BOSTON - The slumping Boston Bruins took advantage of a three-goal first period before adding two more in the third to down the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on Monday night.
Five different skaters propelled the Bruins to the winning side of the ledger, entering the first intermission with a 3-1 advantage from which they would hardly look back.
And in the process end Atlantic Division rival Detroit's two-game winning habit.
"They're in our division," Carl Soderberg said, picking up three points off a goal and two assists. "We have to win these games."
Boston's Rielly Smith lit the lamp at 2:44 in the first with a blast from the blue line that landed over Jimmy Howard's left shoulder. Dougie Hamilton took the assist, lingering along the near boards before handing Smith the pass that would float through traffic to open scoring.
"That was a great example of how we need to play for pretty much the rest of the season," Boston captain Zdeno Chara said. "It's pretty simple. We had the right attitude and right approach right from the first drop of the puck."
Justin Abdelkader produced the 1-1 stalemate at 11:21, shooting a clean backhander as he fell to the ice through a twelve-inch space between Tuukka Rask's left leg and the post. Rask stuffed 28-of-30 for Boston on the night otherwise.
But the Bruins are 12-6-2 at home this season, seeking to prove the fact as they notched two goals in a 1:13 span to close the first frame.
Gregory Campbell recorded his 4th goal this season as the recipient of a lucky pass and deflection from Torey Krug, who flung a one-timer that squirted out of a heavy scrum in the crease.
His chance clinked off the right post into the path of Campbell from six inches out, who tapped the leading goal past Howard's left foot at 16:12.
Carl Soderberg took an assist on that shot, and soon after would record a goal of his own, firing from close range to the left side of the Wings net off a pass from Loui Erikkson behind the net.
"That's what I wanted to see from our team," Bruins head coach Claude Julien said afterwards. "It's the kind of game that we need."
Boston's skates cooled in the middle section, allowing the Red Wings back within a goal courtesy of Tomas Tatar, who cashed in on Detroit's third-best power-play.
Chris Kelly tripped Detroit's leading scorer Gustav Nyquist forty seconds earlier, setting up Tatar's 15th strike this season, off an assist from Danny DeKeyser.
But Kelly would add the empty-netter with three minutes left to clinch the win for the home side, who are 3-3-0 in their last six outings.
"I think everyone was focused on going over the boards and doing their job for the 40 or 50 seconds they were on the ice," Kelly said of the Bruins' effort. "It was wave after wave. Every line contributed and played really well."
Boston (19-15-3) was without points-leader Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic for undisclosed reasons.
The Bruins enjoyed four power-play chances, and in the third period Seth Griffith would skate past Detroit's second-best penalty killing unit to regain the two-goal advantage.
David Krejci took possession in the left circle deep in the Wings zone, skating backwards along the boards before slipping what became an assist through two Detroit defenders to Griffith, who flung a wrister from the circle past Howard's right arm.
"They threw in a lot of pucks and created chances off that," Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "We tried to do that, too, but we've got to have the puck. We didn't win a lot of faceoffs in the first period and it's tough to start without the puck."
Jimmy Howard stopped 40-of-45 shots in net for Detroit (19-9-9) as the Bruins record their season-high in shots.
"We've been walking that fine line here for a little bit," Howard said of the Wings' recent losing ways. "We have to find a way to start on time. There have been too many times this year where we wait until the second period to get going."
Detroit hosts New Jersey before embarking on a six-game road trip, and Boston will treat Toronto to a New Year's Eve meeting at the Garden.
Showing posts with label Detroit Red Wings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Detroit Red Wings. Show all posts
Monday, December 29, 2014
Red Wings-Bruins preview
BOSTON - Leading the Red Wings with 15 goals this season, Gustav Nyquist notched the game-winner in overtime on Saturday.
He will seek to help Detroit to their third straight victory when they visit the faltering Boston Bruins on Monday night.
Detroit picked up their last two after a 0-2-4 skid over their last six outings while Boston looks to rebound after being handed a 6-2 decision at Columbus on Saturday.
Nyquist has a goal and three assists for the Red Wings in his last two games, and his shot with 47 seconds left in the extra frame over the weekend gave Detroit the 3-2 victory at Ottawa.
He lingered in the Ottawa zone for nearly a half-minute and skated three times ominously around Sens net-minder Craig Anderson before firing from the slot for the win.
"The guys did a good job of creating some space for me," said Nyquist, who has a goal in each of his four career games against Boston. "It was nice to see it go in at the end."
Henrik Zetterberg, whose 27 points lead the team, has three goals in his last five games and four points in his last six. He has four goals and five assists in his last five meetings on Bruins ice.
Detroit (19-8-9) fields the third-best power-play in hockey (24.3 pct) and the second-best penalty killers (88.4 pct). They are 8-1-1 in their last ten contests against Boston.
They have taken the last four in Boston, where, despite their shortcomings, the Bruins this season are 11-6-2.
Boston (18-15-3) won their last two at home, against Buffalo and Nashville. Tuukka Rask allowed three goals in both those games.
He replaced Niklas Svedberg at Columbus after the young Swede allowed three goals against 15 shots, though would himself replicate that feat as Boston left the buckeye state with six goals against them on 30 shots.
"It's hard to find words after a game like this," Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara said afterwards. "We started putting some [victories] together and climbing the standings, and now here we go again."
Rask is 2-5-1 against Detroit all-time with a 3.1 goals-against average, though turned away both shootout chances fired on him against the Wings in Boston's Oct. 15 victory.
That win was only the second against Detroit in ten chances and they are suffering a 4-6-2 stretch over their last 12 contests, allowing 3.1 goals per game.
"We have proven goals scorers on this team," center Chris Kelly said. "We have proven All-Stars on this team. It's not talent that's keeping us from succeeding. It's just a lot of the little things; winning your battles, playing attention to details on a consistent basis."
Both sides have split their season series thus far, both at Joe Louis Arena in October.
He will seek to help Detroit to their third straight victory when they visit the faltering Boston Bruins on Monday night.
Detroit picked up their last two after a 0-2-4 skid over their last six outings while Boston looks to rebound after being handed a 6-2 decision at Columbus on Saturday.
Nyquist has a goal and three assists for the Red Wings in his last two games, and his shot with 47 seconds left in the extra frame over the weekend gave Detroit the 3-2 victory at Ottawa.
He lingered in the Ottawa zone for nearly a half-minute and skated three times ominously around Sens net-minder Craig Anderson before firing from the slot for the win.
"The guys did a good job of creating some space for me," said Nyquist, who has a goal in each of his four career games against Boston. "It was nice to see it go in at the end."
Henrik Zetterberg, whose 27 points lead the team, has three goals in his last five games and four points in his last six. He has four goals and five assists in his last five meetings on Bruins ice.
Detroit (19-8-9) fields the third-best power-play in hockey (24.3 pct) and the second-best penalty killers (88.4 pct). They are 8-1-1 in their last ten contests against Boston.
They have taken the last four in Boston, where, despite their shortcomings, the Bruins this season are 11-6-2.
Boston (18-15-3) won their last two at home, against Buffalo and Nashville. Tuukka Rask allowed three goals in both those games.
He replaced Niklas Svedberg at Columbus after the young Swede allowed three goals against 15 shots, though would himself replicate that feat as Boston left the buckeye state with six goals against them on 30 shots.
"It's hard to find words after a game like this," Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara said afterwards. "We started putting some [victories] together and climbing the standings, and now here we go again."
Rask is 2-5-1 against Detroit all-time with a 3.1 goals-against average, though turned away both shootout chances fired on him against the Wings in Boston's Oct. 15 victory.
That win was only the second against Detroit in ten chances and they are suffering a 4-6-2 stretch over their last 12 contests, allowing 3.1 goals per game.
"We have proven goals scorers on this team," center Chris Kelly said. "We have proven All-Stars on this team. It's not talent that's keeping us from succeeding. It's just a lot of the little things; winning your battles, playing attention to details on a consistent basis."
Both sides have split their season series thus far, both at Joe Louis Arena in October.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Gordie Howe having "miraculous" improvement
DETROIT, Mich. - The family of Gordie Howe says the hockey great is experiencing a "truly miraculous" and "amazing" improvement in his condition after undergoing a clinical trial of stem cell therapy.
Mark Howe, his son, said in a statement that his father's ability to move around and name things have increased from, in his estimation, 25 percent to, in most cases, 85 percent.
"His progress has exceeded our greatest expectations," he said.
The 86-year-old suffered a series of small strokes in the summer and a serious stroke in October, after which he appeared to be in failing health.
Mark Howe noted last month that his father's condition was "definitely heading in the wrong direction" after a sudden and rapid decline.
The Howe family was contacted by management of Stemedica Cell Technologies in reference to possible participation in a two-day, non-surgical trial treatment in which they specialize.
They agreed to the treatment, the results of which the family relayed in a statement released through the Red Wings.
"The treatment included neural stem cells injected into the spinal canal on Day 1 and mesenchumal stem cells by intravenous infusion on Day 2. His response was truly miraculous. At the end of Day 1 he was walking with minimal effort for the first time since his stroke. By Day 2 he was conversing comfortably with family and staff at the clinic.
"Although his short-term memory, strength, endurance and coordination have plenty of room for improvement, we are hopeful that he will continue to improve in the months to come."
Mark Howe, his son, said in a statement that his father's ability to move around and name things have increased from, in his estimation, 25 percent to, in most cases, 85 percent.
"His progress has exceeded our greatest expectations," he said.
The 86-year-old suffered a series of small strokes in the summer and a serious stroke in October, after which he appeared to be in failing health.
Mark Howe noted last month that his father's condition was "definitely heading in the wrong direction" after a sudden and rapid decline.
The Howe family was contacted by management of Stemedica Cell Technologies in reference to possible participation in a two-day, non-surgical trial treatment in which they specialize.
They agreed to the treatment, the results of which the family relayed in a statement released through the Red Wings.
"The treatment included neural stem cells injected into the spinal canal on Day 1 and mesenchumal stem cells by intravenous infusion on Day 2. His response was truly miraculous. At the end of Day 1 he was walking with minimal effort for the first time since his stroke. By Day 2 he was conversing comfortably with family and staff at the clinic.
"Although his short-term memory, strength, endurance and coordination have plenty of room for improvement, we are hopeful that he will continue to improve in the months to come."
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Maple Leafs notch 4th straight, down Wings 4-1
TORONTO, Ont. - It's been a bad four days for the Detroit Red Wings.
After falling to Toronto at home 2-1 in a shootout on Wednesday, they were on the wrong end of a 3-2 decision to lowly Florida two days later.
And though they opened their rematch with Toronto with a 1-0 lead in the first five minutes Saturday night, the Maple Leafs responded with three unanswered goals to clinch the season series against their Original Six rivals.
Toronto notched goals from three different strikers as the Maple Leafs down Detroit 4-1 at the Air Canada Centre.
A victory that gave Toronto (17-9-3) their fourth-straight victory and a stellar 8-1-1 showing in their last ten contests.
"They were way better than us," Wings coach Mike Babcock said afterwards, "way quicker, and executed."
"They were way better than us," Wings coach Mike Babcock said afterwards, "way quicker, and executed."
The first twenty minutes was as even as it was spirited, as both nets were under siege, both facing 12 shots, both allowing 1.
Niklas Kronwall would quiet the crowd on the man advantage after he was held by James van Riemsdyk.
His one-timer from the boards flew past Jonathan Bernier's right arm as the Leafs net-minder was crowded by Darren Helm in his crease.
But van Riemsdyk would respond sixty seconds later, albeit unintentionally.
His skate would produce the 1-1 stalemate after a pass from Leafs points-leader Phil Kessel tapped off the left-winger's boot in the crowded crease area.
The two goals in the first both gave each side their only power-play goals on the evening.
Kessel's point pushes his tally to 30 on the season, for his 15th assist against 15 goals.
The middle frame gave Detroit's penalty-killers a chance to show their second-best ranking as Petr Mezrak stuffed two game chances from Tyler Bozak on the advantage, a bouncer off the back glass that nearly petered in and a scrum in the Wings crease that had the goalie on his back and three men inside the net.
But Richard Panik would give Toronto the 2-1 lead when both sides fielded five men.
Korbinian Holzer took the assist, the first point this season for the 26-year-old German, causing a turnover in the Detroit zone after picking away at Tomas Tatar and flicking it off the far boards to the Leafs blue line.
Panik took the pass in stride on a sudden breakaway, firing clean past Mezrak's right glove for his third goal in eight appearances for the Maple Leafs.
"Suddenly the puck was on my stick and I was happy," Panik said of what would be the game-winner.
"Suddenly the puck was on my stick and I was happy," Panik said of what would be the game-winner.
The goal was Toronto 41st this season in second periods, to opponents' 25, and Saturday night's second session found the Leafs outshoot the Wings 20-5.
Panik fought Detroit's Brendan Smith late in the contest after Smith took offense at Panik's strong forearm check against the glass behind the Toronto net and charged the Leafs right-winger.
Panik would give Smith what the Leafs gave the Wings in the final two periods, landing six confident blows on him before officials separated them.
Morgan Rielly inflated the Toronto scoresheet with a wrister that sailed past Mrazek's right elbow following a turnover in the neutral zone.
"We knew we had to clean it up a bit and as a team we did that," Rielly said. "That's a pretty good team we beat."
"We knew we had to clean it up a bit and as a team we did that," Rielly said. "That's a pretty good team we beat."
Nazem Kadri added the empty-netter with three minutes left in the third, and the three-goal advantage.
Henrik Zetterberg failed to produce a point for Detroit (17-7-7), having notched 16 in his last 13 meetings with Toronto.
Detroit will enjoy a four-game homestand, hosting Columbus on Tuesday, and the Maple Leafs will host the Los Angeles Kings Sunday.
Red Wings-Maple Leafs preview
TORONTO, Ont. - After playing one another four times this season, Saturday night's contest between Toronto and Detroit will decide who takes the season series between these two Original Six programs.
Toronto (16-9-3) seeks a four-game winning streak for the first time this season and the Red Wings (17-6-7) look to end a two game skid that began when these teams last met, Wednesday evening in Detroit.
Leafs net-minder James Reimer stuffed 41 shots against him in that contest, a 2-1 shootout decision to Toronto. Jimmy Howard faced only 19 for the Wings, and only 6 in the final period, though still allowed the tying goal late in regulation.
Mike Santorelli clinched the win in the final round of the shootout, flinging a wrister between Howard's pads. Tyler Bozak added for the Leafs and Pavel Datsyuk gave the Wings their only good goal in that time.
Toronto's Phil Kessel notched his fourth goal in five games that night and leads the team with 29 points (15 G, 14 A), and the side is 10-2-1 when Kessel records a goal.
"We need a couple of bounces here and there, but we're winning. That's the most important," Kessel said this week. "We're working hard. We're doing the little things right."
The Maple Leafs have not played a hockey game since their clash with Detroit, though their opponents come into the Air Canada Centre following a 3-2 shootout loss to lowly Florida Friday night.
Detroit fell to a 1-5-0 record in shootouts as a result, and Jimmy Howard 0-5 in net.
"Right now, when we get to the shootout, we're not a confident group, so we've just got to keep working on it," Wings coach Mike Babcock said Friday. "No sense hanging our heads or getting disappointed."
Nor have any reason to hang their hands about their vital statistics.
They hold the second-best penalty killing group in hockey (88.2 pct) behind only the streaking Chicago Blackhawks, and score 3 goals per game, good for third most.
Detroit converts 22 percent of their power-play chances, the 8th best mark in the game, and scored twice with the extra man Friday against the Panthers. That, after failing to convert on their last three outings.
Henrik Zetterberg tallied four assists in Detroit's 4-1 victory over Toronto on Oct. 17th, and has taken 16 career points in 13 meetings with the Maple Leafs. His added an assist in the Wings' loss to Toronto Wednesday.
His 26 points and 21 assists lead the Wings, who will enjoy a four-game homestand after leaving Toronto.
"They're good," Phil Kessel said of Detroit. "You watch them play, they skate, they work, they got good defense and they got a good goaltender. Every night you play them, it's a tough game."
Petr Mrazek will sit in net for the Red Wings in relief of Howard. The 22-year-old Czech is 3-0 this season and a 2.59 goals-against tally, including a 34 save performance against Carolina, a 3-1 victory for Detroit Dec. 7th.
Detroit took the first two meetings with Toronto on consecutive nights in October before dropping the next two.
Toronto (16-9-3) seeks a four-game winning streak for the first time this season and the Red Wings (17-6-7) look to end a two game skid that began when these teams last met, Wednesday evening in Detroit.
Leafs net-minder James Reimer stuffed 41 shots against him in that contest, a 2-1 shootout decision to Toronto. Jimmy Howard faced only 19 for the Wings, and only 6 in the final period, though still allowed the tying goal late in regulation.
Mike Santorelli clinched the win in the final round of the shootout, flinging a wrister between Howard's pads. Tyler Bozak added for the Leafs and Pavel Datsyuk gave the Wings their only good goal in that time.
Toronto's Phil Kessel notched his fourth goal in five games that night and leads the team with 29 points (15 G, 14 A), and the side is 10-2-1 when Kessel records a goal.
"We need a couple of bounces here and there, but we're winning. That's the most important," Kessel said this week. "We're working hard. We're doing the little things right."
The Maple Leafs have not played a hockey game since their clash with Detroit, though their opponents come into the Air Canada Centre following a 3-2 shootout loss to lowly Florida Friday night.
Detroit fell to a 1-5-0 record in shootouts as a result, and Jimmy Howard 0-5 in net.
"Right now, when we get to the shootout, we're not a confident group, so we've just got to keep working on it," Wings coach Mike Babcock said Friday. "No sense hanging our heads or getting disappointed."
Nor have any reason to hang their hands about their vital statistics.
They hold the second-best penalty killing group in hockey (88.2 pct) behind only the streaking Chicago Blackhawks, and score 3 goals per game, good for third most.
Detroit converts 22 percent of their power-play chances, the 8th best mark in the game, and scored twice with the extra man Friday against the Panthers. That, after failing to convert on their last three outings.
Henrik Zetterberg tallied four assists in Detroit's 4-1 victory over Toronto on Oct. 17th, and has taken 16 career points in 13 meetings with the Maple Leafs. His added an assist in the Wings' loss to Toronto Wednesday.
His 26 points and 21 assists lead the Wings, who will enjoy a four-game homestand after leaving Toronto.
"They're good," Phil Kessel said of Detroit. "You watch them play, they skate, they work, they got good defense and they got a good goaltender. Every night you play them, it's a tough game."
Petr Mrazek will sit in net for the Red Wings in relief of Howard. The 22-year-old Czech is 3-0 this season and a 2.59 goals-against tally, including a 34 save performance against Carolina, a 3-1 victory for Detroit Dec. 7th.
Detroit took the first two meetings with Toronto on consecutive nights in October before dropping the next two.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Wings' DeKeyser out 2 games
DETROIT, Mich. - The Red Wings will be without top defenseman Danny DeKeyser for at least two games after he suffered an upper body injury in Detroit's Wednesday night 2-1 shootout loss to Toronto.
DeKeyser has appeared in 29 contests for Detroit, picking up 11 points (10 assists, 1 goal), the best mark among defensemen this season.
He served regular shifts Wednesday night and it is not known how or when he acquired the injury, though it is not believed to be serious, says GM Ken Holland.
The 24-year-old will miss the team's matchups on Friday against Florida and their Saturday meeting in Toronto, and will likely return against Columbus on Tuesday.
Xavier Ouellet of AHL Grand Rapids has been signed up to replace him.
DeKeyser has appeared in 29 contests for Detroit, picking up 11 points (10 assists, 1 goal), the best mark among defensemen this season.
He served regular shifts Wednesday night and it is not known how or when he acquired the injury, though it is not believed to be serious, says GM Ken Holland.
The 24-year-old will miss the team's matchups on Friday against Florida and their Saturday meeting in Toronto, and will likely return against Columbus on Tuesday.
Xavier Ouellet of AHL Grand Rapids has been signed up to replace him.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Leafs come back to top Wings in shootout
DETROIT, Mich. - Sixty-five minutes would not be enough between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs in Detroit Wednesday night.
But Mike Santorelli's wrister from twenty feet out on the final attempt in the shootout would clinch an extra point for the visiting Leafs, whose 2-1 decision over Detroit gives them their seventh win out of nine games.
And put the axe to the Wings' three-game winning streak.
Pavel Datsyuk notched Detroit's only strike in the shootout, a slicing backhander from nine feet, but Gustav Nyquist would shoot high and Tomas Tatar found only James Reimer's pad.
Toronto secures the two points despite being outshot 42-19 from a Red Wings side that had young Reimer under attack most of the evening, as Detroit enjoyed a 40-16 shooting advantage through sixty minutes.
"They played really hard," Reimer said after of his opponents, "but we were poised. We battled hard, and we were lucky enough to get the win."
He was brilliant in net, stopping 41-of-42 for Toronto (16-9-3), including a third period in which he stopped every one of 18 shots to the 6 his foe Jimmy Howard faced.
Despite that lowly number, Detroit's net-minder would still let one through, and at the worst possible time.
Largely unharassed in that period, Howard allowed the tying goal at 5:09, when Phil Kessel put himself on the scoresheet with his 15th on the season.
James van Riemsdyk relieved his goalie of the Red Wings' tyranny momentarily, causing a turnover in the neutral zone and skating himself along the far boards.
His pass landed right on Kessel's stick inside the crease despite his being blanketed by Detroit's stalwart defenders, bouncing off the tape past Howard's left pad.
Kessel's goal gave the right-winger his 29th point, a Maple Leafs-best.
Reimer would charge from his own net to stop a daring chance from Darren Helm seconds later.
The Leafs nearly took the two points in the overtime session when a fluttering shot danced through Jimmy Howard's legs. It would have slid over the line were Gustav Nyquist not there to flick it out in time.
After a scoreless opening period, the middle framed looked to be the prelude to an inevitable Red Wings victory as the hosts put James Reimer on high alert through the first seven minutes of that period.
Detroit (17-6-6) fired six shots to Toronto's none in that time, and it wasn't until with 12 minutes left that Jake Gardiner dared to try Howard from the circle.
The Wings outshot the Leafs 22-10 in that period, an advantage that produced the result at 17:52, when Nyquist fired his 13th on the year.
It began when Henrik Zetterberg held the puck in the right circle. His darting pass to Tomas Jurco in stride to Reimer's right nearly produced the score, but Jurco's shot bounced off the goalie's chest.
And into the path of Nyquist, who was harassing Reimer in the crease. He spun out of a tackle with Morgan Rielly and flicked the easy backhander when the goalie left the right side open.
Zetterberg's work on the goal gave him his 16th point in 13 meetings with the Maple Leafs, against whom Detroit will face again in three days in Toronto.
But Mike Santorelli's wrister from twenty feet out on the final attempt in the shootout would clinch an extra point for the visiting Leafs, whose 2-1 decision over Detroit gives them their seventh win out of nine games.
And put the axe to the Wings' three-game winning streak.
Pavel Datsyuk notched Detroit's only strike in the shootout, a slicing backhander from nine feet, but Gustav Nyquist would shoot high and Tomas Tatar found only James Reimer's pad.
Toronto secures the two points despite being outshot 42-19 from a Red Wings side that had young Reimer under attack most of the evening, as Detroit enjoyed a 40-16 shooting advantage through sixty minutes.
"They played really hard," Reimer said after of his opponents, "but we were poised. We battled hard, and we were lucky enough to get the win."
He was brilliant in net, stopping 41-of-42 for Toronto (16-9-3), including a third period in which he stopped every one of 18 shots to the 6 his foe Jimmy Howard faced.
Despite that lowly number, Detroit's net-minder would still let one through, and at the worst possible time.
Largely unharassed in that period, Howard allowed the tying goal at 5:09, when Phil Kessel put himself on the scoresheet with his 15th on the season.
James van Riemsdyk relieved his goalie of the Red Wings' tyranny momentarily, causing a turnover in the neutral zone and skating himself along the far boards.
His pass landed right on Kessel's stick inside the crease despite his being blanketed by Detroit's stalwart defenders, bouncing off the tape past Howard's left pad.
Kessel's goal gave the right-winger his 29th point, a Maple Leafs-best.
Reimer would charge from his own net to stop a daring chance from Darren Helm seconds later.
The Leafs nearly took the two points in the overtime session when a fluttering shot danced through Jimmy Howard's legs. It would have slid over the line were Gustav Nyquist not there to flick it out in time.
After a scoreless opening period, the middle framed looked to be the prelude to an inevitable Red Wings victory as the hosts put James Reimer on high alert through the first seven minutes of that period.
Detroit (17-6-6) fired six shots to Toronto's none in that time, and it wasn't until with 12 minutes left that Jake Gardiner dared to try Howard from the circle.
The Wings outshot the Leafs 22-10 in that period, an advantage that produced the result at 17:52, when Nyquist fired his 13th on the year.
It began when Henrik Zetterberg held the puck in the right circle. His darting pass to Tomas Jurco in stride to Reimer's right nearly produced the score, but Jurco's shot bounced off the goalie's chest.
And into the path of Nyquist, who was harassing Reimer in the crease. He spun out of a tackle with Morgan Rielly and flicked the easy backhander when the goalie left the right side open.
Zetterberg's work on the goal gave him his 16th point in 13 meetings with the Maple Leafs, against whom Detroit will face again in three days in Toronto.
Nyquist strikes late, Wings lead Leafs 1-0 after 2nd
DETROIT, Mich. - Gustav Nyquist lit the lamp for the Red Wings to end a long-last scoreless stalemate, giving Detroit the 1-0 lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs after two periods Wednesday evening.
Henrik Zetterberg had put the puck into play from the left circle on a sudden development, flicking a hopeful pass in on Tomas Jurco.
His shot was stuffed easily by James Reimer, but then bounced off his chest into the crease. By that time, Nyqyust made his way there, spinning out of a tackle with Morgan Rielly and darting it clean past the Manitoban for the lead.
The goal was his 13th on the season, taking hold of the best scoring mark on the Red Wings roster.
James Reimer found himself under siege for Toronto as the second period began.
Gustav Nyquist and Riley Sheahan tried a 2-on-1 seconds into the middle period, but the latter's shot was pecked at by Dion Phaneuf and went high.
Reimer went to work again for Toronto against Tomas Tatar two minutes in after Tatar took a pass from Darren Helm and found himself facing the goalie alone. Reimer would deflect the chance away.
Pavel Datsyuk caused the latter attack after forcing a defensive turnover in the neutral zone.
Riley Sheahan nearly struck four minutes in with a convincing shot from very close range. It bounced off Reimer's left pad and died in the crease, soon covered for the visitors.
Nyquist tried again, taking a pass from Henrik Zetterberg from the right circle and shooting from outside the crease, though stuffed by the resilient Leafs goalie.
Toronto notched their first shot on goal a long eight minutes into the second period when Jake Gardiner tried Jimmy Howard on a one-time blast from the circle, to no avail.
Detroit had outshot the Leafs 6-0 until then to opening seven minutes of the session, finishing with 22 shots to Toronto's 10.
Not that the visitors had no chances.
Toronto took the man-advantage after Riley Sheahan hooked the Leafs' David Booth at 9:19.
Forty seconds into the advantage, however, the Leafs had failed to even cross their own blue line. Matters grew worse when they went down two men for 1:10 after Danny DeKeyser closed his hand on the puck.
Kessel and Phaneuf exchanged passes before the latter fired for Howard, though wide. Kessel gave to Phenauf again, then to Franzen, though was deflected to the other end of the ice.
With three seconds left in the 4-on-4, the Wings pushed the puck from their own end as Riley Sheahan returned to play.
Toronto fared little better in the next 5-on-4. Detroit's Kyle Quincey stole the puck behind the net, flinging a backhander down the ice, but was hit by Joffrey Lupul, giving the game a brief 4-on-4 session before the Wings took the extra man.
Toronto could not secure a shot on goal during their advantage as Detroit has now killed 15 of their last 16 penalties as they hold the 3rd-best penalty-killing unit in hockey (87.1 percent).
Franzen fired a long-range one-timer with 45 seconds left in the Wings power-play, the 7th best in the league. Stephen Weiss tried from close range against Reimer but was deflected wide.
Nyquist fired to the side of the net off a promising cross-ice pass as the power-play vanished, and Phil Kessel nearly had a chance alone against Howard after some Detroit passing went wrong in their zone, but the puck slid from his grasp.
Pavel Datsyuk ventured a chance alone to Reimer's left side with three minutes left, but the Leafs goalie by then had plenty of practice, stuffing the chance in the crease.
Detroit (17-6-5) is seeking their eighth victory in nine attempts.
Henrik Zetterberg had put the puck into play from the left circle on a sudden development, flicking a hopeful pass in on Tomas Jurco.
His shot was stuffed easily by James Reimer, but then bounced off his chest into the crease. By that time, Nyqyust made his way there, spinning out of a tackle with Morgan Rielly and darting it clean past the Manitoban for the lead.
The goal was his 13th on the season, taking hold of the best scoring mark on the Red Wings roster.
James Reimer found himself under siege for Toronto as the second period began.
Gustav Nyquist and Riley Sheahan tried a 2-on-1 seconds into the middle period, but the latter's shot was pecked at by Dion Phaneuf and went high.
Reimer went to work again for Toronto against Tomas Tatar two minutes in after Tatar took a pass from Darren Helm and found himself facing the goalie alone. Reimer would deflect the chance away.
Pavel Datsyuk caused the latter attack after forcing a defensive turnover in the neutral zone.
Riley Sheahan nearly struck four minutes in with a convincing shot from very close range. It bounced off Reimer's left pad and died in the crease, soon covered for the visitors.
Nyquist tried again, taking a pass from Henrik Zetterberg from the right circle and shooting from outside the crease, though stuffed by the resilient Leafs goalie.
Toronto notched their first shot on goal a long eight minutes into the second period when Jake Gardiner tried Jimmy Howard on a one-time blast from the circle, to no avail.
Detroit had outshot the Leafs 6-0 until then to opening seven minutes of the session, finishing with 22 shots to Toronto's 10.
Not that the visitors had no chances.
Toronto took the man-advantage after Riley Sheahan hooked the Leafs' David Booth at 9:19.
Forty seconds into the advantage, however, the Leafs had failed to even cross their own blue line. Matters grew worse when they went down two men for 1:10 after Danny DeKeyser closed his hand on the puck.
Kessel and Phaneuf exchanged passes before the latter fired for Howard, though wide. Kessel gave to Phenauf again, then to Franzen, though was deflected to the other end of the ice.
With three seconds left in the 4-on-4, the Wings pushed the puck from their own end as Riley Sheahan returned to play.
Toronto fared little better in the next 5-on-4. Detroit's Kyle Quincey stole the puck behind the net, flinging a backhander down the ice, but was hit by Joffrey Lupul, giving the game a brief 4-on-4 session before the Wings took the extra man.
Toronto could not secure a shot on goal during their advantage as Detroit has now killed 15 of their last 16 penalties as they hold the 3rd-best penalty-killing unit in hockey (87.1 percent).
Franzen fired a long-range one-timer with 45 seconds left in the Wings power-play, the 7th best in the league. Stephen Weiss tried from close range against Reimer but was deflected wide.
Nyquist fired to the side of the net off a promising cross-ice pass as the power-play vanished, and Phil Kessel nearly had a chance alone against Howard after some Detroit passing went wrong in their zone, but the puck slid from his grasp.
Pavel Datsyuk ventured a chance alone to Reimer's left side with three minutes left, but the Leafs goalie by then had plenty of practice, stuffing the chance in the crease.
Detroit (17-6-5) is seeking their eighth victory in nine attempts.
Red Wings and Maple Leafs scoreless after 1st
DETROIT, Mich. - Detroit and Toronto hold the 4th and 2nd best scoring offenses respectively in hockey, but both finished the opening period with no score after twenty minutes at Joe Louis Arena Wednesday night.
James van Riemsdyk struck the back of Detroit's net as time expired off a quick pass from Tyler Bozak, but officials immediately ruled the goal came after the bell.
Both sides played 4-on-4 hockey with three minutes remaining after Toronto's Dion Phaneuf sat for interfering with Tomas Jurco, and Detroit's Tomas Tatar slashed Daniel Winnik when the latter had a sudden shorthanded scoring chance for the Leafs.
Phil Kessel finished the period with one shot on goal in nine shifts for Toronto, who come in to the game winners of 6 of their last 8 games. Kessel's 28 points lead the Leafs.
Jimmy Howard had an easy time in net for the Red Wings during the opening session, including an eleven-minute stretch during which he did not face a single shot against him. He saved all 7 shots he faced from the visitors.
Howard has won four of his last five meeting with Toronto.
James Reimer stopped 12-of-12 in net for Toronto (15-9-3) in relief of Jonathan Bernier, who stopped 32 shots in victory against Calgary Tuesday night. He faced a Red Wings shooting flurry near the 12 minute mark when the hosts outshot Toronto 6-0 over two minutes.
Detroit's Riley Sheahan and Niklas Kronwall tried Reimer in succession early on, both going high at the 15 minute mark.
Drew Miller ventured a wrist shot from close range minutes later after a turnover in the Leafs zone, but went high on Reimer. Darren Helm brought the puck up ice himself a minute later, firing wide on Reimer from the right circle.
Pavel Datsyuk had a sudden 1-on-1 chance against Reimer after taking a pass from Kronwall deep in the Toronto zone, but his wrister went high and wide of the Leafs net. Datsyuk has seven goals and 4 assists in his last six appearances for Detroit (17-6-5) after missing eleven games with a groin injury.
The contest is the first of a home-and-home series, the second of which is to be played Dec. 13th in Toronto.
James van Riemsdyk struck the back of Detroit's net as time expired off a quick pass from Tyler Bozak, but officials immediately ruled the goal came after the bell.
Both sides played 4-on-4 hockey with three minutes remaining after Toronto's Dion Phaneuf sat for interfering with Tomas Jurco, and Detroit's Tomas Tatar slashed Daniel Winnik when the latter had a sudden shorthanded scoring chance for the Leafs.
Phil Kessel finished the period with one shot on goal in nine shifts for Toronto, who come in to the game winners of 6 of their last 8 games. Kessel's 28 points lead the Leafs.
Jimmy Howard had an easy time in net for the Red Wings during the opening session, including an eleven-minute stretch during which he did not face a single shot against him. He saved all 7 shots he faced from the visitors.
Howard has won four of his last five meeting with Toronto.
James Reimer stopped 12-of-12 in net for Toronto (15-9-3) in relief of Jonathan Bernier, who stopped 32 shots in victory against Calgary Tuesday night. He faced a Red Wings shooting flurry near the 12 minute mark when the hosts outshot Toronto 6-0 over two minutes.
Detroit's Riley Sheahan and Niklas Kronwall tried Reimer in succession early on, both going high at the 15 minute mark.
Drew Miller ventured a wrist shot from close range minutes later after a turnover in the Leafs zone, but went high on Reimer. Darren Helm brought the puck up ice himself a minute later, firing wide on Reimer from the right circle.
Pavel Datsyuk had a sudden 1-on-1 chance against Reimer after taking a pass from Kronwall deep in the Toronto zone, but his wrister went high and wide of the Leafs net. Datsyuk has seven goals and 4 assists in his last six appearances for Detroit (17-6-5) after missing eleven games with a groin injury.
The contest is the first of a home-and-home series, the second of which is to be played Dec. 13th in Toronto.
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