In any prolonged streak of success, one must get a little luck. A bounce here, fortuitous circumstance there. In any sport, including hockey, one can't sustain a level of dominance for a very long time without winning a game or two by the skin of one's teeth.

That's exactly what the Wings did tonight. Against a very desperate Ducks team trying to climb back into the Western Conference race, the Wings were able to earn a very hard-fought 2 points by playing a grinding game and getting the game to a place where raw skill is key.

In a way, tonight was a lot like a playoff game where the Wings had a lead in the series and their opponent was trying to stave off elimination. After trading goals in the first (George Parros? Really?), the Ducks and Wings gave no quarter to the other through the next 2 periods (nor any nickel or penny). Neither team could capitalize on numerous power plays, pucks hit posts, great saves were made, and we headed to overtime.

The overtime period was more of the same. Both teams traded breakaways that were not converted, and the Wings were unable to take advantage of a short 2-man advantage late in the extra frame, and for the 8th time this season the Wings were involved in a shootout.

Pavel Datsyuk and Teemu Selanne both potted classy goals, Jiri Hudler and Corey Perry both had creepy porn-stache misses, and Todd Bertuzzi's super slo-mo goal turned out to be the game-winner as Bobby Ryan couldn't beat Joey MacDonald.

Of the last 19 home wins, this wasn't the prettiest, nor was it the easiest. But like the last 19 games at home, it ended with the Wings getting 2 points. Bullets after the jump.

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Unfortunately uniform changes during the intermissions aren't actually allowed. I'd love to see Detroit switch back to the Reds so maybe they'll actually play like they're at home.

Don't let the shot count fool you, Ducks are outskating them.

George Parros looks like Jake Gyllenhaal trying to sneak into a steel mill.

Wings get to start the 2nd on a kill.

Ducks continue to play dump-and-chase from their own side of center.

Keep up the fun.

While we're all getting amped up for next January, the battle for the Central continues to heat up. Sure, the Hawks might be struggling, but banking points to earn home ice is important. What would also be cool? Ending this pretender's hopes of crawling out of the basement and into the postseason.

Screw the Ducks.

Comment away and let's go Red Wings.

Ten days into February, the Central Division remains locked in a battle with the East's Atlantic Division for the toughest in hockey. Both divisions currently have four playoff teams (and one bottom-dweller). If the season ended today, The only reason the central would have teams in the 4-5-6 seeding is because of the rule that gives a top-three seed to division winners. This race is getting tighter than yours and my sphincter when we see Sam Gagner skating in on our third-string goalie on a 2-on-0 rush.

I know where I stand as far as this race goes and my confidence in Detroit to end the season at the top of the Central. Detroit is the most-complete team in the division right now. Top-to-bottom depth on offense and defense should be the difference-maker (provided the injury situation doesn't change that). I know that not all Wings fans share my confidence and far be it from me to speak for you. But we all know where we stand with this team by now.

But what about the other fanbases? Where do they stand as far as their confidence to win the Central? Are they as concerned with grabbing a home-seed as we are? Take the jump and I'll try to coalesce the thoughts (or in one fanbase's case, translate the grunts and snorts into language).

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Which Red Wings team is going to show up tonight?

Let's hope it's the team that is confident and dominant at home because the Ducks are arguably the hottest team in the league since the ball dropped on New Year's Eve and it became 2012. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about this game. The Ducks have been playing well and you know they hate the Red Wings just as much as the Wings hate them. Anaheim is going to want to be the team that ends the home winning streak.

The Wings will once again be without all-star goalie Jimmy Howard and another name will be added to the injured list as Danny Cleary will miss tonight's game as well. He didn't return last game after taking a check into the bench door against the Oilers. He's been having knee issues and has been putting off getting a procedure done. He'll be getting his need drained and will be out at least a week. There was hope Howard could return Sunday, but that seems unlikely and he'll be back in another 7-10 days.

It's going to be a challenge for the Wings tonight. It won't be an easy game. The defense is going to have to do their job in front of Joey MacDonald. They need to block shots, take away chances and just make sure their goaltender is put in the best position to win. The Wings best players need to be their best players and they need to be better than the Ducks. If Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen and Filppula can be better than Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne, then the Wings will win this game.

A win tonight would put the win streak at 19. That's a damn fine number. More importantly there are two huge points on the line tonight. The Canucks have pulled within one point of the Wings and have a game in hand. The Blues are within three points and have two games in hand. Detroit needs to keep winning. Home ice could be the difference come playoff time. The road to the postseason is underway and the Wings can't let the points slip away.

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Anaheim Calling is your SBNation Ducks' blog.

Puck drop is just after 7:30p ET on Fox Sports Detroit for the locals and NHL Network for us out-of-towners (game will be blacked out on Center Ice and GameCenter).

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