NHL scores 2016: Red Wings win a goalie duel to inch closer to playoffs

The main event on Wednesday night didn’t disappoint.

Not that it had much to live up to after the opening acts. (We’ll get to those in a second).

As it was, Philly had more than enough time to hang in the game and pull out a win. The problem was Detroit’s netminder was having an even better night than his counterpart. Howard made 30 saves on 30 shots, the most important shutout of the Red Wings’ season.

Neither Mason nor Howard had completely locked down their starting jobs until March. And yet both look as playoff-ready as any other elite goalie heading to the postseason. An objective fan might want to see both the Flyers and Red Wings qualify just to see what kind of runs these veterans can go on.

Red Wings 3, Flyers 0

1. Forget what Mike Babcock said, Toronto had a great night

The Leafs coach insisted that his young team’s 5-1 drubbing against the Blue Jackets was a step backward for their growth. Which is probably true. But it’s a big win in the Tank Wars of 2016, since Toronto gets a leg up on the Blue Jackets in the Auston Matthews sweepstakes. Good luck convincing Leafs fans a loss to a fellow tanker here and there isn’t worth it.

2. The Flyers watch The Walking Dead

We know this because they dunked on one of the show’s actors.

If you don’t get it, don’t worry. Lucille is the name of the Smoke Monster that shot J.R.

3. Edmonton has no problem with skyrocketing Connor McDavid’s expectations

I mean, just look at this picture.

The poor thing.

Impact Moment

I could’ve picked out any number of Howard’s last-minute saves to finish the win for the Red Wings, but instead here’s the goal that drove the dagger into the Flyers’ back before he twisted it.

Stat of the Night