevor Daley 1 Goal, 25:57 TOI
- Andreas Athanasiou 1 Assist, 17:55 TOI
- Dylan Larkin 1 Assist (7 game point streak), 4 Shots, 24:10 TOI
- Jonathan Bernier 45 Saves, .938% Save percentage