ESPN REPORT: The Detroit Red Wings Trade 3 Mega-Star And Replace The Buffalo Sabres Key Player.
It felt like an eternity, but for the first time since February 27, the Detroit Red Wings found themselves back in the win column in a game they needed in the worst way. Their 4-1 victory this afternoon over the Buffalo Sabres vaulted them back into a playoff spot, ending a frustrating and season-high seven-game losing streak. And it was a true, hardworking goal from 4th-line forward Christian Fischer that got Detroit going in the 2nd period.
The Sabres secured a 1-0 lead thanks to a power play goal from Tage Thompson, once again placing the Red Wings at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, Detroit showcased a heightened intensity, indicative of a team eager to secure a playoff berth.
In the 2nd period, Fischer broke his goal drought of over 40 games, skillfully beating Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with a backhand shot while tumbling to the ice. This set the stage for Patrick Kane to swiftly follow up with the game-winner, marking his first goal since February 29.
In the 3rd period, Daniel Sprong provided additional security for Detroit with a goal, while Lucas Raymond sealed the victory by finding the open net.
Christian Fischer powers the “complete game” from his teammates
As Fischer put it, it was a “complete game” from his teammates.
“We played a complete game from start to finish,” Fischer said. “Not too many lapses in the defensive zone, they didn’t have extended shifts in our zone. In between periods we felt a different compete level, back to our old ways. There was just a different feel in the hockey game, and once we got up 2-1 we knew were going to win that game.
Fischer also gave a shoutout to goaltender James Reimer, who made 25 saves in a winning effort.
“That’s how we felt,” he said. “Everyone was working, every guy was going tonight, and Reims came up with big when they had a couple of good chances and that was huge for us.”
Securing a win against the Sabres, who trail closely behind the Detroit Red Wings in the standings, was crucial to halt Detroit’s skid from worsening. However, their respite from the challenges ahead will be brief.
The team faces another test tomorrow evening as they hit the road to confront the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. The game is set to begin at 6:00 PM, with televised coverage available on Bally Sports Detroit.
One week after the trade deadline, the sellers are not exactly reading from their scripts.After trading away Anthony Mantha, Max Pacioretty and Joel Edmundson, while placing Evgeny Kuznetsov on waivers, you would have expected that the Washington Capitals would have sunk like a stone down the standings. Instead, the Capitals have shrunk the gap and have gone from being five points out to only one point back of the final wild card spot.
Buffalo, which was nine points back of a playoff spot, are now only three points back after parting ways with Casey Mittelstadt, Erik Johnson and captain Kyle Okposo.Pittsburgh has gone from eight points back to five points back, despite not having Jake Guentzel.
In the West, the standings are just as tight.Heading into the deadline, Calgary, St. Louis, Seattle and Minnesota were all tied for ninth place, six points back of the final wild card spot. But thanks to a three-game winning streak, Minnesota has leaped past three teams and is just four points back of a Vegas team that added Noah Hanifin, Tomas Hertl and Mantha. Can this last? Can the sellers actually sneak their way into a playoff spot? Well, it’s early. But a lot will depend on what the buyers are doing. And with Detroit having lost seven straight to fall out of a playoff spot, it’s possible. Plus, not every team that traded away players did so to necessarily get worse.The Sabres are a perfect example of that. Yes, Buffalo lost a valuable centre in Mittelstadt, who has 15 goals this season. But in exchange the Sabres received defenceman Bowen Byram, who has contributed three goals and five points in four games with his new team.
If he keeps it up, who knows? The Sabres might just grab an unlikely playoff spot. In the process, they also grabbed a bunch of prospects and picks.
