AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER, ST. PAUL, MINN.
In the first: The Wings won the vast majority of face-offs in the opening period, but all their puck possession they didn't get a ton of great chances on Niklas Backstrom. Danny Cleary had the best of the period when he fired a shot from just outside the crease in the last couple of minutes, but Backstrom was there with the stop.
In the second: Jimmy Howard opened the second period with a similar save on Clayton Stoner. Johan Franzen drove the puck to the net on the Wings' second power play of the period but again was thwarted by Backstrom, and Howard had to come up with a big save on Cal Clutterbuck's backhand attempt while Detroit still had the man advantage. The Wild had just five shots on net in the second period.
In the third: Nicklas Lidstrom finally converted on Detroit's 22nd shot when he slid into the slot and fired a forehand that slipped by Backstrom, who had Cleary in front of him, at 1:10. The Wild tied the game at 4:50 when Nick Schultz knocked the puck away from Pavel Datsyuk, and Brent Burns collected it to spring Martin Havlat. Havlat raced up the middle and fired a forehand that shot by Howard. The Wings had 14 shots on net in the third period for 35 total, and the Wild had 11 to reach 24 through regulation.
OVERTIME ACTION: Cleary got one of the best chances for the Wings midway through overtime when Lidstrom sent the puck down low, but Cleary couldn't get the puck up and over Backstrom fast enough. Darren Helm drove the puck in from the right side in the last minute but got bottled up at the net and saw his chance denied, too.
SHOOTOUT SCENE: Datsyuk went top shelf on Backstrom and Howard stopped Pierre-Marc Bouchard in Round 1. Jiri Hudler shot wide in Round 2, and Matt Cullen deked so far to the right his shot was easily knocked away by Howard. Todd Bertuzzi weaved in before sending a backhand into the back of the net to seal the victory.
OVERHEARD: Howard on playing the Wild's style: "Minnesota is always looking to come down, pull up, pass across, but the guys did a great job coming back and being in lanes and having sticks and everything." ... Kris Draper on how the Wings played: "We did a lot of things well. Went with four lines the majority of the game, and guys were getting into it and creating good chances. Howie was really good for us."
Overheard Part II: Lidstrom on attacking more late in the game: "I thought we started taking more shots in the second half of the game. But they were playing a very patient style and not giving us a whole lot." ... Minnesota coach Todd Richards on the game: "It was a pretty fast, pretty intense game. Detroit's always impressive. I was impressed with the way we battled today. We earned a tough point. It certainly wasn't easy, getting down 1-0, but the way games are going right now, it's so, so tight."
UP NEXT: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday back at the Joe against San Jose and former assistant coach Todd McClellan.
Contact HELENE ST. JAMES: 313-222-2295 or hstjames@freepress.com.
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