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We’ll call this one Karma. Detroit way overperformed against Dallas and hadn’t broken 30 shots on net in 13 games. Tonight, save for the first period, Detroit was in control 41 shots just weren’t enough against a goalie in Merzlikins who was literally sick from a string of losses. Greiss stopped all 33 shots, but CBJ connected twice during the shootout. Tough loss, but a balancing factor for some high scoring affairs.
Vrana continues to create on the rush. Tonight was a fantastic effort but ironically the speedy Czech wasn’t able to finish. He lost his confidence a bit and continued to try and shoot 5 hole. His bread and butter is going to be top shelf. I really enjoyed the 3 man Czech line in OT. A lot of fun to watch. My full game analysis is below. Let me know what you thought of the game in the comments. A+ for effort tonight, for sure.
For the pregame blog I talked a little about what Veleno could bring to the table in his NHL debut this season. It was a rough start for Detroit, and by the second shift it looked like Namestnikov scored, but it ended up turning into a 3 on 2 with Bjorkstrand sniping a beautiful pass from Domi. Quick back and forth, and Detroit’s goaltending luck looked to have run out. After all of that, it looked like CBJ was offside and we were back to zeros! Welcome to the chaos Veleno!
At 2:15 Veleno took the ice for his first faceoff. Panik did a fantastic job getting possession but CBJ skated it down the ice. The game was fairly even, but at 10:30 Zadina’s hard work in the D zone literally saved a goal. One interesting dynamic tonight, Columbus is sick to death of losing. This is a team that had post season expectations and the thought of being lower than Detroit in the standings is not sitting well.
At 13:33 Cholowski was penalized for holding. Greiss holding his own in net as CBJ has started to gain the edge in shots and possession. Roslovic (a good return on the deal for Laine) just sliced his way into the zone and Greiss made multiple saves on that possession. The issues that were underlying even as Detroit took 3 of 4 against Dallas are appearing again.
Shots 16 to 8 after the PP, still tied at zero. At 17:09 Panik in the box for tripping. Detroit doesn’t look sharp tonight. They’re playing with fire allowing so many shots against. Detroit’s PK stepping up, no shots in the first 90 seconds of the minor penalty. PP winds down with no shots, Detroit almost takes too many men. Very good kill on that penalty. Zadina all over in the O zone great possession led to a fantastic shot for Namestnikov that rang the pipe. Period ends shots 16-13 in favor of CBJ. Detroit picking up the pace.
Vrana with a breakaway 20 seconds into the second period. Save by Elvis, but Vrana has a set of wheels that you have to love. Next shift saw Panik with a big defensive zone check. He does have good physicality, good 4th liner. With so many guys out he’s skating on the second line. Glendening line with some decent O zone pressure, Glenny throwing his weight around. Would like to see Svech skating a bit more. Shots now even at 16 apiece, another nice opportunity for Namestniko shot blocked at a wide open net.
Lots of action at 3 minutes in. Detroit is really holding onto the puck and getting shots. All one and done so far, but better pressure. Veleno having trouble at the dot, but Detroit seems to be recovering nicely. Solid back checking has CBJ shot less almost 5 minutes in. Columbus nearly scored at 6:15, still no shots in the second for them. Tide is starting to shift a bit in CBJ’s favor. Detroit’s defensive coverage is really impressive. Another possession by CBJ at 7:00 goes without a shot on net.
Nice zone entry by Zadina and Namestnikov at 8:00. A couple of opportunities from that rush. Zadina making plays in tight, drop passes and stick work have improved. Continues to impress game after game. Wings register 20th shot on net at 8:30, CBJ with just one this period so far. Cholowski making a nice outlet pass, looks more confident. Veleno with some good hard work to back check and help break up a 1 on 3. 2nd period feels like all Detroit at 10:30.
It’s shocking how “invisible” Laine can be at times. If he can develop a defensive game and skate harder, the down times in scoring wouldn’t be so noticeable. Laine and Rasmussen with some back and forth, Ras starting to become more of an on ice presence. Really good looks at the 13:30 mark for Detroit. Leading shots 23 to 19. Elvis M having a solid night so far after three losses to Detroit this season. You get the feeling tonight could be a flipped script for Detroit. They’re outplaying CBJ but can’t convert. Greiss with a huge save at 15:13 on Bjorkstrand. There’s a player who wants his goal back.
At 15:50 Bjorkstrand with another attempt, rings the bar. He’s been all around it tonight. Lindstrom and Dekeyser with some shot attempts at the other end, followed by a nice wrist attempt by Veleno for the 25th SOG by the Wings. End to end action saw Erne set up Namestnikov. Merzlikens moving well in the crease. Texted with a wraparound attempt 200 ft away, and Detroit ices the puck. Final minute of play sees Greiss freeze the puck for D zone faceoff. Shots 27-22, Detroit has done everything but score. CBJ gets their 23 SOG with 5 seconds left, Greiss freezes for faceoff. Period ends, Detroit outshot CBJ 14-9 in the second set.
The third period could see CBJ take momentum back. Their strength seems to be in the shorter ice, easier change of 1 and 3 at home. Detroit feeling Dallas’s pain in the last two as they approach 30 shots with nothing on the scoreboard.
Columbus came out stronger, but a careless high stick gave Detroit its first power play of the game. Atkinson ended up with a one on zero breakaway, Greiss shut it down. Detroit having trouble establishing zone presence on the PP. Veleno with a nice chance on net, Elvis standing tall. Fantastic flurry of chances at the end of the power play, still no luck breaking through. Panik rushed down ice for another strong chance. It’s all goalies tonight.
Detroit breaks the 30 shot mark for the first time in 13 games. There’s been a lot of puck luck in that time, seems to be evading the Wings tonight. Past the ten minute mark, still zeroes but Columbus is coming on again. They’re doing a better job clogging up the neutral zone and holding on to the puck. Detroit still leads on shots after taking their 34th to CBJs 26.
Columbus got very close during a late 4 on 4, shots 35 to 32 in Detroit’s favor as it heads to overtime. CBJ outshot Detroit 9-5 in the third. Extra time, if anything like the second period, could be in Detroit’s favor. Both teams have really bad OT records at this point. 1-6 for Detroit, 2-7 CBJ. Starting on the ice for three on three Stecher-Namestnikov-Erne. A clear sign that there are a lot of injuries.
End to end to start it off, Detroit gets their first change and Zadina hits the ice with Vrana and Hronek. Czech, please! Vrana steals the puck and gets a breakaway, Elvis shuts him down and another full change gets underway. Veleno with some nice stick work dances into the O zone. Detroit with 4 shots already in OT at 2:00. Neither team has a ton of confidence here, Gagner blows an edge for the second time but Rasmussen keeps the puck from turning over. With 90 second to go Filppula gets a fantastic opportunity, rebound to Rasmussen but Elvis stays hot.
O zone faceoff goes to CBJ who carries down ice. Jones with some give and go and a nice rush on net just fails to connect. A broken stick shuts down a nice shot for Vrana at 4:30. Wings get one more chance with the Czech line getting a fantastic look, but the puck just went over Zadina’s stick. Vrana creating on the rush again, definitely his sweet spot. That Czech line is a lot of fun to watch. Both goalies earn a shutout, but one is going to take it in the shootout.
Laine opens the shootout scoring 5 hole on Greiss. He came in fairly smooth, not a lot of movement for the big winger. Vrana follows up for Detroit goes wide and closes in, stopped by Merzliken. Cam Atkinson, in with speed, poke checked by Greiss. That was a really nice stick by the goalie. Adam Erne comes in wide, tries to go 5 hole and gets shut down. Columbus with a chance to win it sends Bjorkstrand for the third opportunity and he makes no mistake. Probably feels vindicated for the one called back early in the game.
Good effort by Detroit, no puck luck tonight. Hockey is a game that tends to balance it all out. Detroit outperformed their efforts for a nice stretch, tonight they played very well but fell to a fantastic effort in net. Good game, Detroit grabs another point.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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