Red Wings defeat Calgary 2-1 in key match up

Wow what an exciting late night game. Talk about a great way to start off the week by watching the Wings deliver a full 60 minute effort that results in a 3 point lead on the Calgary Flames for the 8th and final playoff spot.

For an official recap go here

Going on this 3 game winning streak and being 5-2 post Olympic break is just what this team needed. Of course the entire game hinged on that crucial sequence when the Red Wings went on an early third period power play and inexplicable gave up a penalty shot to Calgary that Howard stopped and we came back and tied it with a power play goal 30 seconds later. For once it was nice to see the Wings on the receiving end of this type of momentum shift instead of the other end that has happened so frequently this year.

It seems that our star players like Pavel and Hank have definitely heeded Mike Babcocks "our stars have to play like stars" mantra with both of them skating hard and making plays on both ends. I just marvel at a player like Holmstrom that can stand in front of that net take the physical abuse he does and still be so deft with his stick at deflecting in wide shots to the nets. The game winner with 1:19 left had to be a heart breaker for the Flames.

Of course we still have 2 key match ups with Nashville coming up and still need some teams in front of us to lose a game or two but all in all I like where the Wings are headed. I can't imagine either Chicago or San Jose looking forward to first round match up with a Wings team firing on all cylinders.

As always feel free to comment good, bad or otherwise

Jason