EDMONTON, Alberta -- Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard allowed only one goal Friday night, stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced in leading the Red Wings to a 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Howard is unbeaten in his last 22 games that ended in regulation, a streak stretching back to last March. He is 6-0-1 this season.
Justin Abdelkader scored his second goal in as many games to open the game's scoring just 1:45 into the first period. He drove to the net on a two-on-one with Mike Modano and swatted the rebound from Modano's shot under Edmonton goalie Nikolai Khabibulin.
The Oilers pulled back even on a power play at 5:26 of the second. Howard sprawled out in the crease to stop a chance from right in front by Shawn Horcoff but Horcoff dished the puck off to Taylor Hall, who roofed it from the side of the net.
Detroit responded with a power play goal of their own 3:20 later, as Nicklas Lidstrom and Danny Cleary combined to work the puck from the left faceoff circle to the right, where Valtteri Filppula snapped a shot into the open side of the net.
Cleary added an empty-net goal with 21 seconds remaining in the game to round out the scoring.
Khabibulin stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced, including a highlight-reel glove save in the second period.
Each team scored once on the power play. Detroit had four tries with the extra attacker while Edmonton had five.
The Red Wings are back in action Saturday night as they visit the Vancouver Canucks.
Notes: Detroit forward Jiri Hudler was back in the lineup after missing two games as a healthy scratch. Drew Miller sat to make room for Hudler.
Kicking this thread off early 'cause I've got a soccer game this evening.
Johan Franzen will play after missing practice yesterday. Jiri Hudler will play after being a healthy scratch the last two games. Who's out? Mike Babcock isn't telling.
Hudler swapped for someone will be the only lineup change. Jimmy Howard gets the start.
This one's on FS+ so - as they say - check your local listings.
Caught the first on the radio. Ken Kal and Paul Woods seemed to like what the Wings were doing.
I had a great soccer game so I'm feeling good, Wings had better not kill my mood.
Woah, why did Ericsson get held up by the linesman while Brule was still swinging?
That p*sses me off a bit. Yes, the instigator was the right call but a power play and cheap shots while Ericsson is being held by the linesman is too much.
If that was offsides, the linesmen owed the Wings.
Crazy play on the PPG. Broken and weird. Nice shot by Flip.
For some reason, it actually looks cold watching this.
That time the linesman was on Whitney first. WTF? Stuart didn't get as good of a shot in but still.
Great stop by Khabibulin.
Breathing room. That's the way to end a game.
How we doing?
Sorry I missed the game.
Looks like Hudler had another unproductive night.
Cleary FINALLY got a goal.
And Dats continues to roll on more points.
Howie stopped 29 shots.
I bought a USB modem yesterday but couldn't get it to work in time for the game. Hopefully, I'll be tuned into Ken Kal for the next game.
So long from cool, rainy Jalalabad, Afghanistan
Hudler looked nearly invisible. I don't remember him being out there at all. I'm not ready to throw him under the bus 'cause the entire third line sucked before the recent shake up but it's not a good start.
Cleary's goal was an ENG but (as I said above) a big one.
Jimmy looked good. Outplayed by Khabibulin (that crazy-ass glove save in the second was amazing) but Detroit's offense was better than Edmonton's so it didn't matter.
The way I see , the third line is the last piece of the puzzle that needs to get moving. Kronner needs to get it in gear as well, he has turned the puck over numerous times trying to clear the zone.
This could be another Norris year for Nick so it will be interesting to see how November and December go as far as his stats are concerned. He added another assist last night and is on track for another 80+point season as well as the lead for TOI.
Howard looked solid and continues to improve.
Ericsson finally played like the big man he is however, he got screwed by the linesman and Mickey was right on when he said they need to get their stuff together.
Overall, it was a well played game and it will be interesting to see how well the hold up in there first back-to-back.
The way I see , the third line is the last piece of the puzzle that needs to get moving
Last two games it's looked damned good. Problem is Hudler is too good to sit (when he's on) but you can't take Abby off the third line now that it's clicking so you risk screwing up the fourth line.
Jimmy Howard
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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