DETROIT, Michigan -- Detroit netminder Jimmy Howard stopped all 27 shots he faced Monday night as the Red Wings cruised to a 5-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres for their 15th consecutive home win, a new franchise record.
The previous record was set during the 1964-65 season, which saw the Red Wings finish first overall in the six-team league but lose to the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs.
Henrik Zetterberg opened the game's scoring at 5:20 of the first period when he carried the puck from the right faceoff circle through the slot and into the left circle to snap a shot past Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller.
With 1:49 left in the period, Johan Franzen took a long pass through the neutral zone from Pavel Datsyuk to break in on Miller before rifling a shot from the inside edge of the right circle past Miller.
Nicklas Lidstrom made it 3-0 with just 17 seconds left in the first, jumping in from the left point all alone to bang the rebound of a Todd Bertuzzi chance past Miller from the bottom of the left circle.
Bertuzzi added a goal of his own at 4:19 of the second. Datsyuk stole the puck behind the net and sent it out to Bertuzzi at the bottom of the right circle. Bertuzzi cut across the top of the crease with it but couldn't get to the open net, so he spun back around and backhanded a shot under Miller.
Just 13 seconds later, Darren Helm made it 5-0 beating Miller on a shot from the slot off a feed from the Buffalo goalie's brother, Drew Miller.
Having allowed five goals on 14 shots, Ryan Miller was pulled after the Helm goal. Jhonas Enroth played the final 35:28 of the game for the Sabres, stopping all 12 shots he faced.
Neither team scored a power play goal on the night. The Sabres had three power play chances while Detroit had four.
The Red Wings next travel to Dallas to face the Stars on Tuesday night.
Notes: Datsyuk's assist on Bertuzzi's goal was his third of the night and his 700th career point, reaching the milestone in 706 games played... Jan Mursak and Mike Commodore were scratches for Detroit.
We've got storylines tonight as the Red Wings host the Buffalo Sabres.
Detroit forward Drew Miller takes on his brother, Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller. The two haven't competed against each other in the last two meetings between the teams, as Ryan was out with a concussion on December 2 and Drew was a healthy scratch last February 26.
The Red Wings head into the game looking for a franchise-record fifteenth consecutive win at home. To be a downer about that, their fourteen-game run in 1964-65 didn't have the benefit of overtime or shootout wins, but they all count the same now.
No lineup changes for Detroit, meaning Jan Mursak and Mike Commodore are out and Jimmy Howard gets the start.
Game time is 7:30. FSD has the TV.
Well, the power play is still broken, it'd seem.
There we go, Zata back on the scoresheet.
Well, the power play is still broken, it'd seem.
We were on the PP?
There we go, Zata back on the scoresheet.
And well deserved at that!
We've got storylines tonight as the Red Wings host the Buffalo Sabres.Detroit forward Drew Miller takes on his brother, Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller. The two haven't competed against each other in the last two meetings between the teams, as Ryan was out with a concussion on December 2 and Drew was a healthy scratch last February 26.
The Red Wings head into the game looking for a franchise-record fifteenth consecutive win at home. To be a downer about that, their fourteen-game run in 1964-65 didn't have the benefit of overtime or shootout wins, but they all count the same now.
No lineup changes for Detroit, meaning Jan Mursak and Mike Commodore are out and Jimmy Howard gets the start.
Game time is 7:30. FSD has the TV.
Our inconsistent play when it matters concerns me in a situation such as this. On paper, this should be an easy win however, I could see the time coming out in a "Varsity Blues" fashion to start the first.
I'm not feeling the Hockeytown logo anymore.
Howie stands tall.
Vintage Mule. Hell of a shot.
I'm not feeling the Hockeytown logo anymore.
If they're going to keep the moniker at center ice, they need an updated logo. So very dated.
I'm not feeling the Hockeytown logo anymore.
If they're going to keep the moniker at center ice, they need an updated logo. So very dated.
Agreed. If they are going to keep it, at least make it more modern.
The Mule rocks!
Nick said screw it, I'll take the open net!
Aww Mick, stop bringing up Fleury, I still have nightmares.
I respect that he is Russian however, as long as he has been here, he could put more effort towards English. Afterall, it is an American city that is paying him millions.
Damn, Bert. Damn.
I respect that he is Russian however, as long as he has been here, he could put more effort towards English. Afterall, it is an American city that is paying him millions.
He fakes it to screw with people. Keating included.
Ryan Miller stuck around just long enough for Drew Miller to get his point.
If they're going to keep the moniker at center ice, they need an updated logo. So very dated.
I second this as long as they never update Hey, Hey, Hockeytown.
I respect that he is Russian however, as long as he has been here, he could put more effort towards English. Afterall, it is an American city that is paying him millions.
He fakes it to screw with people. Keating included.
True. Those guys were professionals during the Cold War.
Thank god Ken jinxed the Sabres and their losing away games record instead of the Wings' winning home one.
And Jimmy gets the goose egg!
I respect that he is Russian however, as long as he has been here, he could put more effort towards English. Afterall, it is an American city that is paying him millions.
He fakes it to screw with people. Keating included.
The questions these FSD guys ask are so stupid as to be laughable even if you are native-born English-speaking...makes me cringe.
Jimmy Howard
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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