Everyone by now should know the problems the Wings have been having finding the net over recent games with them only finding the twine 6 times in the last 6 games.
The Ducks had lost their last 4 games (2 in OT) and were averaging just over 2 goals a game going into this whilst only conceding just over 2.5.
A tight game expected? You would think so!
Detroit had a decent first 5 minutes that led to a few good half chances and it was the Redwings who got the powerplay chance as well as the Ducks took a soft offensive zone hooking penalty.
It wasn’t a brilliant powerplay for Detroit but as in the last game they scored just as it finished, this time Kronwall fired a shot in from just inside the blue line. He fired the puck low to the bottom right of Hiller.
Detroit went straight on the powerplay straight after the goal but gave up a great chance to Gordon who found himself free infront of the net but hit the outside of the post. Detroit put the pressure on for the remainder on the powerplay but Hiller stood firm as the Redwings fired the puck from all angles at the net. Detroit at this point were outshooting the Ducks 16 – 1 with 11 minutes gone.
Detroit’s early period energy faded in the 2nd half and although they allowed the Ducks to get some puck on the net themselves they rarely looked threatened, even when killing off an Anaheim 2 minute powerplay. The period finished 1-0 with the Wings outshooting the Ducks 17-7.
Fillpula and Holmstrom both had great scoring chances in the first 1.30 of the 2nd period but Hiller stood firm making 2 good saves close in. Detroit had come out of the blocks though and Zetterberg did make it 2-0 after good play from Lidstrom and Franzen on the boards.
Less than a minute later it was 3-0 as Lidstrom fired in a shot from the top of the circle. Hiller complained at the goal as Brunstrom’s stick got caught up in the netminder’s blocker as the shot went past him.
It was a blistering start to the 2nd period from Detroit but 2 poor penalties allowed the Ducks the chance to get back into the game. Anaheim didn’t take advantage of this though, barely creating a noteworthy chance as the game came to the midpoint.
The Redwings got a break with just over 12 minutes gone as Sbisa hit a shot from the blueline past Howard but Perry was adjudged to have had incidental contact with the netminder so the goal was scrubbed off.
Detroit continued to pressure Hiller’s net as he pulled off good saves from Holmstrom and then Cleary had a clear cut break towards the net but sent his shot high and wide.
Franzen then sent Fillpula clear on Hiller but he stood tall and Fowler made a half challenge to put the forward off as he tried to finish the play off.
Detroit finished off the period strong as they led the Ducks 35 – 13 in shots and 3-0 on the scoreboard. Anaheim would need something special in the 3rd to try and get back into this one.
The 3rd period started with Selanne getting a 2+10 penalty on which Lidstrom fired a puck high into the net with Holmstrom screening Hiller. Selanne continued to argue after the goal went in and got a game misconduct penalty and left the penalty box and went straight down the tunnel.
With around 5 minutes gone Macenauer got a great chance on Howard who made a good low pad save as Anaheim tried to get back into the game.
Detroit still continued to create chances and get shots on goal as the game headed into the last 10 minutes. Anaheim looked like a team coming off a 2 week road trip and were really struggling to get anything going.
Franzen made it 5-0 just after the 10 minute mark of the period as a poor play from the Ducks saw the puck come to Ian White skating in from between the circles and as he went to the net and was blocked out, Franzen followed the play and stuck the puck into the net.
Hiller was pulled just after the goal to be replaced by Ellis.
That killed the game as both teams played out the remainder of the game without any outstanding or clear cut chances as Howard completed his 2nd shut out of the season.
This time Detroit played well for the full 60 minutes, not just part of a period. They didn’t take stupid penalties and put plenty of puck on net which saw them get the 5 goals they deserved.
At the other end of the ice Anaheim really struggled to get anything going offensively and that showed with them being outshot 50 – 22. They didn’t create any sustained pressure on the Detroit net at any point and really did look like a team that would be happy to get a few days rest before a home stint.
The Ducks are a much better team than they showed tonight and hopefully that they will turn things around again and get themselves back into winning ways.
At the other end of the ice Anaheim really struggled to get anything going offensively and that showed with them being outshot 50 – 22. They didn’t create any sustained pressure on the Detroit net at any point and really did look like a team that would be happy to get a few days rest before a home stint.
The Ducks are a much better team than they showed tonight and hopefully that they will turn things around again and get themselves back into winning ways.
- Adam Yates
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