The Detroit Red Wings extended their home winning streak to 17 games with a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues, maintaining their NHL points lead in a game that had playoff intensity right to the end.

With seconds remaining, the Blues crashed Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard, who responded by taking on every white sweater in his sights:

David Backes and Alex Pietrangelo were given roughing minors and 10-minute misconducts; Jimmy Howard was given a roughing minor.

Said Howard on NBCSN after the game:

"I had to the puck and they're coming in. ... If I get punched in the face, I'm not going to have anything of it. I don't care who it is. If they're coming in, they're gonna get something back."

And that's why they're chanting "Jim-my Ho-ward!" in Detroit. Well, that and 30 wins with a 1.95 goals against average.

Speaking of which: Howard has 30 wins in 41 starts. The Red Wings have 33 games left. The NHL record for wins in a season is Martin Brodeur's, with 48 in 2006-07. Hmmm …