Some preliminary thoughts prior to puck-drop: if you read our preview for the game, you would be worried about the lack of top scorers, Dylan Larkin and Thomas Vanek, both out on injuries. Fortunately, however, the Detroit Red Wings were able to quickly patch those holes by reactivating Tomas Jurco and reacquiring Drew Miller. Not that these two 3rd or 4th liners are enough to make up for two top goal scorers, but still, they both saw some good minutes in the game.
Secondly, Tuukka Rask, starting goalie for the Bruins originally thought to be sub-100%, showed no signs of slowing in the pregame skate.