This Pretty Goal Will Be The Only Thing I Choose To Remember From The Red Wings' Season

On MLB opening day and with plenty of actual good NHL teams in action, there was no way in hell I was going to put myself through Red Wings-Sabres last night. So I’d be lying if I said I’ve entirely stuck by my hometown team, but still, this highlight is like the best thing I’ve seen from Detroit all year.

That’s longtime Red Wings vet Niklas Kronwall who sends a brilliant pass across the attacking zone to Michigander-for-life Justin Abdelkader. Abdelkader seamlessly backhands that puck right into prime territory, where it’s feasted on and tapped in by young Andreas Athanasiou, one of the roster’s few bright spots.

At the end of the worst Detroit season since Steve Yzerman came to town, that goal didn’t do anything but give the Wings some insurance in a game that probably would have better to lose. But these guys’ teamwork is a nice reminder that even in a meaningless contest in a lost season, a bad team can give you a pretty highlight.