Thoughts and Highlights 

• The first line were buzzing throughout the game as the Wings had a plethora of scoring chances in the first half of the game. Ideally, a few more goals could have been buried, but it was refreshing the team clicking in a building they’ve been horribly outscored in.
• Helm gets the first goal of the game, shooting the loose puck that bounced off a Habs defender and finishing with a top corner shot. De La Rose and Dekeyser got the assists, with a nice drag and release to set up the goal from Dekeyser.

• Less than a minute left in the period, a bad icing call lets Armia tie the game up from the slot after the faceoff. Bertuzzi responds with a backhand goal from a loose puck that came off the end boards to establish Detroit’s lead just 30 seconds later.

• Detroit gets into penalty trouble in the early second, costing them the lead. Domi capitalizes on a weird bounce on the power play as the puck came off the end glass before landing in the crease, tying the game. Thankfully, our lord and savior Anthony Mantha comes to save the period by scoring his 6^th goal of the season on the power play with an absolute rocket.

• Detroit protected their one goal lead in the harder hitting third, with Glendening getting a well deserved empty netter to seal it.
• Athanasiou looked promising during his second game back – having multiple quality chances that he will most likely finish throughout the season. Dekeyser also had a good game, especially in first period with the 2 assists he picked up.
• Bernier had a solid game in net, making key saves in all 3 periods and keeping the Canadiens at bay when they surged. The goals he allowed were unfortunate bounces, but for a backup, you can’t ask for much more.

Gif of the Game

Motor City MVP