In what was arguably the teams toughest test yet this season, the Detroit Red Wings didn't miss a step as they walked over the Boston Bruins 5-3. In a somewhat surprising move it was Marc Denis who got the start instead of Fernandez, but it seems head coach Wayne Gretzky knows what he is doing.
A quick penalty by Todd Bertuzzi allowed the Wings to capitalize on the PP, and they did just that on a PP goal by Cory Stillman from Sullivan and Robidas. Mike Rathje, who was acquired from the SJ Sharks, has been playing very strong hockey for the team since coming over, and he blasted home a point shot through traffic for his second of the season to make it 2-0 after the first period.
The Wings started off the second on the PP and it cost the Bruins again. Shawn McEachern fired home his third of the season from Allison and Rolston. Less than two minutes later it was McEachern beating Kiprusoff again from Yashin and Tom Poti. The Bruins hung around in the game to make things interesting on a goal by Mark Recchi. Going into the final period Detroit was leading 4-1.
Veteran Ray Whitney put the game away only 3:30 into the 3rd period, his first of the season on assists from Bonk and McEachern. Despite Boston's two late period goals, the Wings took home another 'W' and remain unbeaten after 9 games this season.
Detroit will be back in action again tomorrow as they take on the NY Islanders.