For the first time in 100 games, the Red Wings scored a shorthanded goal, in fact, on Tuesday night, they scored two in a row, in a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks in Detroit.
After Tyler Bertuzzi had give the Red Wings a 1-0 lead in the opening frame, a major penalty to Red Wings’ Givani Smith.
“When you start getting deep into a five-minute kill without giving up good chances, you get a lot of momentum and you take away a lot of their momentum,” Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill said.
Detroit struck twice on the major, 37 seconds apart, off goals from Pius Suter and Bertuzzi for a 3-0 lead.
“We went into the second period with four minutes left on the power play, expecting to change the momentum in our favor, and then give up two goals,” the Sharks’ Tomas Hertl said. “That’s embarrassing.”
Suter and Bertuzzi also scored even strength goals for the Red Wings.
“This was a fun night,” Suter said. “We had great energy in the building, and playing this well will give us a boost before we head out west tomorrow.”
Alex Nedeljkovic made 24 saves in the Detroit win.
“We didn’t attack any more than we normally do, but we blocked shots and got sticks in the passing lanes,” Blashill said. “That’s how you create turnovers and shorthanded chances.”
The Red Wings improved to 16-15-3.
Jasper Weatherby and Alexander Barabano scored for the Sharks.
“We were engaged at the start of the game and we had 5-6 shots, so that goal took the wind out of our sails a little bit,” Sharks head coach Bob Boughner said. “But we lost the game by giving up two shorthanded goals on one penalty.”
Detroit’s Dylan Larkin and Robby Fabbri scored in the third period after the Sharks had drawn to within 4-2.
“[Larkin’s] goal was a huge moment in the hockey game,” Blashill said. “It was 4-2, and if they get another one, now we’re having to grind out a one-goal game, but at 5-2 we knew we had a chance to put them away.”
James Reimer got the start for the Sharks and made 20 saves in the loss. He got the hook in the second intermission.
“We’re frustrated because we’re competitors and we don’t like losing,” Reimer said. “We especially don’t like losing big, but we have to let this sting a bit and then come back tomorrow and work on things.”
Adin Hill made five saves.
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