Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen was a one man wrecking crew against the Detroit Red Wings last night. In the Wings home opener, Lehtonen stopped 39 of 40 shots, and was actually 3.4 seconds away from getting a shutout. This would have been the Wings first shutout loss in their home opener since 1947.
Damien Brunner recorded his first NHL goal off this beautiful pass from Pavel Datsyuk and the Red Wings fans started to taunt Lehtonen. Without missing a beat, Lehtonen grabs his water bottle, and points at the scoreboard before taking a drink. Always a subtle and perfect response to being taunted because what else could the Wings crowed possibly say to him after that?
Mike Heika of the Dallas News asked Lehtonen how he felt about losing the shutout:
He really did seem OK losing the shutout at the 19:56 mark of the third period, when Pavel Datsyuk made and unbelievable pass and Damien Brunner scored from the doorstep.
“Obviously, it would have looked nice or pretty to have that shutout, but I think the win was more important,” he said. “To come in here and win in this building, that was more important.’’
Dallas had a roster overhaul this past summer before the lockout and they have gotten off to a fast start. They look to be a team poised to make the playoffs and ready to wreak havoc on the NHL.
