The Detroit Red Wings moved into first place in the Western Conference on Tuesday night with a 3-2 shootout win over the Dallas Stars, taking a slim one point advantage on their division rivals, the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks.
Trailing 2-1 in the third period, it took less than two minutes for Jiri Hudler to tie the game. After the next 43 minutes went scoreless, Hudler found the net again in the shootout in Zetterberg-like fashion.
Hudler's fantastic shootout goal was the only goal in the post-OT fun, as Ty Conklin saved all three shots he faced (with a little help from the post on the first). Stars' goalie Richard Bachman, who was making his first NHL shootout appearance, got a little help from the post, too, on Pavel Datsyuk's attempt, and saved Todd Bertuzzi's straight up slap shot to keep it alive for Trevor Daley and the Stars. Daley and Dallas was denied by Conklin, though.
In addition to the shootout shots, Conklin made 25 saves on 27 shots, including a huge save as time expired in the second period. It was a nice bounce back game for him after giving up five goals to the Islanders on January 10. It was his third win of the season.
The Red Wings go to Phoenix for another game with the Coyotes on Thursday.
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