Rivalry Renewed: Wings Take Down the Avs

It looked like 1998 as the Red Wings and Avalanche showed the physicality and skill that trademarked their epic decade long rivalry. The Red Wings started slow but eventually started to wear down the Colorado defense with superb puck possession in the offensive zone. A goal by Abdelkader would give the Wings a 1-0 lead in 2^nd period and both Helm and Glendening would bury empty netters after Colorado went for the extra skater with 3 minutes remaining. Another great game by Peter Mrazek who earned the shutout and the Wings continue to roll towards the top of the East.

The first did not start off well for Detroit. After the long layoff the team’s passing through the neutral zone was sub par to say the least. The Avs were jumping on the turnovers and their speedy forwards were taking advantage. Thus it was no surprise when the Avs appeared to get on the board first when Landeskog jumped on a loose puck at the side of Mrazek’s net. However video review revealed there was a hand pass and the score remained 0-0. The Avs would get two chances on the man advantage but for all the young talent the power play was extremely ugly and the Red Wings easily killed off both to finish the period at 0-0

In the 2^nd the game followed a the script we had seen in the opening frame. The Avalanche were sitting back in a neutral zone trap in order to shield their weak defensive group. As a result the Wings were unable to enter the offensive zone with speed. Thankfully the Wings eventually started to make adjustments and simply dump the puck into the zone. The Avalanche were still getting chances as they continued to chip pucks into the neutral zone creating foot races between their forwards and our defense but Mrazek was stellar. After another great save on an odd man rush the Wings would finally go on the power play thanks to a good forecheck by Helm. After the Avs stymied a beautiful passing play, Abdelkader would get the puck in front and jam home his own rebound to make it 1-0 Red Wings. After a really unfortunate penalty by Quincey the Wings were once again shorthanded but killed it off to finish the period with a 1-0 lead.

In the 3^rd the Wings finally began to really excel at getting pucks in deep and finally dominated puck possession. Their consistent cycle down low really opened up space and scoring chances for the Wing’s forwards. They were still unable to enter the zone with speed but Colorado’s D is so bad it didn’t really matter at all. While Colorado is still relying on home run passes to create offenses the speed of their forwards is still horrifying. Patrick Roy decides to pull Varlamov with 3 minutes remaining and I was really beginning to get scared. However the Red Wings dominated the neutral zone allowing Helm to pick up a loose puck and bury it into the empty net. Glendening would add another empty netter for good measure and Mrazek would hold on for the shutout. A great win for the Wings on the father’s trip and two huge points as they continue to battle for the top seed in the East.