Wings run win streak to 4, Cleary signed long-term
February is quickly becoming a distant memory. Coming off their worst month of hockey in close to two decades, Detroit is now riding a four game win streak following a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The win pushes the Wings to 98 points and gives them a 9-point lead over Dallas for the best point-total in the NHL. San Jose is leading Nashville right now and would move ahead of the Stars with a win.
The good news got even better with word that Dan Cleary has signed a new 5-year deal to remain a Red Wing. I guesstimated that he would sign for $2.25mm per season but his agent clearly did a better job than I thought as the 5-year deal averages out to $2.8mm per season.
The Wings were reportedly willing to offer up plenty of term with the hope that would reduce the annual salary. If that was the case Cleary’s agent was likely asking for close to $4mm per year on a short-term deal. Regardless, Cleary has proven to be a key component of this Red Wings team and I am happy to hear he will be in a Winged Wheel jersey for the foreseeable future.
Tonight the team faced a desperate team that has had a fair amount of success against Detroit this season. Chicago is on the outside looking in when it comes to the 8th seed for the NHL playoffs. Detroit’s third line of Dallas Drake-Kris Draper-Kirk Maltby struggled during the first period although they made up for it when Drake centered the puck and Maltby scored with 11:26 remaining in the first period.
With the score tied 1-1 in the second period and Dallas Drake coming out of the penalty box, Robert Lang somehow how got behind everyone and went in all alone against Chris Osgood. My initial thought was “where has that speed from Lang been the past three seasons?” Brad Stuart made a good play by hauling Lang down. It resulted in a penalty shot that Lang shot into Chris Osgood’s leg pads. “That’s the Robert Lang I remember!” quickly came to mind.
Pavel Datsyuk scored what would turn out to be the game-winning goal off a turnover in the Chicago end. He carried the puck into the slot before wristing the puck past Corey Crawford at the 15:52 mark of the period to give the Wings a 2-1 lead. Detroit’s top line of Valtteri Filppula-Pavel Datsyuk-Jiri Hudler again looked like the best line on the ice. But Johan Franzen - who played on Henrik Zetterberg’s wing - had another solid game and is showing signs of becoming an NHL power forward. Following up on an early post I think Tomas Kopecky is also showing some positive signs that he could be a good, physical player for Detroit. He had a good game.
Franzen continued his goal streak as he scored an empty-netter to put the game away. He has 5 goals in 4 games. I don’t think there’s any question he’s earned some expanded ice time on a scoring line. If Tomas Holmstrom eventually returns to Pavel Datsyuk’s line then the Mule will likely stay on Hank’s wing.
Detroit’s top two defensive pairings went a combined +2 although they didn’t generate any points. Pavel Datsyuk’s line generated a goal and an assist. Chris Osgood was solid in net, stopping 19 of 20 shots for a .950 save percentage. The Wings will face Dallas on Thursday in a matchup of two of the top teams in the Western Conference.
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