Four periods of hockey weren't enough to decide a winner, so the Detroit Red Wings used their 1-on-1 skills in a shootout to edge the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Sunday.
The Wings out-shot the Panthers 31-26 in regulation, but spent 23 minutes in the penalty box compared to only six for Florida. Jiri Hudler's 25th goal of the season tied the score at one apiece with 14:30 remaining in the third period after the Panthers held a 1-0 lead for much of the afternoon.
Hudler also managed to pour in the decisive goal in the shootout, with a firm wrist shot that beat Florida goalie Scott Clemmensen on the glove side. A save by goaltender Jimmy Howard followed suit for the Wings, capping off an impressive comeback after trailing for the majority of the game.
Three games remain on the schedule for the Red Wings, but a strong showing from Howard in net down the stretch was a vital sign for this team going forward. Detroit heads to division-leading St. Louis on Wednesday for its final road game of the 2011-12 season.
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