Don’t look now, but the Detroit Red Wings have won two out of their last three meetings. Although it’s not exactly a winning streak, the team has certainly taken steps toward turning the page on their extended losing streak.
Nyquist, Franzen and the Scoring Touch
After Gustav Nyquist returned to the lineup against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday and potted two goals to help the Wings to their first win in just over two weeks, it would seem the team has found a way to spread out the scoring.
On Sunday, it was Johan Franzen who led the way for the Red Wings. The big forward scored a power-play goal and assisted on Daniel Alfredsson’s empty net goal to help his team secure the win against Buffalo.
In fact, with the first line combination of Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk broken apart thanks to injuries, they only accounted for a single point. This is a good sign for a team that needs contributions from other lines. But that one point was a big one.
Zetterberg’s Milestone
Henrik Zetterberg’s pass over to Franzen on his third period powerplay goal was much bigger than just an assist on Sunday’s game winning goal. It was the 700th career NHL point for the Wings’ captain.
Congrats to Henrik Zetterberg, who recorded his 700th career point with an assist on that last goal! #RedWings
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 25, 2013
He currently ranks ninth on the team’s all-time points list. With his assist on Sunday, he moves only 28 points back of Red Wings’ legend Ted Lindsay for eighth on that list.
Henrik Zetterberg is really, really good.
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) November 25, 2013
Injury Updates
Pavel Datsyuk didn’t travel with the Wings for Sunday’s game thanks to an elbow he took in Saturday’s game. The hit left the Wings’ star with a possible concussion.
Video: Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg astounded no official saw elbow to Pavel Datsyuk's head http://t.co/quuLBvRH1C
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) November 24, 2013
Defenseman Jakub Kindl (hip) and forward Todd Bertuzzi (upper body) also sat, while right winger Daniel Alfredsson made his return to the lineup after missing five games with a groin injury. Danny DeKeyser remained out of the lineup with a dislocated shoulder and is out for the next 3-6 weeks.
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