Red Wings win second straight: Svechnikov scores in Debut

The Red Wings were looking for their second straight win and their first power play goal in 41 tries. Wouldn’t ya know it–they’d get both against their long time Original Six rival in a 5-3 victory Saturday night.

Though American born Patrick Kane was the focus of the night, looking for his 400th career goal, it was fellow American Bobby Ryan who started the scoring.

After the Hawks tied it up, Darren Helm scores just 16 seconds later. He of course, had a bigger goal against Chicago once upon a time, but this was one was sweet, too.

And Christian Djoos buries the Red Wings first power play goal in 41 tries.

Oh, and what about this guy? Svech with his first goal—in his first game.

And for his next trick (following a Chicago goal), Svech feeds Nielsen to nab his first of the year:

Chicago would get a garbage goal late, but fear not, the Red Wings strung their first consecutive victories together this season.

Red Wings Observations

• Anthony Mantha was conspicuously quiet and described as “disengaged” by many fans via Twitter throughout the night. Much has been written and discussed about Mantha and while the secondary scoring has come in droves over the past couple of games, Mantha has been largely absent, and it was noteworthy against Chicago. I still would find it tough to believe that Stevie would deal him after just inking a four-year deal, but who knows. If he doesn’t fit the Yzerplan, he doesn’t fit the Yzerplan. I’m just not quite ready to pull the plug on his Wings career. But who know if he’ll end up being one of several trade targets. 
• Jonathan Bernier was outstanding again, turning away shots and having some big saves when the Blackhawks were pressing after scoring their second goal.
• My God a power play goal. And if you watched it, another great job by Djoos to use space and take the time to pick his spot. I’ve written it before, and I’ll write it again–it’s another solid pickup by Yzerman.

Red Wings fans uniting for a good cause

Because the power play goal less streak ended at 40, scores of Wings fans are donating to the Jamie Daniels Foundation starting at $40. Others are donating $84 by adding Djoos’ jersey number (44) added to the initial $40.  This was spearheaded by Prashanth Iyer via Twitter and I included the tweet below. If you have the means, it’s a terrific way for the fanbase to give to a great cause. What better way to turn something that was a negative into a positive.

Postgame Comments

Svech dedicates his goal to Sergei Tchekmarev.

The rivals are back at it again tomorrow night in Chicago.