By late, I mean just under six seconds remaining in the game, just seconds and a couple blind passes after it looked like the Red Wings-Predators were destined for an overtime period (before an inevitable Detroit win in a shootout). Pavel Datsyuk's wrist shot with exactly 5.8 seconds left said let's just beat 'em now.
Datsyuk's goal, his 16th of the season, was sweet vindication for missing out on a couple earlier opportunities in the period that he usually buries. He also assisted on Johan Franzen's goal in the first period. Datsyuk has 43 assists this season.
Joey MacDonald, still in net for the injured Jimmy Howard, picked up first star honors by stopping 20 of 21 shots, including a couple breakaways.
The Red Wings are now four points up in the Western Conference and three points up on the Rangers in the NHL.
Detroit's NHL record home winning streak stands at 22 now and they can run that number to 23 on Sunday when they host the Sharks.
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