Detroit — It was a big play, because it increased the Red Wings lead over the Sharks to two. But if it heralds how Ryan Sproul plays, the impact could be far more significant.
Amid a difficult second period Saturday, when the opposition set upon Jimmy Howard, Sproul made a lightening-quick recovery from a tight spot for a defenseman.
Having rushed the net, shot on goal and failed to score, he was deep in the zone when Sharks forward Matt Nieto gained control of the rebound and suddenly was on his way, with teammates. In a blink, so was Sproul.