DETROIT (AP) — Henrik Zetterberg’s self criticism made for a great weekend for the Detroit Red Wings.
The captain scored at 4:50 of overtime to give the Red Wings a 1-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night and a sweep of the teams’ home-and-home series.
The winning goal — his first — came a night after Zetterberg assisted on all four goals in a 4-1 win at Toronto. On Saturday, he streaked down the right side and sent Niklas Kronwall’s centering pass over Jonathan Bernier’s left shoulder.
“I just got pretty good wood on it and it posted in,” said Zetterberg, who called his one-shot performance in Wednesday’s loss to Boston one of the worst of his career.
Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said he was certain the veteran would bounce back.
“He obviously had a tough game against Boston and he knew it,” Babcock said. “He’s a good leader and determined player and he dug in.
“Tonight it’s harder to have the same energy but he got better as the game went on and so did our team.”
Detroit’s Jonas Gustavson made 30 saves for his sixth career shutout while Bernier stopped 31 in his third loss of the season.
Tomas Tatar almost ended the game 80 seconds into overtime but his shot past a distracted Bernier nicked the left post and zipped away.
The Red Wings were in control for most of Friday’s meeting but the Original Six rivals treated a boisterous crowd — there were plenty of blue-and-white jerseys in the stands — to a much more dramatic show in the rematch.
Even in defeat, Maple Leafs winger James Van Riemsdyk was pleased with Toronto’s effort a night after a lackluster loss at home.
“I thought we battled hard, much more than last night,” he said. “They made a great play at the end. … I thought we played a lot smarter with the puck and away from the puck. Played more to our system.”
Both goalies were sharp throughout regulation but Gustavson faced tougher chances, including Van Riemsdyk’s breakaway in the first period and a quick series of shots late in the second.
“Overall the guys did a really good job,” Gustavson said. “They had some shots, but most were from the outside and I could see the puck and they cleared the rebounds.”
Toronto had the man advantage five times Saturday but couldn’t convert any of those chances. Detroit has killed all 17 penalties its incurred this season.
Detroit’s Gustav Nyquist, who’d scored in each of the team’s first four games, saw his streak end but not without two great looks at the top of the net. Both shots were high.
The Red Wings were without winger Johan Franzen, who left Friday’s win with leg spasms after scoring the team’s first two goals. Babcock said he’d be a game-time decision and Franzen was scratched after warming up.
Regular goalie Jimmy Howard, who got the win Friday night, was placed on the 48-hour injured reserve with a sore groin.
NOTES: Detroit C Stephen Weiss took Franzen’s spot in the lineup Saturday night. He’d been a healthy scratch in the team’s first four games. … Toronto RW Brandon Kozun missed the game after suffering a high ankle sprain in Friday’s loss. The Maple Leafs did not know the results of his MRI on Saturday. … The Red Wings recalled G Petr Mrazek from AHL Grand Rapids to back up Gustavson.
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