Emmitt Finnie Breaks Goal Drought
Detroit Red Wings forward Emmitt Finnie finally broke his long-standing dry spell, netting his first goal in 23 games during a thrilling match against the Nashville Predators in what is affectionately known as Music City. This goal, his first since December 23 against the Dallas Stars, helped contribute to Detroit’s 4-2 victory at Bridgestone Arena on Monday afternoon.
Red Wings Surge in Standings
With this win, the Red Wings have surged ahead of the Montreal Canadiens into third place in the Atlantic Division, though they are currently level on points with the Buffalo Sabres, who hold the tiebreaker and have a game in hand.
Finnie Expresses Relief
Finnie, who is among the trio of rookies that made the Red Wings roster following training camp, expressed immense relief and gratitude after scoring. He acknowledged the crucial roles played by his teammates Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton in the goal creation.
“Yeah, it felt good. Good play by Marco getting it to Apps, then Apps with a great play to Marco in front. I was just fortunate to be there in the right spot to put it in,”
Finnie remarked.
Reflecting on the Goalless Streak
Reflecting on his goalless streak, he admitted,
“Obviously, you think about it in the back of your mind. I wasn’t trying to focus on it too much; I want to score and produce. It was good to get that one in, but I’m going to try and keep playing my game.”
Team’s Response to Pressure
Earlier in the week, the Red Wings faced a tough loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, falling 5-2, which dropped them into a wild card position amid a fiercely competitive Atlantic Division. Their coach emphasized the importance of securing points in the Nashville game, and Finnie emphasized the team’s response:
“I thought we played well right from the start. Coming into this, we knew it was like a must-win for us, so I thought we responded pretty well.”
Rookie Status
Finnie is notably among just two rookies who have remained on the Red Wings roster throughout the season; the other being defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka. Fans looking to stay updated on the latest developments and stories surrounding the Red Wings can bookmark The Hockey News team site for comprehensive coverage and features.
