The Red Wings kicked off their season with a home opening game against new division rival Buffalo. Lets break down the action in each period:
First period:
The Red Wings were quicker to the puck early, controlling play the first few minutes after the puck was dropped to start the season. The Wings were pressuring the puck in the offensive zone forcing Buffalo to turn it over at the blue line. The Wings attack was slowed when Zetterberg was called for high sticking in the defensive zone after being hit, he was careless and his stick came up. While on the penalty kill, Jonathan Ericsson lost an edge, fell, and closed his hand on the puck allowing Buffalo a minute and a half of 5 on 3. The Wings killed it off and when Zetterberg came out of the box, he helped set up a scoring chance when he dropped the puck to a charging Kindl who passed across to Stephen Weiss but Weiss was unable to jam it home. Weiss had another chance as a bad change by the Sabers allowed him the space to make a move on his defender, get around Miller and center the puck to Alfredsson but Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen recovered and knocked the puck out of the crease. The Red Wings continued to control the puck and the fourth line started off the scoring for the year as Cory Emmerton drove down the wing and centered to Samuelsson who tipped the puck short side over Ryan Millers shoulder, off the underside of the bar and into the net. Just 36 seconds later the Wings made it 2-0 as Jonathan Ericsson charged into the offensive zone, lost the puck, then forced a turnover to Datsyuk who came across the middle on the backhand and lifted the puck over Millers glove hand for the goal. The Wings went on the power play looking to extend their lead but had a tough time entering the zone and didn't get much going. Alfredsson did showcase his heavy slap shot from the point however, and that should be a huge asset for the Wings this year. Justin Abdelkader came close to stuffing the puck home on a wrap around attempt after the power play had expired, but the Wings looked to take the last minute of the period off, allowing the Sabers to walk right into the zone and pressure Detroit defenseman Kyle Quincey into taking a penalty in the last minute that extended into the second period.
Second Period:
The Red Wings killed off the carry over penalty by blocking most of the long distance shots by the Sabers power play. The teams traded rushes as Detroit's defense continued to jump into the play trying to create offense but there was little going on in terms of actual scoring opportunities at either end. Zetterberg was whistled for his second minor penalty of the game for tripping in the neutral zone, trying to catch up to prevent an odd man rush. The Sabers got pucks on net this time and jammed at Howards pads when the puck bounced down off his chest but it was to no avail as the Wings killed off the penalty. After the penalty kill, Detroit had three chances to increase their lead but were thwarted each time. First, Cleary came down the wall and centered the puck much the way Emmerton had earlier on Detroit's goal, Kronwall tipped the puck on net and it bounced past Miller but was knocked away by the Sabers defenseman Christian Ehrhoff. The Red Wings went to the power play after Tyler Myers was whistled for high-sticking, and they moved the puck well, created chances and shots but were unable to find the back of the net. With one second left on the power play, Kronwall's shot from the point was deflected past miller, but miller got a piece of it and slowed it down enough that the screener, Dan Cleary had to spin off Miller and jam the puck into the back of the net, however, Cleary was called for goalie interference and the goal was disallowed and a penalty was called on Cleary. I thought it was not the right call as Cleary's Contact with Miller did not impede him from preventing the puck from going into the net. The Red Wings had the best opportunity on Buffalos ensuing power play as the buffalo defense pinched in and the Wings stole the puck and head manned it to Cory Emmerton who was tripped up from behind and awarded a penalty shot. Emmerton was unable to cash in however as he tried to shot between Millers pads but was denied. Buffalos effort level picked up the last 5 minutes of the period, and it led to a Samuelsson penalty after Detroit turned the puck over twice in its own zone. Cory Emmerton flipped the puck over the boards while killing the penalty to put the Wings down two men for the second time in the game. And for the second time in the game, Detroit killed off both penalties as Buffalo was unable to really create any significant chances. The period ended with the Wings still leading 2-0.
Third Period:
The first half of the third period lacked any sense of flow or creativity, play was choppy as there were more icings then shots but the Red Wings controlled the puck, the tempo and the play for the majority of the first 10 minutes. Datsyuk and Zetterberg were the main pieces in Detroit's effort as they created the only real chance in the first half of the period out of nowhere after a take away in Buffalos zone. The Sabers picked up their play the second half of the period as they picked up there fore-checking effort forcing a couple of turnovers deep in the Detroit zone. Kronwall was fought off the puck and buffalo centered to Thomas Vanek who beat Howard under his glove but the puck rang off the far post. Buffalo continued to pressure the Wings and Howard turned out to be his own worst enemy as he turned the puck over behind the net, Buffalo was able to center and Zemgus Girgensons back handed the puck over Howard as we went sprawling in front of the net trying to make up for his mistake but Buffalo cut the deficit to 2-1. The Sabers continued to pressure the Wings and they got the puck to the net and were jamming away at the front of the net, desperately trying to tie the game but the Detroit goalie held strong. With about 6 minutes left in the period, Todd Bertuzzi had a great shift, creating chances off two faceoff wins, setting up a chance on a centering pass for Andersson and then a shot of his own but Ryan Miller was up to the task. With 3:58 left in the period, Kronwall pinched in from the blue line down the wall and poked the puck free for Abdelkader and as he headed towards the net he was tripped up for a penalty. The Red Wings power play was unable to score but again had great puck movement and Franzen had a wide open wrist shot that Miller deflected off his shoulder for the Wings best chance, but two minutes passed with Buffalo unable to threaten the lead. Ryan Miller made his way to the bench for an extra attacker with just under a minute left, and a faceoff deep in the Detroit Zone. Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Alfredsson controlled the last minute of play as the Sabers couldn't keep the puck in the Red Wings zone and Detroit held on for a 2-1 win.
Game notes:
Shots: Detroit 34, Buffalo 20.
Teams combined to go 0 for 10 on the power play.
Detroit is the second oldest team in the league, Buffalo the second youngest.
Faceoffs won: Detroit 35, Buffalo 23
Up next:
Detroit plays at Carolina on Friday night.
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