Weekly Review: March 25-31st, 2012

Weekly Review: March 25-31st, 2012

Despite a strong start of the week routing Columbus for a 7-2 win, the Red Wings lost both of their other games and handed over the 4th spot in the Western Conference to the Nashville Predators.

Game 1: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Home (Win: 7-2)

Detroit looked like they returned to their old self against the bottom dwelling Blue Jackets as they scored 7 consecutive goals. Tomas Holmstrom scored two Power Play Goals from in front of the net, if he can continue this play it could add a much needed resurgence to the Wings rather pedestrian Power Play. Gustav Nyquist scored his first NHL goal in this game as well, this young guy seems to be the real deal and adds some much needed scoring depth to the Wings. He needs to continue to elevate his game though to remain on the top lines getting the minutes he deserves. Jiri Hudler, Nick Lidstrom, Brad Stuart, and Pavel Datsyuk scored the other goals for the Wings before Mark Letestu and Rick Nash added 2 near the end of the game. This was a good game for the Wings however they didn't cary the momentum from this game through the rest of the week.

Game 2: @ Columbus Blue Jackets (Loss: 4-2)

Detroit gained Johan Franzen back in the lineup but for some reason was unable to play as well they did the previous night. A bright light could be the fact that Detroit was 2-for-5 on the Power Play, but in all honesty, the fact that they failed to score 5-on-5 against Columbus is worrying, especially this late in the season. Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall were the goal scorers in this game for the Wings. The one caveat that you could mention is that 3rd string goalie Ty Conklin got the start for the Wings tonight, but that doesn't negate the sluggish offence in this game.

Game 3: Nashville Predators @ Home (Loss: 4-1)

This game was a total heartbreaker. Detroit played great, but Pekka Rinne played better. Tomas Holmstrom had some nice tips from in front of the net, and Zetterberg had a beauty of a chance but Rinne was all over the puck this game stopping 31 of 32 shots. The first goal of the game came in the 2nd period from Gabriel Borque slapping the puck from the point. A weak clearing chance by Nyquist and some effective screening of the goalie accounted for this goal. Francis Bouillon scored with about 30 seconds left in the 2nd period as Detroit failed to clear the puck out of their zone. Early in the 3rd period Detroit let Alexander Radulov sneak out front as Andrei Kostitsyn sent the puck out front to Radulov who got his 2nd of the season. Jiri Hudler was finally able to snipe one past Rinne with about 3 minutes left, right before Shea Weber would ice the game with an empty netter. Detroit looks like they'll have their hands full in the first round against this Nashville team.

***

Detroit went 1-2-0 this week and the way they have been playing really scares me for the first round of the playoffs where they will face Nashville, likely in the Preds' home arena.