The Detroit Red Wings added win No. 22 to their all-time record home streak in about as dramatic a fashion one can ask for.
It looked like the Nashville Predators were going to force the game into overtime at 1-1 but Pavel Datsyuk had other plans. Nicklas Lidstrom sent a no-look pass to Henrik Zetterberg – who was doubtful to even play tonight – who then found Datsyuk with a lethal amount of room to score a beautiful winner with just five seconds left.
Datsyuk already generated an unusual point on Friday as he was credited with a second assist after he lost his edge and fell to the ice but managed to get the puck to Todd Bertuzzi, who helped Johan Franzen score the 1-0 goal. Nashville’s Nick Spaling seemed to collect the game-tying goal deep into the second period, but that was not to be.
A Fox Sports commentator described the scene in an interesting way: “It wasn’t a playoff game, but it was a playoff game’s cousin.”
Joey MacDonald allowed one goal on 21 shots for the second consecutive contest to win his fifth game in a row (and improve his 2011-12 record to 5-1-1). He’s been an interesting subplot to this run, as one cannot help but wonder if Ty Conklin will be the odd man out once Jimmy Howard returns to action.
That thought is probably pretty far from the minds of most Red Wings right now, though. The bottom line is that the historic streak is at 22 wins and familiar foe San Jose stands in the way of No. 23 on Sunday.
* Or tied the 1929-30 Boston Bruins’ unofficial mark, if you ask Mike Milbury.
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Scuderi on Kovalchuk and Parise: “Anytime we can keep those guys off the score sheet, we’ve got a chance to win”
May 31, 2012, 12:50 AM EDT
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While one player was apparent, another had a miserable game.
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Brown on Prudential Center ice: “It was like playing with a tennis ball, quite honestly”
May 31, 2012, 12:43 AM EDT
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Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
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It might be tough to keep his team from getting a little cocky.
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A sign of things to come?
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There’s a little bit more to this game-winning goal, though.
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Devils coach: “I don’t believe we deserved to win that game”
May 31, 2012, 12:15 AM EDT
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Some New Jersey players called it the team’s worst performance of 2012 playoffs.
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Kopitar on beating Brodeur for game-winner: “World class goaltender, but I think I got the best of it tonight”
May 31, 2012, 12:13 AM EDT
He became the first King to score a Stanley Cup finals OT goal in the process.
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The vast majority of Game 1 winners have gone on to hoist the Stanley Cup.
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What they’re saying about Game 1 of the 2012 Stanley Cup finals
May 30, 2012, 11:49 PM EDT
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Even Tommy Lasorda shared his thoughts.
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Video: Parise gloves in go-ahead goal, officials wave it off
May 30, 2012, 11:49 PM EDT
The Devils had a key third-period lead…and then they didn’t.
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Discuss: Kings’ road dominance continues, beat Devils 2-1 in OT
May 30, 2012, 11:24 PM EDT
Anze Kopitar wins it midway through the first extra session.
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Win or lose, we’ll probably see him playing with New Jersey in 2012-13.
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NHL commish supports Isles owner Charles Wang’s efforts.
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Blue Jackets on No. 2 pick: “We’re doing everything in our power to get it right”
May 30, 2012, 9:45 PM EDT
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They might just be drafting the new face of their franchise,after all.
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Check out the five minute interview with the NHL commissioner.
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PHT Live Chat — Stanley Cup finals Game 1: Los Angeles at New Jersey
May 30, 2012, 9:13 PM EDT
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Chat with PHT’s Mike Halford and Jason Brough throughout the game.
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A fun video feature from NBC’s experts.
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AP
“It’s the right way to play.”
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The goal is for Hossa to be back by training camp.
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Despite reports to the contrary, the deadline is not July 1 to refinance or settle their debt.
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