DETROIT – The Red Wings have finally started to embrace a record theyve been chasing.
Detroit equaled an NHL mark with its 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday thanks to Johan Franzens tiebreaking goal early in the third period along with timely defense and saves.
We havent talked about this at all, coach Mike Babcock said. We talked about it tonight because it happened.
The NHL-leading Red Wings have been more focused on trying to keep their edge in the highly competitive Central Division and Western Conference, not their streak on home ice.
We dont want to talk about it, defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said. We just want to keep it going. Just go out there and play and win games.
The league mark was set by the Boston Bruins during the 1929-30 season and matched by Philadelphia in 1976.
We definitely wanted to keep them from tying the record, Flyers wing Scott Hartnell said.
Detroit can break the record with a win Tuesday night over the Dallas Stars at Joe Louis Arena.
Its not too often you get a chance to do that, Red Wings goalie Joey MacDonald said.
Philadelphia rookie Brayden Schenn had a career-high two goals, helping the Flyers take the first of two leads they couldnt keep against a team that hasnt lost at home since Nov. 3 against Calgary.
MacDonald overcame shaky clearing attempts that led to two goals and finished with 26 saves.
What I liked was how he played after a mistake, Babcock said.
Lidstrom played in his 1,550th game, the most by an NHL player who spent his entire career with one team. He broke the mark set by former Red Wings great Alex Delvecchio.
Thats something special, Lidstrom said. He came down on Friday and congratulated me and we took a picture together. That means a lot to me.