DETROIT – Coming off a loss in Nashville where the Jets dominated but just couldn’t find the back of the net , they were looking at bringing that same effort into the Motor City where the Red Wings have been tough to beat at the Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings have only lost four times in 27 games at home and were riding a six-game winning streak. The Jets fell down early 3-1 but battled back and then needed a shootout winner by newcomer Drew Stafford to get a 5-4 win and a valuable two points in a very tight Western wild card race.
“I just want to keep contributing any way I can,” said Stafford,
Michael Hutchinson got the start in goal tonight and he was clutch when it mattered most he stopped 25 shots during the game and another 4 during the shoot out to get the win. He is now 16-7-3 on the season.
Jimmy Howard was back in the pipes for the Wings after missing 5 weeks with a groin injury. He made 34 saves on 38 Winnipeg shots and stopped 3 of 4 in the shootout.
“Sometimes I felt a little ahead of the game and sometimes I felt a little behind the play. It’ll come,” Howard said.
His record falls to 16-7-8 on the year.
“I just thought our lack of ability to take care of the puck in the offensive zone in the second half of the game hurt us,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said.
The Jets started on the slow side although they got the game’s first goal they were dominated a bit by the smooth skating tight checking Red Wings. They fell behind 3-1 early in the second before taking over the game and tying things up heading to the third. Winnipeg got the lead in the third before surrendering the tying goal and then heading to overtime before getting the win in the shootout. Special teams were again a strong factor as both teams scored two power play goals during the game. The Jets were the more physical team as they out hit the Red Wings. They also controlled most of the play.
“You get down 3-1, it’s nice to have someone other than Dustin (Byfuglien),” Maurice said “[Jacob Trouba] can jump in the odd time, but it’s nice to have another guy who can jump into the play.”
Winnipeg goal scorers were Chris Thorburn his 6th , Blake wheeler his 16th, Drew Stafford his 10th (1st as a Jet) Andrew Ladd his 19th.
Detroit got goals from Niklas Kronwall his 6th, Darren Helm his 12th, Pavel Datsyuk his 16th , 17th on the season.
Newcomers Stafford and Tyler Myers were playing there second game as Jets and made a huge impact as Stafford scored the tying goal during the second period and then scored the shootout winner and was a force all game. Myers had 2 assists and logged just under 27 minutes of ice time and even had a disallowed goal. Right now these two seem to be fitting in nicely.
The Jets will head home for a one game battle with Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.
Winnipeg improves to 29-19-10Â on the season.
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