[Game Recap] Wings defeat Coyotes 5-4 in shootout

by Christy on Dec 14, 2008 12:01 AM CST in Game Recaps Comment 0 comments

The Detroit Red Wings (20-5-4) bounced back from a 3-1 loss on Friday to beat the Phoenix Coyotes (14-14-2) 5-4 in the shootout on Saturday.

Wings goaltender Chris Osgood got his first start in four games and made it count with 24 saves in the win. While the stats may not support this statement, Osgood played a strong game and had to make some spectacular saves (particularly in the second period) to keep the Wings in the game. He also stopped three shots in the shootout to give Detroit it's fifth win in six games.

It didn't take long for the Wings to score as they grabbed the lead just 33 seconds into the game. Captain Nicklas Lidstrom fed the puck to Henrik Zetterberg, who flicked in a wrist shot at the bottom of the right face-off circle. Zetterberg went on to earn an assist on Johan Franzen's game-tying goal in the third and then scored a beauty in the shootout. Hank made a strong shoulder deke before beating Ilya Bryzgalov on the backhand.

Both of Franzen's goals in Saturday's game evened Detroit up with Phoenix. At 6:37 into the second frame, the Mule stole the puck, flew down the ice, and beat Bryzgalov on a breakaway shot. The unassisted goal was definitely my favorite in regulation. With 21 seconds remaining in the game, Franzen tied the game at four goals apiece with Detroit on a 6-on-4 man advantage.

Tomas Holmstrom tallied his first goal since returning from back spasms when he tipped in Brian Rafalski's shot from the point at 10:17 to give Detroit a brief lead. The second period goal came on a Detroit power play, which went 2-for-3 in the game. It was his first multi-point game since notching two assists against Florida on November 14.

Chris Chelios got 10:27 minutes of ice time in his first game this regular season after suffering a fractured tibia in the preseason. The 46-year-old had missed 28 games.

Christy's Red Wings Player of the Game: Henrik Zetterberg

Yes, it was actually the Mule who scored two goals and sent the game into overtime but Zetterberg played a great game with a goal, assist, and a goal in the shootout (Detroit's only shootout goal before going into extra shooters).