Goals … goals everywhere.
Once the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings started scoring Sunday at Joe Louis Arena, they never stopped. And despite two goals in the first three minutes, including the fastest tally to start a game in team history, the Bruins came out on the short end in a 6-5 loss to the Red Wings.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Henrik Zetterberg deflected a Danny DeKeyser shot past Bruins backup goalie Jonas Gustavsson — who replaced Tuukka Rask midway through the game — at the 7:37 mark in the third period to give the Red Wings a 6-5 lead. In a game filled with goals, it was a deflection that proved to be the difference.
WILD AND HECTIC START
The Bruins wasted no time getting on the board.
Brad Marchand opened the scoring with a record-setting strike, lighting the amp with his 13th tally in 13 game just 8 seconds into the contest.
But that euphoria didn’t last long. Rask came up with a nice stop a few minutes later, but Zetterberg collected the rebound and potted it 2:44 into the contest. The Bruins challenged the call because it appeared the Red Wings were offside, but the goal was upheld.
However, just when it looked like Detroit had regained momentum, Boston took a 2-1 lead 2:58 seconds in. Zach Trotman did the honors this time when the Red Wings turned it over right to the defenseman at the point.
GOAL PARTY CONTINUES
Things calmed down for a bit in the first period, but the Bruins extended their lead to 3-1 on a goal by Loui Eriksson, who was set up by some slick passing from David Krejci.
But Pavel Datsyuk cut the Red Wings’ deficit to 3-2 when he scored a power-play goal (900th career point) off a rebound. The Bruins argued that there was a high stick on the play, but it wasn’t reviewed.
WINGS OWN THE SECOND
The Red Wings tied things up again thanks to a fortunate bounce. Darren Helm tried to put one on net just over three minutes into the second period, but it was deflected along the way. Luckily for Detroit, the puck went off Trotman’s skate and into the back of the net.
Skill had more to do with the Red Wings’ second goal of the frame, though. Datsyuk scored for the second time after he made an incredible individual effort to free up space before beating Rask high-blocker side with a rocket from the slot. That power-play goal gave Detroit a 4-3 advantage.
Things went from bad to worse for Boston. Helm potted his second goal of the afternoon, and Rask (19 saves on 24 shots) was pulled in favor of Jonas Gustavsson.
SEIDENBERG, KEMPPAINEN TO THE RESCUE
The Bruins cut the deficit to 5-4 thanks to the help of an unlikely player. Dennis Seidenberg became the final Boston player to score a goal this season with his slapshot from the point.
Joonas Kemppainen then tied things up 38 seconds into the final frame with a shorthanded goal off a Detroit turnover.
UP NEXT
The Bruins’ six-game road trip continues Tuesday, when Boston will face the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7 p.m. ET.
Thumbnail photo via Leon Halip/USA TODAY Sports Images
