Quantcast
Channel: The Hockey Guys » Kenny Holland
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 10

Detroit Red Wings: 21 Means Something Again

0
0

Paul Sancya/ Associated Press

By Rhys Richards (@RREsq)

For American hockey fans, age 21 was the last time the number meant something because they could finally legally enjoy an adult beverage with their friends, family, and fellow fans.

Canadian hockey fans cannot even claim that moment when 21 meant something.

Nevertheless, all hockey fans, especially fans of the Detroit Red Wings, now share the ability to attach some more significant meaning to the number 21. On Tuesday night, the number echoed in the rafters of Joe Louis Arena as Detroit fans chanted “21! 21! 21!….”

Detroit beat the Western Conference rival Dallas Stars 3-1 for the team’s 21st victory in a row at home in a single season, a new NHL record. The previous record of 20 wins in a row at home was shared by the 1929-30 Boston Bruins and 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers, the latter more interesting as the Red Wings bested the Flyers on Sunday night to tie the record.

The 1929-30 Bruins proceeded to win their first two home games the following season to set the all-time NHL record of 22 consecutive home wins. Detroit will seek to add to its single-season record and tie the all-time record on Friday when it hosts Central Division rival Nashville.

Detroit now holds the NHL record for consecutive home wins and consecutive road wins (12). As if the organization needed yet another feather in its storied cap.

The Red Wings started Tuesday’s game as a team on a mission, outshooting the Stars 20-10 in the first period and taking a 2-0 lead. Dallas appeared to wake up at times in the second but was still outshot 11-6. In the closing stanza, the Stars did not even manage a shot until 11 minutes into the third period. Detroit took the shot battle (6-5) that period too despite taking its foot of the gas in the final seven minutes.

Joey MacDonald solidified his roll as Jimmy Howard’s backup with a brilliant 20-save performance. MacDonald deserved the shutout but an Adam Burish tip beat him with 33 seconds left in the game. Earlier today, General Manager Kenny Holland confirmed that Joey MacDonald was the number two goalie.

After the final horn rang, the team gathered at center ice to raise their sticks to the fans. For a team that goes about its business as true professionals, the Red Wings acknowledged the feat briefly before moving on to preparing for the next battle.

After the game, Detroit captain and future Hall-of-Famer Nicklas Lidstrom told the Detroit Free Press, “Once the game started, I thought we came out with the determination that we’ve shown here the last couple of games and really going after teams when we have the chance to do it.”

Later that evening, Head Coach Mike Babcock told the NHL Network via telephone, “We’re thrilled this has happened for our team. I think it’s really good for our logo, it’s really good for our ownership, our team. I’m proud of the guys. They’ve worked hard and now let’s get on with it.”

In the hours that have passed since Detroit’s victory, various commentators have taken to pointing out the differences between the Red Wings’ feat in the modern era of the NHL versus that of the Bruins and Flyers. And yet, only the 2008-2009 Boston Bruins are even in the same sentence as this season’s Detroit Red Wings, and that team only won 14 consecutive home games.

Fans and commentators can point to the advent of the shootout and lack of ties to undercut Detroit’s achievement, but those same people should keep in mind the increased number of NHL teams and games. In fact, the modern NHL’s teams are more evenly balanced than they have ever been in the history of the NHL.

21 means something again, and the other 29 NHL teams would undoubtedly welcome a 21-game home winning streak.

Rhys’ Rants:  No offense to Anaheim Ducks fans, but that team needs to start losing. As the Trade Deadline approaches, visions of Teemu Selanne are dancing in the heads of Detroit fans. For many, Selanne is a truly class act and probably among their favorite hockey players. To see him in the winged wheel would truly be beautiful sight. Selanne scored his 656th career goal last night against the Pittsburgh Penguins, which tied him with Brendan Shanahan for 12th on the list of the NHL’s top all-time scorers. The goal helped Anaheim to a record of 14-2-3 in their last 19 games.

Statistics and other information obtained at www.nhl.com and www.freep.com.     

Share your thoughts about the NHL, the Detroit Red Wings, and hockey in general with Rhys at Twitter: @RREsq.  He can be reached via email at RhysJRichards@gmail.com.  Join the many fans of The Hockey Guys on Facebook and Twitter @TheHockeyGuys.

The post Detroit Red Wings: 21 Means Something Again appeared first on The Hockey Guys.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 10

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images