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DETROIT (AP) – Detroit's Martin Lapointe has picked the perfect
time to have the best season of his career.
The Red Wings needed the 27-year-old right wing to have a
productive season and it was in Lapointe's best interest to deliver
because he is eligible for free agency after the season.
Lapointe added to his career-best totals with two goals as
Detroit beat the Atlanta Thrashers 4-0 Thursday night. The Red
Wings are an NHL-best 18-4-5 since the All-Star break.
Lapointe said "it doesn't hurt," that he's having such a
season as his contract is set to expire.
"I think it's good timing," he said. "But for me, the one
thing on my mind is the playoffs. I just want to go out and try to
win another cup."
The Red Wings are unbeaten in 18 games at Joe Louis Arena, where
they have not lost since Dec. 27. The streak ties the franchise
record set in 1931-32 and 1954-55.
"When you look at it now, it's pretty impressive," Detroit's
Kris Draper said. "I'm sure when everybody is done playing, it
will mean so much more. But right now we have an opportunity to
make history. There's been some unbelievable teams here in Detroit,
so for us to have an opportunity to do something like this is
pretty special."
The Red Wings will look to break the home unbeaten record
against Colorado on Saturday in their regular season finale in a
relatively meaningless game between the top two seeds in the
Western Conference.
Detroit has already secured the No. 2 seed while the Avalanche
will be the top seed. The playoffs begin April 11.
Detroit's Manny Legace stopped 16 shots and helped Detroit get
its first shutout at home since Oct. 2, 1999. The Red Wings have
blanked two teams on the road this season.
Atlanta's Damian Rhodes made 33 saves.
"We knew this was going to be a tough game because on video,
Detroit has looked invincible," Rhodes said. "They're really
playing some great hockey."
The Thrashers' second season will end Friday at Carolina where
they will try to spoil the Hurricanes' playoff hopes. Atlanta has
won nine more games than it did last season.
"We've definitely taken a step forward this season," Rhodes
said.
Lapointe scored in the first and second period. Boyd Devereaux
and Vyacheslav Kozlov also scored for the Red Wings.
Lapointe has 27 goals, which trails only Sergei Fedorov and
Brendan Shanahan on the team, and 30 assists after not having more
than 16 goals or 25 assists in his first five full seasons in
Detroit.
He has scored six goals in the last eight games as the Red Wings
have tuned-up for the playoffs.
The Red Wings knew that having players such as Lapointe, who had
been a role player in the past, play well was a key this season.
Lapointe said he put a lot of pressure on himself to perform.
"I've been here for a long time and the management has stuck
with me," he said.
Game notes
Brendan Shanahan, who had not missed a game this season,
was a healthy scratch. ... Lidstrom's 55 assists break his record
of 53 set last season. ... Atlanta is 8-30-6-1 since Dec. 28 when
it was 15-14-6-1.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Atlanta Clubhouse
Detroit Clubhouse
RECAPS
Washington 3
Florida 0
Detroit 4
Atlanta 0
Montreal 3
Philadelphia 2
NY Rangers 4
Tampa Bay 3
Nashville 4
Calgary 0
St. Louis 4
Columbus 1
Vancouver 3
Los Angeles 2
San Jose 3
Phoenix 0
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Martin Lapointe uses the screen to get the puck past Damian Rhodes.
avi: 759 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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