The power play clicked this time for the Red Wings as they took two points away from the Minnesota Wild and won 5-3 Friday night. Todd Bertuzzi, who turns 38 in a week, scored two goals after missing the first three games of the season with mononucleosis that was later determined to be the flu. Other players on the scoreboard included Pavel Datsyuk, with a goal and two assists. Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall, and Valtteri Filppula all pitched in with three-point nights as well. Jimmy Howard came up big in this game with 23 saves, while Damien Brunner scored a power play goal after 17 attempts at the power play for the Red Wings.
Not only did Bertuzzi return, but Darren Helm also returned and that was big enough for Detroit to give itself an advantage over the Wild.
Clearly, the Red Wings have had the advantage over the Wild for the last few seasons at home. I'm glad that Bertuzzi and Helm are back, because I was almost ready to write them off for a while because of all the injuries they have sustained and I wasn't sure that Jimmy Howard could be able to carry this team the entire way. But thanks to the return, I could table that thought for now. This team has come together to beat a team that they should beat. I expected Detroit to win this game and they came through. Also, the power play was a big step for them, as they had failed the 17 times before this game to get a power-play goal on net. They came through and congratulations to the Red Wings on this well-put-together win. It doesn't get easy. They go to Chicago next, who have a chance to get to 5-0 tonight against the Jackets. If they win, the Wings will have to really come together to order to beat this sound Hawks team.
Enjoy your Saturday hockey, puckheads. Avalanche-Sharks are coming up at 1:00. I'll be covering Flyers-Panthers at 4:30 on my Twitter @ReidUrban. So enjoy your hockey Saturday. I'll talk to you throughout the day.
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