Wings Postgame: Benn There, Done That

The Detroit Red Wings seven game road trip was finally coming to end, as they visited the Dallas Stars, a team that has seen a drastic drop off from the year before. However, the looked like their old selves tonight, as they scored four unanswered goals on route to a 5-2 win.

So, I was a bit late to turning on the game, and didn’t flip it on until a bit over 3:30 into the game. Thankfully, I didn’t miss much. But, I joined in just in time to watch Jordie Benn lob a wrister onto the net, which would then be deflected by Lauri Korpikoski and into the net. And I mean down to the exact second when he shot it too. So, good start for the Red Wings.

However, it seemed like the Stars wanted to get the Red Wings back in the game, and gave them four power plays to work with. It took them to the fourth power play to finally end their road power play drought, and that was on a 5-on-3, but they got it done, thanks to a Gustav Nyquist goal. Nyquist contributed some more a couple minutes later by setting up Henrik Zetterberg in front, giving the Wings a 2-1 lead as the period would come to an end.

This didn’t last too long though. The Stars came out flying in the second, starting with a slap shot from Radek Faksa was deflected by Brett Ritchie and in to tie the game. With just four minutes left in the second, The Stars had a 2-on-1 which saw Devin Shore fail to convert, but John Klingberg would stealthily sneak in and put in the rebound. Less than a minute later, Stephen Johns would take a shot, that would deflect off of Jonathan Ericsson, past Mrazek and in to make it 4-2.

The Red Wings were furiously looking for the tying goal in the third, and saw several chances, including a couple whiffs on almost empty nets. However, they couldn’t beat Antti Niemi, as former Wing Patrick Eaves would seal the deal with an empty net goal to give the Wings a 5-2 win.

It was a relatively even game for the most part, with the Red Wings putting on the pressure near the end, mostly due to score effects. Unfortunately for the Wings, the Stars have significantly more skill, thus the Stars pulled out on top.

The MVP goes to Thomas Vanek, since he was the only point scorer who didn’t have a sub 50% Corsi For%. He finished the night with an assist on the power play, and a 56.67% 5v5 Score Adjusted CF%.

The Red Wings head home on Saturday, as they face the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Puck drop is currently scheduled for 7:00 pm.