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Wings vs Oilers pregame
Summary:
Detroit had a really strong start to the game. By the end of the second period Detroit was outshooting the Oilers 29-20. Twice they thwarted the league’s best power play. The third period is where everything was cranked up. McDavid did what so few in hockey can do. He went full on one man machine and scored just seconds into the third. My honest thought was, “that’s too bad. It’s all downhill from here”. And then, Ned.
Nedeljkovic had his best performance as a Red Wing. Detroit’s first two periods were the best hockey the team has played this year. The third was a storm. When Larkin scored the game winner in the second, he pointed to the sky after touching his chest. That young man has been through something big and brutal.
For Detroit to come out with a win tonight is such a boost. This is the only time Edmonton will play in Detroit this season. What stood out to me was the passing early on. In the first two periods, the Wings had these quick and sharp passing plays that helped them keep the puck. There were so many little things that made the game stand out for the first 40 minutes.
Namestnikov, it’s hard to say enough about how he’s stepping up. He looks like a completely different player. The Fabbri line is playing hard and creating opportunities as well. It really looked like we had 4 lines for good stretches of the game.
I can tell you this, when the leader of your team is hurting and the troops rally around, there’s nothing like it. This team really seems to care about each other. The young guys don’t seem young. This is a special group.
What really hit me is that Detroit shut down the Oiler’s power play. That was a big step forward for the PK. Tonight was a game to enjoy, even though the third period felt like it was going to end with me back in the hospital. My heart is still racing as I finish this up. I hope you enjoyed what you saw tonight. Big saves, good defensive play, and a game that was 1 shot from tied for 19 minutes in the third. That’s something special to be sure.
First Period:
An exciting game back and forth, at 14:03 Gagner gets the puck to Namestnikov who flies into the offensive zone and goes 5 hole for his 6th of the season.
Namestikov’s opening tally:
Second Period:
Power play opportunity didn’t cash in, but Seider made some impressive plays.
Namestnikov strikes again at 6:43. Ernie had some impressive play to get that setup. Impressive as Namestnikov now has 7 on the season.
Namestnikov’s 2nd:
Wings Hronek goes to the box on a strange looking interference penalty. It’s a shame because Detroit was really doing well. Outshooting Edmonton by a wide margin. Shots 24-12 as Wings kill the penalty.
Out of the blue, Skinner misplays a puck, Larkin races in and nets in. He pointed to the sky after the goal with as much emotion as I’ve seen in the young captain. Whatever he went through, it’s been a nightmare. What a play.
Wings playing with fire as Rasmussen heads to the box with a tripping penalty. Oils get another shot on the power play. Detroit outshooting oil 26-13 at this point. 22 seconds in Ned had to make a big save on McDavid. Wings kill it with help from Ned.
Wings get a momentum killer as Puljuljarvi scored with just 30 seconds left
Third Period:
McDavid scored 38 seconds in and it looks too much like the comeback you knew could happen. There is some talent that hard work just can’t stop.
With just 6 seconds left, Moritz Seider with the empty net! A look of remorse after he noticed Namestnikov could have grabbed a hat trick. Strong play from the depth tonight
Seider’s empty net for his 2nd career goal:
Some of my previous posts:
Wings vs Oilers pregame
Previous post:
Soderblom’s value is climbing
Previous Post:
Confidence carries over, Captain comes back as Wings beat VGK
Bertuzzi, Suter and Raymond come up big, Seider gets OT winner
Previous post:
Larkin out again, Buffalo Pregame 
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