Detroit Clinches Central before losing in Shootout
The Red Wings spotted the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead before Tomas Holmstrom got Detroit on the board with 40 seconds left in the 2nd period. They would get the equalizer on a playoff-type goal at the 9:36 mark of the third period when Kyle Calder went to the front of the net and took on a check from three Blackhawk players as he forced the puck and Nikolai Khabibulin’s left leg pad across the goal line. Head coach Mike Babcock described it as a playoff type goal in Helene St. James’ Free Press article:
“Those are the type of goals you’re going to have to score at playoff time.”
After a short review Calder was awarded the equalizer and that’s how the game would end.
The Blackhawks scored twice in four attempts during the shootout with Pavel Datsyuk being the only Red Wing to score. By making it to overtime Detroit gained its 111th point. With one game remaining there is no way Nashville can bypass the Wings for the top spot in the Central Division.
Todd Bertuzzi left the game with a neck strain after he ran into Chris Osgood. Nicklas Lidstrom and Dominik Hasek did not play in order to nurse injuries. Bruce MacLeod of the Macomb Daily said both players are fine. It has caused quite a bit of concern amongst the fanbase. I’m hopeful that the Red Wings are simply resting players to get prepared for the playoffs, although having Bertuzzi leave the game and not return is a concern to be sure. Bert really doesn’t need any rest so that definitely wasn’t a good sign.
With the way things are going right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if Scotty Bowman came down with a bad case of carpal tunnel from updating his blog over at NBC Sports.
Kyle Calder Red Wings Tomas HolmstromNo Comments
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