Weekly Preview: March 25-31st, 2012

Weekly Preview: March 25-31st, 2012

I am writing this a bit late and it is currently at the end of the 2nd period in the first Detroit-Columbus game, with Detroit up 6-0. That being said this is a huge week for Detroit if they want to cling on to that 4th place spot in the West and possibly climb back into first place. Two games against the horrible Blue Jackets and a big game on Friday against the Nashville Predators.

Game 1: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Home (Loss: 5-3)

I'm writing this column while the game is still on, but currently Detroit leads 6-0. If I wrote this column on time I would have predicted a similar outcome as Detroit has received much of its big guns back from injury and rookie stand-out Gustav Nyquist has been firing on all cylinders, certainly putting pressure on all of the top 6 forwards. 

Game 2: @ Columbus Blue Jackets

Since I am going to assume Detroit won't let up in the 3rd period of the game and will continue to pummel the Blue Jackets in Monday's game, I will say that Detroit will have a renewed sense of vigour as they travel to Columbus. Now having the taste of 2 straight wins and a much healthier lineup the Red Wings should eat up the Blue Jackets as they did on Monday night. 

Game 3: Nashville Predators @ Home

This is one of the most important games in a long time for the Red Wings. This will likely be a preview of the first round of the playoffs (providing St. Louis doesn't have a collapse) and with all of the recent Alexander Radulov hoop-la this game will certainly have the playoff atmosphere. All-Star net-minder Jimmy Howard is anticipated to make his return, which will mean Detroit will pretty much have all of their A-List cast in this contest. Nashville also has a very tough week this week facing St. Louis, Detroit, and Chicago. Despite their dismantling of Chicago on Sunday facing all the big guns of the Central Division could wear out the Predators down the stretch. Anything can happen in this game, and it is definitely a must watch game.

***

Two, hopefully, easy games against Columbus to ease out the kinks and give time for Jimmy Howard to heal up before the all too important game against the Preds on Friday. Look for this game to be an all out war.

Weekly Review: March 18-24th, 2012

Weekly Review: March 18-24th, 2012

Detroit has finally ended their losing streak at 6 games! This is great news despite the fact that they went 1-1-1 on the week the important things are they have got back into their winning ways and remain in the 4th spot in the Western Conference above the Nashville Predators. Let's look at how the Wings did this week...

Game 1: Washington Capitals @ Home (Loss: 5-3)

Detroit looked sluggish as their skeleton squad chugged on through to a 5-3 loss against the Washington Capitals. The scoring was started on a Washington Power Play as Marcus Johansson took the puck down low and centred it to a wide open Alexander Ovechkin who slapped the puck past Jimmy Howard for his 31st of the year. The Caps would add to their lead as Jason Chimera skated into the Red Wing zone with both Defence on him and dropped the puck to a wide open Mike Knuble who snapped it past Howard. Detroit would then again find themselves on the Penalty Kill and watch as Ovie skated through the middle of the ice, slapped a puck on net, got his own rebound and banged in his 2nd of the game. Detroit would show some life early in the 2nd period as their Power Play got to work. Some nice cycling from Hudler and Brendan Smith would see the puck end up on Kyle Quincey's stick who unleashed a cannon of a slap shot finally putting the Wings on the board. No real momentum was gathered from that goal however, as Washington would score next. Marcus Johansson would flip the puck out of the corner hitting Dan Cleary, Cleary looked stunned as Semin picked up the puck and sent it to Keith Aucoin who wristed it past Howard making it 4-1 Capitals. Detroit would inch closer to tying the game as Gustav Nyquist would send the puck on net and Caps' Goalie Braden Holtby tried to lazily pick the puck up but it was quickly batted in by Bertuzzi. Brendan Smith would then take the puck down low and shoot it on net, Justin Adbelkader would take a whack at it but it would be Dan Cleary who would bank the 2nd rebound in to bring the game to 4-3. That would be as close as the Wings would get however, as Jason Chimera would add an Empty Net goal to secure the win.

Detroit showed some life in this game on offence but their defence and Penalty Kill was bad and led to a loss in this game.

Game 2: @ New York Rangers (Loss: 2-1 OT)

Detroit headed into Manhattan having lost 5 games in a row, and facing the East's best team things did not look good. At least they managed to earn the extra point in this contest to move ahead of Nashville to take 4th place in the Western Conference.

Detroit would open the scoring as Ian White would get the puck at the blueline and sent it to Henrik Zetterberg who sniped his 19th of the year from the top of the face-off circle. Detroit would once again fall asleep on the Penalty Kill and let Brad Richards take the puck from Henrik Lundqvist and skate through the entire Penalty Killing Corps and slide the puck past Conklin. Each goaltender would play perfectly in the 2nd and 3rd period, sending the game to OT. Some nice Tic-Tac-Toe passing from Dubinsky to Del Zotto to Callahan would see Ryan Callahan snap in his 27th of the season and give the Rangers the win. Ty Conklin started for the Wings in this game after clearing waivers due to Jimmy Howard and Joey MacDonald being both out with injuries. Conklin had his trademark wonky plays that made the game "extra exciting" but still managed a great game in a losing effort. Detroit's offence was thwarted by excellent goaltending by Henrik Lundqvist and several goalposts shots. Once again some momentary Defensive lapses would send Detroit home without a win.

Game 3: Carolina Hurricanes @ Home (Win: 5-4)

Detroit finally snapped their losing streak and returned to their winning ways as their ageless captain Nicklas Lidstrom returned to the lineup. However this win would come in sloppy fashion. Jiri Tlusty would score on Ty Conklin only 17 seconds into the game. then in the 2nd period Chad LaRose would sneak in front and score 26 seconds into the 2nd period. Down 2-0, Detroit would finally get on the board after Val Filppula and Hudler cycled the puck down low and sent it to Henrik Zetterberg who broke in all alone and wristed the puck past Cam Ward. Detroit would then go down 2 men giving Carolina a 5-3 advantage. Jamie McBain would score with 1 second left on the first penalty and Jiri Tlusty would score on the 5 on 4 making the game 4-1 Hurricanes. However, Zetterberg would again break into the slot and pick up a pass from Filppula to make the game 4-2. Todd Bertuzzi would bat in a rebound from a Gustav Nyquist shot making the game 4-3 sending the game into the 3rd period. Val Filppula would pass to Brad Stuart who sent the puck to Jiri Hudler in the high slot who slapped the puck in to tie the game. Drew Miller would give Detroit the lead and first win in 2 weeks as he accepted a Dan Cleary pass, broke to the net and backhanded the puck over Cam Ward. 

***

It was good to see Nicklas Lidstrom return against Carolina and seeing him pick up an assist on the Bertuzzi goal was a bonus. Hopefully he can add some poise to this team and they can stop have defensive lapses which costs them against New York and Washington earlier this week.

Weekly Preview: March 18-24th, 2012

Weekly Preview: March 18-24th, 2012

Detroit is on a little bit of a slide. They have lost 4 straight and are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. In their last two weeks they have gone 1-5-1. It looks as if St. Louis is running away with the Western Conference so if Detroit wants to hold on to the 4th spot in the West to get home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs they need to really start winning some games.

Game 1: Washington Capitals @ Home

Washington is in "must win" mode to hold on to the 8th and final playoff spot, however luckily for Detroit, Washington themselves have been on a bit of a slide and come into the Joe Louis arena for game 4 of a 5 game road trip. With Pavel Datsyuk back hopefully he will hit full stride and give the Wings a win in this game.

Game 2: @ New York Rangers

Both of these teams are on similar slides. Detroit 3-6-1 in their last ten, New York 4-5-1 in their last 10. Both teams can chalk their recent woes up to a great deal of injury woes. Due to injuries Ty Conklin will get the start for Detroit. Detroit has been absolutely awful on the Power Play as of late going 1 for 32 in the month of March and will certainly need to pick it up if want to return to their earlier dominance of the Western Conference. 

Game 3: Carolina Hurricanes @ Home

Nicklas Lidstrom is expected to return to Detroit's lineup for this game and hopefully he can return the Wings to their winning ways. Carolina currently sits at the 11th place in the Eastern Conference and looks as if they will stay there as the season ends. They have been on a 3 game win streak and will have suspended forward Jeff Skinner returning for this game. Hopefully Detroit can use this game to snap out of their losing streak and return to their dominating form. 

***

Lot's of injuries for thing Wings but they should get Lidstrom back on Saturday. Hopefully they can end their losing ways this week and work out some kinks as they head into playoff mode.

Weekly Review: March 11th-17th, 2012

Weekly Review: March 11th-17th, 2012

Detroit went 0-2-1 this week getting 1 of a possible 6 points. In this terrible week the only bright light is the fact that Pavel Datsyuk is back from injury and one can only assume Nicklas Lidstrom will be coming back soon too.

Game 1: @Los Angeles (Loss: 5-2)

Last week Detroit managed one sluggish win over the LA Kings however they weren't as lucky this week. Justin Williams opened the scoring for the Kings set up from Drew Doughty and Dustin Brown. Thanks to a Dustin Penner Holding penalty a few minutes later Detroit's disastrous Power Play took the ice. Brendan Smith took had the puck just inside LA's blue-line and then Dustin Brown stole the puck from him and passed to Anze Kopitar who skated down the ice and put the puck in with a snap shot for a Short Handed goal. In the 2nd period Detroit finally got on the board with Jiri Hudler netting his 21st goal of the season thanks to Zetterberg and Filppula. However, Drew Doughty would get a slapshot from the blue line to beat Jimmy Howard putting the the Kings back up by 2 goals. Detroit's special teams dwindled in the 3rd period as well as they gave up a Power Play goal to Slava Voynov off of a Doug Janik boarding call. Johan Franzen would bang in a rebound from Brad Stuart's point shot to make the game 4-2. That would be as close as this game goat as Jeff Carter would wrist in an empty netter finishing this game off at 5-2.

Game 2: @Anaheim (Loss: 4-0)

The Ducks managed to shut out the Red Wings in this contest as Jonas Hiller stopped all 23 shots the Wings through at him. Teemu Selanne opened the scoring by tipping in a shot from Cam Fowler. This goal was Selanne's 660th career goal and his 1,400th career point. Kyle Palmieri had a great individual effort to backhand in his 2nd goal of the season. The Ducks big guns connected for the 3rd goal of the game, Bobby Ryan netted his 26th with assists from Getzlaf and Vishnovsky. Finally Palmieri would back hand in another oal this time set up by Getzlaf for his 2nd of the night. Detroit's Power Play was once again anemic as they went 0 for 3.

Game 3: San Jose (Loss 3-2 OT)

Detroit go their lone point of the week in this contest, however it came in the form of an OT Loss. Detroit fell behind early giving up 2 goals to Joe Pavelski and Martin Havlat but the lead was cut in half thanks to the returning Pavel Datsyuk. Datsyuk got the puck in the corner from Kronwall and managed to shoot it on net and have it roll over Antti Niemi and in. Valtteri Filppula would even up the game at 2 a side just over halfway through the 3rd period with a beautiful snipe over the shoulder of Niemi. As the game went to OT it would be Martin Havlat who set up his own chance, a scramble in front of the net, where he eventually banged in the game winner.

***

Another poor week for Detroit, Jimmy Howard hasn't looked good since he came back from his injury and now Joey MacDonald is Day-To-Day with Back Spasms. It was good to see Datsyuk back in the lineup and contributing with a goal in Saturday's contest. Hopefully they can turn things around next week.

Weekly Preview: March 11th-17th, 2012

Weekly Preview: March 11th-17th, 2012

The Red Wings are coming off a disappointing week and heading on a 3 game road trip in the Sunshine State. Detroit currently sits 4th in the Western Conference 4 points ahead of the 5th place Predators. It looks like Detroit is a lock for the playoffs but they need to keep winning if they want to get a good seed, and home ice advantage (a big plus for the Wings this season) this post-season.

Game 1: @Los Angeles

Despite a sloppy performance last week Detroit managed to get their lone win of the week against the Los Angeles Kings. Detroit was able to make their shots count, scoring 4 goals on 15 shots against All-Star goalie Jonathan Quick. Such a strategy wouldn't be advisable if the Wings would like to win this one. They will however have Jimmy Howard and possibly Todd Bertuzzi come back for this game. Having Jimmy Howard back is great for this week due to the road-trip as despite Joey MacDonald's great play he isn't experienced enough to play all the games this week. Todd Bertuzzi could add some grit to the top lines giving room for Zetterberg and Franzen to take more shots. LA will be hungry in this game as they are finally in the play-off hunt again in a 3 way tie for 8th place with 76 points for the final play-off spot.

Game 2: @Anaheim

The Ducks are in do-or-die mode now. After having a horrible start to the year they jumped back into the thick of things after the All-Star breaks going on an impressive run fighting up to 12th place in the West, 8 points out of a playoff spot. The Ducks will pretty much need to win out the rest of their schedule so look for them to be playing each game as if it is their last. Anaheim's Corey Perry has scored 5 points in the last 5 games but is listed as questionable heading into their game against Colorado. If Detroit gets some of their big guns healed up (Datsyuk, Lidstrom) in time for this game, the Wings could put an end to the Ducks season.

Game 3: San Jose

San Jose sits in 11th place, 1 point out a play-off spot at the start of this week. Proving that the lower rung of a ladder in the Western Conference is extremely volatile. The Sharks, once an extremely offensive team has cooled down recently and has scored three goals or less in twelve consecutive games. Detroit's defensive and goaltending departments have been playing well as of late and if Datsyuk and Bertuzzi can come back into the lineup and stabilize the Red Wing's top 2 lines, Detroit could easily come out with a win in this one.

***

Detroit hasn't been playing well lately, largely due to the amount of injuries they have had recently, but things look as if they will turn around with a number of these players coming back into the lineup. Look for Detroit to rack up the wins in this one.

Weekly Review: March 4th-10th, 2012

Weekly Review: March 4th-10th, 2012

Another disappointing week puts the Red Wings at 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, but luckily they are still in 4th place in the Western Conference. Some of theses losses can be chalked up to injuries, but the lack of secondary scoring is somewhat concerning if the Red Wings want to go deep in to the playoffs.

Game 1: Chicago @ Home (Loss: 2-1)

Both teams were missing some big guns in this game and Detroit also lost Jimmy Howard to injury after just 4 shots. Despite injuries Chicago was the team to prevail in this one. Off of a Kyle Quincey interference penalty Mariam Hossa set up Patrick Sharp who had a slap shot from the point which gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead. However Niklas Kronwall would answer with a point shot of his own set up by Darren Helm to even the game. Late in the 2nd period Brad Stuart would lazily clear the puck from behind his own net which was picked off by Patrick Sharp and centred to Patrick Kane who sent it into the net giving the Hawks the 2-1 lead. Ray Emery played spectacularly in this game holding off several good chances by the surging Wings. This game was a tough loss to a Divisional Opponent and saw the loss of Jimmy Howard. Detroit had lots of chances out shooting the Blackhawks 24 to 18 but couldn't seem to burry the puck.

Game 2: @Philadelphia (Loss: 3-2)

Claude Giroux showed everyone why he was one of the best players in the game in this contest, and Ilya Bryzgalov showed why he was one of the most highly sought after UFAs last summer with excellent play (he stopped 47 of 49 shots) against the Wings in this one. Henrik Zetterberg though, would be the first to open the scoring with a beautiful backhand over Bryzgalov's shoulder giving the Wings a 1-0 lead. A miscommunication between Joey MacDonald and Doug Janik behind the net would leave the puck sitting there for Jakub Voracek to score with a wrap-around equalizing the game. Claude Giroux would break up the ice accepting a pass from Brayden Coburn fake the shot and backhand the puck past Joey MacDoanlad. Then there would be more Giroux on the Penalty Kill he stole the puck at the blueline from Ian White and broke down the ice, his shot was stopped but Maxime Talbot would bang the puck in for a Short Handed Goal. In the 3rd it seemed as if the Wings would mount a comeback with Johan Franzen snapshot set up by Brendan Smith and Kyle Quincey. Detroit's Power Play has been awful as of late and giving up a goal with the man advantage is simply unacceptable and was the cause of their demise in this game. The team plays great 5-on-5 hockey but they will need to up their special teams to remain a top the league.

Game 3: Los Angeles @ Home (Win: 4-3)

Detroit had a sluggish start and played that way most of the game but were able to end up the victors in this contest with only getting 15 shots on goal. Jeff Carter would open the scoring on LA's Power Play backhanding in his 18th of the year, but Henrik Zetterberg would equalize the game with his 17th of the year set up by Filppula and Hudler. Former Red Wing Justin Williams would accept a Dustin Brown pass and then wrist in the puck restoring the LA lead. Zetterberg get his 2nd of the night set up by Filppula and Kronwall. In to the 3rd period tied 2-2 Dwight King would get set up by Jeff Carter to give LA the 3-2 lead but that would be the end of the night for LA's offence. Zetterberg would set up a Brendan Smith point shot that would get tipped in by Valtteri Filppula tying the game at 3 a piece. Then for the Game Winning Goal Darren Helm would tip-in a shot from Franzen with less than 2 minutes left in the game.

The sluggish play of the Wings was evident in the fact they only got 15 shots on net, however it was enough to hold of the LA Kings and give the Wings a much needed 2 points.

Game 4: @Nashville (Loss: 3-2)

Another disappointing loss to a Divisional opponent in this game as the Red Wings played well but ran in to some hot goaltending in Pekka Rinne. Recent call-up Gustav Nyquist coughed up the puck to David Legwand who broke down the ice and passed to Patric Hornqvist who wristed it passed Joey MacDonald. Detroit would even the scoring thanks to Drew Miller who got the puck out of the corner and skated out wresting it passed Rinne for his 13th goal of the year. Doug Janik would take a high sticking penalty which lead to a Nashville power play goal. David Legwand centred the puck to Sergei Kostitsyn who one touch passed it to his brother Andrei who swept the puck in passed MacDonald giving the Preds the lead. No scoring in the 2nd period but Nashville did take 2 penalties which Detroit's power play failed to capitalize on. In the 3rd period off of a Brad Stuart interference penalty Legwand and the Kostitsyns would connect for another Tic Tac Toe passing from Legwand to Sergie to Andrei for Andrei's 2nd goal of the game. Gustav Nyquist would get his 3rd assist of the year by playing tough in the corner and skating out with the puck before centring it to Justin Abdelkader who netted his 8th of the year. The game would remain 3-2 as the Red Wings would again lose despite out shooting the opponent by a wide margin, 37-20.

***

It was a tough week for the injured Red Wings going 1-3-0, and the only game they won was a game they should have lost. Their power play has struggled tremendously and they have even given up a few Short Handed goals as of late. They have run in to some hot goaltending but that shouldn't be an excuse for their play with the man advantage. Hopefully Datsyuk and Lidstrom return soon and add some zip back to this stagnant lineup. 

Weekly Preview: March 4th-10th, 2012

Weekly Preview: March 4th-10th, 2012

Detroit played really well last week, especially without Niklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk though the competition they faced pales in comparison to the teams they face this week. The week kicks off with a home contest against Divisional Rivals the Chicago Blackhawks, then the Wings head on the road to face Philadelphia. They then head back to Detroit to face the reinvigorated LA Kings, and then head to Nashville to face their new bolstered lineup thanks to some trade deadline acquisitions.

Game 1: Chicago @ Home

Luckily for the Wings, Chicago is also having some injury woes and won't have Jonathan Toews, Steve Montador, or Niklas Hjalmarsson. Chicago kicked off Detroit's 3 game losing skid last week so Detroit should be looking to make a statement in this game. Coming off of a shut-out against Minnesota, Jimmy Howard is expected to get the start in this game. If he can once again have a stellar performance that would be key to dealing with the absence of Datsyuk's excellent 2 way play, and Lidstrom on defence.

Game 2: @Philadelphia

Detroit walks in to this game knowing that a win could be the difference between first or fourth place in the Western Conference. However, Lidstrom and Datsyuk are still injured and now Jimmy Howard is injured after only 4 shots against the Black Hawks on Sunday, and Todd Bertuzzi who has been day-to-day with a nagging groin injury. The Wings will be calling up 3 AHL prospects to fill in for their injured teammates. Valtteri Filppula has stepped up to the plate for the battered Wings and has had recorded 7 points in the last 4 games. Philly's Ilya Bryzgalov has been hot as of late so Detroit will need to muster up all the offence they can and Jimmy Howard will need to step up if Detroit wants to win this one.

Game 3: Los Angeles @ Home

LA is hungry and desperately fitting for that 8th spot in the Western Conference. They have won 2 straight and have a pivotal game against the Nashville Predators before facing the Wings. Jeff Carter was reunited with former Flyer friend Mike Richards just before the Trade Deadline in exchange for Defenceman Jack Johnson. LA has had trouble scoring but thanks to some stellar goaltending from both Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier has held other teams at bay. If Detroit is still missing some of their top offensive talent they will need a strong effort from their secondary scoring to win this one.

Game 4: @Nashville

Nashville was one of the busiest movers at the Trade Deadline landing Hal Gill, Andrei Kostitsyn and Paul Gaustad at the deadline. The acquisition of Gaustad is the most stinging for Wings fans as he was linked to the Red Wings leading up to the deadline. Hal Gill provides some solid depth on the Predators blue-line, Andrei is reunited with his brother Sergei, and Gaustad provides the grit that the Predators seemed to lack. Pekka Rinne has been playing outstanding as of late and just like in the Wings' game against LA they will need strong scoring if they want to get a win against this offensively starved team.

Weekly Review: February 26th - March 3rd, 2012

Weekly Review: February 26th - March 3rd, 2012

Two wins for the Wings this week as they rebound from 3 consecutive losses. Niklas Lidstrom was injured this week which gave way for recent call up Brendan Smith to crack the lineup. 

Game 1: @Columbus (Win: 5-2)

It was a slow rocky start for the Wings but in the end they prevailed getting 2 points over the Blue Jackets. Not having Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom didn't help either as both were out of the lineup with injuries. Johan Franzen opened the scoring with a wrist shot early in the first period, but Rick Nash was able to equalize the game with a Power Play tip-in goal. There was no scoring done in the 2nd and heading in to the 3rd period Detroit looked sloppy as they gave up a Short Handed goal to Columbus from Derek MacKenzie. That Short Handed goal perhaps lit a fire underneath the wings as they proceeded to score 4 straight goals. Niklas Kronwall backhanded in the tying goal from a Zetterberg set up and then Zetterberg scored the go-a-head goal set up by Valtteri Filpulla and Kronwall. Jan Murask and Valtteri Filppula would add insurance markers to secure the win. Aside from the sloppy Short Handed goal Joey MacDonald looked really good in this game saving 28 of 30 shots.

Game 2: Minnesota @ Home (Win: 6-0)

Coming off of 3 losses and a somewhat rocky win against Columbus it was nice to see the Wings dominate a game. Once again missing Lidstrom and Datsyuk the Wings managed to light up the Wild en route to a 6-0 win. Valtteri Filppula opened the scoring in the first set up by Zetterberg and Kronwall and then later in the first Brendan Smith would get his first goal as a Red Wing set up from Adbelkader and Cleary. In the 2nd period Darren Helm snapped a puck past Josh Harding for his 8th of the year and Valtteri Filppula would score his second goal of the game set up by Zetterberg and Kronwall again. Ian White would add an unassisted slap shot goal to put the Wings up 5-0 heading into the 3rd period. In the 3rd period Henrik Zetterberg would score his 15th of the year from Filppula (who recored his 3rd point of the night) and Ian White. Jimmy Howard stopped all 19 shots to get his 6th Shut out of the year.

***

This was a good week for Detroit to pick themselves up from the rut they fell into last week and it was great to see the team play as well as they did with out Lidstrom and Datsyuk. Big props to Brendan Smith for scoring his first goal as a Red Wing!