Both teams were heading into different streaks this evening as Detroit had started 5-0 and then lost 2 straight and San Jose started 1-3 and then won 3 straight.
Niemi and Howard were the starting netminders as the game started off.
It was all action around Howard’s net to start as Lidstrom sat 2 minutes for hooking but the Redwings netminder made about 4 or 5 great saves to keep the Sharks out.
There was then some great work from Zetterberg entering the zone and pulling a save off Niemi as he created another chance for Datsyuk who couldn’t bury a puck that bounced out infront of Niemi.
A Scintillating first 9 minutes as both teams favoured attack to defence. Zetterberg, Cleary and Datsyuk were really turning it on after that 1st powerplay for the Sharks as Detroit tried to take the game to the opposition. They got the lead around the 13 minute mark as Datsyuk fed Lidstrom at the blue line and he fired a shot purposely wide to bounce straight back out to Zetterberg who had the wide open net to fire the puck into. A great play from the Wings captain.
Detroit continued to put the pressure on San Jose and got a powerplay late in the period. Datsyuk hit a post to start and then Holmstrom had a goal scrubbed of for incidental contact on Niemi as he put the puck in as he was spread out on the floor. The contact was outside the crease and initiated by the netminder so Detroit were unlucky not to get that 2-0 lead going into the 2nd.
An early powerplay in the 2nd period for San Jose saw Ryan Clowe equalise with a quick wrist shot right in front of Jimmy Howard.
San Jose took a 2-1 lead around 8 minutes into the 2nd as Patrick Marleau beat his old team mate Ian White in a foot race to the puck and as both players played at the puck Marleau managed to get it over Howard’s glove hand via White’s stick.
A powerplay goal for Detroit with just over 5 minutes of the 2nd period left levelled the game at 2-2. Datsyuk firing the puck from between the circles and Holmstrom tipped it in and finally registered his 1st goal of the season.
Joe Thornton put the Sharks back in the lead with just under 2 minutes of the 2nd left as Pavelski got the puck from the boards to the streaking Thornton and he went clean in on Howard and put it between his pads.
The Redwings finished the period on the powerplay as Havlat was called for hooking but couldn’t find a leveller before the hooter. They would, however, come back out for the 3rd with over a minute still remaining on the PP.
Detroit couldn’t take advantage of that early powerplay opportunity in the 3rd and both teams exchanged another powerplay chance each without causing any harm.
The 3rd period was an even period with Detroit creating the better chances but nothing spectacular as San Jose stood firm. They managed to seal a 4-2 win with an empty net goal from Thornton with around 35 seconds left.
Probably the best that Detroit have played so far this season without coming away with the win. A truly entertaining game from both teams. Let's hope for this match up come playoff time again.
- Adam Yates
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