Remember last season when the Wings had trouble winning at home? Remember the beginning of this season when the Wings lost seven straight and couldn’t buy a win? Remember the last time the Wings lost a game at home?
I can, but vaguely at this point.
Monday night the Red Wings disposed of an undisciplined St. Louis Blues team 3-1 for their 17th consecutive home victory, the NHL’s longest single-season streak in 36 years. This latest victory also gives the Wings the fourth longest home winnings streak in NHL history and is only three wins away from matching the NHL record 20 straight home wins set by the 1929-30 Boston Bruins. In addition to this the Wings are also riding a 7 game winning streak and are now tops in the NHL with 67 points.
After Scott Nichol put the Blues ahead midway through the first period.
As the first period ended though St. Louis forward Chris Stewart picked a fight with Detroit’s Brad Stuart after Stuart laid out St. Louis’ Alex Pietrangelo.
The retaliation costs Stewart an instigating penalty and a 10 minute misconduct.
The Wings were then able to take advantage of this as Pavel Datsyuk tied the game with a power play goal.
Later Johan Franzen scored off a rebound midway through the second period to put the Red Wings ahead 2-1.
Fast forward to the third period, Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall was able to get some insurance as he scored a power play goal to put the Wings ahead 3-1 which ended up being the final.
Coming into this game, St. Louis had won four straight, and lost in regulation for the first time since a December, 31 defeat at Detroit. Jaroslav Halak, who had won a career-high seven in a row, made 25 saves.
On the other side of things, Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard was spectacular once again making 21 saves en route to his league leading 30th win.
Ref: WXYZ, Associated Press, ESPN.com, Kansas City Star (image)
