Detroit Red Wings manage 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames despite slow start
After a lacklustre first period, the Detroit Red Wings stepped things up late in the game to get a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday 22 October.
How it happened
The Flames outshot the Red Wings 16-12 in the first period, and went into the intermission leading 2-1 courtesy of a pair of goals from Mikael Backlund, who scored his first and second goals of the season.
Sandwiched between Backlund's pair of goals, Henrik Zetterberg scored his first of the season to keep the Red Wings in the game.
A power play early in the second period opened the door for the Red Wings to tie the score and, just under a minute into their man advantage, Niklas Lidstrom scored his first of the season.
With the score tied 2-2 going into the third, despite lots of Flames pressure, it was the Red Wings who were more decisive on offence getting goals from Johan Franzen with his fourth of the year, and Todd
Bertuzzi with his second. Bertuzzi, with another two points on the night, leads the Red Wings in scoring with eight points.
Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard was impressive in net stopping 34 of the 36 shots that he faced.
What they're saying
Franzen talked about the Red Wings' four-day layoff as being one of the factors which contributed to the Red Wings slow start.
"We worked hard, but maybe we were a little slow coming out in the first period," he said. "We haven't played since Saturday. That's hard. When you haven't played in awhile, it's hard to get your legs
going right away from the get-go. We've been slow starters a little bit this year. Better to start slow than end slow, though."
A point of concern for the Flames has been their lack of offence. The Flames scored fewer goals than any other team in the league last season and they've been shutout twice so far this season only managing
11 goals in their six games. Of particular concern is the points production of their biggest stars, including Jarome Iginla who has just one goal and two points so far this season.
"I try not to get frustrated, but it's definitely not going as well as you'd hope," Iginla said of his recent offensive struggles. "There's been some tight games this year and I haven't been able to produce
for the team and get on a roll and help out in that area."
What it all means
The 3-3 Calgary Flames next play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday October 22 before heading out on a five-game road trip.
On Saturday October 23, the Red Wings will host the Anaheim Ducks whom they beat 4-0 previously this season.
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