Party Like It's 1997: Red Wings 4 - Flyers 3

by Amerinadian on Feb 13, 2012 12:04 AM CST in Game Recaps

20 straight home wins.

Oh, I know, there are some who will say that 20 wins isn't the same now as it was when the record was set. There weren't shootouts in 1929 or 1976, these people will argue. And they're right, to a degree.

But this record, which the Red Wings tied tonight with a narrow 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, is still something to be celebrated. Just because the conditions under which the record was tied are different makes it no less an achievement. If it were so easy to extend winning streaks because the shootout has existed for the last 7 years, then I would imagine more teams would have come close to what the Red Wings are doing right now. Besides, if there were no shootouts, one can't say definitively that the Wings wouldn't have won those games anyway by employing a different style (not to say they would have won either).

Just because something is different doesn't make it worse. The Red Wings are playing under the conditions of the game as they exist today; they didn't make the rules, they just have to play by them. It's the old saying: hate the game, not the player.

It certainly wasn't a foregone conclusion that the Wings were going to get to 20. A power play goal in the first period gave the Wings a lead, something they haven't enjoyed a lot of lately. However, Joey MacDonald reminded everyone that he's still a third-string goalie, and his major mental error and inability to pass the puck allowed the Flyers to score.

The second period was just goofy. Flyers score to take the lead, then the Wings tie it. The Flyers score again to take the lead, the Wings tie it. Headed in to the third, it seemed like this was anyone's game. But then the Wings remembered that during this streak, they're awesome in the third period, only allowing 7 goals. Johan Franzen finished off a magnificent tic-tac-toe passing play and the Wings held on to secure their 20th straight home victory.

Bullets after the jump.

Now this is what we envisioned the power play to be: the enforcer. When a team is going to take penalties, especially teams that play a physical style of game in an attempt to intimidate the Wings, the power play is what will get the opponent away from that. Going 2-5 against a good team like the Flyers (who may not have a very good defense but who can score with just about anyone) is a fantastic advantage to have.
The Wings got yet another goal from a defenseman when Niklas Kronwall scored his 12th of the season. For those keeping track at home, the Wings lead the NHL in goals from their blueline with 34. Getting goals from the defense adds another layer of offense to an already balanced team and makes that much more difficult to stop.
For as good as Joey MacDonald has been since taking over for Ty Conklin/Jimmy Howard, tonight wasn't his greatest game. The Wings bailed him out after a horrible turnover on the first goal, but he made a few key saves in the third period with the team holding on to the lead.
The final 5-6 minutes of the game reminded me a lot of 2008. A ferocious forecheck and simple unwillingness to allow Philadelphia to possess the puck were staples of that team, and we saw it on display tonight while the Wings tried to close out the win.
The depth of the Wings has carried them the past week or so, but tonight the stars put on their big boy pants and led the way. Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Franzen all scored goals, and when those 3 are contributing offensively, this team is as good as anyone in the league. It's especially nice to see Z getting on the scoresheet after struggling all season. I'm 1 game away from being ready to declare him 100% cured of his scoring problems.

Whether the haters and critics want to admit it, the Wings now own a share of history (drink!) with the Bruins and Flyers, and will have a chance to break the record on Tuesday against Dallas. Puck drop is at 7:30 ET as always, and if you're like me, then you're hoping that they break the record by playing a fantastic game and then winning in a shootout.

Poll

Who was the Wings' Player of the Game?

Henrik Zetterberg

180 votes

Pavel Datsyuk

97 votes

Nicklas Lidstrom

47 votes

324 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 40 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

POTG Datsyuk

Zetterberg played great, Lidstrom played his usual perfect way, but just watching Datsyuk undressing guys and making them miss all night long got me giddy with excitement and he was kicking ass out there

by NorthbayWingsFan on Feb 13, 2012 12:30 AM CST reply actions

There was a neat sequence....

…where pavel and claude giroux were basically just robbing people back and forth.
Incredible game.

"I'll smile in June."

by Lords of Olympia on Feb 13, 2012 12:35 AM CST up reply actions

I thought Joey played really well

despite a few puck-handling gaffs, he made the key saves when it counted… I really like him backing up Jimmy when Jim returns.

by kylegroombridge on Feb 13, 2012 1:23 AM CST reply actions

Just got back

from my weekend in Detroit. I will post a fanpost in the next couple days, complete with pics of my son with Mule, Homer, Miller and Kronwall….. :)

by BeardedPlayoffJesus19 on Feb 13, 2012 1:49 AM CST via mobile reply actions

oh wow

that sounds like an awesome weekend!

by Pentatonic on Feb 13, 2012 7:38 AM CST up reply actions

I gotta give Abby and Bertuzzi POTGs. Both played really well tonight. Bertuzzi and Flip running the 4-on-4 in the 1st as if it were a 5-on-3 especially made me happy and Abby worked his ass off all night.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Feb 13, 2012 2:43 AM CST reply actions

Hooray for the Red Wings!

by meetyourmako on Feb 13, 2012 4:12 AM CST reply actions 2 recs

Thanks

looking forward to testing ourselves against you guys.

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by Josh Howard on Feb 13, 2012 11:30 AM CST up reply actions

Great win for the Wings,the comment above on how great Bertuzzi was I don’t agree after the 2nd period I was saying to myself get him off the ice he has his head up his ass, he cerainly can play but at times he makes the dumbest moves and skates around with one han on his stick. Go forward not back in this league back will get you on the bench. My summary of the game was Bertuzzi, Hurdler, Erikson, and Miller all sucked at times the rest of the team were terrific go wings. Keep it going on Tuesday.

by JRDH on Feb 13, 2012 6:32 AM CST reply actions

After the game...

•The final 5-6 minutes of the game reminded me a lot of 2008. A ferocious forecheck and simple unwillingness to allow Philadelphia to possess the puck were staples of that team, and we saw it on display tonight while the Wings tried to close out the win.

I like to imagine TickTock walking into the locker room, slamming his fist on the table and yelling “Now THAT’S what I’m TALKING aboot!”

Don't Panic!

by 42jeff on Feb 13, 2012 7:29 AM CST reply actions

Just going to throw this out there

In 1975-76 there was no salary cap and no free agency.

Asterisk that, chumps.

by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 13, 2012 7:57 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

And in 1929

Boston’s “West Coast” trips were a stop on the western shore of Lake Michigan.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Feb 13, 2012 8:00 AM CST up reply actions

but overtime! shootout! Bettman point! and, and . . . shootout!

You wanna tell me that to mah face?!

by uvgt2bkdnme on Feb 13, 2012 8:06 AM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

There were also 2 teams that year that finished with 11 and 12 wins (in 80 games), and had another team that was a 2nd year expansion team. The talent of the NHL was also watered down due to the rise of the WHA, which was a legitimate threat in the mid-70s.

The Red Wings have won 20 games in a row under the accepted rules of the league they play in. They didn’t make the rules, they just play by them. Why was there no asterisk for the Flyers because they got to play absolutely garbage teams in a league that didn’t have nearly the parity that today’s does?

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Feb 13, 2012 8:21 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Why was there no asterisk for the Flyers because they got to play absolutely garbage teams in a league that didn’t have nearly the parity that today’s does?

Well, in fairness, we did get to play the Blues 3 times and Chicago once during this stretch.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Feb 13, 2012 10:13 AM CST up reply actions

This

This is the reason why Wings fans need not feel “guilty” about tying the all-time record. Sure, you can argue some wins in the streak are “cheap” because they were in shoot outs. But they’re not any cheaper than wins against vastly inferior competition. The parity and salary cap balances out the rules changes and honestly, you could argue its harder to do it now than in previous eras.

In summary, haters gonna hate.

by tehGOALIE on Feb 13, 2012 9:24 AM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Zero

The number of teams that have won 20 straight games at home since the introduction of the shootout prior to the Red Wings accomplishing that feat last night.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Feb 13, 2012 8:25 AM CST reply actions

I can't wait for when the Wings beat Dallas in a shootout tomorrow

Brendan Smith fan

by JeffHancock41 on Feb 13, 2012 8:26 AM CST up reply actions

I hate you...

but after my tired self watches the Wings beat the Stars in the SO… I’ll nod and agree with you. By God, you sir, I do respect.

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by Josh Howard on Feb 13, 2012 11:33 AM CST up reply actions

Congrats on the record guys.

Pretty damn impressive. You can have one more if it makes you feel better to be by yourselves, but after that PLEASE STOP!!!!!!

by TheFlyingCavallinis on Feb 13, 2012 8:42 AM CST reply actions

I tell you what

We’ll stop when you guys do.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Feb 13, 2012 8:46 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

No deal!!!

I know we haven’t been in your league the past 6-7 years, but this season is so much fun. That last game in April between our two clubs is going to be huge, methinks. The difference between 1st and 4th is large.

And let’s try to bridge the gap between our two clubs by finding some common ground, eh? How great is the Blackhawks recent collapse???

by TheFlyingCavallinis on Feb 13, 2012 9:18 AM CST up reply actions

i have a better idea

you stop

then we’ll consider stopping if you guys stop first.

You wanna tell me that to mah face?!

by uvgt2bkdnme on Feb 13, 2012 9:46 AM CST up reply actions

The Blackhawks collapse is so great.

Everytime I see then losing/about to lose, I read some SCH to gain strength off their pain. Admittedly, I do the same thing with St. Louis.

Pierre McGuire is a blithering dimwit.

by Brion on Feb 13, 2012 11:10 AM CST via Android app up reply actions

That's ok...

I do the same with Detroit!!

Trouble is, neither of us has had much opportunity to gain strength over each others’ losses this year…

by TheFlyingCavallinis on Feb 13, 2012 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

Kind of funny that Z is the runaway choice for POTG when he was not even one of the 3 stars. I thought he had a very strong game.

by stevenyc on Feb 13, 2012 10:29 AM CST reply actions

If memory serves...

Z has as many points this month as he did last month.

Pierre McGuire is a blithering dimwit.

by Brion on Feb 13, 2012 11:11 AM CST via Android app up reply actions

My vote was for Z

Played a great overall game and for once, his hard work showed up on the stat sheet. The team played so well tonight – I personally thought that the score was much closer than the play suggested. If Mac hadn’t gifted 2 goals to Schenn, it would have been a rout (but I still think Mac played well)

by Megistrus on Feb 13, 2012 10:47 AM CST via Android app reply actions

comparing records

People keep pointing out that the rules are different, apparently trying to make the point that it’s easier to do now. Well if that is true, then why hasn’t any team done it in the “modern era?”

by PaulinMiamiBeach on Feb 13, 2012 2:18 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

strange statement....

However, Joey MacDonald reminded everyone that he’s still a third-string goalie, and his major mental error and inability to pass the puck allowed the Flyers to score.

A little dramatic overstatement. It was a costly mistake, but, I wouldn’t say Joey MacD is “unable” to pass the puck…he’s shown better puck-handling skills than Howard is his short run as back-up.

by yzguy on Feb 13, 2012 2:44 PM CST reply actions

Joey Mac > This Years Conk

Hands down

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by MuleRules on Feb 13, 2012 2:55 PM CST up reply actions

but Howard is still Light Years better than the both combined

by MuleRules on Feb 13, 2012 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

too bad for Conklin, but what a relief that Ken Holland doesn’t have to go goalie shopping for a backup. Joey Mac has really made a statement these past few games.

by yzguy on Feb 13, 2012 3:28 PM CST up reply actions

You're a dramatic overstatement.

Brendan Smith fan

by JeffHancock41 on Feb 13, 2012 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

I'm on your bad side too?

by yzguy on Feb 13, 2012 3:04 PM CST up reply actions

The “inability” to pass the puck referred to that one specific play, although he did the same thing earlier in the game but didn’t pay any price for it.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Feb 13, 2012 3:35 PM CST up reply actions

My ASSterisk

What asterisk? How many Russians did the Flyers play against in 74-75? After the 72 Summit series, North American hockey saw something which scared the hell out of them. [And only a Bobby Clarke hatchet job on a Russian player prevented Canada from losing that series.] The NHL is where the World’s best players are every night, except when Columbus is in town.

And check the numbers guys, MacDonald was solid last year and should have been handed the job in September without the Conklin Plumber coming in.

Bingo! How fun! But, I digress. Where were we? HL

by Hans Landa on Feb 13, 2012 3:30 PM CST reply actions

I agree

Mac should’ve been handed the job but imo, uncle kenny was going for depth and flexibility. sometimes you have to be careful cuz like forrest gump says, “it’s like a box of chocolates…you’re never quite sure which one you’re gonna get”. ;)

"Blood washes off, brusies go away, bones do heal, scars indicate character, pain is only temporary, but victory will last FOREVER!"

by wjr on Feb 13, 2012 4:26 PM CST up reply actions

Going to slightly disagree about MacDonald

Making him work that extra bit harder to get here is a strong motivator. Appearing and getting hot for a few games works for a lot of goalies (James Reimer) but they can’t sustain it for the long haul. This is the classic Red Wings “just making sure” stance.

Pierre McGuire is a blithering dimwit.

by Brion on Feb 13, 2012 4:56 PM CST up reply actions

WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!

20 it is! can’t wait for #21 tuesday night. be willing to bet conklin is regretting doing that DRW commercial clearing a clogged toilet! feel sort of bad for him cuz that will be how his second time around here with the Wings will be best remembered. oh well. guess he made some extra cash doing that commercial. hopefully he got paid enough considering the “bad” karma attached to it.

note to joey mac…gonna tell you the same thing I told jimmy…DO NOT PLAY THE PUCK UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY HAVE TO! last night’s game was closer then it ever should have been considering how the other 20 Wings were skating and shooting. I literally fell out of my chair when I saw joey mac “cough” up that pass to the flyers. WTF! and to make matters worse, there wasn’t but a minute or two left in the first period!

overall, I loved the extremely dogged determination by the Wings. shades of years past when playing defense so well brought the chalice back home to hockeytown. hopefully this piece of history repeats itself this season. kudos to the DRW organization on a stellar run and may they continue their torrid pace to lock away the top spot in the league.

LGRW!!! LGRW!!! LGRW!!! LGRW!!! LGRW!!! LGRW!!! LGRW!!! LGRW!!! LGRW!!!

"Blood washes off, brusies go away, bones do heal, scars indicate character, pain is only temporary, but victory will last FOREVER!"

by wjr on Feb 13, 2012 4:24 PM CST reply actions