Half-asleep, the wife just asked, "Was it a good game?"
Detroit scored five goals and got the win, but I'm not sure it was. It was, however, the game the Red Wings needed.
It was a gritty game against a streaking team with Pavel Datsyuk out of the lineup. The Wings fought for this one. Guys had to step up to make it happen.
Ten Red Wings had points. All but Jiri Hudler had at least a shot.
Darren Helm made a nice, smart play to keep the puck in the Vancouver end leading to Henrik Zetterberg's game-winning goal.
Tomas Holmstrom took an absolute beating on the power play that produced Nicklas Lidstrom's game-tying goal.
Jimmy Howard made a couple key stops early in the third with the Canucks still leading by a goal.
Brian Rafalski picked up three assists, rebounding from what was probably his worst game as a Red Wing.
Patrick Eaves was all over the place; I already said late in the third that I thought he would have scored if there was more time. He was one of seven Wings with three shots.
Johan Franzen is still snake-bit but he had a ridiculous nine shots on the night.
This win was a team effort when Detroit needed it most. It wasn't going to be a night where one player put the team on his back, especially with Datsyuk out after a period. Everyone needed to contribute and they did.
Oh, yeah, it's Wednesday.
Detroit hosts the Canucks tonight. Vancouver is on a hot streak and the Wings are losing games all over the place. Both sides are calling it a measuring stick game.
Sounds to me like a loss in the making. Probably followed by one in St. Louis tomorrow. But I'm exhausted and cold and it's got me in a bad mood, so maybe it'll be better than I expect.
Jimmy Howard gets the start. Kris Draper is out in favor of Jiri Hudler. Brad Stuart skipped practice yesterday but will play tonight.
TV is FS+, FSD probably has the Pistons or something.
Must be nice... I'm stuck with TSN
Ken Daniels just called Wings tickets a good stocking stuffer. Christ, that's an expensive item for a stocking.
Jimmy with a Hasek-like play, he still puts it right on a Canucks' stick.
Fantastic play all around. Brilliant outlet pass. Smart crossing pass. Excellent shot.
Raffi just made up for his blown pass during the last game!
Wings are buzzing... Could be a good sign 
Wings best period in the last few games? They had a few chances, really strong D except for a couple good shifts for Vancouver, Jimmy mostly looks good.
One goal lead is worrisome. Canucks are too dangerous.
Well f*ck. Now Pavs is out. I'd just like to remind everyone that Samuelsson's stick was in Datsyuk's skates when he went down and there wasn't a call.
Horsesh*t call, of course they scored on it.
Absolute evener. Better f*cking score.
Kronwall leading the rush. Looks good but the thought is terrifying.
Dr. Fil !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is why you shoot, Fil!
That is why you shoot, Fil!
Exactly! He needs to do a lot more of it! And can Hudler produce something? I am beginning to wonder why we wasted a roster spot.
I am beginning to wonder why we wasted a roster spot.
Because right now Kris Draper is even more of a waste?
I am beginning to wonder why we wasted a roster spot.
Because right now Kris Draper is even more of a waste?
At least he has more grit and can put out a blue collar game, Huds gets tossed around the ice.
Wings now say Pavs is out for the night. No surprise there and no word on how bad it is.
Why in the f*ck is Fil getting called for that but then Kesler runs over Howard (not on the play they scored on) and it's nothing?
This game is p*ssing me off.
Jesus mother f*cking christ, Stuie. Mickey says that was about a left handed defenseman being in the wrong spot but it just looked lazy to me.
Fantastic stop by Jimmy early in the third. Wings on their heels.
Zata! That never should have gotten through, awful goal for Luongo to give up.
Hey! Z scored!
So what's the story on Pasha?
Helm is trying to make like that 4 on his sweater is a 1.
So what's the story on Pasha?
No new news. "Upper body injury."
"O Fortuna" with ten damn minutes left? Come on, T.
Hell of a shot. Jimmy might have been able to get it, not sure.
If it weren't for the fact that there's only six minutes left, I'd say Eaves was gonna get a goal tonight.
Power play. Here's the chance the Wings need.
There we f*cking go!
Abdelkader out there for the last 30 seconds. That's some trust from Babs right there, even if he should have gotten a penalty.
Zata! Wings win!
Zata! Wings win!
yessssssss!!!!
And after saying that, did I just hear Datsyuk out for four weeks? Motherf*ck...
11 of next 16 games are on the road, 4 back to back games in which 3 of the second night games are on the road (van, stl, col). I say wings can pick up 8 wins of the next 16 games which includes devils/islanders @ wings. Likely losses @ vancouver, colorado, st louis, pittsburgh, dallas and @ the joe vs. Philly. Glad wings picked up the win tonight at least. I'll take .500 record in the next 16 games all things considered. Datsyuk will hopefully be back after those 16 games so the wings can start rolling again..
8 Wins maximum in next 16.
11 of next 16 games are on the road, 4 back to back games in which 3 of the second night games are on the road (van, stl, col). I say wings can pick up 8 wins of the next 16 games which includes devils/islanders @ wings. Likely losses @ vancouver, colorado, st louis, pittsburgh, dallas and @ the joe vs. Philly. Glad wings picked up the win tonight at least. I'll take .500 record in the next 16 games all things considered. Datsyuk will hopefully be back after those 16 games so the wings can start rolling again..
8 Wins maximum in next 16.
I think we will do better than five hundred because we are deep with prospects. If the team can come together and divide up the duties we should be able to overcome. I'm not saying Dats isn't a loss because he is, I just think we will do better than five hundred and it should force people to step up.
Prospects are an interesting thing to bring up. Will we see Tomas Tatar or Ilari Filppula called up at any point just because the Wings can? It'd put someone back in the press box again.
Who cares? The word on the street is Tatar is quite the player and he is chomping at the bit to get in the NHL. It would be better than watching Hudler or Draper at this point.
Henrik Zetterberg
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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