By the Numbers: Red Wings 3, Blackhawks 2
October 9th, 2009 | by Chris Hollis |
It’s too early in the season to have called this one a “must-win”, but in all reality it was. After opening the season 0-2 for the first time since 1989, the Red Wings got a visit from their old friends in Chicago with a chance to break in their home ice with a win.
However, the Wings got off to a slow start and many (myself included) began to wonder if this team was really serious about coming out and getting their first win of the season. The question was answered when newcomer Brad May dropped the gloves halfway through the first period and promptly took care of business against Radek Smolenak. May’s scrappy attitude was emblematic of the rest of the night, as the Wings would end up getting down and rallying back to win, complete with an almost two minute long 5-on-3 penalty kill.
Speaking of penalties, the name of the game tonight was special teams, and it was the Red Wings who rose to the occasion and upped their game. The Wings killed off four of five penalty situations, with the aforementioned 5-on-3 kill the crown jewel for a PK unit that had been dragged through the mud after their first two games. Not to be outdone, the power play stepped it up as well, notching a pair of goals on five attempts, including the game winner off the stick of Johan Franzen.
Your numerical breakdown follows:
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**The season totals are updated here and here.
Line Production
| Forward Lines | G | A | PTS | Plus/Minus |
| Maltby-Draper-May | 1 | 1 | 2 | (+1) |
| Cleary-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi | 0 | 0 | 0 | E |
| Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Franzen | 0 | 0 | 0 | E |
| Leino-Filppula-Ja.Williams | 0 | 0 | 0 | E |
| Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom | 0 | 0 | 0 | (-1) |
| Defensive Pairings | G | A | PTS | Plus/Minus |
| Ericsson-Meech | 0 | 1 | 1 | (+1) |
| Lidstrom-Rafalski | 0 | 0 | 0 | E |
| Kronwall-Stuart | 0 | 0 | 0 | (-1) |
Special Teams Production
| Power Play Scoring | G | A | PTS |
| Cleary-Zetterberg-Franzen-Williams-Lidstrom | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Franzen-Lidstrom-Rafalski | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Penalty Kill Goals Against(1 Down) | GA | ||
| Datsyuk-Draper-Stuart-Ericsson | 1 |
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Additional “tips of the cap” have to go to the lines at the end of the game, who were able to stave off a late penalty and hold on to the win, despite having to play 6-on-4 hockey against the ‘Hawks. And I can’t close this post out without giving some props to Chris Osgood, who was absolutely terrific tonight in turning away 32 shots.
Yes, there is plenty of work still to be done with this team. The lines are still going to take some time in coming together and meshing and the Wings have yet to play a truly complete game. Still, it’s nice to get that first win under the belt and especially against a rival like Chicago.
Check back later today for the updated CSSI, which is going up late since the video of the game was delayed on the NHL site.
Tags: Brad May, Chicago Blackhawks, Chris Osgood, Johan Franzen, Radek Smolenak
By Jamie Favreau on Oct 9, 2009
I was working the game in my section and I couldn’t believe Maltby and Zetterberg have the same amount of points. I knew when Malts got his assist he had to have been the point leader after the second period. Craziness.
I love the fact Maltby and Draper are getting a second wind of their career. I hope those two train together.
I hope the first 2 lines can get it together soon. I wondered the same things. I am a HUGE Cleary fan. I would like them to get “it” together. I know it wasn’t a must win but I felt I had Canucks fans tearing into me.
This season is not a given. I think this is the first NON given season in over a decade. Go Red Wings! I believe.