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Rafalski powers Wings to 5-3 win

By Casey Richey

Detroit got a big performance out of Brian Rafalsk in the 5-3 win and seeing that it's a preseason game, I'm going to go more with observations than scoring detail (although that will be after the jump).

  • Can we bottle this version of Rafalski and have it used every night? That'd be spectacular. Rafalski's two one goals and three assists were great to see and even though it was just a preseason game you can't help but feel good for him after that performance. 
  • The Wings got off to a great start with the two early goals but they kind of had some trouble keeping that momentum going. I think NY also adjusted style of play to adapt. 
  • The Eurotwin line with Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Holmstrom worked very well today and they looked up to their old ways by making slick passes and getting the puck distributed to one another in great position for scorign chances. 
  • Jiri Hudler looked...okay...in today's game. He had a few times where he was having trouble with the puck but he also had a few great passes and created some good chances. I think he'll get better as he gets more comfortable back in Detroit.
  • I don't really have much to say about Jimmy Howard's performance. I missed the last two goals while I was out of the room and the first goal I honestly don't remember. Howard did play pretty well other than the three goals as he had a few spectacular saves and looked good on his angles.
  • It wouldn't have been a Red Wings game without one goal being waived off. And to make sure that it was a Red Wings game, they waived off TWO goals. The first was a shot that Darren Helm had squeezed through Martin Biron but the official closest lost sight of the puck and blew the play dead. The second would have been Rafalski's second goal of the night but the officials waived it off as they indicated Holmstrom interfered with the goalie. That was pretty much,how you say..."wrong" and it should have counted. 
  • It was good to see Holmstrom with a goal tonight as well. He quietly had a nice night as well with a goal and an assist. His goal came off a pass from Hank and he ripped one from the sideboards over top of Chad "Dosnueve" Johnson's blocker side for a 4-3 Detroit lead.
  • Four different Wings had at least a goal and an assist tonight. Neat.
  • Abdelkader had a good game as well, he had some good hits and played pretty well along the boards. He had some good chances in the offensive zone. I think he'll play well with the Wings this year, even if he doesn't get to start all the time .
  • Patrick Eaves also had a good game in addition to the insurance goal. He played well in his end and was aggressive in the offensive zone.
    • Goals
    1st period:
    Detroit goal--Dan Cleary on a pass from Brian Rafalski. Hudler secondary assist. 1:45
    Detroit goal--Henrik Zetterberg scores on a pass from Tomas Holmstrom. Rafalski with the secondary assist. 3:55
    NYR goal--Sean Avery scores with an assist from Todd White. Coco Chanel with the secondary assist. 8:35

    2nd period
    Detroit goal--Brian Rafalski scores a goal with the assist to Dan Cleary. 5:42
    NYR goal--Erik Christensen (unassisted). 11:37
    NYR goal--Artem Anisimov scores on a shorthanded breakaway with the assist to Alex Frolov. 12:04

    3rd period
    Detroit goal--Tomas Holmstrom top corner goal on a pass from Henrik Zetterberg. Nicklas Lidstrom with the secondary assist. 4:08
    Detroit goal--Patrick Eaves scores from Brian Rafalski. Darren Helm with the secondary assist. 17:30