Henrik Zetterberg factored in all but one of Detroit's goals Tuesday night, notching four points as the Red Wings picked up a 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks to open a three-game West Coast road trip.
Zetterberg helped the Red Wings open the scoring at 4:50 of the first period, working the puck to Danny Cleary at the top of the crease for a tap-in on a Detroit power play.
Pavel Datsyuk made it 2-0 8:01 into the game, splitting a pair of defenders just inside the blue line and skating around San Jose goalie Antero Niittymaki. Zetterberg picked up the second assist on the goal.
The Sharks pulled to within a goal just 1:34 later when a Joe Thornton chance from the bottom of the right faceoff circle deflected off of Dany Heatley and past Detroit netminder Jimmy Howard for a power play goal.
Zetterberg made it 3-1 2:58 into the second, swatting the puck out of mid-air in the slot and past Niittymaki. The goal came just seconds after the expiration of a Detroit power play.
San Jose once again replied quickly, with Benn Ferriero driving to the net and knocking the puck past Howard 1:54 later.
Patrick Eaves restored Detroit's two-goal lead with 11 seconds left in the period, deflecting a shot from Cleary past Niittymaki.
Zetterberg finished off Detroit's scoring at 7:55 of the third, roofing a shot into an open net off a fantastic pass from Datsyuk.
Ryane Clowe scored once more for San Jose after the Sharks killed a four-minute Detroit power play but the Red Wings would hold on to win.
Detroit finished the night one-for-four on the power play. The Sharks scored once on two chances with the extra attacker.
Howard made 25 saves on 28 shots to earn the win. Niittymaki stopped 24 of 29 shots.
The Red Wings will continue their road trip on Friday as they visit the Anaheim Ducks.
The Red Wings open up their three-game West Coast road trip in San Jose tonight but they almost didn't get the chance.
The HP Pavilion at San Jose lost power earlier today, causing both teams to miss their morning skate. Power was restored with enough time to ensure that the game could be played without a hitch.
Thankfully, this is the only game of the road trip to be on a weeknight, with late-night tilts on Friday and Saturday also scheduled.
Jimmy Howard gets the start for the Wings. Antero Niittymaki supposedly starts for the Sharks.
I'll be up for this one and my wireless network is fixed so I may actually be posting. Unless I fall asleep. So tired just thinking about it.
Looking forward to it!!! Friday night as well since we will be at the Honda Center!
Arby's commercial reminds me... Does anyone remember the Cold War game from 2001 having as many commercials as the Big Chill at the Big House? Seems like there's more coverage this time around.
Did the FSD pregame just use San Jose's old jerseys in the promo?
*That* is what the power play is supposed to do. Very nice redirection.
That was fast!
Nice defensive play there... Even though it was in favor of the Sharks
Holy living f*ck, Pavs. What a damned goal.
That was sick! 
Dammit
Could see that coming. Wings were getting drawn into the corner too much, I thought it was going to be the guy coming in on the back side but it's the lucky deflection instead.
Cam we clear the zone?
Sharks have been buzzing since their PPG. Unfortunately.
End of the period couldn't come soon enough. With the Sharks buzzing, I was afraid that Ken and Larry were jinxing things by making such a big deal about Vlasic's lack of production. Ripe for a Budd Lynch goal, as they've been called.
I really like Dan Cleary with Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Nothing against Homer but it gives that line some extra speed and movement.
Important early goal. Not a PPG but who really cares? Kill the SJ momentum from the end of the first.
Homer would have gotten called for that. He was sitting on Howard.
Big kill. See where the momentum goes.
I was just getting ready to say that it was a great series of shifts to end the period even without a goal. The goal just makes it that much better.
Second period seemed to go very quickly.
Hello fellow Wingnuts!
Checking in from FOB Conolly. Was up late last night in a bunker waiting for an imminent rocket attack that never arrived. Have been too busy to post in recent days. Good to see Clears' g-streak still going. Who is in net tonight?
Bad to see us getting out-shot, again. Also bad to see Huds in the minus column, again.
I think the Taliban hate everybody 'cause they have no hockey.
That thunked funny.
Hello fellow Wingnuts!
Checking in from FOB Conolly. Was up late last night in a bunker waiting for an imminent rocket attack that never arrived. Have been too busy to post in recent days. Good to see Clears' g-streak still going. Who is in net tonight?
Bad to see us getting out-shot, again. Also bad to see Huds in the minus column, again.
I think the Taliban hate everybody 'cause they have no hockey.
Get the NHL Network broadcast out there and everyone wins.
Shots now 22 apiece but the Sharks are buzzing again.
Howard in net, he won't rest until Saturday.
Jesus Christ, Pasha and Z are so good.
Someone's not keeping an eye out for Z tonight. Perhaps he will get a hat trick. He should have 3-5 more shot opportunities tonight.
Someone's not keeping an eye out for Z tonight. Perhaps he will get a hat trick. He should have 3-5 more shot opportunities tonight.
You should knock on wood there, pal.
I would just like to point out hockey games make it impossible to do precal.
Wondered how long it would take for a Shark to start trying to rough someone up. Stupid play.
I would just like to point out hockey games make it impossible to do precal.
It's worthless anyway. 
Oh damn, are they going to make this interesting?
Someone's not keeping an eye out for Z tonight. Perhaps he will get a hat trick. He should have 3-5 more shot opportunities tonight.
You should knock on wood there, pal.I would just like to point out hockey games make it impossible to do precal.
I believe I qualified my statement with "perhaps" and btw, knock-knock.
Solid win. Great way to start the West Coast trip.
And I'd just like to point out that our West Coaster who started the night with us is nowhere to be seen, while two of us from the eastern time zone are here with someone just waking up in Afghanistan. SYfanSD, disappointing.
Solid win. Great way to start the West Coast trip.
And I'd just like to point out that our West Coaster who started the night with us is nowhere to be seen, while two of us from the eastern time zone are here with someone just waking up in Afghanistan. SYfanSD, disappointing.
Trust me, I was there till the end I just had to give up the computer to the boss so she could work on homework.
Looks like the Euro twins are back in full force eh?
I'm looking forward to Friday's game in Anaheim, especially after this performance!
That second goal was complete crap as the Shark player was sitting on Howard. As you mentioned earlier, had that been Homer, it would have been a penalty. When will Colin Campbell get his sh*t straight?
Henrik Zetterberg
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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