Red Wings’ Home Winning Streak Continues Against Flames

One game after their winning and scoring streaks came to an end in St. Louis, the Detroit Red Wings’ home winning streak continued, reaching 12 games with a 7-4 win over the Calgary Flames.

Joey MacDonald, making the start in place of the injured Dominik Hasek with Chris Osgood still out, picked up his first career win, needing to make only 16 saves on the night. At the other end of the ice, the Red Wings took a season-record 50 shots.

Henrik Zetterberg, who had a four-point night, opened the game’s scoring at 8:43 of the first period. Calgary goalie Miikka Kiprusoff wiffed on the puck as it came behind the net and Jason Williams picked it up, sending a pass out to Zetterberg to rip a shot into the top corner of the net.

With 7:16 remaining in the period, Pavel Datsyuk scored to make it 2-0 on a rebound chance after a Tomas Holmstrom shot was stopped but not cleared.

Kiprusoff was pulled 1:10 later after a Mathieu Schneider blast beat him.

Zetterberg’s second goal of the night was the first allowed by backup Jamie McLennan, scored on a power play at 3:16 of the second.

Calgary got on the board 42 seconds later as Alex Tanguay stripped Johan Franzen of the puck in front of the Detroit goal and lifted a shot over MacDonald.

With 8:58 remaining in the period, Jason Williams scored the eventual game-winner and Tomas Holmstrom added one 38 seconds later.

The Red Wings coasted through the third period, allowing the Flames to mount a comeback with three goals late in the third period. Jeff Friesen, Roman Hamrlik and Mark Giordano all scored in a 3:40 frame before Johan Franzen extended the Detroit lead back to three goals with 1:23 remaining.

Kiprusoff made 11 saves on 14 shots before getting the hook, with McLennan stopping 32 of the following 36 shots.

Detroit scored the only power play goal of the game on one of their six chances with the extra attacker. Calgary had four tries with the man-advantage.

The win pulls Detroit back to within a point of the Nashville Predators for first place in the Central Division and the Western Conference. The Red Wings look to take the lead in the standings Monday night when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers.

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Dominik Hasek’s injury is being described as an inflamed wrist. He is expected to be back in the crease on Detroit’s upcoming road trip… Jim Howard was called up to back up MacDonald…