DETROIT, Michigan -- The Detroit Red Wings returned to Joe Louis Arena after a week-long, three-game road trip through Western Canada and didn't appear worn down from their travels, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 Monday night.
The Red Wings earned points in all three of their games last week and added two more against the Penguins. They've picked up 17 of a possible 22 points since returning from the Olympic Break, going 8-2-1 in the eleven-game stretch.
Henrik Zetterberg figured into all three Detroit goals, scoring two of them and assisting on Valtteri Filppula's opening marker.
With 57 seconds left in the first period, Filppula took a cross-ice feed from Todd Bertuzzi and skated into the Pittsburgh zone. Cutting through the left faceoff circle, he dragged the puck as he cut inside and used defenseman Sergei Gonchar as a screen, snapping a shot between Gonchar's legs and past goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
Zetterberg made it 2-0 at 7:38 of the second. He carried the puck off the left wing boards through the faceoff circle and backhanded a shot on Fleury. With Bertuzzi set up in front of the goal, Zetterberg got his own rebound and lifted it over Fleury's pad.
The Penguins pulled back to within one when Pascal Dupuis poked a loose puck past Jimmy Howard with 3:06 left in the second.
Zetterberg restored the two-goal lead 1:20 into the third, snapping a shot from the high slot past Fleury.
Fleury finished the night with 30 saves on 33 Detroit shots while Howard stopped 26 of 27 Pittsburgh chances.
Neither team scored with the extra attacker. Detroit had four power plays and Pittsburgh had one.
The Red Wings continue their three-game homestand on Wednesday when they host the St. Louis Blues.
Notes: Detroit was without Patrick Eaves and Dan Cleary for the second consecutive game. Defenseman Derek Meech filled in at forward and Brett Lebda dressed but did not see playing time.
The Red Wings return home from last week's Western Canada road trip to face the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
They'll do so without the services of at least two players.
Patrick Eaves and Dan Cleary remain out of the Detroit lineup, having also missed Saturday's game in Vancouver. Derek Meech is expected to fill in at forward as he did against the Canucks.
Brett Lebda, who dressed but did not play on Saturday, could be on the ice replacing Brad Stuart. Stuart is nursing an undisclosed injury and may not be available against Pittsburgh.
On the Penguins' side of things, Evgeni Malkin could be out, having injured his foot on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Jimmy Howard gets the start for Detroit.
Stuart is now expected to play tonight.
Am I exhausted or is the camerawork shaky already?
Lids a bit too slow. I thought the puck came out anyway.
Weak holding call and a dive. Even, I guess.
I was certain they were gonna call Draper for knocking down Gonchar. Weak call, Wings need to take advantage or it's gonna bite them in the ass later.
No, that shouldn't have been too many men, it just brings up bad memories.
Fil!
Only complaint after 20 minutes... No power play goals. Pittsburgh is due now.
Holmstrom is going to the box because he got slashed?
Wow.... fantastic.
I also love that we're booing Crosby. Makes my day!
Knew that call was coming.
I also love that we're booing Crosby. Makes my day!
I don't like acknowledging him so much.
Zata. Oh my.
Pretty one.
Bert did a great job tying up Crosby... he had no choice but to basically stand there and watch.
Aww f*ck.
Fleury is such an elite goalie.
Howie is tougher than that.
Hrm... I'll take it but another odd call.
Wings are looking solid.
Jimmy is the right guy to whoop his ass!
Aww, baby Sid doesn't like being shut the f*ck down.
They look great!
Jimmy Howard goes after Crosby... Respect +30
Jimmy = Man... Crosby = Bitch...
I just saw the scoresheet... The penalties at the 20:00 mark were Zetterberg for roughing, Howard for roughing, and Crosby for roughing. Seems wrong to me for the Wings to have ended up with more PIMs there.
I also love that we're booing Crosby. Makes my day!
I was at the game, but late in arriving...we could hear the "Cros-by-sucks!" on the radio broadcast...the crowd was on him relentlessly, and honestly, I think the jeering got to him....
I just saw the scoresheet... The penalties at the 20:00 mark were Zetterberg for roughing, Howard for roughing, and Crosby for roughing. Seems wrong to me for the Wings to have ended up with more PIMs there.
It wasn't Crosby's only attempt to express his frustration...he also took some liberties with Lidstrom's back earlier in the game, and again, after a whistle had blown. That's the kind of play I find insulting...there's no doubt that hockey is a game of frustration, but to me (I'm biased, probably), the Wings are as clean a team as plays the game...I think they deserve better reffing....
Henrik Zetterberg
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
Comment on this Article
You must be logged in to add your comment.