Sunrise, Fla. — The Red Wings hadn’t won in six games — or since Oct. 13 in Las Vegas — so Saturday night’s 3-2 shootout victory over Florida was desperately needed.
There was a visible sense of relief in a locker room that was beginning to struggle with a six-game winless streak. It was beginning to resemble last season’s disappointment.
But thanks to the goaltending of Jimmy Howard, Gustav Nyquist’s shootout goal, and good penalty killing, the Wings feel better about themselves.
They regained a little bit of confidence.
“I just think it’s human nature,” coach Jeff Blashill said, of whether he sensed the Red Wings were wavering with their confidence.