Detroit Red Wings rookie defenseman Dennis Cholowski, like his teammates, spent much of the first period on April 24 defending the constant pressure displayed by the Dallas Stars.
Through the opening 16 minutes, the Stars generated 16 shots on goal (SOG). The Red Wings had one, but on their second, Cholowski scored to break what was, thanks to goalie Jonathan Bernier, a scoreless match.
"“(We’ve) got to learn (to) spend more time in their zone. That’s why lately the shot differential is big.” – Red Wings Goalie Jonathan Bernier"
Much like the early moments of the Stars’ effort that night, SOG against the Red Wings’ goalies has been coming in swarms the past few weeks.
In their past five games, the Red Wings have been outshot, 192-113.
Red Wings Goalies Face Challenges
The goalies have, for the most part, withstood the challenge:
- Although suffering losses, Bernier turned aside 119 of 126 shots during his past three outings, including a 40-save performance last Sunday.
- Goalie Thomas Greiss, who earned the NHL’s First Star of the Week, stopped all 66 shots he faced, recording consecutive shutouts.
How bad did it get?
"“They were shooting from everywhere.” -Red Wings Goalie Jonathan Bernier"
Just consider, at 11:55 of the second period April 24, when the Red Wings’ offense generated its third SOG, the Stars had already registered 36..
“I don’t remember a game quite like that one,” Bernier said via Red Wings TV after making a career-high 50 saves during the 2-1 loss. “They’ve got so many good shooters, especially on defense, and they were shooting from everywhere.”
During the four-game series with the Stars (April 19-24), the Red Wings dropped three matches and were outshot a combined 158-88.
After Sunday’s barrage, Bernier said: “(We’ve) got to learn (to) spend more time in their zone. That’s why lately the shot differential is big.”