DETROIT, Michigan -- The Detroit Red Wings scored four consecutive goals Wednesday night, propelling them to a 4-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes in Game One of their Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup.
Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, Brian Rafalski and Jiri Hudler scored in succession for Detroit after the Red Wings gave up the game's first goal early.
Kyle Turris opened the scoring just 2:16 into the first period, roofing a shot from the near edge of the right faceoff circle over Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard's shoulder.
Phoenix was poised to take control of the game for the rest of the first period, as the Red Wings took four penalties in the frame. The Detroit penalty kill came up big, though, killing off every Coyotes chance, including 1:29 of five-on-three.
Datsyuk got the Red Wings on the board at 7:38 of the second period. Franzen drove to the net from low on the left wing but the puck was knocked back behind the goal, where Datsyuk picked it up and wrapped it around, beating Ilya Bryzgalov to the far post to make it 1-1.
Franzen made it 2-1 with 7:58 left in the period, snapping a shot from the high slot past Bryzgalov.
Rafalski blasted a shot from the blue line into the back of the net with 1:44 left in the second and the Red Wings on a power play, giving Detroit a 3-1 lead after two periods.
At 3:16 of the third, Hudler snapped a shot over Bryzgalov's shoulder after streaking down the left wing, making it 4-1 in favor of Detroit.
Radim Vrbata slapped a bouncing puck from the right wing boards past Howard to pull Phoenix back to within two at 7:38 of the third but the Coyotes would be unable to close any further.
Rafalski's goal was the lone power play marker of the night, with Detroit having three tries with the man-advantage and the Coyotes having six, including their five-on-three.
Howard stopped 26 of 28 shots while Bryzgalov made 32 saves on 36 chances.
Game Two between the two teams will be Saturday afternoon in Detroit.
Notes: With his goal and an assist on Datsyuk's, Franzen has points in thirteen consecutive playoff games... The Red Wings were without Henrik Zetterberg, still recovering from a lower-body injury... Mike Modano and Jakub Kindl were healthy scratches for Detroit.
Because playoff games alone aren't enough drama, we've got lineup fun today.
In a bit of a surprise move, Mike Modano is the healthy scratch up front for Detroit. Kris Draper and Drew Miller, who had been rotating in and out of the lineup, are both in.
Jakub Kindl is out on the blue line as Niklas Kronwall returns.
Okay, I managed to bury my head in code for the last several days to put off playoff nerves. I guess there's no avoiding it now.
Damn, great shot. Howard down early? Not sure.
Good shift by the second line, Wings responding.
Wings doing well when they get into the Phoenix end but getting tied up in their own zone.
Fantastic kill there. Hit on Helm high?
A couple good offensive shifts but Wings spending too much time in their own zone. Part of that is penalties, four in the period is ridiculous. Hopefully they even out.
Big stop by Jimmy to start the period there. Wow.
Fantastic stick work by Pavs on the wraparound. He couldn't have made that if he tried to skate any further.
Bert was p*ssed there. Fight kinda sucked but good to see him fired up.
The Mule makes it 2-1! Not much of a screen, just a great shot.
Two fantastic long shots to build the Detroit lead. Great shot by Rafalski. Real solid possession on the power play.
Very solid period. Gotta stay on it, though.
Hudler snipes Bryzgalov, top corner. About six minutes of playing time, gets a goal.
Just woke up and logged in to check out the score. Looks like all our primaries are doing their job.
Off to chow for now and I'll be watching this game delayed on AFN tonight.
GO WINGS!
Another big kill. Loving special teams tonight.
One down...
Johan Franzen
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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