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CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) -- The playoff berth that once was nearly certain for the
Calgary Flames
is now in question.
Pavel Datsyuk
created two turnovers that led to goals and
Manny Legace
made 33 saves as the
Detroit Red Wings
stalled Calgary's drive for a playoff spot with a 2-1 victory.
After missing the postseason each of the last seven years, the Flames were on track to end the drought with a strong first half. But things have been rocky recently as Calgary entered with losses in three of its last four games and a share of sixth place in the Western Conference.
Datsyuk's slick play helped push the Flames down in the standings. After picking off an errant pass to set up
Ray Whitney
's goal in the first period, the All-Star center caused another turnover late in the second, leading to
Steve Thomas
' tally.
"It was a good day for me," Datsyuk said. "It was two scores."
"Excellent would be a good way to describe his play," Detroit coach Dave Lewis added. "Every time he is on the ice, he's dangerous, something can happen. Tonight you saw the result. He had two assists on great plays."
Legace was almost perfect, allowing only
Chuck Kobasew
's slap shot to get by him midway through the third period. He made 27 saves over the final 40 minutes to post his fourth win in five games.
"First two periods, they let me see everything, guys kept everything outside," Legace said. "There wasn't one or two saves that I can remember half-decent."
"They're a great team, a veteran team, but we've got to focus on what's at hand," Kobasew said. "They're in a different situation from us. We're fighting for a playoff spot."
Winless in their previous two games, the
Red Wings
took the lead with 3:24 left in the first period.
Flames defenseman
Robyn Regehr
tried a pass up the middle that was intercepted by Datsyuk, who dished to
Henrik Zetterberg
on the left side. Taking a cross-slot feed, Whitney deposited the puck behind
Miikka Kiprusoff
for his 11th goal.
Matthew Lombardi
tried to escape his own zone with just over four minutes to go in the second but had his pocket picked by Datsyuk just inside the blue line. Spotting a pair of teammates alone down low, Datsyuk got the puck to
Brett Hull
, who fed Thomas for his first goal in 10 games and a 2-0 lead.
"It all stemmed from Pavel's hard work," Thomas said. "I don't know if I've played with a guy who's been able to strip pucks from players from behind like he does. He made a great play there, fed it over to Brett and Brett fed it over to me."
"Bad giveaway on my part," Lombardi admitted. "Trying to come back from a two-goal lead is tough."
Kobasew spoiled Legace's shutout bid with a slapper from above the right circle, but it was not enough for the Flames, who have scored two goals or fewer in each of their last seven games.
"I think Chuck has played really well in the last six or seven games," Calgary coach Darryl Sutter said. "That's the growth of a young player. They came back in the third and got the goal back."
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