After a three-day break, the Red Wings returned to LCA to take on the Nashville Predators.
Detroit’s Ville Husso had a spectacular game, turning away all 26 shots on goal to record his third shutout of the young season. Nashville goaltender Kevin Lankinen did not fair so well, however. He gave up goals to Captain Dylan Larkin and Filip Hronek. Detroit added an empty netter, by Michael Rasmussen, after Nashville pulled their goaltender late in the game.
Nashville had gone 4-0-1 in their last five games and had beaten Detroit in their last six meetings. Detroit however, has been on a hot streak and has now won three in a row.
Predators – 0
Red Wings – 3
Three Stars:
1. Ville Husso (26 Saves)
2. Filip Hronek (1G/1A)
3. Dylan Larkin (1G)
On Friday night the Phoenix Coyotes came to town. The Red Wings we’re looking for their fourth straight win.
Detroits Andrew Copp got the Wings on the board in the first on a power play goal. In the second, Filip Hronek scored his fifth goal in four games. After the Coyotes got a goal back, Jordan Oesterie put Detroit up by two again. However, the Coyotes just would not go away quietly as they got a goal late in the second to pull within one, and then with less than :30 seconds to go in the game they tied the game sending it to overtime.
After the five-minute overtime period resulted in no goals, we would go to a shootout. Only one goal was scored in the shootout and that was by Red Wings Captain Dylan Larkin, and that gave Detroit a 4-3 victory and their fifth win in a row.
Predators – 3
Red Wings – 4
Three Stars:
1. Dylan Larkin (1G game-winner)
2. Filip Hronek (1G)
3. Ville Husso (21 Saves)
The Red Wings (11-5-4) are now in third place in the Atlantic Division with 26 points. It is exciting to see Detroit putting things together and competing for a playoff spot, even though it is early in the season. President and General Manager Steve Yzerman is restoring the greatness to this storied franchise and it is fun to watch hockey in Detroit again.
David Masters