The sweep of the NHL schedule on Rivalry Night starts in Detroit where Red Wings’ newcomer Marek Zidlicky scored just over one minute into extra time to upend the New York Rangers, 2-1.
“Can’t be a better feeling, especially to score in my first game here,” Zidlicky said. “It was a good win.”
Jimmy Howard made 39 saves for the Detroit win.
“They threw a lot at the net,” he said. “Coming into tonight I knew I was going to be busy.”
Justin Abdelkader gave the Wings a 1-0 lead in the first period on a reviewed goal (for possible kicking motion) but the goal was upheld.
Cam Talbot was solid in net but victimized by former Devil in OT – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
“We looked like we’d been on a long road trip and came out looking like we were wearing snowshoes. We turned the puck over a lot,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “[Howard] was great tonight.
“It’s nice to win a game when you don’t play well. Our goalie gave us that chance tonight.”
Dan Girardi scored for the Rangers in the first to tie it up at one all and that was all either team could muster in regulation as both goalies were on their games.
“I liked the way we played, especially in the second period,” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. “Unfortunately, we got a penalty late, and they were able to score in overtime.”
With the point, the Rangers moved back into a first place tie in points with the New York Islanders but have games in hand.
“We found a way to get a point,” Rangers’ Derek Stepan said. “Dan Girardi found a way to make two big blocks in the last 40 seconds, and Cam made a great save late.”
Cam Talbot made 29 saves on the night including a flurry at the end but the puck rolled down his back into the net on the winner.
“I think we played a pretty good game. They got a lucky bounce at the end,” Keith Yandle said. “I think we played pretty well. You’re going to have some missed shots.”
In Denver, Gabriel Landeskog scored once and added two assists as the Avalanche beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-1.
“It’s a big win,” Nathan MacKinnon said. “Our goal is 28 more points. We have 18 games left and it’s going to be tight, but we feel we’re confident this month that we can get some wins. We have to get rolling.”
Semyon Varlamov stoned Pens in 3-1 win in Denver – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Semyon Varlamov picked up the win on 28 saves.
“We didn’t make things as difficult as we should, but when we did get some good chances (Varlamov) made some key saves,” said Penguins center Sidney Crosby, who didn’t have a shot on goal. “We would have liked to put more pressure on him, but he did make some good saves when he needed to.
“Getting through the neutral zone, getting out of our zone, it just wasn’t clean, so it was tough to enter with a lot of speed. You’re either making bad passes or they’re intercepting them. It was hard to get any real flow.”
Marc-Andre Fleury was not nearly as busy in his cage, stopping 19 shots in the loss but it was the Pens’ inability to find a spark that disturbed their head coach.
“We needed someone to get us going,” Penguins coach Mike Johnston said. “We had some jump in the third period, but (Malkin) took it to another level on a couple of those shifts. The one he scored on, the one he almost scored on where he came in all alone, his skating lately has been really good, he protects the puck well in the offensive zone. He looked like he was going to try to take charge of that third period.”
Jarome Iginla and MacKinnon also scored for the Avs.
“Gabe gave me a nice pass across ice,” Iginla said. “Maybe they didn’t expect that play. They had a little bit of a gap and I was able to skate right in. You don’t usually shoot that one, but when you’re that close I tried to use [the defenseman] as a bit of a screen. Going full speed you’re going right in. Fortunately it went in low bottom post.”
After the Avs built their 2-0 lead, the Pens cut it to 2-1 on a goal from Evgeni Malkin at the midway point of the third.
“They kept coming, kept coming,” Landeskog said. “Obviously playing a team with that much offensive skill, you have to be on your toes every shift. We let up one shift and Malkin goes down and scores.”
And that was as close as the Pens would get.
You must be logged in to post a comment.