One Step Closer; Wings 3, Penguins 1

I doubt it could be called "revenge", but the Red Wings gave the Penguins some minor payback from their last visit to the Joe. A visit which I don't remember so clearly.

Moving right along, the Wings have now taken 11 of the last 12 points they've contested for and continue to consolidate their place in the top 8 of the West. The big win over the defending Champs now gives Detroit a 4-point lead over Calgary, who sits in ninth. Both teams have 10 games to play in the season.

The first period began with an early powerplay, one of four that the Wings weren't able to convert on. The period progressed as a stalemate until Valtteri Filppula continued his fine form with a great toe-drag move to thread the puck through the legs of both Sergei Gonchar and Pens' goalie, Marc-Andre Fleury to take a 1-0 lead late in the 1st.

The second period was also tightly contested with both teams trading goals. Henrik Zetterberg rolled on with his hot-hand, backhanding a rebound off his own backhand attempt by Fleury before Pascal Dupuis cut the lead in half amid a goal-mouth scramble.

A delirious Red Wings audience watched Henrik Zetterberg solidify the lead with his 22nd of the season and they steadily headed to one of their strongest victories of the season with a 3-1 result.

As the final seconds ticked away, a beaten Sidney Crosby took out his frustrations on his opponent, Henrik Zetterberg, but the Red Wings wouldn't have it. Jimmy Howard even got involved as a fired-up squad in Red left the ice to an enraptured and energetic crowd, serenading the Pens' captain with chants of "Crosby Sucks!"

Wow Factor

Funnily enough, I think Pascal Dupuis' goal was one of the biggest positives of the game. Detroit seemed to respond to the challenge as they gave their talented opponents very little to work with and were determined to take full points.

Special Teams

Typically, for a Detroit Red Wings contest, not many powerplays were awarded. The Red Wings were unable to convert on any of their 4 chances, but gave the Penguins nothing on their sole PP, extending their streak of successful penalty killing to 9 games.

In Net

- Jimmy Howard stopped all but one of Pittsburgh's 27 shots on goal.

- Marc-Andre Fleury made 30 saves of 33 for the Penguins.

Next...

Detroit continues their 3-game home stand as they await the arrival of the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.