Sharks 3, Red Wings 2 (SO)

Last night at the Joe, the Red Wings were forced to meet their mortal enemy. No, not the Sharks, the shootout.

After a much more inspired and hunger-filled effort from the Wings, they still couldn't quite manage to squeeze two points from the affair, as they fell to a 4-8 record in shootouts for the season, and 27-21-12 record overall. The loss was made even more costly as the Stars leap-frogged Detroit in the standings with their 3-1 victory over Calgary.

Despite the setback, the overall performance from the Red Wings was quite positive, particularly when compared to preceding lackluster performance in St. Louis on Tuesday.

"We played well. We played with good tempo. We looked like a hockey team," said Red Wings' coach Mike Babcock. "We had every opportunity to win."

Against the top-of-the-West San Jose Sharks, Detroit was for the most part dominant, doubling up the Sharks shot total, 52-26. That lop-sided statistic was not translated on the scoreboard however, as some defensive lapses and some outstanding goaltending from Sharks' goalie, Evgeni Nabokov, saw the game tied at two at the end of regulation.

Further positives for the home team were the performances of Johan Franzen and Jimmy Howard.

In just his second game back from a four-month layoff due to a major knee injury, Franzen again showed he hasn't lost a step. Amazingly, timing seemed to be as normal as the Mule registered 6 shots and 1 powerplay goal on the night, with a touch under 21 minutes of ice-time. His line combo with Datsyuk and Zetterberg looked very dangerous all night, and was only kept from doing more damage by the superlative efforts of Evgeni Nabokov.

Not to be outdone, Jimmy Howard was also fantastic allowing only 2 goals in 26 shots, neither of which he could be blamed for. One, from a powerful play in the crease by Thornton, and one from an ugly defensive lapse from Howard's teammates. The Sharks, while heavily outshot, had some huge chances themselves but were also stymied by the play of their opposing goalie.

Goalscorers for the night were Franzen and Jason Williams for Detroit; and Joe Thornton and Michigan-native Dwight Helminen for San Jose with Patrick Marleau netting the game-winning shootout goal for the Sharks.

The Wings hope to continue to build on these positives, when they host the red-hot Ottawa Senators on Saturday night, and try to go into the Olympic break with a win and maybe even with a provisional playoff spot.