By Michael Caples –
DETROIT – It certainly wasn’t a typical game for the Detroit Red Wings.
With the top spot in the division on the line, the Red Wings and the Blues took part in what was arguably the most physical game Detroit has seen all year.
Yet while it’s not their typical style, the Red Wings had no problem keeping up with ‘the rough stuff’, as they topped the Blues 3-1 to extend their winning streak at Joe Louis Arena to 17 games.
“It’s good, it’s a lot of fun out there,” said Jimmy Howard, who made 21 saves on the night. “The whole game, every single game has been very competitive, and it’s come down to the third period, again tonight. We got going there in the second period, and we were able to get two points.”
Physical play started early, but it escalated late in the first period, when Brad Stuart delivered a hard check on the Blues’ Alex Pietrangelo just inside the Red Wings’ blue line. While the hit was legal, it led to Pietrangelo’s teammate, Chris Stewart, instigating a fight with Stuart – which earned the Blues’ forward the extra two-minute instigator penalty, and a 10-minute misconduct.
That play, and a speech from coach Mike Babcock during the first intermission, jumpstarted the Red Wings, who were down 1-0 at the time.
“Well basically, just get engaged,” said Niklas Kronwall when asked about Babcock’s intermission comments. “Start competing. In the first period, I don’t really know what we were doing. Jimmy came up with some huge saves for us to keep us in the game, and I think what turned it around for us was Stewie’s hit there at the end of the first period. After that, I thought we were good.”
The Red Wings took advantage of the power play that carried over to the second period, when Pavel Datsyuk deked to his backhand to avoid defenders, and fired a backhander from the slot that beat goaltender Jaroslav Halak.
Johan Franzen scored on a rebound 8:01 later, giving the Red Wings their first lead of the night, and the only one they would need.
Kronwall added the insurance goal at the end of the contest, scoring on a power play with three minutes remaining in regulation.
The physical game ended with five penalties distributed at the 19:58 mark of the third period – four of which went to the Blues. Pietrangelo and David Backes both got roughing minors and 10-minute misconducts for an after-the-whistle incident, which started when both were slashing Howard while trying to get to a rebound. The Wings’ goaltender jumped up and joined the pushing and shoving in front of his crease, and said afterward that he would do it again.
“I had it covered, and he was going to the net,” Howard said. “I thought it was a cheap shot, and I let him know.”
Kronwall said the end of the contest didn’t come as any surprise.
“It gets a little physical there at the end,” the Red Wings’ defenseman said. “That’s just things that happen. There’s a lot of emotions at stake.”