Series Recap: Bolts Strike Down the Wings

Matched up with one of the best team in the Eastern Conference few people gave the Detroit Red Wings any chance of advancing to the 2^nd round. Despite a strong start to the season, Detroit squeaked into the playoffs with a number of questions about their goaltending and defense. With elite players both up front and on the blue line to go along with solid depth contributor, Tampa Bay was my favorite to win the Eastern Conference. Despite the doubters, the Wings refused to go away quietly and forced Tampa Bay to a deciding 7^th game. In the end, Tampa was the better team and they are moving on to the second round but through their effort, the Wings showed the critics that it is foolish to write off this franchise just yet.

Heartbreaking: Bolts Halt the Red Wing Rebellion

Despite winning game 3 to take a 2-1 lead this was a must win for the Wings. A win would give them three chances to put Tampa away, but a loss forces them to win another game on the road to advance. After the game 3 loss, Tampa changed things up by going with 11 forwards and 7 D to protect themselves in case the previously injured Garrison could not finish the game. The full lineup chances are Drouin coming in for Namestikov and Morrow is scratched for Garrison. With these changes it will be interesting to see the matchups tonight, 11 forwards means TB’s lines will be consistently changing making it tougher for Babcock to lock in on Stamkos or the Triplets.

Red Wings Halt the Storm, Take 2-1 Series Lead

I’ve been a little busy lately and didn’t have time to do write up after the game so I figured I’d just write down my thoughts as the game proceeds. Game 3 is always a turning point; with the Joe sure to be rocking this is a big opportunity for the Wings to take a step towards pulling the upset.

Magic Man Drops the Magic Number to 2

Despite the recent struggled the Red Wings entered Tuesday with a chance to clinch a playoff spot for the 24th consecutive season. A Red Wings win combined with a Pittsburgh regulation win would seal the deal. The chances looked good as both teams jumped out to leads. However both Detroit and Pittsburgh saw some turmoil as Pittsburgh would surrender 4 unanswered goals to eventually lose in OT, 4-3. Meanwhile in the motor city the Red Wings fell behind 2-1 entering the third period. Thankfully the Wings' stars came to play and did just enough to earn the victory and drop the magic number to only 2.

Detroit Dismantles the Coyotes Tank

 Detroit was dealt an early blow when it was announced just before puck drop that Kronwall would not be playing due to mysterious lower body injury. While this could have a major impact on the Red Wings in the future, it should have made little difference going up against an Arizona Coyotes team in the heat of the McEichel derby. However while the management wants the Coyotes to lose no one told the payers on the ice; they battled all night long and forced the Red Wings to come from behind on 4 separate occasions just to earn the overtime point. However the impressive comeback effort was denied in overtime when Arcabello registered his second of the night to give the Coyotes two unwanted points.

Wings Win in OT

While their play had picked up, the Red Wings left Florida without a single point to show for their efforts. With things getting heated at the bottom of the playoff race, Detroit could really use two points to distance themselves from the crowd. However, those points would not be easy to come by against a tough St. Louis team fighting for the division lead. After falling behind the Red Wings would battle back in the third to tie it up before winning the game in extra time.

Tough Loss Against Future Foe

Despite deserving two points the prior night in Sunrise the Wings came into Tampa Bay desperate for a win to preserve any chance of home ice in the first round of the playoffs. The Red Wings reversed recent trends and started out with a very strong first period. Despite the strong opening frame, the game remained scoreless until the two teams traded goals in the second. Tampa would take advantage of the Red Wing’s tired legs and dominate much of the third, eventually leading to the game winning goal before adding an empty netter.

Posts 4 Panthers 3 Red Wings 1

With a game against Tampa Bay looming tomorrow night this was a big opportunity for Mrazek and the Red Wings to pick up points against a struggling Florida team that has seen their playoff chances disappear in recent weeks. While Detroit struggled early, they improved and began to control possession as the game went on. Despite generating more scoring chances the Red Wings were continually stymied by the posts and Roberto Luongo while an off game by Mrazek was enough for the Panthers to take the win.

Defensive Lapses Cost Detroit

After a come from behind victory over Edmonton, the Red Wings looked poised to pick up a big two points against a depleted Columbus squad. With Montreal losing and Tampa earning only a single point, there was an opportunity for Detroit to gain some ground in the Atlantic division after taking an early lead. Despite missing a number of top players, the Jackets battled all night and with help from Ericsson and Zidlicky, scored 3 straight goals to take a lead they would never relinquish. The result was a bad loss for Detroit who continues to give back the points earned on the West coast road trip.

Wings Stop Skid With Win Over Oilers

Coming off the first back-to-back regulation losses of the season, the Red Wings looked headed for three straight. In what may have been the single worst start of the season, the Red Wings found themselves down 1-0 after only 2 minutes and were out shot 11-1 in the first 10. However, as they have done time and time again the team would respond. Kronwall and Sheahan scored in the 2^nd to give the Wings the lead and in the 3^rd we would see the goal scoring that brought Teemu Pulkkinen fame in the AHL. While the Oilers would battle back and cut the lead to 1 with under 2 minutes remaining, Abdelkader and Datsyuk would both register empty netters to end the game.

Wings Out Worked By Flames

After watching Montreal collect only a single point on the California trip, the Red Wings had a great opportunity to gain some ground going against an overachieving Calgary squad without their Captain and best player. Despite missing their leader, this was the “most important game of the year so far,” with respect to the Flames' playoff hopes so they would not go away quietly. Going against a tired opponent the Wings jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the 1^st period was half over. Refusing to go down without a fight, the Flames came back to take a 3-2 lead heading into the 3^rd period. We expected the Wings to come out firing all cylinders to start the third, especially after Babcock changed the lines. However, the Flames were rewarded for out working the Red Wings and left the Joe with a big two points and a 5-2 victory.

Židlický Wins It In Debut

Going against one of the Eastern Conference's best and fastest teams, the Red Wings were in for a battle. All night the Rangers used their speed to create turnovers and force Detroit's defenders into poor positions. After Howard was asked to save the team on many different occasions, Nyquist drew a penalty with only 46 seconds left in the game. On the Power Play in overtime our new acquisition Marek Židlický did exactly what we brought him in for. After using his big shot to create a number of opportunities he found a rebound in front and put it in to give the Red Wings a big victory at the Joe.

Wings Drop Potential Playoff Preview

In a game that had the look and feel of a playoff matchup the Wings once again came up short to Carey Price the Montreal Canadiens. Despite controlling play for the majority of the game, the Wings struggled to get shots to the net and when they did Price what there to answer. The loss is extremely disappointing, especially as the team prepares to for this tough west coast road trip. If there is a single silver lining to be had, Jimmy Howard appears to have shaken off the rust after his first start and looks ready to carry the Wings once again. A tough loss for sure but should provide confidence that the Wings are still clearly the more superior team, and will be come playoffs.

Shootout Dooms the Wings Again

The Winnipeg Jets came into town as the Red Wings aimed to revenge their embarrassing effort against Pittsburgh. Thankfully this was also the first start for Jimmy Howard after the ugly groin injury he suffered 35 days earlier. The Wings started out strong and jumped out to a 3-1 lead. However sloppy play and a rusty goaltender allowed the Jets to take control and if not for some late game magic by Smith & Datsyuk the team could have seen their first back-to-back regulation losses of the season. In OT the team would survive a breakaway against and a full 2 minute penalty kill to send the game into the shootout. In the shootout Jimmy was surprisingly excellent, but the team gave him no run support and the Jets we able to escape Motown with the extra point.

Wings Need Every-Dayers to Make Cup Run

In a rematch of the 08/09 Stanley Cup Finals the Red Wings had another opportunity to determine where they stand relative to one of the East’s elite teams. Despite the opponent and 3 days off suggesting the Red Wings would bring their best to Pittsburgh, they were anything but their best to start. The speed and work rate of the Pens was top notch and prevented the Wings from escaping the defensive zone. The Penguins' domination of zonetime resulted in an early 4-goal lead from which the Wings would never recover.

Rivalry Renewed: Wings Take Down the Avs

It looked like 1998 as the Red Wings and Avalanche showed the physicality and skill that trademarked their epic decade long rivalry. The Red Wings started slow but eventually started to wear down the Colorado defense with superb puck possession in the offensive zone. A goal by Abdelkader would give the Wings a 1-0 lead in 2^nd period and both Helm and Glendening would bury empty netters after Colorado went for the extra skater with 3 minutes remaining. Another great game by Peter Mrazek who earned the shutout and the Wings continue to roll towards the top of the East.

Power Play Lights up the Islanders

The Red Wings’ special teams led the squad to a victory over one of the East’s elite squads. Despite being out possessed at even strength the team did a good job of keeping the Islanders to the outside and the special teams returned to the form that got the Wings to the top of the league. The grinders and Mrazek killed off 3 of 4 penalties while the skill players effectively went 3 for 3 on the Power Play. This was a big win for the home team and an excellent game for Mrazek who was due for a bounce back performance.

Strong Second Period & Third Line Power Wings to a Win

Coming back from the All-Star break the Red Wings showed some rust against the perpetual pain in our side that is the Florida Panthers. After falling behind early, the third line of Weiss, Sheahan and Glendening added 3 goals to give a lead that Mrazek would preserve to earn the win. Thanks to the current 6 game winning streak the Red Wings now sit atop the Atlantic division and look to be in excellent shape as teams begin to battle for playoff positioning.

Predators Become the Prey

Nashville was a tired team flying into Detroit after a comeback victory over the Washington Capitals last night in the Music City. Surprisingly the Red Wings came out with a great start and before the visitors had a chance to get settled, they found themselves in a 3-0 hole. The Red Wing’s speed was apparent all night as the tired Predators were unable to out skate defenders through the neutral zone and routinely gave up costly turnovers.

Wings Put Out the Flames

Coming off a win last night in Edmonton that went down to the final minute, I wondered how the Wings would respond playing on a back-to-back. The wonderment quickly turned to worry as the Flames scored less than 3 minutes into the game. After a Flames' PP generated multiple scoring chances, I feared the Wings would be unable to climb out of this hole.