World Junior Hockey news...

Team USA beat Switzerland,2-1,and are in the semifinals,of the IIHF World Junior Championships,in Buffalo,New York... they won the tourney,in 2009,in Saskatoon,Saskatchewan...

game score,and commentary...

Islanders 4,Red Wings 3,overtime... both teams got a power play in overtime,and during Red Wings' power play,Johan Franzen's stick got slashed and broken,by an Islanders' player,and was not called,and within seconds,Henrik Zetterberg got called for holding(a blatant call,i may say)... not griping too much... a great road game,by Islanders,and to give them some hockey love,they also beat Pittsburgh,and Detroit,back to back(the top two teams,so far,in NHL),and are 6-1-1,in last eight games... however,they are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference... Red Wings got a point out of the game,so i am not that upset... history tidbit:during 2006 playoffs,in six games,Edmonton beat,4-2,in games... why bring that up,one Edmonton Oiler player,in that series,played tonight,against Red Wings? one Dwayne Roloson,goaltender,of the 2006 Edmonton Oilers(who out-dueled Manny Legace),and the goaltender,of the 2010 New York Islanders,on this night...

game in progress... overtime...

Red Wings scored once on Tomas Tatar's first goal of his NHL career,to force overtime...

comment...

Tomas Tatar,playing his first NHL game,scored his first NHL goal,in tying game,with Islanders,at 3 all... way to go,Tomas!!!!!!!

game in progress--2nd period

Islanders 3, Red Wings 2,after two periods... Islanders are trying to ugly up game,basically frustrate Red Wings,and play defense,and rely on their goaltender,to win game.. both teams scored in final seconds,of first two periods(Islanders,19:57,of the first period,and Red Wings,19:51,of the second period)... Johan Franzen scored in first period,to make it,1-0,then Islanders used three face-off wins(including Lidstrom's own goal,when he tried to knock puck past right goalpost,but missed,and just slapped puck,into net),in first period,and second period,to score all three goals,then Valtteri Filppula scored with nine seconds left,in second period...

game in progress...

Islanders 2, Red Wings 1... after one period,Islanders have very few shots(four shots),on goal,but Nicklas Lidstrom slapped the puck into own net,for first goal,and Islanders slapped it past Jimmy Howard,in final seconds,left in first period... ugly period for both teams...

odd trivia...

New York Islanders,over the last two years,have played both Chicago,and Detroit,four times... their record,4-0,against the last two Western Conference Champions...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/Islanders,tonight,in Detroit...

correction...

the Red Wings have won three in a row,since Christmas,all on the road,but they lost to St. Louis,4-3,on December 23,2010,to actually start a road trip,before Christmas,so even though they swept Minnesota,Colorado,and Dallas,in their buildings,i honestly felt like i owed a correction to my blog...

commentary...

the last time Red Wings scored on the New York Islanders,was on January 30,2007,in a 4-3 overtime win,by Red Wings,when Henrik Zetterberg scored with 2:03,left in overtime...

game score,and commentary...

Red Wings 7,Stars 3... Red Wings are 17-1-1,when scoring four,or more,goals,this season,and in last 41 games,when scoring four or more goals,they are 37-1-3... they are second(behind Pittsburgh,who lost in shootout,with the New York Islanders,tonight,and has 53 points),with 52 points,for best team in NHL,and they have two games in hand(they have played two fewer games),which puts them second,in NHL,and best in Western Conference,so far... Dallas erased a 1-0 lead,in second period,by scoring three goals,in 1:14,then got steamrolled,by Red Wings,in last half of game... Patrick Eaves scored a hat trick,and Red Wings played very good defense,and Red Wings snapped a six game losing streak in Dallas,tonight... a sweep on the road,and now they play the Islanders,next,at home,who beat the Red Wings,6-0,last year(January 11,2010,in New York)... in fact,the Red Wings have been shut out the last two times,that they played the Islanders(also,2-0,March 27,2009,in Detroit),so they owe them a beating...

Red Wings' trivia...

the last time Red Wings scored all of their goals,on the power play,before game with Colorado,two nights ago,was December 9,2006,when they beat Toronto,5-1... in fact,all of the goals that were on the power play,including Toronto's goal... actually,i remember that game... Red Wings were five of first eight,including both ends,of a five-on-three,going into third period,and could have had more goals in a penalty-filled third period... Red Wings were 5 for 14,overall,on power play,in that game... Maple Leafs were 1 for 8,on power play,including a diving call,on Dominik Hasek,in third period... what a real nugget of trivia!!!!!!!!

Red Wings' news...

Detroit/Dallas,tonight,in Dallas... round 3,tonight...

Walleye news...

Toledo Walleye are 11-14-2-1,10th,in Eastern Conference,of the ECHL,with 25 points,only a point ahead of the Trenton Devils...

Griffiths' news...

Grand Rapids Griffiths are 15-15-1-4,fifth place in North Division,of Western Conference,eight points behind the Hamilton Bulldogs,who have a five point lead,over second place Manitoba Moose,who have 38 points,so Grand Rapids is actually not far behind Manitoba,for second place in division...

commentary...

Nicklas Lidstrom had a goal,and three assists,along with Jiri Hudler,Johan Franzen,and Niklas Kronwall,who scored goals... Jiri Hudler scored his second goal of the season(both goals scored against Peter Budaj(Avalanche goaltender))... Johan Franzen tied game,at 2... Lidstrom gave Red Wings their first lead of the game,3-2,with a slapshot,past Budaj,but Matt Duchene scored his second goal of the night,for Avalanche,on their 7th power play of game to force overtime,and then Budaj tripped Darren Helm,in overtime,to give the Red Wings their sixth,and last(a four on three)power play,when Kronwall scored on an one timer,to win game,4-3,but the Red Wings would not have been in overtime,if it was not for Chris Osgood,who stopped 46 shots,23 of them in second period,many of them spectacular saves,and he is player of the game,with earning his 400th win(tenth goaltender,in NHL history)...

Red Wings' game score,and commentary...

Red Wings 4,Avalanche 3,in overtime... Chris Osgood wins his 400th NHL game... Red Wings scored all four goals on the power play,tonight,going four for six,on the power play... Osgood became the 10th goalie,in NHL history,to win 400 games,as a goaltender... seven of the ten are in Hockey Hall of Fame... after giving up two easy goals,in first period(a 2-2 tie after one period),he basically stood on his head,in goal,for Red Wings... next up,for Osgood,on wins list,is Hockey Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr,who won five Stanley Cups,with Edmonton,four with Wayne Gretzky,and one in 1990,with Mark Messier,who,by the way,won six Stanley Cups,five with Edmonton,and one,with the New York Rangers,in 1994...

injury update...

Danny Cleary out four weeks with broken ankle,suffered last night,during game with Minnesota Wild... must have blocked shot,with ankle,and shot broke ankle... he scored second goal of game,in first period,and 16th of season,then left game....

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/Avalanche,tonight,in Denver...

commentary...

Henrik Zetterberg,Danny Cleary,Kris Draper,and Tomas Holmstrom,all scored within nine minutes of each other;Zetterberg,and Cleary,in the first period,and Draper,and Holmstrom,in the second period,as Red Wings cruised to a easy 4-1 victory,over the Minnesota Wild... Jimmy Howard faced only eighteen shots,allowing only one goal... both goals by Henrik Zetterberg,and Danny Cleary's deflected off Niklas Backstrom(Wild goaltender),one off his back from behind the goal line(Zetterberg's)and Cleary's goal went off his skate,and into the net... Draper's goal was a beautiful tip past Backstrom,and Holmstrom's goal was basically a twisting,behind the back goal,with a Wild player all over his back,past Backstrom...

Red Wings' game score...

Red Wings 4,Wild 1... analysis tomorrow morning... Red Wings are best team,in Western Conference,with 48 points....

commentary...

my honest opinion,is that the pundits will be wrong,about Pavel Datsyuk's injury to his right wrist/hand... as soon as it feels strong enough to take a major face-off on the ice,he will be back playing with Red Wings... i knew something was wrong,when he refused to take a face-off,in the Red Wings' offensive zone... they say,at least,four weeks,but i know one thing about Datsyuk;he has a very high pain limit on his body,and,mark my words,he will be back sooner,because he missed only seven games,in the playoffs,with a broken foot,in 2009... remember that?

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings play Avalanche,on back-to-back nights,after Minnesota Wild...

Red Wings' news...

Detroit/Minnesota Wild,Sunday....

game score,and commentary...

Blues 4,Red Wings 3... good first two periods;Blues went off to 4-1 lead,looked like a rout in process,but Red Wings fought back with two late goals,in second period to close within 4-3,but could not get tying goal,in third period... first three goals came in 66 seconds;two by St Louis,in first period,and two more Blues' goals,late in first period,and early in second period,to make it,4-1... both goaltenders looked soft in spots,and Detroit looked flat in first period,and early in second,having played last night,but they got their second wind,in last half of game,but could not take advantage of the Blues' running around,in their own zone,in third period... the announcers just irritated the snot out of me,blaming Detroit,for every little tic tac touch of the Blues' players,and even criticizing officials for a close,but legal,dash with puck to the net,claiming it to be offsides,and it was a great play by the Red Wings,when they came out of penalty box,and it was a stretch pass... Johan Franzen,Nicklas Lidstrom,and Patrick Eaves scored for the Red Wings... the Blues jumped all over the Red Wings early,and deserved to win,scoring three goals in first period,and four in first half of game,and they hung on,for dear life... Red Wings took too many stupid penalties,early in game,and penalty kill for Red Wings really sucked,early... St. Louis got some strange bounces,one goal went off a Red Wings' player's leg,and changed direction,mid-flight,and into the net... entertaining game,but the Red Wings have to improve on defense... nine,of next eleven,games,on the road...

Red Wings' news...

Detroit/St. Louis,tonight,in St. Louis,then Christmas break... analysis of game,after game....

analysis of game...

the pundits say that the Red Wings "have a big hole in their team",but honestly,the loss of Pavel Datsyuk,for about a month,is going to be felt mostly,on defense... luckily,the Red Wings has enough offense to make up for the loss;expect a loss of a quarter of a goal,in offensive output,but if they tighten up defense,they will be fine... expect Henrik Zetterberg,and Nicklas Lidstrom,to pick up lack of punch,but i expect the Red Wings to stay pat,for a couple of games,then figure out how to play,without Datsyuk(maybe recall a player from Grand Rapids,or shift around current players,on roster)... i expect them to be alright... i rather have this type of injury,right now,instead of March-April,because the loss of Datsyuk,at that point,would be rather bad,in scope,because not having him until playoffs,would really hurt... Datsyuk has missed only six games,since the lockout,until now,not including the 2009 playoffs,when he broke his foot(the deciding factor,along with an injury to Lidstrom,which cost him two games,in the failed offensive playoff run,against Chicago,and Pittsburgh)... Zetterberg scored two goals,including game winner,in overtime,along with Valtteri Filppula,Dan Cleary,and Nicklas Lidstrom,who scored game tying goal,late in third period,to force overtime... the Sedin(Henrik,and Daniel) twins both scored goals,both in second period,for Vancouver,but the Red Wings,kept them in check,most of the game,and peppered Roberto Luongo with shots,and he gave up a couple of very strange goals,and rather soft goals... Red Wings' defense was all right,but to tell you the truth,both teams light it up normally,on each other(last game:Vancouver 6,Detroit 4,so i expected a lot of goals in most games,between both teams)... a win is a win,a rather big win,overall,but Red Wings won last night...

Red Wings' news...

Pavel Datysuk is out with a broken hand,when he fell over Mikael Samuelsson,by accident,in first period... they say,at least a month,but knowing Datsyuk,he will be back shortly before a month... analysis tomorrow...

Red Wings' game score...

Red Wings 5,Canucks 4,in overtime...

Red Wings' news...

Vancouver/Detroit,tonight,at 4:30 pm.... analysis after game....

Toledo Walleye(ECHL)news...

the Walleye(shared with Chicago Blackhawks,boo,hiss!)are 9-14-2-1 with 21 points,nine points,behind Wheeling(West Virginia) Nailers... they do have two very good young goalies,Jordan Pearce,out of Notre Dame,who led nation,with a record,of 30-6-3,in 2008-2009(Detroit's draft pick),and Joseph(Joe)Palmer,who played parts of three years,with Ohio State Buckeyes,and won two gold medals,as member of Team USA UNDER 18(U-18)gold medal winning teams,at IIHF Under-18 World Championships,in 2005,and 2006(Chicago's draft pick)...

Griffiths' news...

Grand Rapids Griffiths are,13-14-1-4,and in last place,in their division(North Division,of Western Conference)... they are 4-5-1 in last ten games... they have scored 92 goals,and given up 98 goals... they are second,in American Hockey League,in one category:Penalty minutes(672),behind Albany Devils(676)...

Red Wings' news...

the next three games will be Vancouver,in Detroit,Wednesday,St. Louis,Thursday,in St. Louis,and Minnesota,in Minnesota,December 26th.... there is a two day Christmas Day break...

sports history...

according to Stats INC.,yesterday was historic,when all three teams,in Detroit(NFL,NBA,and NHL),all went into overtime,on same day... it was the first time in history,that it has happened...

commentary...

Dallas Stars came back from a 2-0 first period deficit,to tie game,at 2,going into second period... both teams had a power play goal,and then had a goal go into net off opposing player,past goaltender,in first period,in a very hard fought,body-crunching first period... in fact,both teams planted some great body checks,throughout the game... Pavel Datsyuk,and Patrick Eaves scored in first 12:30,of game,and then Datsyuk had a breakaway to make it,3-0,but got stopped,and then within seconds,Brad Richards scored to make it,2-1,and then Brendan Morrow,scored,about four minutes later,to tie game,at 2,after one period... they fought,literally,to a standstill,until Johan Franzen scored,with 17 seconds to play,in second period... Red Wings led,3-2,until 3:14 left,in game,when Jamie Benn,threw a great pass,to Brendan Morrow,again,for his second goal of night,on a backhand,right between Osgood's pads,and into the net,to force overtime,and then with 42 seconds left,on a great pass,by Benn,to Loui Eriksson,who swept in from the left side,on a three on one,to put the puck,past Osgood,for the overtime win...

Red Wings' game score...

Stars 4,Red Wings 3... overtime... Red Wings have not beaten Stars,in overtime,or shootout,since 2001... beginning to despise the Stars,as much as i despise the Avalanche... analysis tomorrow...

game in progress--2nd period

Red Wings,3 Stars 2,after two periods... analysis,tomorrow... wild first period,and Red Wings scored game-leading goal,with 17 seconds,left in second period...

Red Wings' news...

Detroit/Dallas today,at 2 pm....

Red Wings' game score,and commentary...

Blackhawks 4,Red Wings 1... an empty net goal,made score 4-1... Tomas Kopecky had two goals(the last two goals),and Red Wings did not get a power play,but again,there was only one power play in game(in the first two minutes),and Chicago scored,off the right goalpost-low down by the ice... in fact,both goals,by Chicago,went off the same goalpost-on a rocket up high-past Howard... Chicago did out-play Red Wings throughout the game,i admit...

game in progress--2nd period

Blackhawks 3,Red Wings 1... overall,both teams are playing hard... Chicago played harder,and they need game more,but great passes and shots are just beating Howard... there is nothing wrong with Chicago's offensive game,but it has been their goaltending that has been suspect this season,and overall,the all time game record between both teams are basically even... you can throw out the records of both teams,because they do not like each other,but Mike Babcock is not happy with the way the team is playing,tonight... neither am i...

game in progress...

Chicago 2,Detroit 1... Blackhawks scored two goals,in the first 4:32,of game,then Detroit scored 27 seconds,after that... three goals,in first five minutes... both Chicago goals were just great passes,and shots;one off the right goalpost,and one rocket past Howard,so you can not blame Jimmy Howard for either Chicago goal,but Red Wings came out real flat,but after their goal,they picked up pressure,on Chicago,and Corey Crawford...

commentary...

Red Wings/Blackhawks,in Chicago,tonight,at 5:30... you have heard enough about the Red Wings,but to tell you the truth,Blackhawks are in serious trouble of being out of the playoff hunt... as of right now,they have played 33 games,and have a record of 16-14-3.... they have scored three more goals than Red Wings,but have given up TWENTY more goals on defense... they are closer to Edmonton,in points(six),than Detroit(eight)... Edmonton is last,in conference,and Detroit is first in conference... Detroit has three games in hand,which is key to the conference race... the Blackhawks are actually tied,in points,for eighth,but because of number of games played by them,they are actually 12th,in conference,and are,right now,dead last in Central division.... Stan Bowman(son of Scotty) gambled on youth,to back up their stars,this season,for depth,and grit,and they have failed miserably,so far... Jonathan Toews,Patrick Kane,and Patrick Sharp are three of the best players,in NHL,no doubt,but if you shut them down,over a 82 game season,the Blackhawks are in deep trouble,because they do not have enough firepower,overall,in their team,to win consistently... Marty Turco is having his usual so-so season,and record,against Detroit,is horrendous,winning only a handful of games,over his career... Turco is,right now,is 8-8-2,and the backup(Corey Crawford)is 8-6-1,and ten years younger... Turco was supposed to stabilize goaltending,but has a save percentage,of .896,and a goals against average,of 3.06... Crawford has a save percentage,of .911,and a G.A.A,OF 2.53... unlike the Red Wings,who were injured,as a team,most of last season,until Olympic Break,the Blackhawks have no excuses,on how bad they are really playing,as a team,this season,and now the big bad Red Wings(20-7-3)are in town,and Red Wings have not played well recently... the Red Wings have the fewest regulation losses,in NHL(tied,with Philadelphia,at this time),but are somewhat angry,as a team,with the way that they have played on defense(remember the 5-0 loss,to the Los Angeles Kings,in which they had 51 shots on goal,and they basically stunk,on defense)... interesting game,normally,because both teams hate each other,and expect both teams to be on edge,and a war between them,like always... tidbit:when Red Wings,won Stanley Cup,in 2008,the one team they had the most trouble with was the Blackhawks,who beat Red Wings,five times(of eight games),and last year,when Chicago blanked them,3-0,in back-to-back games... expect a fighting,spitting(ha,ha) Blackhawks' team to come out and try to rough up the Red Wings,tonight... what fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

analysis of game...

Nicklas Lidstrom had his first hat trick,in 1,442 games,and an assist,Dan Cleary had a goal,and two assists,and Henrik Zetterberg had four assists,along with Niklas Kronwall,who scored a goal,whose Red Wings overall stomped,and pounded on the St. Louis Blues,5-2... they played a solid game,and yet,it was Lidstrom's night,after nineteen years of playing,in NHL,and missing somewhat like 35 games,to injury,in that span of time... he have six Norris trophies(third in NHL history),and coaches and players,from Red Wings,and,actually,other teams,say of him,as being near perfect,on defense,and he is very good,period... they basically try to pattern their defensemen,on Lidstrom,because he takes very few penalties,and simply plays very good defense,on odd-man rushes,taking away passes,even after nineteen years... WAY TO GO,NICK!!!!!!!!

correction...

it is Jonathan Quick,of the Los Angeles Kings,not Jamie... brain cramp...

Red Wings' game score...

Red Wings 5 Blues 2... Nicklas Lidstrom netted his first hat trick,and had an assist,in a 5-2 win,over the Blues.... analysis tomorrow...

Griffiths',and Toledo Walleye(ECHL)news...

Grand Rapids Griffiths are 12-12-1-4,and Toledo Walleye(Red Wings' ECHL affiliate,shared with Chicago Blackhawks(boooo!!!!)are 9-12-2-1... Griffiths have lost four of the last six games,but have won two of the last three games,at Van Andel Arena,in Grand Rapids... Toledo Walleye have won three,of last five games,and they play at the Huntington Center,in Toledo...

NHL news,and Red Wings' notes....

get this stat:since Olympic break,Red Wings,with 50 games,through that time,are 35-10-5... power play is just under 21 percent,and penalty kill(PK),is just under 87 percent,which is very good... the next three games are:St. Louis,in Detroit,Wednesday,and Chicago,Friday,and Dallas,in Detroit,on Sunday... stats are from NHL.com...

commentary...

both teams were praising Jamie Quick,in his performance,in his 5-0 shutout,of Red Wings,by his Los Angeles Kings... the last shutout of Red Wings,was January 12,2010,when the New York Islanders stomped the Red Wings,6-0...

Red Wings' game score,and analysis of game...

Jamie Quick stopped 51 shots,in a 5-0 shutout of the Red Wings,in Detroit,and looked like a stone wall,while Jimmy Howard looked like a sieve,giving up easy goal,after easy goal... Howard had his worst game of the year,and Kings were swarming around the goal net,like flies,but got every bounce,and Howard was very soft,in net,and defense around the net was the worst defense that i have seen,since last season... before you say,"Red Wings sucked last night"(they did suck),the Red Wings suffered their first shutout,of the year,when last season,by New Year's Day,they had seven shutouts thrown at them,including back to back 3-0 shutouts,at the hands,of the hated Chicago Blackhawks... they are 19-7-3,this season,so Howard will shake off this loss,and work out the kinks off,and get very tough to beat,next game... Jimmy Howard has the temperament of a true warrior,and is one of the best goaltenders,in the NHL,and Mike Babcock is more embarrassed than mad,because the defensive team that the Red Wings really are,did not show up last night,and they will work like dogs,in practice,the next few days,and Babcock will remind them,of this game,next time they play the Kings... the Kings got every bounce,of puck,and deserved the win...

Red Wings' game score...

Kings 5,Red Wings 0... first shutout suffered this year... analysis tomorrow morning...

commentary...

the Los Angeles Kings come to Detroit,Monday,10th in Western Conference-sound familiar?-the San Jose Sharks were 10th,in Western Conference,when they played Red Wings,on November 30th-remember the 5-3 stomping,that night-in San Jose... Kings have a 5-8-0 road record,and Red Wings have home record,of 11-3-2,at Joe Louis Arena,this season... analysis,after game... by the way,the Sharks are tied,with Colorado for eighth,in Western Conference,but because of goal differential,between the two teams,the Sharks are in ninth place,even after a 5-2 win,in Detroit,on December 6... Honestly,they look better than,on November 30th... that is respect of a true hockey fan...

commentary...

Red Wings,19-6-3,best in Western Conference,and second overall,in NHL,behind Pittsburgh,who have won 12 games in row,play Los Angeles Kings,in Detroit,Monday... Los Angeles lost to Minnesota Wild,last night,in overtime,3-2...

Red Wings' game score,and analysis of game...

Red Wings 4,Devils 1... Chris Osgood won his 399th NHL game in net... had a solid game... Red Wings scored at :28,of first period,and at 1:42,of first period... Bang... Bang... and collected third goal,in second period... Tomas Holmstrom,and Dan Cleary scored that quickly,then Henrik Zetterberg scored third goal in second period,at 11:37,of second period,and then Pavel Datsyuk scored in third period,at 10:12 of third period,to wrap up scoring... Patrik Elias scored at :39 of third period,but that was only sniff at goal,and Osgood,and Red Wings did not allow a Montreal repeat,from last night,when they were out-shot 19-3,in third period... Martin Brodeur looked human,but when you give up two goals,in 1:42,of first period,and when you have a team that is really bad,and has not enough firepower,to overcome a quick 2-0 lead,not even Superman could stop Red Wings' momentum,and their defense was very good in first fifty minutes,giving up only one goal,in that time... the Devils had a good power play,at times,but could only beat Red Wings' defense,and Osgood,but Red Wings beat Martin Brodeur twice,in less than two minutes,of start of game,so they clamped down on the Devils,and that was it... both goals,by Holmstrom,and Cleary,rang off the goalpost,and when good teams play,they get the breaks,it seems,doesn't it?

Red Wings' game score,and commentary,on game...

Red Wings 4,Canadiens 2... Jimmy Howard stopped eighteen,of nineteen shots,in third period... Detroit hung on for a 4-2 victory,at Joe Louis Arena,over Montreal,only having three shots,in third period... Nicklas Lidstrom scored first goal,for Detroit,at 19:58(1.4 second left),in first period... Niklas Kronwall had a goal at 3:48 in second period,to give Detroit,a 2-1 lead... Pavel Datysuk had a beautiful short-side goal,over Carey Price's left shoulder,under the crossbar,to give Detroit,a 3-1 lead,and a game-winning goal,at 15:31,of second period,then Howard had best period of year,in stopping eighteen,of nineteen shots... the goals,for Montreal,were by Travis Moen,at 11:25,of first period,to give Montreal,a 1-0 lead,then Detroit scored three consecutive goals,to go up,3-1,late in second period,and Montreal scored on a rocket,past Howard,by Benoit Pouliot,at 7:43 of third period,then Patrick Eaves pocketed a shorthanded goal,at 19:14 of third period,to wrap up scoring for Red Wings... wild third period,for Montreal,and Mike Babcock was not happy with offensive effort,in third period,but was delighted,with Howard's third period...

commentary...

Nashville took a 2-0 lead,and basically took it to Red Wings,Wednesday night,winning 3-2,but Datysuk had a highlight reel goal to open scoring,for Detroit,but Nashville dominated game... J-P Dumont,and Johan Franzen swapped goals late in game... Dumont with game-winner,in game,with that late goal....

Red Wings' news...

Detroit/Montreal,tonight in Detroit; will catch up on analysis on Nashville game tonight,and Montreal game tomorrow...

Red Wings' game score...

Nashville 3,Red Wings 2... analysis tomorrow...

correction...

it is rule 78,section 5,subsection 12 that comes into play when referee stops play,with intent to blow whistle,when disallowing goal... (blogpost yesterday)... rule 48 has to do with blindside hits to the head and to do with concussions of players...

notes from Ray...

Nashville/Detroit,tomorrow night,in Detroit... will analyze game Friday afternoon... will do blog with trivia,from Reno... Montreal comes to Detroit on Friday,and will be home for game...

Red Wings' game score,and commentary...

Sharks 5,Red Wings 2... Dany Heatley,and Logan Couture scored twice,and Red Wings had no jump after first period,especially the third period... first regulation loss,for Jimmy Howard,in 21 games,and only the second regulation loss,at home,this season...

game in progress...

Sharks 4,Red Wings 2,end of 2nd... Dany Heatley with two goals and an assist,also Joe Thornton,and Logan Couture,both with goals... somewhat tired Red Wings(no excuses)have been out-played over two periods,but i guess Sharks got pissed,over last Tuesday's loss,in San Jose(at least the coaches were).... honestly,Red Wings are in same hole that the Sharks were in same hole,as the Sharks were in,last Tuesday(see blog),allowing late goal in second period,by Heatley...

game in progress--2nd period

Sharks 3,Red Wings 2 early in period:two goals in eight second span... wild game:two power play goals,by Detroit,and a short-handed goal,by Sharks,in first period... may be a shootout tonight... Detroit got third puck past Antti Niemi,in first period,but it was whistled dead,before it crossed goal line.... it went through Niemi's legs(five hole),but referee lost sight of puck(rule 48,section 3)... no argument with call...

Red Wings' news...

Sharks/Red Wings,tomorrow night,in Detroit... round 2...

game score,and commentary...

Kings 3,Red Wings 2,overtime... Anze Kopitar blew a rocket,past Chris Osgood,with 56 seconds left in overtime... Red Wings got five points,out of possible six points,on a western road trip(2-0-1)... can not win them all... both teams played well,and for a tired Red Wings team,that is not too bad... they have a record of 17-4-3,for 37 points,best in Western Conference... i have missed seeing only one game so far---opening night,against Anaheim-a 4-0 win,in Detroit...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/Kings tonight....

commentary...

Red Wings have 15 more games,not including tonight,in month of December,seven more on the road... Ducks looked disinterested,after Red Wings scored third goal of game,in second period... Ducks committed too many turnovers,near their net,and Red Wings played keepaway on a delayed penalty on the Ducks,for over thirty seconds,while,with 6 skaters,in Ducks' zone,with less than fourteen minutes,left in game... what a thing of beautiful passing,and keeping the puck on their sticks!!!!!!!! the Red Wings scored game winning goal,1:09 into the game,when Johan Franzen scored into net,from a sick angle,and Red Wings played very good defense,but Howard was perfect in net tonight,in a 4-0 win,for the Red Wings...

game score,and commentary...

Red Wings 4,Ducks 0... in last thirty-nine regular season games,(going back to last season),Red Wings are 30-5-4... in last sixteen road games(also going back to last season),they are 13-2-1... they have scored three,or more,goals,in seventeen,of their twenty three games,this season... they lead the NHL,in scoring average/per game... Johan Franzen,Tomas Holmstrom,Dan Cleary,and Valtteri Flippula,all scored goals,for Red Wings...

Red Wings' news...

will analyze game,along with game score,after game tonight,at 7,between Red Wings/Ducks,in Anaheim...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/Ducks tomorrow...

NHL news... crime news...

thieves robbed the car,of the late Pat Burns,at his funeral,Wednesday,in Montreal,taking collectibles from his car,that were being to donated to charity... police knows what was stolen,and should catch the thieves... NHL is donating any items,not recovered by police...

commentary...

in first period,San Jose came out strong with a push,but Red Wings scored twice on first three shots they had,and i did notice,from about ten feet away,that Red Wings are first,to the puck,throughout most of the game... in San Jose's zone,they were running circles,and passing the puck,with very little resistance in neutral zone,and going through the zone,with crisp passes... the Red Wings did give up three goals,but one was in last three minutes(2:32,left in game),when Red Wings had firm control,of game... i stood up,and applauded when Sharks scored the last goal,out of respect for the Sharks... i was being a true hockey fan,just not being a Red Wings' fan,at that time... both teams' passing were spectacular,and all the goals were magnificent... happy that Red Wings won game,5-3,but i am extremely disappointed,in Sharks' effort... the Red Wings did jump off to a 2-0 lead,and 3-1,and finally,the backbreaker,at 19:49,of second period,to go up,4-2,after two periods... Sharks' goaltending was rather bad,rather soft,giving up five goals,in first fifty minutes of game... Red Wings went on a four-minute double minor(two penalties called on one player,at one time)power play,and basically played keep-away,basically running out the clock... they had five goals,at that time,and was playing defense,on offense,even though they wanted to score,they knew that they had game under control,knowing that Jimmy Howard had "the game" to stop the Sharks last night... the Sharks looked beat,after second period,and Antero Niittymaki,looked like a open door,most of the game... Henrik Zetterberg scored two goals(one goal was batted by his stick,into net),and had two assists,and Pavel Datsyuk,had one goal,and an assist... Dan Cleary,and Patrick Eaves,who scored the back-breaking fourth goal,also scored goals,for Red Wings... i hate fighting(or roughing),when teams are down late,by three,or more goals,because it shows lack of guts of the team... fighting has its place in hockey,and when you are down,by three or more goals,it is a mark of a desperate team,showing up too late to make a difference... i would have expected a fight earlier in game,to show team spunk,and would have respected it more than in last eight minutes,when team is down,5-2,like the Sharks were down at time... i had to get used to the pucks hitting the glass... by the third period,i enjoyed the sound,and i loved a couple of checks that actually shook the goal light,and the boards... i honestly thought that i was going to be showered with glass... just loved it....

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/Sharks,tonight...

commentary...

yesterday afternoon's game,a 4-2 win for Red Wings,was one tight hard-fought game,but Columbus has one major drawback,not enough firepower,and if a goaltender is hot,for another team,they are dead in water... they have Rick Nash(a great player),but if you put a collar on him,you have an excellent chance to beat them... one game,a couple years ago,Nash scored a hat trick,for Columbus,and "he" beat Detroit,that game,3-2... Jimmy Howard gave up only three goals,to Columbus,in both home and home games this last weekend,and Nash did not get a whiff of a goal,because Howard was stellar,in goal... Steve Mason was also very good,in first game,in a 2-1 win for the Red Wings,but was not as good,yesterday,giving up three,of the four goals that the Red Wings scored(an empty net goal was scored,and is not counted against his save percentage,or goals against average),but Detroit were hungrier,and fighting for pucks,throughout game,and wanting the win more,it seemed to me....

Red Wings' game score...

Red Wings 4,Blue Jackets 2... Red Wings are 10-1-2 at home,and 5-3,on the road... best in Central Division,and Western Conference... BRING ON SAN JOSE!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!! GOING TO SEE THE RUMBLE!!!!!!!!!! more commentary later tonight,or tomorrow...

commentary...

going into Sunday's game,in Detroit,against Columbus,Red Wings are best in Western Conference,with 30 points... 9-1-2.at home,and 5-3,on road... going into Tuesday's game,against Detroit,San Jose Sharks are 10th,and out of playoff contention,as of Sunday morning... it does not mean that San Jose can not win division,but they are fourth in division,one point ahead of Anaheim,who are in cellar in Pacific Division... it just means that Sharks are not playing like they were last year,and Tuesday's game,against Red Wings,is biggest game,of the year,so far... how do they stack up with this year's Red Wings? they beat Edmonton,Saturday night,but gave up two goals in fifty-seven seconds,to turn a 4-1 cruiser,into a 4-3 nail-biter,late in third period... they brought in Antti Niemi,from Chicago,to bolster goaltending,and to start for them,and Antero Niittymaki,to back him up,and Niemi has stunk up the Shark Tank,and Niittymaki is the starter,and because it is Detroit coming to town,on Tuesday,i expect Niemi to start game,against Detroit,because of his experience goaltending,for Chicago,against the Red Wings... it will be a good game Tuesday night... the goaltending for the Sharks has been horrid,and unacceptable to their coach(Todd McLellan) that i expect a tight checking game,and some firepower,from both teams,but can Sharks outscore Red Wings? yes,but it will come down to who has the better goaltender,and if San Jose plays,"goon-a-matic",and tries to rough up the Red Wings,to throw them off their game... however,Red Wings remember game two of their playoff series,in which they took ten penalties,to Sharks' four penalties,at the Shark Tank,last season,and they will not do the same things,as last time... i know that this is a regular season game,but it is the first meeting,since last season,and both teams want this win badly,and Red Wings basically want to get the bad taste out of their mouths,from a very close(in score)playoff series,three 4-3 wins,for San Jose,a 7-1 rout,in Detroit,and finally,a 2-1 win,in San Jose... you forget how close that playoff series was,and yet,every bounce of the puck went Sharks' way,plus the worst game of refereeing,in playoff history(game two of that series)...

correction...

Mike Modano also had minor nerve damage to his wrist,along with a severing of tendon in right wrist,during a 2-1 win,over Columbus...

Red Wings' news...

Mike Modano has wrist surgery... severed tendon caused by skate blade,in second period,in 2-1 win,over Columbus... most likely,he will be back for playoff run(my opinion)...

Red Wings' game score,and commentary...

Red Wings 2,Blue Jackets 1.... Jimmy Howard was better in goal,than Steve Mason was in goal... that is all you have to know... Valtteri Filppula had game-winner,and Howard stopped a penalty shot in second period... tough hard fought game,and Howard stood up,and had very solid game... Red Wings are 14-4-2,first in Western Conference,and first in Central division

commentary...

Two games,against Columbus Blue Jackets;tomorrow(Friday),and Sunday(home and home;first Columbus,then Detroit)... expect Detroit to come flying,because Mike Babcock(coach) is not happy with way that Red Wings are playing right now,giving up at least three goals,in last four games,normally not the way we play... so Babcock is not too happy,period...

Red Wings' game score...

UGLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THRASHERS 5,RED WINGS 1...

Red Wings' news...

Columbus Blue Jackets,home and home,against Red Wings,this weekend... right now,top two teams in Central Division...

game in progress...

worst game of year through two periods;Red Wings down,by three goals,4-1,to Thrashers... look like they are asleep but third period has been their best,this year,overall,but three goals is a tough hole to dig out... they are the last Western Conference team,to play an Eastern Conference team,this year... they have played seven road games,so far... Atlanta is good young team that is basically running around Red Wings so far...

game in progress--2nd period

game in progress:Atlanta 3,Red Wings 1... Thrashers have scored short-handed goal,but Red Wings scored later,on same power play,and then Thrashers scored in first two minutes,of second period,on a tripping call on Tomas Holmstrom,as first period ended,so that was a power play goal for Thrashers,but Red Wings have woken up,but again,bad first periods have Detroit down,again,in a game,but Red Wings came out flat,going down 2-0,twelve minutes into game,but Todd Bertuzzi scored nineteen seconds later,to make it 2-1...

commentary...

since October 31,2010:Red Wings are 8-1-1,and 13-3-2,for the season... a very tough team to play,and they came back from two two-goal deficits,against Calgary(down,3-1,after two periods,and,4-2,midway into third period),and then ripping off three late goals,to win,5-4,in overtime,and before an overtime loss,to Minnesota,4-3,they beat St. Louis,7-3,with four goals in 3:14,after being out-played by St. Louis,most of game... in fact they were out-played for over fifty minutes,and still won,in a blowout... even though they have that record(13-3-2),they have not played very well in games,but have not given up,and just refused to lose... that makes the Red Wings a very,very dangerous team to play... they remind me of the 2002 Stanley Cup champions,not as much talent,but they have the intangibles of that team,and everyone is important to play,and they are confident,and very hungry to play their best almost every game... when Dan Cleary scored eight goals in,i believe,seven straight games,you know that the Red Wings are deep in depth,and running on most cylinders,and very dangerous to play,because Cleary is not one of their top guns(goal scorers),but is a very gifted goal scorer... when Jiri Hudler put the puck in the net in off Peter Budaj's(of the Colorado Avalanche) skate,from behind the net,i thought that the Red Wings basically would be a team to play sixty minutes,or more,to win most of their games,and that is the intangibles that the 2002 Stanley Cup champions had,and that makes the Red Wings,possibly,the most dangerous team to play every night...

Red Wings' news...

Detroit plays Atlanta,in Atlanta,Wednesday... more later...

Red Wings' game score,and commentary...

Red Wings 5,Flames 4,overtime; Henrik Zetterberg scored his second goal of night,at 19:56,of third period,after Datsyuk kept puck in offensive zone,with just eight seconds to play,on a power play-a six on four advantage,pulling goaltender,and passed to Zetterberg,who hit top of net(top shelf,as they put it) to score tying goal,then Nicklas Lidstrom,put puck past Miikka Kiprusoff,at 1:38 of overtime... what a game!!!!!!!!! Red Wings came back from two two-goal deficits(3-1,and 4-2,midway into third period)...

game in progress--2nd period

in second period,Red Wings are sleepwalking through game,down,3-1 to Calgary... more later...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/Flames,in Detroit tomorrow afternoon... analysis tomorrow...

Pat Burns RIP...

the first three-time Jack Adams Award(coach of the year),and the coach,of the 2003 Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils,who beat Anaheim,in seven games,Pat Burns,died today,in Sherbrooke Quebec,Canada,at age 58... he also coached Boston,Toronto,Montreal,along with New Jersey... he died,of cancer,after a year-long illness... may he rest in peace,and hockey,in general,will miss him,dearly...

Red Wings' game score,and analysis of game...

Wild 4,Red Wings 3,overtime... not the best game played,and got a point,but honestly should have gotten two tonight ... out-played Wild most of the night,but lapses in defense around net,and a very determined Wild team,cost Red Wings a point,and with a goal,by Mikko Koivu,at 18:37,of third period,and a overtime goal,by John Madden,with 42 seconds,left in overtime,the Wild won only their second game of last nine that they have played,in Detroit... still best in Western Cconference;Los Angeles lost in Buffalo,4-2,and no matter what Chicago,or St. Louis does tonight,the only thing they could tonight is to close the gap,on Detroit... Jimmy Howard did not have a great game,in goal,but honestly the Red Wings' defense really was poor around net,in last half of game,especially in third period... Minnesota played good defense,except in second,when Detroit peppered Jose Theodore,and came on with peppering him most of third period,but Howard had actually a very poor game in goal,and defense around their net,was below average,for a Red Wings' team that offensively,were running circles,around Wild,most of the night,out-shooting Wild,44-27,overall,but you can not win them all... Red Wings play Calgary,next,in last game,of six game homestand,where they have gotten nine of ten points,so far,with one game to go(4-0-1),actually not too bad,but win tonight,was very possible.... drat!!!!!

Red Wings' news...

Minnesota Wild play Red Wings,tonight,in Detroit... Red Wings are 4-0,on longest homestand of season(six games)...

commentary...

i noticed one thing about Jimmy Howard... last night,as game ended,David Backes,hacked a stick at Howard,hit one of his leg pads,and Howard did not like it... referees had to break up the two... on March 22,2010,Howard went after Sidney Crosby,for a crosscheck,or something close to that,and Howard tore off his (Crosby's)helmet,and referees had to break them up,too... Howard has same temperament,as Chris Osgood,and Mike Vernon,who both fought Patrick Roy,near center ice,in separate Red Wings/ Avalanche games,during the great years of Avalanche/Red Wings rivalry....

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings are number one in Western Conference,after a 7-3 win,over St Louis,and Columbus's 4-3 win,over the Los Angeles Kings... at least for one day,they have best overall record,in Western Conference,with a record of 12-3-1... they have a three point lead,over Chicago,and a four point margin,over St. Louis... they have won four games,in a row,and ten of last twelve games...

Red Wings' game score,and commentary...

four goals,in 3:14,including Dan Cleary's second goal of game,including the game-winner,blew out the Blues,7-3... Blues actually out-played Red Wings,for over 50 minutes,but Red Wings devastated Blues,in 3:14,and Howard made some spectacular saves,to keep Red Wings in game,when Blues had Red Wings on the ropes,but good teams find a way to win games,when they do not play their A-games,and bad goaltending popped up its ugly head,in last half of third period,for St. Louis...

game in progress--2nd period

Red Wings 3,Blues 3:both teams scored three goals between them,in 3:25:Detroit scoring two of them,in that time span... Dan Cleary has scored his seventh goal,in six games(hottest streak in NHL,right now),and has eight goals,for season(right now,leads Red Wings)... in five of the six games played last year,between both teams,both teams combined for,at least,six goals,and the sixth game,was a 1-0 shutout of Detroit,in Detroit(one of seven shutouts,suffered by Detroit,last year)... defense has been shoddy,at least,in second period,but St Louis has outplayed Red Wings,in Detroit's zone,most of the night,but game is still tied at three,after two periods... they truly do not like each other,and it has been chippy throughout... in fact,last year,Blues beat Red Wings,twice,in Sweden,to open 2009-2010 season,and so i knew it was going to be this type of game...

game in progress...

game in progress:Detroit 1,St. Louis 1... Red Wings' goal was an own goal,by Jaroslav Halak,when puck went off shaft of stick,and then off of paddle,behind Halak,in a sweeping motion... credited to Drew Miller... Howard made a toe save,with 0.4 second to play in first period,that could be his best save this year,and Blues are on a power play,with about 35 seconds to go,to start second period... Detroit is playing good defense,and Blues are coming on,but Red Wings are holding fast,so far... very good period...

Red Wings' news...

Jimmy Howard is 9-1-1,with a goals against average(G.A,A.)of 2.15,with a save percentage of .921,going into tonight's game,against St. Louis,and is NOT on the All Star ballot... what a snub,but honestly,you can not have everybody on the ballot... game should be interesting this year,because NHL has changed format for game...

Griffiths' news...

Grand Rapids are in a four team dogfight,with Abbotsford Heat,Hamilton Bulldogs,and Manitoba Moose... The Griffiths,are fourth,with nineteen points,but are tied with Hamilton,and Manitoba,for second place in their division,with that amount of points,with Abbotsford,with a five point lead,with twenty-four points... Grand Rapids has a record of 8-4-0-3,and has played fifteen games... Hamilton is 8-3-1-2,and Manitoba is 9-5-0-1... the American Hockey League separate overtime losses from shootout losses,so that is the difference from the NHL... Hamilton is second,because they have played fewer games,and Manitoba is third,because they have won more games than Grand Rapids... Hamilton plays tonight vs Toronto Marlies,and every team mentioned plays Friday night...

commentary...

St. Louis/Detroit tomorrow,in Detroit... right now the top two teams,in Central Division,are Detroit,and St. Louis... Red Wings lead by two points,over St. Louis... by the way,the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks,are third,a point behind St. Louis... St. Louis have lost two games in a row,and Detroit has won nine of last eleven games... no one in division has won ten games,but the Red Wings,as of right now... that will change,no doubt,but everyone in Central Division are chasing the Red Wings,right now,and that is great...

commentary...

just a little reminder,to the NHL:Mike Babcock(Red Wings' coach) has said that the Red Wings have not played their best game,yet... every team,and general manager just went number two in their pants,because the Red Wings are playing well right now,and to tell you the truth,if Red Wings can get their power play up to snuff,then the NHL is going to have to deal with a tough,and determined,Red Wings team,who is going to get better throughout the season... the Red Wings are 11-3-1,so far,second in NHL,in scoring average/per game,scoring about 3.5 goals/per game... Washington Capitals are the only team ahead of Red Wings,in that category,so far... the only drawback in their team,is their penalty kill on the road,but most of their games have been at Joe Louis Arena,so far,so that is a little skewed... they have given up only two short-handed goals,so far,this season,which means their defense has been solid,but not spectacular... their goaltending has been solid,but not great,but is improving... Jimmy Howard has been solid,and has not given up too many crazy rebounds,and Chris Osgood has had his weak moments,but in his games,the Red Wings' defense,just has not been good,at times,but will improve over the season... Osgood's last game was workmanlike,and his goaltending was good,but for a back-up,he has been good,but maybe i am nitpicking too much,but to tell you truth,i rather have a three time Stanley Cup champion,as my back-up,than 90% of the back-ups,in NHL... his experience,throughout the season,and in the playoffs makes the Red Wings' tandem in goal,a big plus,in the long haul...

comments about Red Wings...

Red Wings look great so far... eleven wins in fifteen games... GO RED WINGS!!!!! WATCH OUT NHL...

Red Wings' game score,and analysis of game...

Red Wings 3,Avalanche 1... Detroit again dominated first two periods,and fought off a gallant,but tired,Avalanche squad... goal of the game was a literal bank shot,off goaltender's skate,by Jirl Hudler,from behind the goal... Dan Cleary,and Todd Bertuzzi both scored for Red Wings,too... Cleary has scored five goals,in last five games... Red Wings leads NHL,in total points,by defensemen,as of this posting,and lead Central Division,with eleven wins... they look very,very good,and are very hungry to play well... Red Wings have won three in a row,at home,and have nine wins,in last eleven games...

analysis of game...

Red Wings steamrolled Oilers last night,6-2... Dan Cleary,and Valtteri Filppula both scored two goals,along with Tomas Holmstrom,and Johan Franzen,who scored his 100th NHL goal,last night... the Oilers did score a power play goal,at the beginning of the third period,when already down,5-0,and scored a garbage goal,in last 90 seconds,to wrap up scoring... in fact,i was writing blogpost,when they scored,i just changed score on blogpost.. game was a rout... Red Wings scored three times,in about nine minutes,in first period,and scored twice more in second period,to take wind out of the young Oilers... played great defense,keeping Oilers out from in front of net,most of the game,and hit them with both barrels,on offense,early in game,and just not letting up,until third period...

Red Wings' game score...

Red Wings 6,Oilers 2... Red Wings went up 5-0,after two periods,and cruised to victory... Red Wings are 10-3-1,depending on Nashville/St. Louis game,going on now,Red Wings may be best in Western Conference,at end of night... Red Wings have won five,of six,and eight of ten.... analysis tomorrow morning...

Pelle Lindbergh 1959-1985....

in memory of Pelle Lindbergh,yesterday,was his 25th anniversary of his death... he crashed his Porsche 930,into wall,in Philadelphia,during a break in NHL schedule,on November 10,1985... remember the crash myself,because even then,i was watching NHL hockey... Philadelphia had played Edmonton,in Stanley Cup Finals,in 1984-85,and the next game on their schedule,was against Edmonton,ironically... Philadelphia Flyers were never the same,after that day,and even though,they have been in two Stanley Cup Finals since,they have not been the same team,in Philadelphia...

Red Wings' news...

Edmonton/Detroit in progress,analysis tomorrow morning...

NHL trivia...

on March 5,2004,Philadelphia,and Ottawa pounded on each other,for 419 penalty minutes... that is NHL record...

Red Wings' news...

Dan Cleary has scored three goals in last three games,and has a point in last five games...

analysis of game...

Red Wings did look tired last night,but gutted out a victory,against one tough team,in the Coyotes...Nicklas Lidstrom,Dan Cleary,and Henrik Zetterberg,all scored for the Red Wings... Cleary had a fortuitous bounce,by the net,and basically swatted the puck,in a open net(in first period),then Lidstrom rocketed puck into net through some players,from about 55 feet,to tie game in third period,and Zetterberg then backhanded puck into net,in overtime,to win it... Phoenix played well,and did,at times,outplay Red Wings,but i could tell Red Wings did not want to lose game,after that bad third period,against Vancouver,when they were outshot by Canucks,23-7,in third period,and even though Howard had a bad game against Vancouver,he was not going to lose game,to Coyotes... he got bowled over,by the same player(landing on his face,and not moving once)but he refused to come out,and showed guts and grit... must be sore today,i think... Red Wings are 9-3-1,winners of seven of last nine games,and they really did bounce back,from getting their hats handed to them,by Vancouver,in that bad third period...

Red Wings' game score...

Detroit 3,Phoenix 2,overtime... Red Wings have won seven of last nine games... analysis tomorrow morning...

Red Wings' news...

Coyotes play Red Wings,tonight,in Detroit... analysis tomorrow morning

Red Wings' news...

Detroit plays Phoenix,again,tomorrow,in Detroit...

analysis of game,and Red Wings' game score...

third period:Detroit scored early,to make it,4-3,Detroit,and Vancouver scored three more goals,to basically wear down the tired Red Wings,who have played their third game,in four days,in Western Canada,winning the first two games convincingly,but Vancouver would not quit coming at Red Wings,in third period... with five minutes to play,Vancouver has nineteen shots,and have the freshest legs,and the lead... no one has shined,defensively,but going into the game,both teams were in top six in team defense,in NHL,but this game has been entertaining for the fans,but four Canucks' power play chances,late in game,tired and frustrated most of the Red Wings... Vancouver had 23 shots,in third period,and for the first time in 23 games,Jimmy Howard lost,in regulation,and for the first time in 28 games,Red Wings scored four goals in a game,and lost,in a 6-4 loss,to the Canucks... Vancouver 6,Detroit 4...

analysis of Vancouver game...

game is in progress,but both teams are playing well... the goals for both teams have been beautiful,and three,for both teams changed directions,once off Jimmy Howard's back(in first period),once off Dan Cleary's hip(for a Detroit goal),and one was tipped off a stick,from an angled shot,by Vancouver)... now a short-handed goal,by Vancouver,and a power play goal,by Detroit,shortly after the short-handed goal,by Vancouver,on a broken stick that Datsyuk had,as he gave up puck when his stick broke,which does not happen very often... a very good game going into third period...

analysis of game...

Red Wings dominated Oilers.3-1;score does not indicate how badly the Oilers were out-played,but the Oiler goaltender(Nikolai Khabibulin)kept the Oilers in game with many saves,that if he does not make them,the score would have much worse... he made a save that was the best that i have seen,in years.. he swatted puck over crossbar with blocker,and he was simply beat,on the play... he did a scissor move with his arms,as puck was just about to go past him... how he made the save,i still have not got a clue... just amazing... i am a true hockey fan,and i simply took a double take on save... Khabibulin did win Stanley Cup,with Tampa,in 2004,so he is no slouch in goal... Red Wings are winning ugly,and defensively,unlike last year,when they blew third period,and later,leads,in many games... they have won three games in a row,and now they play Vancouver,in Vancouver,later today... Red Wings look nasty,because they had two fights in game,and they had only three fights,going into game... they do not fight too much,but they look like they are not going to be pushovers this year,like last year... if they play this way,most of season,they will be very tough to beat,because they look very good,right now... every team has their low points,in season,but Red Wings look like they are hungry,for a long run into season,and playoffs... their power play is not up to their standards,but their penalty kill is very good,so far,and when they get power play up to snuff,they will be a very tough,and dangerous team to play... watch out NHL!!!!!!!!

Red Wings' game score...

Detroit 3,Edmonton 1... analysis tomorrow morning...

analysis(pre-game)of next two games...

Detroit plays Edmonton,tonight,in Edmonton... last season,even though,Oilers had the worst record,in NHL,they played very tough,against Red Wings,winning three of four games... as i mentioned earlier,in blog,Oilers have winning record against Red Wings,over the last ten games(5-4-1)that they have played against each other... i will probably be screaming at television,because it always seems to go down to the last few minutes of third period/overtime,before either team wins... i will probably say that they screwed up,because Edmonton always seems to match up with Red Wings very,very well... Red Wings play Vancouver tomorrow,in Vancouver,which should be easier,they match up with Red Wings very well,too,but to tell the truth,Vancouver has Roberto Luongo,and the Sedin twins,and has enough firepower to beat many teams,and in Vancouver,they are very tough to beat,but Luongo has not had a good start,in goal,but they lead their division(Northwest),and they have played two more games than Red Wings,and they have one more point than Red Wings... the Central Division,right now,has every team,in top eight,but that will not be that way,in April...

NHL trivia...

since the NHL lockout,the top two teams,in winning percentage,are the Detroit Red Wings(.690),and the San Jose Sharks(.663)...

Red Wings' news...

the Hockey News has a cover story on Detroit Red Wings,and their so-called "revival",with Mike Modano on cover...

Red Wings' game score...

Red Wings 2,Flames 1:Red Wings dominated third period,playing keep-away from Calgary,with puck... Red Wings have given up only two power play goals in last 28 power plays against them(second in NHL,in penalty kill(PK),so far)... both goalies were great,but Calgary could not score too many goals,against Red Wings... they were one for seven,on power play,with only eight shots... they had a four-minute power play,in third,and did basically nothing on it... great team game,for Red Wings,overall.. Justin Abdelkader,and Mike Modano scored goals,for Red Wings...

game in progress--2nd period

Second period:Red Wings 2;Flames 1... four on four,for 1:40,going into third period... Red Wings have outscored opponents,by five goals,in third period... more later...

game in progress...

1st period:Flames 1;Red Wings 0,but referees are calling every small penalty,in sight,except for fighting,i hate this!!!!!! Kiprusoff,and Howard are having great games,so far... Kiprusoff,and Howard are making great save,after great save,but referees are acting like they are the stars of the game... i hope they do not decide the game...

Red Wings' news...

Detroit/Calgary tonight,at 6:30,in Calgary,Alberta,in first game,of three games,in Western Canada... postgame analysis,after game...

commentary...

you asked me yesterday who would be in Stanley Cup Finals,next June,but to tell you the truth,the bounces of the puck,and if certain things happen for certain teams,at certain times,tells me who will be in the playoffs... i could tell you that certain teams could be in playoffs,and be almost 100% correct,or nearly so... for example,i honestly thought that Phoenix Coyotes,were going to fade away,at midseason,but they had 107 points,and,i believe,50 wins,last season,and a seven game dogfight,with Detroit,but they ran out of gas in last two games of series,getting beat badly,6-1,in seventh game... who honestly thought Philadelphia would make a run for Stanley Cup,beating Boston,in seven games,after being down 0-3,and down 3-0,in seventh game,against Boston,and becoming the third team,in NHL history,to complete the feat,and beating a cinderella team,like themselves,in Montreal,to reach Stanley Cup Finals,against Chicago... Philadelphia made the playoffs in last game of their season,beating New York Rangers,in a shootout... the winner of that game made the playoffs,loser stayed home... Anaheim played Detroit,in 2007 Western Conference Finals,got dominated,until fourth game,fought and clawed,in series,and beat Detroit in a series that i still think Detroit was the superior team,and then Ducks beat Ottawa Senators,in five dominating games,to win Stanley Cup.... point is that you never know who is going to be there,and that is the truth...

trivia answer...

Sidney Crosby was born August 7,1987,in Cole Harbour,Nova Scotia,Canada

NHL trivia...

why does Penguins' Sidney Crosby wear number 87?

commentary...

Red Wings dominated game last night,in a way that i have not seen all year,so far... they came out playing very very tough,getting every puck that they could get to,and Pavel Datsyuk,and Nicklas Lidstrom have played their best games,and Lidstrom have started this season,like he is 30 years old(he is not... ha,ha),and Datsyuk has had puck control,like the puck has been on a string,for him... Red Wings have had eight straight games with,at least,one power play goal,but their percentage on the power play is not up to their standards,yet... Nashville came into Detroit,winners of their first road games,and basically got out-played,by Red Wings... Predators got pasted with 5 goals in game,and Pekka Rinne stunk up Joe Louis Arena,by giving up,not one soft goal,but actually,five soft goals,in game,when Rinne gave up two goals,from inches,and one game-winner that was shot from less than a foot,and i do mean that the three goals were three different shots,from less than a foot;two stuffs past his pads,and then you had game-winner shot,from about six inches,by Datsyuk,you know that you are having a bad day in goal... Chris Osgood came up with a solid workman-type effort,for his 398th NHL win... Nashville's defense,around the net,was like butter,all night...

Red Wings' game score,and analysis of game...

Red Wings 5,Predators 2... Pavel Datsyuk had three points(two goals,assist),and Ruslan Salei had two points(both of them,assists)... Red Wings dominated game from drop of puck,and ran Predators out of building,because of beating them to puck,all night long,and Pekka Rinne had a very bad night in goal for the Predators,giving up five bad goals(two stuffs,and three rockets went past him,including a beautiful game winner,by Datsyuk,that basically was a stuff shot past Rinne,in second period,but his puck,and body control,was a real sight to see,on the goal... they are 6-2-1,and they play Calgary,in Calgary,Wednesday...

Red Wings' news...

Game on,at 4:30,between Nashville,and Detroit,today,then trip to Western Canada,for games against Oilers,Canucks,and Flames...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings play Nashville,for first time,this season,tomorrow... analysis of game pre-game,and post-game,along with game score,will be tomorrow...

analysis of game,and Red Wings' game score...

first period doomed Red Wings,tonight... they came out flat in first period,gave up three goals,in first twelve minutes,and first two goals came within two minutes of each other,and game-winning goal,was short-handed,and a goal that knuckled past Chris Osgood,from about 40 feet away that looked like it caromed off,by a hair,Lidstrom's stick,that threw it into a knuckled shot... Chris Osgood got a bronx cheer,and was jeered,by the crowd,in Detroit... the last two periods,they played well,but could not the bounce of the puck that they wanted,or needed,to tie the game up,in the third period... in last minute,they had a 6-on-5,and puck in Phoenix's end of the rink,but the puck would not settle down(the bounce of the puck),and Phoenix scored a empty net goal to seal a 4-2 win for Phoenix... they can not win all 82...

NHL history...

a important date,in NHL history,happened fifteen years ago,today:Red Wings started five Russian players,in starting lineup(October 27,1995)... Vladimir Konstantinov,Igor Larinov,Sergei Fedorov,Viacheslav Fetisov,and Vyacheslav Kozlov were the five Russian players... it was the first time in NHL history that a team started five Russians in starting lineup... they were known as, "the Russian 5"...

Red Wings' news...

Detroit plays Phoenix,tomorrow... Red Wings beat Coyotes,2-1,in overtime,fighting them all the way,and mugging Tomas Holmstrom,in overtime,on October 16,2010,and not getting a shot-on-goal,in the five minute overtime,and two penalties(the mugging of Holmstrom,being one of them)...

Griffiths' news...

Grand Rapids Griffiths,are 4-2-0-1,beating Rochester Americans,4-1,on Saturday,and Toronto Marlies,6-3,on Sunday... serious note:Michael Nylander,a 38 year old veteran of the NHL,trying to make it back to NHL,got hit by a Griffiths' player,into the boards,and actually broke his neck,but walked off the ice,during the 4-1 win,for the Griffiths... hope and pray that he is going to be fine,and i mean as a person,not as a player...

NHL trivia...

Teemu Selanne,of the Anaheim Ducks,who scored 40 goals,in 2005-2006,and 48 goals,in 2006-2007,is the oldest player,in NHL history,to score 40+goals,in consecutive seasons,at age 35,and 36...

Red Wings' history...

Johan Franzen scored the first goal for the Detroit Red Wings this year...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings play only two games in next nine days... so it will be hockey trivia time,this week,along with game scores...

analysis of game...

on Thursday,i noted that Holmstrom,and Zetterberg were not scoring so far,this season... who scored two goals,and had two assists,tonight? Henrik Zetterberg!!!! Tomas Holmstrom had a beautiful goal,on a deflection,of a shot,by Brad Stuart,and also had one assist... Lidstrom had three assists,and Pavel Datsyuk had the game-winner... have to note that Teemu Selanne scored his 610th goal,tied for 15th in goal scoring,in NHL history,for the Ducks(noting milestone)... a tough tight-playing game... Red Wings were down,3-1,in the second period,and,4-3(Selanne's goal)in the third period,before Zetterberg's,and Datsyuk's late game heroics... Zetterberg's second goal of night tied game,at 4,and Datsyuk ended it with a beautiful goal,with 11.4 seconds to play... Red Wings showed grit,guts,and determination,in coming back twice,in game,and played very well,most of game on defense,even though game score,was 5-4... they played a bad first half of game,on defense,giving up two goals,in 34 seconds,and the first three Anaheim goals,in a eight minute span(covering the last half minute of first period,and first seven minutes of second period),but came back with two goals,in last ten minutes of second period,to tie it,at 3,after two periods,setting up a dominant third period,for Red Wings... even though Selanne scored,to make it,4-3,Ducks,as a fan,you just had feeling that Red Wings would come back,once again,and honestly,it was a game that i felt that Red Wings were going to score in last minute,and Datsyuk did score game-winner...

Red Wings' game score...

Red Wings 5,Ducks 4... Datsyuk with winning goal,with just under 12 seconds to play;will readjust time of winning goal,when i give analysis of game,later...

Red Wings' news...

Anaheim plays Detroit,tonight,in Detroit... teams do not like each other... expect fisticuffs tonight... the last two fights that Pavel Datsyuk had were with the Anaheim Ducks,so when he fights,you know that they really hate each other,as teams go...

Wings' game score,and commentary...

Calgary outplayed Red Wings in first period,then Detroit went in for first period intermission,got pissed,and simply kicked Flames' butt,the last two periods,tying it in second period at 2,then clamped down in third period,and scored two goals to win game,4-2... winning goal was by Johan Franzen,whose goal,popped up over Miikka Kiprusoff's shoulder,and landed on the back of shoulder,and slid into goal... then Red Wings played perfect,or near-perfect defense,after the goal,by Franzen... Lidstrom,and Zetterberg scored their first goals of season,on great shots... Zetterberg scored first on a tic tac toe play,on a 2 on 1 play,to tie game,at one,then Calgary scored their second,and last,goal... they scored about 40 seconds,after Detroit tied it at one... the three goals,in the first period,were scored,in a matter of three minutes... Lidstrom scored on a 55 foot rocket from the blue line,after a dazzling display of puck control,by Pavel Datsyuk,who simply undressed the Calgary player,by putting puck on string,and going through player's legs... he passed puck to Lidstrom,who blew the puck past Kiprusoff,and scored... what a play!!!!!!!!!!!

Red Wings' game score...

Red Wings 4,Flames 2.... analysis tomorrow...

RIP Orange Hat Guy...

Kenneth Rucker,who was a season ticket holder,since 1972,was a fixture,and shown on screen during every home game,because he wore a orange knit cap,died Sunday,at age 63... his seat this year at the "Joe",will be orange in color,and tonight,was draped,in a orange knit hat,in memory of a great fan... rest in peace!!!!!!

commentary...

at morning skate,Red Wings truly are not happy,with start of season,even though,they have seven,out of a possible ten,points... they are not very happy,because their power play,and two major starters(Tomas Holmstrom,and Henrik Zetterberg),have not played well,in scoring points... Holmstrom has not scored a point,yet,and Zetterberg has not scored too many points,but has played good team defense,overall,and has not gotten out of the gate,offensively,too well... Babcock is miffed,because the Red Wings have played well,but not up to expectations,yet... i guess that they are grumpy,because they have as much talent as any NHL team,and they can not get gelled fast enough,for their tastes,nowadays... Babcock did say,"that we expect to come to the rink and win,and we(Red Wings)are not there,yet..." Watch out NHL,when Red Wings get everything clicking,on all cylinders,because a tough night,is coming your way!!!!!! i pity the team,or teams,that run into that buzzsaw,when it gets going full steam ahead!!!!!!!

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings play Calgary Flames,at 4:30,in Detroit,tonight... game score tonight after game,and analysis of game late tonight,or tomorrow morning...

commentary...

the pundits are saying that the Red Wings are getting off slowly... at 3-1-1,i believe they are getting off to a good,not great,start... their power play,so far,has been sluggish,but they will improve,as they meld into one team... team defense,except for one game(Dallas),has been good... Howard has had a very good start,and getting used to the new players,on team... they may be the oldest team(average age)in the NHL,but they are very,very dangerous... Datsyuk,Holmstrom,and Zetterberg have not really clicked,on all cylinders,yet,but they will not stay quiet for long... they have too much grit,skill,and talent to stay immobile for a long time... with Modano,Hudler,and Franzen,in the mix,along with one of the best defenseman,in NHL history,in Lidstrom,they will roar to life soon... question:how many teams would love to have the Red Wings' dilemma,talent,and pedigree of success... answer:all twenty-nine other teams... the season has just started,and pundits have said that the Red Wings are getting slower,and older,by the game... Red Wings normally start slow,and yet,have picked up the pace,over the years... Red Wings have made playoffs 19 straight years,longest current streak of any pro sports team,and will be a playoff team this year,not struggling just to make it in... they,as a team,had 26 more days of rest,than the last two long playoff runs to the Stanley Cup Finals,in 2008,and 2009,which makes them more rested,and very hungry,for an another long run,this year,into the playoffs,and a chance at winning their 12th Stanley Cup championship... they have too much pure hockey sense,skill,and talent,not to be one of the best teams,in NHL,this year... why did the NHL schedule the Red Wings,to open home seasons,for four teams,this year... ratings,my dear father,pure ratings,and the top three teams for pure ratings,are the Penguins(Pittsburgh,Sidney Crosby),the Capitals(Washington,Alex Ovechkin),and the entire Detroit Red Wings team... the only other teams on that list would be the Montreal Canadiens,or Toronto Maple Leafs(for Canada),but those five teams are the marquee teams in NHL,bar none...

Griffiths' news...

with Red Wings not playing until Thursday,time to look at the Grand Rapids Griffins(Red Wings' American Hockey League team)... over the weekend,they swept Manitoba Moose,the last win,a 3-2 win,in Winnipeg,giving goaltender Joey MacDonald his 90th win,in goal,for the Griffins,tying Jimmy Howard's franchise record,for wins... they are tied,early in this season,for first place....

Red Wings' statistics for the season-long fight...

Red Wings have scored fourteen goals,given up twelve goals,in a 3-1-1 start,tied with Nashville,with seven points... Nashville has played one less game,and i know that it is early,but keeping you up-to-date is important... it will be updated,from time to time...

commentary...

Red Wings play Calgary,Thursday,at home... Red Wings are 3-1-1,so far,this season... Phoenix sucked,and Red Wings were disciplined in game,winning,2-1 in overtime... they needed win,after solid effort,and you could tell the Red Wings wanted the win last night,badly... Phoenix did not even get shot on goal,in overtime,being out-shot,by Red Wings,8-0,in overtime,and scored only goal with seconds,to play,in first period,but did very little,otherwise,throughout the game...

Red Wings' game score,and commentary,on game...

RED WINGS 2,COYOTES 1(overtime)... Phoenix kept shooting themselves in foot,with penalties,and two penalties,in overtime... if you give a NHL team eight power plays a game,like Phoenix did,you are going to pay on scoreboard,sooner,or later... the Phoenix goaltender stood on head,and had a great game,but his team did squat,in third period,and overtime,but fought like little pups,yapping at Red Wings,all night,and literally mugged Tomas Holmstrom in overtime(all four of them),for second penalty,of overtime,and they paid the final price,with a game winning goal... they play two more times in 21 days(of the four times they play,both on Saturday)... they do not like each other,at all... guess they are whining about the referees... blame yourself,Coyotes,not the referees,because you did not play well,and did squat,in third period,and you caused the loss,by being toughies,instead of playing hockey...

commentary...

Red Wings seem to be their opponent's favorite opponent,to open their home season...they opened home seasons for Pittsburgh(preseason-new arena),Chicago (Stanley Cup banner raising),Dallas,and even though Phoenix played two games in Prague,tonight is their official home opener,against,guess who?,Detroit... what fun!!!!!! game score later... analysis tomorrow...

hockey history...

on April,11,2004,at 17,575 feet,a group of Canadian climbers,on Mount Everest,Nepal,played a game of shinny to celebrate the 1970's Summit Series,between the Soviet Union,and Canada... it is the place that has the record of playing hockey,at attitude...

Red Wings' news...

Johan Franzen went out looking like he has concussion,and will be evaluated Thursday... hope he is not injured too badly....

game score,and commentary...

Dallas scored in first minute of play,and was never threatened tonight;scored four goals in first two periods... defense around our net was not in the building... they swept in from all over;not many shots,but Osggod did the olay to a bull,and Dallas scored four garbage(soft)goals,beat Red Wings to puck all over the rink,all night... final score:Dallas,4,Red Wings,1... funny fact:last year,Dallas beat Detroit three times(of the four games,they played)...i am starting to hate Dallas,almost as much as i hate Colorado....

commentary...

halfway through tonight's game,down,3-0 to Dallas,looking like sleepwalking through game... the three goals given up have been tic-tac-toe goals,great crisp passes,by Dallas,and Osgood has been nowhere to be found,in goal... i hate the way that they are playing right now... Wings have had power plays,in fact,they are on one right now,as i write this.... getting beat to the puck all over ice,by Dallas,like they are in quicksand... luckily,it is very early in season,but this really sucks;just terrible... game score,after game...

Red Wings' news...

Mike Modano goes back to Dallas,as a Detroit Red Wings' player,after 20 years of playing with the Stars,when Detroit plays Dallas,tonight... game score later,after game...

commentary...

the retirements of both Chris Chelios,and Kirk Maltby remind me of the years that i have enjoyed watching the Red Wings... Chelios played for three teams:Montreal,Chicago,and Detroit... played 25 years in the NHL,and wanted to play until he was 50 years ago... that was not to be,but his workout regimen was legendary,in terms of NHL standards.... he is hated in Chicago,his hometown,because he played for the Red Wings... the fans booed the fact that the Blackhawks wanted to honor him,in Chicago,when he retired,earlier this year...
Maltby was the best dollar that the Red Wings ever spent,because they got him off the waiver wire,from the Winnipeg Jets,for one Canadian dollar... four Stanley Cup championships,was a true grinder,and a team player,without parallel... when Kris Draper was demolished,by Colorado's Claude Lemieux,with a vicious hit that cut,and bloodied him up bad... in the next year,Maltby put a stamp on the Red Wings' dynasty,when he fought,basically pummeled,and again demolished the Avalanche mentally to the point,that Patrick Roy(Avalanche Hall of Famer)said that,"they won the Stanley Cup that night",after Red Wings won,6-5,on an overtime goal,scored,by,guess who,Kirk Maltby,39 seconds,into overtime... his sweater may never be raised to the rafters,but both of them are true legends of Hockeytown,and always be,and in the same breath,as Gordie Howe,Sid Abel,and Steve Yzerman,in my honest,and humble opinion...

Red Wings' news...

Kirk Maltby retired,as a Red Wings,yesterday,after being a member of four Stanley Cup championship teams(1997,1998,2002,2008)... a true Red Wing legend,and may he find fun in retirement!!!!

Red Wings' game score...

Colorado beats Detroit,in shootout,5-4.... got a point,but let point slip away... analysis tomorrow...

NHL,and Red Wings' news...

Brian Ralfalski has arthroscopic knee surgery today... timetable on return is not known,but i suspect that it will be 3-6 weeks,but it was done to"clean" up the knee... NHL.com says he will be out of action,3-4 weeks...

Red Wings' news...

Colorado plays Detroit,tonight,in one of only two games tonight... i despise Colorado,more than any team,outside division... game score after game...

Red Wings' news...

Mike Babcock signed four year extension,as coach,of Red Wings...

Red Wings' game scores...

opening game was against the Ducks... Pavel Datsyuk had a Gordie Howe hat trick(fight,goal,and an assist)... last fight for Datsyuk,was May 12,2009,against Ducks... must hate Anaheim...team was kidding him about losing Lady Byng(most gentlemanly player,which he has won four times,after fight)... crowd erupted when penalty was announced for Datsyuk... Mike Modano scored goal on his first shot on goal,of season... Jimmy Howard faced twenty-one shots,for his first shutout of season(a 4-0 whitewashing of the Ducks)...
second game was against the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks... Valtteri Filppula scored two goals-including game-winner,at 6:01,of third period... Todd Bertuzzi scored the other goal,in a 3-2 win,over the hated Blackhawks... defense was good around net,in last thirteen minutes... win spoiled Stanley Cup championship banner-raising for Chicago... Blackhawks have lost first two games,in overtime,against Colorado,in Denver,and now,against Red Wings,at home,in Chicago... hate Blackhawks,and loving them losing,the first two games,like Red Wings did last year... it was a back to back series of games,and they beat both opponents,with a passion that was not seen,until after Olympic break,last year,and they were rested,unlike last year,when they injured,most of the year,as a team... GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!! WATCH OUT NHL!!!!!!!

Red Wings' game scores...

Red Wings are,2-0,beating Anaheim,4-0,then beating Chicago,tonight,3-2... more later tomorrow... analysis too..

Red Wings' history...

Red Wings have won Stanley Cup eleven times(1936,1937,1943,1950,1952,1954,1955,1997,1998,2002,2008),most of any American-based team...

silly man...

Dan Rosen,of NHL.com,predicts the Detroit Red Wings,will play Washington Capitals,in 2011 Stanley Cup Finals... Silly prediction of the season,so far... too many good teams,and games to play,to be that stupid,or moronic... give me about 30 games to give an educated guess,and analysis,of this season...

NHL news....

NHL season opens tomorrow with a game,from Finland,at 9 am,Pacific time... Carolina Hurricanes vs. Minnesota Wild...

sports news...

there is an AP report,out of Detroit,that Mike Ilitch is negotiating with the owners of the NBA's Detroit Pistons to buy the team,and the arena(Palace of Auburn Hills)... that means one of many things that could happen:the Red Wings are temporarily moving into the arena,as they fix up Joe Louis Arena,a 31 year arena,and the oldest arena in NHL:they could leverage a deal,with Wayne County,and the city of Detroit,because both do not want Red Wings moved into the suburbs,even temporarily,for a new arena in downtown Detroit,or renovate Joe Louis Arena,themselves... it would make Mike Ilitch,the second owner in history,to own three pro sports teams in same city,as he owns the Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers,and the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings... bonus trivia question:who was the first owner to own three pro teams,in same city? answer:Ted Turner,who owned the Atlanta Braves,Atlanta Hawks,and the Atlanta Thrashers,all at same time...

NHL,and Red Wings news...

Mathieu Dandenault,who played thirteen years in NHL,nine years in Detroit,and four years,in Montreal,and won Stanley Cups,with the Red Wings retired today...

NHL news...

you talk about Detroit,being injured most of the time,last season... here is proof:Detroit had 307 man-games lost to injury,last year,fourth in the NHL...

Red Wings' news...

opening game is Friday,against Teemu Selanne,Jonas Hiller,and company,in the Anaheim Ducks,in Detroit...

Red Wings' exhibition...

Detroit lost to Pittsburgh,5-2,but exhibitions do not count... Friday,against Anaheim,does count...

NHL exhibition...

Red Wings do not like the Penguins,because when Tomas Holmstrom gets PENALTIES for slashing,unsportsmanlike conduct,and a ten minute misconduct,for an exhibition game,you know that there is a lot of bad blood between both teams,and this reminds me of the Detroit/Colorado blood feud,in mid 90's,to the early 2000's... watch out NHL,for both teams,this year... score later...

Red Wings' exhibition...

Red Wings lost to Toronto,4-2,but play final exhibition tomorrow,against Pittsburgh,with most of the regulars,in Detroit...

commentary...

the key to Red Wings' season will be goaltending,and whether they can be mostly healthy,as a team... with thirteen players over 30 years old,they needed rest after last season... major injuries to the team last year did two things,for Detroit,one positive,and one major negative,for the team... the positive was giving the minor leaguers a chance to play in Detroit;the negative was the star players basically played too much hockey,with the World Cup,and the Olympics,last year... Thursday night,is opening night,for the NHL,and i will be thinking about mom,because she kept telling me that she would not see me until June,and i would laugh,and Thursday night,i will be smiling broadly,saying that to mom,and maybe shedding a tear,too...

Red Wings' exhibition...

Detroit Red Wings destroyed Toronto Maple Leafs,7-3,tonight... scored three goals in first period,and third period... Jiri Hudler scored two goals,and Mike Modano had two assists... i know it is exhibition season,but it just shows what firepower they may have,this season...

NHL history...

in 1983-1984,Wayne Gretzky scored 100 points,in just 34 games... the next year,he did the feat,in 35 games,the second fastest in NHL history... Mario Lemieux did the feat,in 36 games,in 1988-1989... between them they have recorded the top twelve fastest seasons,as of 2009...

Red Wings' cuts...

Jordan Pearce,Tomas Tatar,Brent Raedeke,Jamie Johnson,and Francis Pare were sent to Grand Rapids Griffiths(AHL affiliate)... only Tatar was expected to be called up by Red Wings,this season...

NHL history...

in 2006-2007,Montreal Canadiens were accused of making "bad ice",when Zamboni drivers scraped badly,on opponents' side of ice,when shootouts happened,that year...

NHL history...

Gordie Howe won the Hart Trophy(MVP)six times(1951-1952;1952-1953;1956-1957;1957-1958,1959-1960;1962-1963)...

NHL news....

Chris Osgood has won 396 games,as a NHL goaltender....

Red Wings' history...

in 1951-1952,Detroit had a hundred point season,and swept both Montreal,and Toronto,in eight games(the minimum),to win Stanley Cup...

commentary...

to tell the truth,Chicago Blackhawks do not impress me at all... gutting a team's back end of talent tells me that the Blackhawks will defend their Stanley Cup,with gusto,but they will not win Stanley Cup,this season,because they simply do not have enough talent overall on the team... Detroit impresses me more,but the Red Wings have one major weakness,and that is in goal,because,even though Howard had a great season,as a rookie,can he come close in having that kind of season again,and improve on his shootout performances,from last year... if he does,Detroit will be one of the top teams in NHL this season...

Red Wings' game score...

Cleary,Rafalski,Zetterberg,and Holmstrom each had a goal,and an assist,in a 5-3 victory,as Red Wings beat the New York Rangers,in Detroit,for their third game in three days... they play New York Rangers,in New York,on September 29th,next game...

game score,and commentary...

Blackhawks beat Red Wings,4-2,but honestly the only player,who impressed me was Marian Hossa,for the Blackhawks... Chris Osgood had a very competitive game,playing most of the game,and made some great saves,for the Red Wings... the question for the Blackhawks,will be in the playoffs... are all the moves that they made during the off-season going to pay off for them... it is a long season,and the lack of depth,on back end of roster,makes them look like the weakest overall team,to defend their Stanley Cup,since the Tampa Bay Lightning had to defend their 2004 Stanley Cup Championship,in 2006,after their 2005 strike wiped out their best chance at defending Stanley Cup... in 2006,the Lightning missed the playoffs after the 2005 strike,so what does Chicago do,this year? play like defending Stanley Cup champions,or like the Lightning,in 2006... i believe somewhere in between.... a playoff team,no doubt,but they do not impress me,so far...

commentary...

Blackhawks are playing most of the regulars,and Red Wings are playing very few regulars,but game is very competitive,after first period... Osgood has had a very good first period,for it being an exhibition game... i am mostly looking at the Blackhawks tonight,to see how well they play with basically their opening game lineup... most of the regulars are not playing for the Red Wings,and i honestly expected that tonight,but a few are,like Filppula,Stuart,and Bertuzzi,but Datsyuk,Holmstron,Lidstrom,and Zetterberg are not playing tonight... have to give Blackhawks respect,in their home exhibition opener,and i expected them to play most of the regulars in front of home crowd... they play for real,on October 9th,when Chicago raises their Stanley Cup championship banner,in front of the Red Wings,in Chicago...

Red Wings' exhibition...

Chicago plays Detroit,in Chicago,tonight,in second game of home and home series... analysis tomorrow,and score tonight...

analysis of game...

Red Wings played very well for an exhibition,against Chicago... Chicago played mostly youngsters(AHL talent)in game,but was limited to eight shots,and one goal,by Howard,and the Red Wings,through two periods,but did come on in third period,against Joey MacDonald... referees did disallow a goal because of goalie interference by Tomas Holmstrom,in third period,but referees do need training camp too... Holmstrom,Zetterberg,and Mursak scored for Detroit tonight...

Red Wings' exhibition...

Red Wings beat Blackhawks,3-2...

Red Wings' play tonight...

Red Wings Play Blackhawks tonight,in Detroit... will give analysis tomorrow,and score tonight...

historical trivia answer...

January 16,1936,when Bert Connelly,of the New York Rangers,beat the Toronto Maple Leafs,1-0
March 19,2006,when Chad Kilger,of the Toronto Maple Leafs,beat the Pittsburgh Penguins,1-0

NHL history...

when was the two times that a NHL game was decided,on a penalty shot?

trivia answer...

1904,when John "Doc" Gibson,formed what was known,as "The International"... it lasted three years,until 1907,when it succumbed to spiraling player salaries...

hockey history...

when was the first professional hockey league formed?

Red Wings' news...

in the Red and White game(last training camp game played every year),the Red beat the White,5-3,on Henrik Zetterberg's game winner,at Center I.C.E. Arena,in Traverse City,Michigan...

NHL history...

of his 894 goals,Wayne Gretzky scored 73 short-handed goals,in his career...

Red Wings' news...

first preseason game is against Pittsburgh,in Pittsburgh,at Consol Energy Center(their new arena)is this Wednesday night(September 22)...

Red Wings' odd,but sad history...

during Detroit's 1942-1943 Stanley Cup celebration,manager Jack Adams was informed that his mother passed away...

ironic twist...

in same 6-5 overtime win against Colorado Avalanche,on March 26,1997,Darren McCarty(who had the infamous brawl,with Claude Lemieux,earlier in the game)scored the game-winner 39 seconds,into overtime,and gave Mike Vernon his 300th win,as a NHL goaltender...

Red Wings' history...

on March 26,1997,Detroit beat Colorado 6-5... why note a meaningless regular season game? a severe score was settled,in the eyes of the Avalanche,and the Red Wings,when during a brawl between the Red Wings' Darren McCarty,and the Avalanche's Claude Lemieux,when McCarty pummeled and beat the stuffing out of Lemieux,for a brutal hit on Kris Draper,during the 1996 playoffs... Patrick Roy,of the Avalanche,said that night,"Detroit won the Stanley Cup that night..."

Red Wings' history...

Ebbie Goodfellow had 324 points,in 557 games,from 1929-1930,to 1942-1943,played as a Detroit Cougars',a Detroit Falcons',and a Detroit Red Wings' player... in his playoff career,he had 16 points,in 45 playoff games... had ten penalty shots,made only two,in his career... was inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame,in 1963...

NHL news...

2012 NHL All-Star Game will be in Ottawa,Ontario,NHL announced,today...

tiebreaker news....

tiebreakers among teams with same points,at end of season,and during the season,will be most regulation wins,and overtime wins,not shootout wins,as of 2010-11 season NHL Board of Governors decided... it is to increase interest in winning in overtime,when in overtime...

commentary...

the blogs that i have done with love of two sports(hockey,and football),but this blog is done for love of hockey,in general,and the Red Wings,in particular... i watch all levels of hockey,from high school(mostly played in cold-weather states,but to tell the truth,there are some very good high school hockey teams,in Southern California,because of the Gretzky trade,and the NHL teams,in California),to the NHL,and international leagues...i watch all the teams in NHL,because i learn about pure hockey,and i see some amazing play,in NHL... i am a big fan of the Red Wings,but am a bigger fan of pure hockey... seeing Ovechkin,and Crosby play is a honor,and a true thrill... why do i love,"Hockey Night in Canada",every Saturday night,on the Canadian Broadcasting Company,and especially,"Hockey Day in Canada"(which is February 12,2011,this season,in Whitehorse,Yukon)? it is because of the history of the game,and last year,they had a feature on one of oldest hockey rinks in North America,for a small town,in one of the towns they used to air HDIC,in last year... i believe that it(the hockey rink) was in Stratford,Ontario,but do not quote me... even though i hated both the Blackhawks,and Flyers last year,i watched every game,of the Stanley Cup Finals,last year... the Red Wings only have 82 games a year,but i watched over 1,000 games(one year,i watched parts of all 1,230 games),last year... why do i do that? it is because of the love of the game of hockey... we may disagree on facts,and on the games that i have watched,but never believe that i do not love the pure game of hockey...

trivia answer...

neither... both won 27 games apiece... what balance!!!!!!

Red Wings' trivia...

in 2007-2008,the Red Wings won 54 games and the Stanley Cup... Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood were in goal,that year... who won more games in goal for the Red Wings?

NHL,and Red Wings' history...

in 1942-1943,Johnny Bowers had six shutouts for the Red Wings,one more shutout than every other NHL team,combined...

Red Wings' history...

the Red Wings moved into the Olympia Stadium,in 1927-1928,and moved out into Joe Louis Arena,early in the 1979-1980 season...

historical trivia answer...

Jack Adams,coach,from 1927-1928,to 1946-47(coach of the year trophy named after him)...
Sid Abel,coach,from part of 1957-1958,to 1967-1968,and part of 1969-1970 season...
Scotty Bowman,coach,from 1993-1994,to 2001-2002(won nine Stanley Cups,with Montreal,Pittsburgh,and Detroit;tied with the great Toe Blake,who coached Montreal)...
Tommy Ivan,coach,from 1947-1948,to 1953-1954....

Red Wings' history...

what are the coaches,in longest tenure,for the Red Wings?

comments from Mike Modano...

after 20 years,Mike Modano said,"it was just strange",to walk out a different tunnel... i have known them for years,and always had some good battles with them,over the years,and they have been competitive and very hard to play against...",speaking of his current teammates,after 20 years,of being a Dallas Stars'/Minnesota North Stars' player,and coming home(born in Livonia,Michigan),and playing for the Red Wings...

Red Wings' history...

Normie Smith had a record of 25-14-9,with a G.A.A.,of 2.05,and the Vezina Trophy,in 1936-1937...

Red Wings' news...

Derek Meech cleared waivers,and he will fight for spot at training camp,in Traverse City... if he does not make team,he will be eligible to be sent to Grand Rapids,with going back on waivers...

Red Wings' history...

in pre-70 game season,the Red Wings won 34 games,in 1948-1949

Red Wings' news...

Kirk Maltby signed an one year,two way contract,with Red Wings;a two way contract is one that is signed to have a "two way",between the NHL club,and the AHL affiliate,in the case of Detroit,it is between Detroit,and Grand Rapids... Maltby will make $500,000,if he makes the Red Wings' roster,or $150,000,if he starts in Grand Rapids...

commentary...

on my rankings,i basically could not put Detroit,or Chicago,below number five to ten,because Chicago Blackhawks are Stanley Cup Champions,and Detroit impresses me to really fight for the Central Division,because Detroit had won eight straight division titles,before Chicago won the Central Division,last year,and both teams may fight for division up to last day of season,this year...

personal rankings of NHL teams...

i will more into detail tomorrow,but here are my rankings:
1)Washington Capitals
2)San Jose Sharks
3)Detroit Red Wings
T)Chicago Blackhawks
5)New Jersey Devils
6)Philadelphia Flyers
7)Phoenix Coyotes
8)Colorado Avalanche
9)Montreal Canadiens
10)Boston Bruins
now we can disagree...

trivia answer...

Ottawa Senators,who scored thirteen fewer goals(225-238),then gave up in their own net,and still won 44 games,and was fifth seed,in the Eastern Conference,and the Montreal Canadiens,who scored six fewer goals,then gave up in their own net(217-223),and was the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference...

NHL trivia...

last season,what two teams had more goals scored against them,then scored for the team,and still made the playoffs?

NHL.com ranking of best players by number-Red Wings ranked

NHL.com ranks the best players by the number on their sweaters... hockey jerseys are known as sweaters,because they used to wear sweaters,when playing hockey... they ranked Nicklas Lidstrom(number 5),Gordie Howe(number 9),Steve Yzerman(number 19),Henrik Zetterberg(number 40),Sergei Fedorov(number 91),Tomas Holmstrom(number 96),as the best to wear their number... they added Brett Hull(number16),Dominik Hasek(number 39),and Larry Murphy(number 55),to the list,and all played for the Red Wings,but the last three names,grew to fame,on different teams... Hull played for the Calgary Flames,St.Louis Blues,and Dallas Stars,early in career,before playing for the Red Wings... he finished with a handful of games in Phoenix... Hasek played for the Chicago Blackhawks,and Buffalo Sabres,before playing in Detroit,a six time Vezina trophy winner,before winning Stanley Cup,in Detroit... Murphy played in Pittsburgh,with Mario Lemieux,and won two Stanley Cups(1991,and 1992),came to Detroit,and won two more Stanley Cups,in 1997,and 1998... besides playing for Detroit,and Pittsburgh,he played for four other teams:Los Angeles Kings,Washington Capitals,Minnesota North Stars,and just before coming to Detroit,he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs,in a 20 year career...

update on rankings of NHL teams...

i will rank the top six NHL teams on Tuesday,and you may be surprised on my rankings... i may extend it to ten teams...

special thank you for fans...

Jaroslav Halak had a very special autograph signing,for about 5,000 fans,in Montreal,to say thank you and good bye,to the fans of the Montreal Canadiens,yesterday,after being traded to the St. Louis Blues,earlier in the offseason... What a class act!!!!!!!

NHL news...

Antti Niemi signed with San Jose,for one year... 16-6,with G.A.A.(goals against average),of 2.63,a save percentage of .910,in Stanley Cup Finals,with two shutouts,and a G.A.A. of 2.25,and save percentage of .912,and with a record of 26-7-4,for Chicago,in the regular season,last season... San Jose has upgraded their goaltending for this season,but it will be mental for them,until they win Western Conference,or make many serious runs at the Stanley Cup,in the coming years,like the Red Wings have done in last 20 years,or so...

NHL news...

the collective bargaining agreement(CBA)have been amended,in terms of long term contracts(five year, or more),and investigations into long term contracts,signed in 2009(Chris Pronger,of the Philadelphia Flyers,Marc Savard,of the Boston Bruins,Roberto Luongo,of the Vancouver Canucks,and Marian Hossa,of the Chicago Blackhawks)have been stopped,and approved,by the NHL... they now conform to the CBA salary cap restrictions...

feature of players that you may not know...

Ruslan Salei,new free agent signed with Detroit,played with Anaheim,Florida,and Colorado,from 1996-1997,to 2009-2010,and is known basically for his toughness,has scored only 194 points in his career... brings a edge to defense that was basically too soft in areas(with the injuries,early in season),at critical times,and in especially the third game,in series against San Jose,which Red Wings had a 3-1 lead,in third period,and basically gave up two goals to tie game,and game winner,which was a beautiful hockey play,have to admit,but basically sunk Red Wings,notwithstanding the heroics of Johan Franzen,with his four goals,in game four,of that series...

NHL news...

NHL approved Ilya Kovalchuk's contract,with New Jersey Devils,but also amended CBA language to deal with long term contracts... terms will be coming tomorrow as i look at NHL.com,and articles...

NHL news...

in an article,in the New York Post,Larry Brooks has said the NHL may want to have contracts looked at,for players over 40 years old,saying that many of the long term contracts may not be legal,in terms of salary cap restrictions... they have,as of this posting,just under eleven hours,to accept Ilya Kovalchuk's new Devils' contract,and that may allow the NHL to look into long-term deals,to void the current player's contract(even signed one,or two years ago),or accept them... scuttlebutt says that the NHL wants to look at Marian Hossa's twelve year contract,with the Chicago Blackhawks,and Roberto Luongo's long term deal with Vancouver Canucks,so they may reject Kovalchuk's new contract(for second time),to give the NHLPA rules to control long term deals with players... if they void Hossa's contract that he signed last year,with Chicago,that will open up a real nasty can of worms,because Chicago won Stanley Cup,with illegal player(in that case,Hossa)... NHL headquarters,and the people,who run the NHL,are real scummy creatures,who want what the NHL want,and screw everybody else,including the fans... sorry,but i would not trust Gary Bettman,and company as far as i can spit,and NHLPA do not have clean hands in this charade...

commentary...

Red Wings will be better this coming up season,than last season,and will be fighting for 2010-2011 Stanley Cup Championship... bring on,NHL!!!!!!!!!!!!

NHL news...

Former Red Wings' coach Jacques Demers faces a third operation,after human error caused two operations,when doctors botched a simple hernia operation,by cutting his intestine,too... may he be blessed... Demers led Montreal Canadiens,as a coach,to 1993 Stanley Cup...

NHL news...

New Jersey Devils' management have submitted a contract to NHL,for Ilya Kovalchuk... when officially approved,and i mean if,because you never know with NHL,terms will be posted on blog...

commentary...

as season approaches,i will have a commentary,and many other things to say on blog... i am a very big fan of the Red Wings,and i analyze the team,as the offseason goes on... i can not wait until October 1st,because i get pumped up,with season,only days away... this season,will be exciting to be in Detroit... the Red Wings will be in the fight for Stanley Cup this season,maybe all the way up to the Stanley Cup Finals,next June...

first of my all time favorites...

one of my all-time favorite moments watching hockey was in 2002:down 3-2,to Colorado,Patrick Roy played with confidence,in the series,so far... the first goal of the sixth game was the turning point of that series,when Roy tried to stop the puck,using a Statue of Liberty pose,but the puck was on edge,and it rolled out of his glove,and into the goal... classic blunder... Detroit won game six,2-0... Roy never recovered his poise,composure,or his game,period,after that goal... in game seven, Detroit decimated Colorado,7-0,and putting Roy on bench,by end of game... in fact,after that goal,when it came to the Red Wings,Roy seemed human...

NHL,and Red Wings' news...

Chris Chelios retired after 26 years,in NHL,playing in 1,651 games,most ever by a defenseman... only player in NHL history to play more than 400 games,for three different teams(Chicago Blackhawks,664 games,Detroit Red Wings,578 games,and Montreal Canadiens,402 games)... three time Stanley Cup Champion,with Detroit... beloved both in Chicago(his hometown),and in Detroit... played for three Original Six teams,and remembered in each city...

NHL history...

my favorite player-outside the Wings' organization-is Martin Brodeur... he has a record of 602 wins,324 losses,and 105 ties,and 29 overtime losses,with 110 shutouts,with a save percentage of .914,with a G.A.A.(goals against average)of 2.21,in 1.076 games,for the New Jersey Devils... he has won 3 Stanley Cups... his first Stanley Cup came in a strike-shortened season,against Red Wings,in a four game sweep,in 1995...