Red Wings – Flames Postgame Notes

Thoughts on the Red Wings’ 4-2 win over the Flames last night…

Positives
Jimmy Howard was pretty much spectacular. He had several stops early in the first and again early in the third that kept the Red Wings in it. Neither of the goals were his fault, as Backlund was left alone in the slot on the first one and the second was a bit of a fluke.

The power play looked better than it has all season. I wasn’t happy with the last chance with the extra attacker but in general Detroit was moving the puck better and holding the points to keep the puck in the zone. I liked the Lidstrom-Modano pairing, they seemed more comfortable than Lidstrom-Kronwall. Still can’t wait to get Rafalski back.

Henrik Zetterberg’s goal to get the Red Wings on the board and Todd Bertuzzi’s to end the scoring were fantastic for two different reasons. Zetterberg’s was made possible by great passing to get him the puck and Bertuzzi’s was just an incredible shot.

Negatives
Mikael Backlund should never have been left alone in the slot for Calgary’s first goal. That’s becoming a trend this season and it needs to stop.

The Wings came out slow again. Howard kept them in it but he shouldn’t have to.

Calgary outshot Detroit 36-30. Part of that is the slow start but shots were 15-10 in favor of the Flames in the third period. The Wings’ need to control the puck more to limit opposition shots.