In their only matchup of the season, the Detroit Red Wings capitalized on some fortunate bounces to jump on the Penguins for a 4-1 win at Consol Energy Center. Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk, who was day-to-day with a lower body injury, led the Red Wings with some dynamic plays and a goal and assist. Datsyuk evened it at 1-1 in the second, and then assisted Johan Franzen on a power play goal in the third that would hold up for the win. Datsyuk knocked down a clear attempt by Matt Cooke, helped by a little bit of luck as it hit the shaft "by accident," he would admit to the Tribune-Review's Dejan Kovacevic. The accident led to the game winning goal.
Danny Cleary would add two more goals in the third period to pile on for the 4-1 win. Cleary scored on a breakaway three-on-two chance. Chris Conner centered to a hard-charging Cleary who pushed it into the open net before Marc-Andre Fleury could rotate in the crease. Jordan Staal, who was questionable entering the game with a lower body injury, struggled to get back and cover Cleary after turning it over in the Pens offensive zone. Cleary would add an empty netter for the Red Wings' fourth goal.
With Sidney Crosby out indefinitely, Evgeni Malkin had a powerful game but was simply unable to break through after his first period goal. He was robbed on several occasions by Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard. Malkin was a force on the ice, but the breaks were simply not going Pittsburgh's way. With the Flyers win in Washington, the Pens will fall three points behind Philly in the Atlantic division.
For more on the Penguins, please visit Pensburgh, SB Nation's Penguins blog. For the perspective from the other side, please visit SB Nation Detroit and Winging It in Motown, SB Nation's Red Wings blog.