Three Questions: Wings-Ducks
DRW.com's Michael Caples analyzes the Wings' 24th game
Monday, 12.01.2008 / 10:10 PM
/ News
By Michael Caples
- DetroitRedWings.com Intern
What was the storyline in Monday’s game?
Shots, shots, and more shots, and they all came from Detroit. Anaheim goalie J.S. Giguere started the game, but was taken out at the start of the third due to dehydration – though it could have been from shell shock. At the end of the first period, Detroit dominated the shot clock, 19-5. At the end of the second period, the Red Wings held a 38-9 shots on goal advantage. Needless to say, the Red Wings took it to the Ducks in the first two periods. They had nine scoring chances in the first alone, as opposed to Anaheim’s two. The only problem was that Giguere stood on his head, turning shot after shot away, until Johan Franzen was able to deflect in a Nicklas Lidstrom slap shot 14 minutes into the second period.
Who got it done for the Red Wings?
Detroit’s top clutch performers came through once again Monday night. As mentioned above, Franzen finally cracked the invisible force field around the Anaheim goal, notching his 11th goal of the season. He got help, however, from Lidstrom, who took a rocket of a shot from the point, and from Henrik Zetterberg, who did a great job down low just to get it to the blue line.
Then Marian Hossa took over, scoring another third-period goal. He took advantage of the goaltending swap, burning Jonas Hiller from just inside the right circle after a nice feed from Dan Cleary. Hossa’s goal marked the 14th of the season for the newest Red Wing, and his 27th point, both tops on Detroit’s roster. It was only a matter of time for Hossa to find the net, after he turned in a terrific performance the entire game. He had four shots in 12:43 worth of work.
Who deserves credit for the win?
His numbers might not be that gaudy, but I’m going with Chris Osgood. He let one in early, and didn’t see a lot of work afterwards, but he kept his focus. It’s not easy for a goaltender to watch 38 shots down at the other end while only seeing nine at his. Osgood stood tall when the Ducks started pouring it on late, turning away six shots in the third against an offense that can certainly pack a punch. He made a big stop on Corey Perry with 1:03 left with a big screen in front. Then he got a little help from his defense, who kept the puck out of the Detroit zone for the majority of the final minute. But it was Osgood who sealed the deal for the Wings, giving them an all-time record of 23-3-3 against Anaheim at Joe Louis Arena.
Shots, shots, and more shots, and they all came from Detroit. Anaheim goalie J.S. Giguere started the game, but was taken out at the start of the third due to dehydration – though it could have been from shell shock. At the end of the first period, Detroit dominated the shot clock, 19-5. At the end of the second period, the Red Wings held a 38-9 shots on goal advantage. Needless to say, the Red Wings took it to the Ducks in the first two periods. They had nine scoring chances in the first alone, as opposed to Anaheim’s two. The only problem was that Giguere stood on his head, turning shot after shot away, until Johan Franzen was able to deflect in a Nicklas Lidstrom slap shot 14 minutes into the second period.
Who got it done for the Red Wings?
Detroit’s top clutch performers came through once again Monday night. As mentioned above, Franzen finally cracked the invisible force field around the Anaheim goal, notching his 11th goal of the season. He got help, however, from Lidstrom, who took a rocket of a shot from the point, and from Henrik Zetterberg, who did a great job down low just to get it to the blue line.
Then Marian Hossa took over, scoring another third-period goal. He took advantage of the goaltending swap, burning Jonas Hiller from just inside the right circle after a nice feed from Dan Cleary. Hossa’s goal marked the 14th of the season for the newest Red Wing, and his 27th point, both tops on Detroit’s roster. It was only a matter of time for Hossa to find the net, after he turned in a terrific performance the entire game. He had four shots in 12:43 worth of work.
Who deserves credit for the win?
His numbers might not be that gaudy, but I’m going with Chris Osgood. He let one in early, and didn’t see a lot of work afterwards, but he kept his focus. It’s not easy for a goaltender to watch 38 shots down at the other end while only seeing nine at his. Osgood stood tall when the Ducks started pouring it on late, turning away six shots in the third against an offense that can certainly pack a punch. He made a big stop on Corey Perry with 1:03 left with a big screen in front. Then he got a little help from his defense, who kept the puck out of the Detroit zone for the majority of the final minute. But it was Osgood who sealed the deal for the Wings, giving them an all-time record of 23-3-3 against Anaheim at Joe Louis Arena.
