A big game tonight... the Wings clinched the Central Division over Nashville and have a chance this weekend to take both the Western Conference and perhaps the Presidents Trophy. Good to see Langer get one... too bad that Big Bert was taken out by Ozzie... but wait until Lidstrom, Hank and even Kopecky are back in the lineup for the playoffs... look out Mikka, this isn't the team you took out last time.
For my buddy Reid... who longs for both Datsyuk highlights and instrumental heavy-metal Def Leopard riffs...
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
First Place! Yay?
A special apology to my fans - both of you - for the long lapse in entries. But as the playoffs approach (only 2 games left in the regular season), I imagine that the posts will be more frequent.
Tonight the Wings won again against the Jackets, and the two games they've got left are against the Blackhawks. They've taken first place in the West, but it's not clear if they'll hang on to it - particularly since the Hawks now have Williams and managed to beat the Predators tonight. The good news is that the team continues to find ways to win, particularly against good teams. The bad news is that many of the guys - in particular, Holmstrom - are streaky, so let's hope they streak come playoff time. Personally, I'd prefer to not see the Wings paired up against Calgary the first round - enough of eighth seed goalies who can steal the show. Let's hope that they match up against Minnesota or even Dallas.
Tonight's game was won by Calder and Bertuzzi (plus an empty-netter by Drapes), who added exactly what they've been asked to contirbute - depth. It's looking more and more likely that the Wings could take the Western conference, which up until the last few postseasons was considered a good thing, and they'll need to roll four lines that are all clicking to win the Cup.
A few other random notes... it's been great fun watching guys trying to check Bertuzzi. It's been years since the Wings had someone of his size, and the Jackets will think twice about checking him after one of their defencemen injured a hip while checking (or more accurately - bouncing off) Bertuzzi. Also, Hull really stuck his foot in his mouth suggesting that Datsuyk wanted to go play in DC with Ovenchkin. Pav is close to locking Kenny Holland into a $5 or $6 mil contract after negotiating for six months... I doubt he'll leave if he gets offered anything close to those numbers.
Tonight the Wings won again against the Jackets, and the two games they've got left are against the Blackhawks. They've taken first place in the West, but it's not clear if they'll hang on to it - particularly since the Hawks now have Williams and managed to beat the Predators tonight. The good news is that the team continues to find ways to win, particularly against good teams. The bad news is that many of the guys - in particular, Holmstrom - are streaky, so let's hope they streak come playoff time. Personally, I'd prefer to not see the Wings paired up against Calgary the first round - enough of eighth seed goalies who can steal the show. Let's hope that they match up against Minnesota or even Dallas.
Tonight's game was won by Calder and Bertuzzi (plus an empty-netter by Drapes), who added exactly what they've been asked to contirbute - depth. It's looking more and more likely that the Wings could take the Western conference, which up until the last few postseasons was considered a good thing, and they'll need to roll four lines that are all clicking to win the Cup.
A few other random notes... it's been great fun watching guys trying to check Bertuzzi. It's been years since the Wings had someone of his size, and the Jackets will think twice about checking him after one of their defencemen injured a hip while checking (or more accurately - bouncing off) Bertuzzi. Also, Hull really stuck his foot in his mouth suggesting that Datsuyk wanted to go play in DC with Ovenchkin. Pav is close to locking Kenny Holland into a $5 or $6 mil contract after negotiating for six months... I doubt he'll leave if he gets offered anything close to those numbers.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Ten More...
Who would have thought before this season began that the Wings would be fighting for the top spot in the league with only ten games left to go? They're performing very well and, thankfully, their recent injury problems will mostly be resolved before the playoffs. This week expect a few guys to come back...
On another note, I can't figure out if I despise or secretly like Jordin Tootoo. If you haven't seen this guy play, he's on the Nashville Predators (currently the #1 team in the league), he's pesky, very tough, and is constantly harassing opponents. Definitey a guy you'd like to have on your team. He managed to take Darryl Bootland with just one or two punches last week, and he got himself in some trouble with a bit of a sucker punch against Dallas's Stephane Robidas. It will likely cost him a brief suspension... hopefully that will weaken the Predators enough to let the Wings slip back into first. If they don't they may end up against San Jose in the first round... I'd prefer seeing them up against Calgary.
On another note, I can't figure out if I despise or secretly like Jordin Tootoo. If you haven't seen this guy play, he's on the Nashville Predators (currently the #1 team in the league), he's pesky, very tough, and is constantly harassing opponents. Definitey a guy you'd like to have on your team. He managed to take Darryl Bootland with just one or two punches last week, and he got himself in some trouble with a bit of a sucker punch against Dallas's Stephane Robidas. It will likely cost him a brief suspension... hopefully that will weaken the Predators enough to let the Wings slip back into first. If they don't they may end up against San Jose in the first round... I'd prefer seeing them up against Calgary.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Leading the League
With an impressive win Wednesday night over the Nashvillle Predators, the Wings secured the top spot in the NHL. With a dozen or so games left in the regular season, the Wings were finally able to rise to the top of the standings, despite the rash of recent injuries that have plagued the team, including missing top goal scorer Henrik Zetterberg.
While Nashville was also without one of their best players, recently acquired Peter Forsberg, the Wings' two wins over Nashville this week were perhaps most impressive because of the depth they showed. Guys like Hudler, Calder (yes, again, I was totally wrong about this guy), Lang, and Schneider have been able to regularly contribute to points to those accrued by leading-scorers such as Datsuyk and Lidstrom. The team's ability to weather injuries and still secure the top spot is a very hopeful sign as we head into the playoffs.
While Nashville was also without one of their best players, recently acquired Peter Forsberg, the Wings' two wins over Nashville this week were perhaps most impressive because of the depth they showed. Guys like Hudler, Calder (yes, again, I was totally wrong about this guy), Lang, and Schneider have been able to regularly contribute to points to those accrued by leading-scorers such as Datsuyk and Lidstrom. The team's ability to weather injuries and still secure the top spot is a very hopeful sign as we head into the playoffs.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
The Countdown Begins...
What an outstanding effort the Red Wings showed against the Predators earlier this week, albeit with each team's best players out due to injury. It's a very healthy sign when guys like Lang, Franzen, Osgood and Filpula can up their game when the superstars are out. Datsuyk, to his credit, showed that he can rule the roost if given the chance. If he plays well during the playoffs, he might just get the $5-6 mil he's asking for to stay.
Only about 15 games left until the post-season! The Wings are still in a hunt to be the best, and are now within one point of Nashville and have one more game remaining than Nashville.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Injuries cause adversity
As you might remember, last year's regular season was a remarkable one for the Wings... they won the President's Trophy with the league's best record, had an unusually high ability to win on the road, and in many ways, blew through the regular season to the playoffs... where they seriously stalled and got knocked out in the first round by eighth-seeded Oilers. Coach Babcock pinpointed the issue immediately - they hadn't faced any adversity during the season and now that push came to shove, they weren't able to be tested.
This season... well, not exactly the same. There have been many issues. Losing streaks... Losing Yzerman and Shannahan... and now, facing injuries to many of their top players. Zetterberg, Hasek, and Samuelsson are injured, and it shows. The line that Hank centers has been responsible for 40% of the Wing's goals of late and having him out hurts. Despite these problems, the Wings are still just a few points away from being on top of the Western Conference, have played strongly lately, and should have most players back before the playoffs. Perhaps the testing that these injuries have provided, combined with the new level of physical play that Bertuzzi will bring, will ultimately serve the Wings nicely come playoffs (only a month away!).
This season... well, not exactly the same. There have been many issues. Losing streaks... Losing Yzerman and Shannahan... and now, facing injuries to many of their top players. Zetterberg, Hasek, and Samuelsson are injured, and it shows. The line that Hank centers has been responsible for 40% of the Wing's goals of late and having him out hurts. Despite these problems, the Wings are still just a few points away from being on top of the Western Conference, have played strongly lately, and should have most players back before the playoffs. Perhaps the testing that these injuries have provided, combined with the new level of physical play that Bertuzzi will bring, will ultimately serve the Wings nicely come playoffs (only a month away!).
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Best Hockey Names
Even a slow hockey game can be enjoyable when the players have cool names. Here are my sixteen favorites. Why sixteen? Because cutting them down is hard work, it's late, and I want to go to bed. Enjoy... boo-DYE!
16. Bates Battaglia
15. Peter Bondra (Bondra... Peter Bondra)
14. Zdenek Blatny
13. Peter Budaj (BOO-dye!)
12. Zdeno Chara
11. Antero Niittymaki
10. Yutaka Fukufuji (FOOKU-fuji - yep, there's Japanese hockey players)
9. Jaroslav Spacek (yaro-slav SPAH-check)
8. Sandis Ozolinsh
7. Olli Jokinen (ollie YOKE-an-in)
6. Radek Dvorak (Ra-deck de-VOR-ack)
5. Zigmund (Ziggy) Palffy
4. Dion Phaneuf
3. Tuomo Ruutu (two-OH-mo ROO-too)
2. Teemu Selanne (TEE-mu sel-anny)
1. Saku Koivu (sa-KOO KOI-vu)
16. Bates Battaglia
15. Peter Bondra (Bondra... Peter Bondra)
14. Zdenek Blatny
13. Peter Budaj (BOO-dye!)
12. Zdeno Chara
11. Antero Niittymaki
10. Yutaka Fukufuji (FOOKU-fuji - yep, there's Japanese hockey players)
9. Jaroslav Spacek (yaro-slav SPAH-check)
8. Sandis Ozolinsh
7. Olli Jokinen (ollie YOKE-an-in)
6. Radek Dvorak (Ra-deck de-VOR-ack)
5. Zigmund (Ziggy) Palffy
4. Dion Phaneuf
3. Tuomo Ruutu (two-OH-mo ROO-too)
2. Teemu Selanne (TEE-mu sel-anny)
1. Saku Koivu (sa-KOO KOI-vu)
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