Wings made a 2-for-1 deal before the game, so to speak, in getting Henrik Zetterberg and Dan Cleary back from injuries, but lost leading-scorer Thomas Holmstrom to a broken foot for 3-4 weeks. Given all the injuries to the Wings this season, it’s just nice to get an extra body back even though losing the leading goal scorer in the process is never ideal.
The game must go on.
The Wings played really well in the 1st period, but didn’t have anything to show for it until Dan Cleary scored with 0.2 seconds left. It was all Kings after that, though, as the Wings were under attack for the rest of the game, with the Kings outshooting Detroit 52-24. Detroit was completely dominated and with all the shots on net, this had that awful, ‘I have to poop, but I’m not going to make it to the toilet in time’ feeling about it.
And the continuing to surprise netminder, Jimmy Howard, had to stop the first 51 shots (!!) he faced before we got to that inevitable shart of a goal with about 4 minutes left. Luckily, the Wings had just enough time (and offense in them) to put the game winner in the back of the net with 17 seconds left in the game and earn a much needed two points in the standings.
Darren Helm’s game winner, here, for your viewing (and wiping) pleasure:
Kings broke a team record for shots in the second period with 27, where Howard seemed to be constantly diving around fighting off shots. This is one of the most impressive games I’ve seen from a Detroit goalie in a long time and that’s mostly because I can’t tell you the last time the Wings gave up so many shots (and still won). Your move Wings stats gurus.
The Wings picked up two points on the 8th place Kings, but still find themselves three points out of that last coveted playoff spot. The Western Conference is quite the clusterfuck. The Wings are just five points from being as high as 4th in the Conference, yet find themselves on the outside looking in right now. These next three games are very important before they play a string of games against Western Conference teams they are jockeying with in the standings. Let’s hope Howard continues to grow and the Wings can somehow, someway find a way to a) stay healthy here on out and b) get the puck in the net.
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