Let me just say that the middle of a West Coast road trip, with its late games on back-to-back nights, is not the time to get sick.
The more I think about last night's game between the Red Wings and the Ducks the less I think anything substantitive can be taken away from it.
Yeah, it's always good to beat Anaheim. It's always good when the Wings can wear down Chris Pronger. That said, Detroit's win came thanks to a lot of luck.
The bounce that led to Jiri Hudler's goal? That's the kind of bounce I always complain that the Wings never seem to get. Without it, that's not a goal, even if Hudler's shot was dead-on.
Johan Franzen's goal? I mentioned at the time that I'd be shocked if it was allowed. I think the replay was inconclusive and the Red Wings have a history of having goals called back (Franzen's game-tying goal in Minnesota nothwithstanding). Another break caught there.
The Wings definitely played better than they did on Monday in Dallas. Oddly, Chris Osgood didn't have as good of a game even with allowing fewer goals but I would definitely say he's playing better than he was at the start of the season. One bad goal (Anaheim's third) does not mean he's reverted to early-season status, especially factoring in the big late-game save on Corey Perry.
In the end, the success of this road trip will not be gauged by last night's win but by what happens in San Jose on Saturday.
Announced a little while ago but I've been busy... Kirk Maltby will be a healthy scratch tonight.
A more complete game preview to come later since it's a West Coast game that doesn't start until our time zone should be asleep. I hate the Western Conference.
As previously mentioned, Kirk Maltby will be a healthy scratch for tonight's Red Wings - Ducks tilt. Derek Meech takes his place in the lineup, interesting in that it seems coach Mike Babcock would rather go with a defenseman playing forward than the veteran grinder.
Probably because he contributes nothing? 
Oh well, I might be too harsh on him.
Is there no Red Wings Live tonight? Cause all I hear is Pistons, Pistons, Pistons. And yes, it is because Pistons Live is on XD
-edit; Question answered itself.
Wasn't expecting that, but I'm not complaining. Holmstrom and Datsyuk once again with the goal.
HA! Datsyuk made that play, end to end rush that shouldn't have happened but he's just that good.
Damn. I thought Osgood had that one. It was close, though.
Damnit, how did that get through?
Powerplay goal for the Ducks. Yuck.
That was kinda nice. Damn.
That would've been sweet had Datsyuk made it.
But Hudler ties it up! Haha, and off of Pronger's penalty, also.
Mastodonic goal by Hudler.
I was saying at A2Y, Giguere had time to square to Hudler on that shot and Huds still beat him. Hudler is this year's Franzen.
Where was the D on that?
Aww sh*t, something real bad just happened to Meech.
Mastodonic goal by Hudler.
I felt a lot better reading that, and then I saw Meech being helped and that feeling has gone away ;_;
I wonder what and how bad he was hurt.
Just saw the replay in slow motion. Ugh. That gives me the shivers. It's a good thing I don't play hockey, I am such a wimp!
Meech goes down. Festerling goes down. Rough night.
Bear Cleary! Tied up!
Meech came back, and Cleary scored.
Of course the game keeps getting tied up when the game started late to begin with. At least it can't go into triple overtime.
I'll be shocked if this one stands up.
Sweet! Another goal. 4-3 Wings. Batted in by Franzen.
It's a goal! <3
I'll be damned, it counts.
Exciting last minute
Now if only school would be cancelled tomorrow. I hope the wind chill or snow gets through to someone.
I don't think that's asking too much.
Ozzie with the big stop with 40 seconds left and the Wings hold on. It's f*cking late, I'm going to bed.
Very true. Sharks are beastly this year.
I still disagree with the ref's call on Franzen's goal. Clearly high-sticking to me, but I guess mission control in Toronto didn't. Replay was tricky, but I swear it was above the crossbar.
Johan Franzen
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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