Tomas Holmstrom scored twice and three other Red Wings had multi-point nights as Detroit picked up a 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday night.
New acquisition Kyle Calder was one of the two-point scorers for Detroit, picking up a goal and an assist in his first game for his new team. Linemate Johan Franzen also had a goal and an assist, while Pavel Datsyuk added two helpers.
Calder’s goal at 1:46 of the first period came on his first shift as a Red Wing. With Calder cutting to the Chicago net, Franzen threw the puck out front from behind the goal and Calder grabbed it to throw past netminder Nikolai Khabibulin.
Holmstrom’s first goal, scored with 7:09 remaining in the second period, would be the eventual game-winner. Datsyuk banged at the puck from the side of the crease and it came out the other side, where Holmstrom chipped it into the net.
Franzen and Calder hooked up again for Detroit’s third goal. Calder sent a long outlet pass off the right wing boards and Franzen raced Chicago’s James Wisniewski to the puck in the right circle of the Blackhawk zone. Franzen spun quickly and put a shot between the defender’s legs and past Khabibulin with 58 seconds remaining in the middle period.
Holmstrom added a power play goal to round out Detroit’s scoring at 9:18 of the third, putting home a rebound after a big stop by Khabibulin on Nicklas Lidstrom.
Jeff Hamilton broke Detroit goalie Dominik Hasek’s shutout with 1:00 remaining in regulation, putting a quick wrister from the right circle off the crossbar and into the net.
Holmstrom’s second goal was Detroit’s only power play tally in five tries while Chicago was held scoreless on three attempts with the extra attacker, including a long 5-on-3 in the second period.
Hasek made 24 saves on 25 shots. Khabibulin stopped 24 of 28 shots against.
The two teams will meet again on Friday in Detroit for the second half of the home-and-home series.
Calder’s goal was the second time in as many seasons that a Detroit trade-deadline acquisition scored on his first shift and first shot with the Red Wings. Cory Cross did it last season, also against the Blackhawks… The Red Wings were without Henrik Zetterberg (back spasms), who is expected to return to the lineup for Friday’s game. Chris Chelios was rested, with Andreas Lilja taking his spot on the blue line.
