When you have two teams struggling to score — along with two red-hot goaltenders — you have a game like Tuesday's Red Wings' game in Columbus.
Finally, Columbus was able to break through in the shootout, as the Blue Jackets earned a 1-0 victory after winning the shootout 2-0.
Patrik Laine and Oliver Bjorkstrand scores for the Jackets in the shootout.
The goalies stood out in this game. Thomas Greiss (32 saves) and the Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins (41 saves) matched save for save in a game, continually two teams that have struggled to score goals all season (Columbus 29th in goals per game, the Wings 30th).
Greiss made numerous big saves, including turning aside Columbus' Cam Atkinson on a shorthanded breakaway early in the period.
One of Merzlikins' best stops was blanking Jakub Vrana on a breakaway early in the second period — and again in overtime — and three times frustrating Vladislav Namestnikov in close.
Columbus (16-25-10), only won its third game in the last 19 games (3-13-3) and ended a nine-game winless streak.
The Wings (17-25-9) still own a one point lead on Columbus above the Central Division basement.
Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs in the last several days — the Wings were eliminated Monday — and the intensity may not have been quite the same as if it were early in the season.
But both teams skated hard, had quality scoring chances, and grinded through a struggle with quality goaltending.
One newsworthy item from the Wings' perspective Tuesday was the NHL debut of forward Joe Veleno.
The 2018 first-round pick was brought up from the taxi squad earlier in the day, after being medically cleared for a concussion suffered last month while playing for Malmo in the Swedish Elite League.
Veleno played 15 minutes with two shots and two blocks with one hit, while playing natural position of center (Veleno played wing often in Sweden).
“The advantage of playing Joe right now is to find out how ready he is to be a center in the National Hockey League," said coach Jeff Blashill Monday when discussing Veleno. "If he’s not ready to be a center in the National Hockey League then he would probably need to spend more time in the American League to become that center."
Veleno had 11 goals and nine assists in Sweden this season, but most importantly, progressed in the Wings' eyes as a dependable two-way center who can be counted on also defensively.
“When we put you out there, we can trust that you’re going to be accountable at both ends of the rink, that you’re not going to give away easy chances,” said Blashill, of the importance of Veleno defensively. “Ultimately Joe would like to be a big piece of this organization, and we’d like Joe to be a big piece of us becoming a winning team. (General manager) Steve (Yzerman) understands these players have to learn to be all-around players if they want to be part of this solution moving forward.
"You can’t win championships without 200-foot players.”
Playing tight defense was important in the SEL, what with the big ice surface and waves of skilled, hard-working players. Veleno made gradual strides in Grand Rapids last season, but needed more seasoning this winter, with without an AHL season.
So the Wings loaned Veleno to Malmo, and Veleno was able to move forward with his defensive improvement.
“It’s something I found I needed to improve a lot," Veleno said. "To be a 200-foot centerman in the NHL, you need to be relied upon defensively and be able to produce offensively."
The only disappointment for Veleno Tuesday was the inability of his parents to attend his first game. Border restrictions prevented his parents, in Quebec, to travel to Columbus.
"For sure it’s disappointing,” Veleno said. “They’ve sacrificed a lot to see me get here. They’d be really happy and proud of me being at the arena.”
The game began with as much offense excitement as there would be the rest of the evening.
In the opening minute the Wings came within inches of scoring as Namestnikov's shot trickled through Merzlikin's le but never slid past the goal line.
The Jackets came down on the ensuing rush with a 3-on-2 break, and Max Domi fed Bjorkstrand dot to dot for a one-timer that Bjorkstrand buried past Greiss at 1:23.
But that's when the hectic pace paused for a bit.
Officials reviewed the Wings' no goal first, and confirmed the puck never crossed the goal line.
But with the Wings challenging for off-side on Bjorkstrand's apparent goal, that call was confirmed, as Jackets forward Eric Robinson was a full skate ahead of the play for an easy off-side call.
So, two video reviews later, no goal for either side.
