WINGS POSTGAME: Hartbreakers
By Tom Mitsos
5 years agoThe Detroit Red Wings were looking for revenge against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night after crawling back from a four-goal deficit Saturday, only to lose in overtime. However, Carter Hart was the difference-maker, making 37 saves in leading the Flyers to a 3-1 win at Little Caesars Arena.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
- The Red Wings came out of the gate buzzing, working the cycle and applying pressure to the Flyers defenders in the offensive zone. Natural Stat Trick tracked 14 scoring chances for Detroit in the first period.
- Late in the first period, the Flyers drew first blood, as an Anthony Mantha turnover in the offensive zone led to a Flyers rush and a Sean Couturier pass in the slot banged in by Oskar Lindblom.
- Jonathan Bernier did not start the second period (upper-body injury) and was replaced by Jimmy Howard.
- Late in the second period, the Red Wings tied the game, as Darren Helm knocked in a rebound from a Niklas Kronwall point shot.
- Early in the third period, an Ivan Provorov blast from the point found its way past Howard for the 2-1 Flyers lead.
- Lindblom added an empty-net goal to seal the win for the Flyers.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Red Wings dominated this one, peppering Hart with 38 shots, but the 20-year-old netminder came up big when he had to.
It’s encouraging to see the Red Wings dominate play (57.14 5 on 5 CF%), even if it is against one of the weaker teams in the league. The Anthony Mantha-Dylan Larkin–Tyler Bertuzzi line looked unreal, creating multiple scoring chances and winning the 5-on-5 possession battle 19-11.
All stats via Natural Stat Trick.
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