Red Wings – Canucks Postgame Notes

Half-asleep, the wife just asked, “Was it a good game?”

Detroit scored five goals and got the win, but I’m not sure it was. It was, however, the game the Red Wings needed.

It was a gritty game against a streaking team with Pavel Datsyuk out of the lineup. The Wings fought for this one. Guys had to step up to make it happen.

Ten Red Wings had points. All but Jiri Hudler had at least a shot.

Darren Helm made a nice, smart play to keep the puck in the Vancouver end leading to Henrik Zetterberg’s game-winning goal.

Tomas Holmstrom took an absolute beating on the power play that produced Nicklas Lidstrom’s game-tying goal.

Jimmy Howard made a couple key stops early in the third with the Canucks still leading by a goal.

Brian Rafalski picked up three assists, rebounding from what was probably his worst game as a Red Wing.

Patrick Eaves was all over the place; I already said late in the third that I thought he would have scored if there was more time. He was one of seven Wings with three shots.

Johan Franzen is still snake-bit but he had a ridiculous nine shots on the night.

This win was a team effort when Detroit needed it most. It wasn’t going to be a night where one player put the team on his back, especially with Datsyuk out after a period. Everyone needed to contribute and they did.