Detroit extended its point streak to ten games, a span in which they have a record of 7-0-3. They faced their former division rivals Nashville Predators on Saturday night.
Brad Richards led the way, scoring his first goal as a Red Wing. His shot was actually saved by goalie Pekka Rinne, but the puck was redirected by the skate of defenseman Shea Weber and in.
(Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
Detroit managed only six shots to Nashville’s 13 in the first period.
In the first minute of the second period, Weber fired a rocket past Petr Mrazek on the power play to tie the game at one.
1:50 later, Nashville scored again, this time with a point shot tipped in by Viktor Arvidsson from defenseman Ryan Ellis. Former Red Wings prospect Calle Jarnkrok, traded away in the David Legwand deal, had the secondary assist on the play.
Later in the middle frame, Weber again blasted one in. His slap shot hit the glass and bounced in off of Mrazek. Play would continue, but replays showed that the puck clearly crossed the line before being swept out by defenseman Danny DeKeyser. Officials would stop the clock during play to review it before confirming the goal and adding the time back onto the game clock.
Still in the second, defenseman Mike Green stepped up and fired one that found the tape of Tomas Tatar who was standing in front of the crease. It easily deflected in and it was a one-goal game.
In the third period, Weber scored his first career hat trick with yet another power play goal at the 8:03 mark. Mrazek appeared to get a piece of it, but not enough to make the save, and the two goal lead was restored for the Predators.
Fortunately for Detroit, the response was quick. Rookie Dylan Larkin scored 1:16 later with an outstanding individual effort. After retrieving the puck from Jonathan Ericsson along the boards, he skated through three Predators before scoring far side on a wrist shot.
With under three minutes to play, Gustav Nyquist fired a wrister that hit Justin Abdelkader, deflecting past Rinne and tying the game.
The Wings are no strangers to 3-on-3 overtime, seeing as they have needed the tie-breaker in seven of the their last ten games (with another needing a shootout).
After Abdelkader wiped out on a drive to the net, the Preds led a 3-on-1 with only Pavel Datsyuk back. The initial shot was saved and the follow-up was sent just over the net.
On the next drive, Nyquist skated quickly and confidently, as if he already knew that Niklas Kronwall’s long pass would reach his stick. Without breaking stride he found himself a breakaway before scoring on a low shot on Rinne.
Detroit had extended their impressive point streak to double digits.
The six-game home stand concluded, with the team traveling to Washington on Tuesday before returning home to face the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
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Kevin Sporka
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