POSTGAME: BATTLE OF THE BOTTOM

The Detroit Red Wings went into their Wednesday evening game in Buffalo dead last in the Atlantic division. A win would move them into a tie with Buffalo and even one of the worst teams in the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs, would remain ahead of the Wings still. Needless to say, if you’re chasing the Leafs you know your season is off to an awful start. 

We had ourselves a fairly uneventful first period. 9-7 shots in favour of the Sabres as Detroit maintained pace again to be outshot. One power-play late in the period where Vanek took a hooking call and an unsportsmanlike penalty but both were successfully killed and seemed to get the guy all fired up.

With Vanek ready to go again it seemed as though it was about time for the Goose to get loose. All around excellent vision and finish on the play from everyone involved. Young Ryan Sproul showing already why he’s not only worthy of a spot on the roster but likely ready for more minutes on a blue line that has been anything but good to start this year: 

 Two unsuccessful power-plays for Detroit but they managed to actually outshoot their opponent 12-9. Maybe things were looking up?

Did you actually think things were looking up? Sorry but the Wings managed a whopping 4 shots in the third period and managed yet again to blow a lead. Brian Gionta managed to net one off a bit of a scramble and we had ourselves a tie game:

Buffalo managed to outshoot the Wings 33 to 24 by the end of OT and the Wings found themselves in another shootout.

This one was short and sweet thankfully. The Goose continued to get loose and maintaining his status as most efficient shootout specialist on the team and arguably the best forward in the group this season. Soon after Vanek pulled the old around the world move from somewhere out of the late 90’s and fooled Lehner top cheese to solidify the win:

This was a good bounce back game but there’s still work to be done this month if they plan on digging themselves out of this hole. This game was supposed to be the easy one and they barely managed a win while also giving up a point to a division rival. Jersey Friday and Montreal Saturday still ahead.