commentary...

odd fact,going into tonight,the Red Wings have 40 non-shootout wins,to San Jose Sharks' 39 non-shootout wins(first tie-breaker,in NHL),if teams tie in points... if Sharks win tonight,in regulation,or overtime,they only tie Red Wings(for that important tiebreaker),because the Sharks have won one more game,in a shootout,than Detroit,so San Jose has to win two more games than Detroit,overall,in counter-balance that fact...

commentary...

simply said,this game was the worst overall game that i have ever seen the Red Wings play... i have seen over 1,100 games,in the last decade,that the Red Wings have played... i have seen some real bombs,like the 7-2 pasting by the Kings,in Los Angeles,a few years ago,or the twin bombs(February 28,2009:Predators 8,Red Wings 0,and March 7,2009:Columbus 8 Red Wings 2)that the Red Wings laid,in 2009,but honestly this takes the top of the heap,in bad play,not because of the number of goals given up(ten),but it is a symbol of playing just well enough not to lose,and losing,and then get totally embarrassed,undressed,and just playing like a team who have lost their confidence... they can talk like this is only a hockey game,one of 82,and that is true,but it is the lack of effort that i am talking about... they can talk about injuries this injuries that,but when the highlight of their night was a goal from three feet,and you are down by three goals,twelve minutes into the second period,and the turning point in the game were the first two goals,1:58 apart,by the Blues,to turn a 1-0 lead,into a 2-1 deficit,then scoring later to tie game at two,and thirty eight seconds,after the Red Wings scored,the Blues scored to take a 3-2 lead into the first period intermission,then the miserable five goal second period,to turn a 3-2 deficit,into a 8-3 embarrassment,and then the funniest point of the night that they called mutual unsportsmanlike penalties,in the third period,and as they did,the puck is shot into the net for,then,a 10-3 lead(they waved that goal off because they had called penalties,but forgotten to blow the whistle on the play)... the Blues then scored a goal to make it,10-3,and totally embarrass,and undress the Red Wings.... what a real embarrassment for the team,and the fans,who were booing the Red Wings... they even gave a Bronx Cheer to Jimmy Howard,in third period when he stopped puck,after giving up seven goals in game...

Happy Birthday,Mr Hockey....

Gordie Howe turns 83 years old,today....

Red Wings' history...

the last time Red Wings gave up eight goals,in first two periods,was against Edmonton,was March 3,1986,and the last time the Red Wings gave up ten goals in a game,against the Los Angeles Kings,in a 10-3 rout,on October 9th,1993... one common person,on both teams was Wayne Gretzky...

comment...

to tell you how bad this game was,the Blues even had a goal waved off,because of matching minor penalties,in third period...

Blues blast Red Wings,10-3,not a typo...

Blues 10,Red Wings 3... you know that i am a fan when i saw every minute of this game... this game was a bomb after first period,and you knew that Mike Babcock was mad,because he put Joey MacDonald back in game,at start of third period... with five games to go in season,Red Wings better get their heads out of the sand,and use the time between now and Saturday afternoon,against Nashville,to get healthy,and forget this pile of cowflop of a game... what upsets me about the Red Wings,right now,is not this grand turd,of a game,because every team has these games,but it is the way that they are playing(1-2-2,in last five games,all at home,but they play Nashville,in Nashville,Minnesota,Carolina,in Carolina,and then a home and home,against Chicago... good news... they need only three points,to clinch Central Division(and they do have first tiebreaker,against Nashville--less shootout wins than Nashville,if they tie in points,but they have left the door open,for the Sharks to climb over them into second,in Western Conference,with two points(a win)tomorrow,against the Dallas Stars... second seed gets home ice,through first two rounds of NHL playoffs,and maybe home ice throughout playoffs,until Stanley Cup Finals,if Vancouver loses... that is not likely,until maybe the second round,because Vancouver has had a very good year,but even they have major injuries to their blue line,and can Roberto Luongo be "the rock",in goal,for the Canucks throughout the playoffs... his playoff record overall is just so-so,in his NHL career... if i was Detroit,i would toss this game,on the scrap heap,of team history,and get ready for five games,in ten days,in the month of April,and get back to business,of winning games... they played well enough,on defense,minus this game,on this homestand to go forward,and play well,in April... it is their offense that sucked,overall,on this homestand... they should their injured players,back on Saturday afternoon... Jimmy Howard should be back on Saturday afternoon,along with Pavel Datsyuk(and Chris Osgood could be back for the home and home,against Chicago).... right now,their weak spot is in goal,but that is not Jimmy Howard's fault... they need a steady backup,in goal,and Osgood's sports hernia injury really have hurt the Red Wings,overall,because it did not help Red Wings,with leaving them,with only one major goaltender.....

Red Wings' history...

factoid:the last time Red Wings gave up eight goals in first two periods,was March,1986,when Wayne Gretzky-led Edmonton Oilers,beat Detroit,12-3...

commentary,on a real rout...

Red Wings getting steamrolled,by Blues... MacDonald pulled,after giving up five goals;two goals went in off St. Louis Blues' player skates,and Red Wings hung him out to dry,giving up 19 shots,in first period,and defense really was pathetic... Thomas McCollum is in goal,playing in his NHL debut,giving up three more goals... very ugly game!!! McCollum is making some great saves,but made a big rookie mistake,when he lost a rebound on a shot,and Vladimir Sobotka basically tapped it through McCollum's legs,but honestly,Red Wings really suck,tonight... Henrik Zetterberg went over to the kid,and said something to cheer him up,but honestly,it is the worst-played game by the Red Wings,this season... actually,game was tied,at two,late in first period,but then Blues exploded,scoring six of the last seven goals,and a goaltender change,by Red Wings(five goals in second period)... just a miserable first two periods,and every bounce of the puck,and shot have gone the way of the Blues... more later,after game is over,and game score... i will have much more to say,after game,or tomorrow morning...

hockey facts...

there are actually two Stanley Cups.... one is on permanent display at the Hockey Hall of Fame,in Toronto,and one that travels around,with handlers,with white gloves on... the Stanley Cup has been almost everywhere,in the world...

Red Wings' news...

Henrik Zetterberg,Nicklas Lidstrom,Darren Helm,and Niclas Kronwall have played every game this season... the amazing fact is that Zetterberg has had a very sore back,most of this season... that was the reason that he did not play in the All Star game,in February...

Red Wings' news...

Blues/Red Wings,tonight...

Red Wings' news...

Todd Bertuzzi was not suspended for his hit(elbowing),on Ryan Johnson,of the Chicago Blackhawks... in fact,Johnson ducked his head to get elbowed,by Bertuzzi,on the hit,if you look at replay...

game score,and commentary...

Blackhawks 3,Red Wings 2... overtime loss... good game,but key was the point gotten by the Red Wings,because Red Wings are in second place in Western Conference,and San Jose does not play until the last day of the month,and Detroit plays St. Louis,Wednesday,before the Sharks play on Thursday... there is a possibility that Jimmy Howard can play Wednesday,against St. Louis,or Saturday,against Nashville... Todd Bertuzzi got ejected for elbowing Ryan Johnson,for a five minute major penalty,in first period,but good thing that Johnson came back in the game,later on,in first period,and actually got a penalty,in first period... what happens to Bertuzzi is a crap shoot... his penalty was deserved,but the NHL(the three stooges)may not suspend him for a game,or two,because of the health of Ryan Johnson,but again i expect something,in extra discipline,for Bertuzzi... Joey MacDonald had a very good game,in goal,in place of Howard,for,at least,this game... Nicklas Lidstrom set some NHL history,tonight,when he recorded his 60th point,with a goal,in first period... no defenseman over 40 has scored more than him,this year... Hall of Fame member Ray Bourque had set the record,with 59 points,in 2000-2001,when he played for the Avalanche(his second year,after playing almost 21 years,in Boston)* *he was traded at trade deadline,to Colorado,in 1999-2000...

commentary...

Blackhawks/Red Wings,tomorrow night... Blackhawks are eighth in Western Conference,one point from ninth place Calgary,but have games in hand,on the Flames,who have only five games left...

injury update...

Sidney Crosby has not played since January 5th,for the Pittsburgh Penguins,but has 32 goals,and 34 assists,in 41 games(19th in scoring,as of right now)... he is closer to practicing with team... he had a session of skating that actually "wore out" his coach,from watching,which is a very good sign,when you can bore your coach into leaving your on-ice session,of practice... hope he plays soon... i am being a true hockey fan,when i say that...

Nick Lidstrom Drive,in Novi,Michigan...

Nicklas Lidstrom had a street named after him,in Novi,Michigan,it was named Arena Drive,next to Novi Ice Arena,where Nicklas took his kids to play on the ice... it is named Nick Lidstrom Drive,now... he did note,at the ceremony,that you had to be dead to have something named after someone,in Sweden...

Nyquist signed to two year contract...

Gustav Nyquist was signed to a two-year entry level contract,today... a fourth round draft pick,in 2008, Nyquist played for the University of Maine Black Bears,for last three years,scoring 50 goals,and 94 assists,in 113 games,and was first freshman to lead the Black Bears,in scoring,in seventeen years,since Paul Kariya...

injury update...

Red Wings' GM Ken Holland says of the Jimmy Howard injury,"it appears to be nothing significant,a sprain,or a strain",but Babcock lambasted the referees,for not calling goaltender interference,on Joffery Lupul,mentioning that in a earlier game this week,Tomas Holmstrom goes to net,and brushes the goaltender,and goal is waved off,and they get to fall on goalie(Jimmy Howard)... doctors ordered an precautionary MRI,for Howard....

commentary...

Red Wings out-played Toronto,for most of game,tonight... the injury to Jimmy Howard overshadows the very good game on defense that Red Wings played tonight,on Maple Leafs... Joffrey Lupul actually scored game tying goal,at,two,while lying on Howard,and his hurt shoulder area,by sweeping puck,into net... i did not like the guy(Lupul)when he played for the Anaheim Ducks... what a punk!!!!! Henrik Zetterberg,Tomas Holmstrom,and Todd Bertuzzi scored for Red Wings,but the critical goal,for the Red Wings,was scored 38 seconds,after Howard was hurt,by Jiri Hudler(his second,in as many games)... referees screwed up on the non-goaltender interference call on Lupul,when he scored goal,while laying on Howard... they will say that Kris Draper pushed him onto Howard,but i have only one word for that non-call,which i truly can not mention,but to say that i am miffed by the non-call,would be an understatement,of the ages... Bill McCreary,and Marcus Vinnerborg may be the worst referees,in NHL history,especially McCreary,because he allowed Howard to be injured,without calling an obvious penalty,on Lupul,and that makes me irate,to say the least... i truly do not blame Lupul,for Howard's injury... that was unfortunate,but not to call a penalty on him was,and is,a crime... that was third time,in two games,that Howard had been run over,and only one penalty-a minor-called...

Howard hurt,during game...

at 6:11,of the third period,Jimmy Howard hurt,by Joffery Lupul,when he fell on Howard's shoulder,on an obvious goaltender interference call(missed by referees),and Lupul scored,at that time,the game tying goal,in a 4-2 win,for the Red Wings... the worst referee non-call,of the season,because Howard was grabbing the area,around his clavicle,as he was going off the ice,and as trainers were attending to him...

game score...

Red Wings 4, Maple Leafs 2...

Red Wings' history...

Detroit has 2,659 wins,since 1926,going into tonight...

Birthday for Jimmy Howard...

Happy Birthday,Jimmy Howard!!!!! it is his 27th birthday!!!!!

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

Grand Rapids Griffiths are 35-28-2-8,fifth place in North Division(tied for fourth,in points,with Hamilton Bulldogs),in Western Conference,and the Toledo Walleye are 31-30-4-2,fourth place in North Division(ninth in Eastern Conference,four points,behind Cincinnati Cyclone)...

BREAKING NEWS...

Los Angeles Kings' Anze Kopitar out,at least,six weeks,with a broken ankle,suffered today,against Colorado Avalanche,in Kings' 4-1 win...

Maple Leafs/Red Wings series ledger...

going into tonight's game,Maple Leafs lead all-time series,334-333-93,with Detroit...

Russian article,with Datsyuk...

in a translated article with Sovetsky Sport,Pavel Datsyuk credited his two Russian coaches,Valeri Goloukhov,and Vladimir Krikunov,along with Mike Babcock in making him the player he is today... he said that he did not talk much to Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman,in his rookie season...

injury update,and commentary...

by latest injury update on Sidney Crosby(out with concussion),it looks like he may play,or be back,for the playoffs... there is video of him doing drills,and then exploding a water bottle,when he roofed puck,over goaltender... good for him... i may not like the Penguins,but i have admired him over the years... hope he recovers from his concussion,shortly,but wish he would sit out the playoffs,because without him,the Penguins are not that good,and yet,i do miss seeing him on ice... i hope he plays shortly,really do,as a fan,because he is probably the most complete player in NHL,and that comes from a Red Wings' fan,but a true hockey fan... do you know how hard that it is to admit that to you?

injury update...

Todd Bertuzzi may play,against Toronto... Pavel Datsyuk,and Johan Franzen will not play,either,but Datsyuk expects to play before season ends... he says that he is "about a week away",from playing,meaning his condition is improving every day.... he did skate for only second time since injury,done by Rick Nash,of the Columbus Blue Jackets,when checked into boards,by Nash... it(the check) did not seem that bad,but Datsyuk was limping,when he went to bench... they never tell you what the injury is,but an estimate,by me,is that it is hip flexor,or lower leg injury...

baby talk...

Chris Osgood,and his wife,Jenna,delivered a baby,Max,over the last couple of days... congrats!!!!!!!!

Red Wings' news...

Maple Leafs/Red Wings,Saturday night...

commentary...

last night's game between the Canucks,and Red Wings was a very tight fought playoff-intensive game... Vancouver got lucky on first goal,when puck deflected off Nicklas Lidstrom's skate through Jimmy Howard's legs,and actually their second goal was scored,seconds after a missed tripping call,by referees,on a Vancouver power play... neither goal was Howard's fault,but the first goal should have,and could have been,stopped by Howard... that is hockey,and that is the reason that hockey is very unpredictable... with any luck,game could have gone into overtime,but recently,the Red Wings have had only bad luck,in their games,having goals disallowed by referees,the dreaded bad puck bounce,or simply running into goaltenders that have played their best game... in some cases,their best games in weeks,or even months... in one case,having a goaltender give up six goals one night,and then have same goaltender play like Jacques Plante(old-time Hall-of Fame member of the Montreal Canadiens),against the Red Wings,and give up only one goal,against them... that is hockey,but it is frustrating to watch... the Red Wings,most of the year,have been very consistent,and good(note their overall record),but recently,the injuries have caught up with them,and the bounce of the pucks do not seem to be going their way,right now,which happens to every team every year... before you say anything,let me remind you of something:from February 7,2008,to February 17,2008,the Red Wings lost six games in a row,but at the end of 2007-2008,they were the team lifting the Stanley Cup,not Pittsburgh,shutting out the Penguins,until the third game of the Stanley Cup Finals,and winning nine games in a row,during that year's playoff run,closing out the series,against Nashville,in six games,sweeping the Colorado Avalanche,in four games,and winning the first three games,against the Dallas Stars,and then winning in six games,and steamrolling the Penguins in the first two games,by shutting them down,and out... this year's team has potential,but has only shown glimpses of dominance... right now,the Red Wings will be in the playoffs,and will be an underdog,by many pundits,which is just what Detroit,i believe,wants,but they want to play their best game,going into the playoffs,and they are defensively,but offensively,they are out of sync,which is very odd(could be blamed on injuries),but Red Wings will not hear any of it... they expect to play their best every game,and expect to win majority of their games,even without their best players,which brings me back to last night... they played well enough to win,but also they played well enough to lose,last night... with some bounces going their way,they could have won,but right now,they are playing on the thin edge of games that one bounce of puck means a loss,or a win,and they are losing games that normally they would win,but winning games recently have been hard to come by,and as a fan,it is hard to watch the games...

game score,and commentary...

Canucks 2,Red Wings 1... playoff type game... best two teams,in Western Conference,so far... winning goal,by Canucks,was on power play,but referees missed a tripping call,by Canucks,in front of Red Wings' net just before winning goal went in net,but it was a scramble in front of net,so i really do not blame them,but the Red Wings' bench was absolutely upset(hot),at the referees... the other Vancouver goal went past Jimmy Howard,deflected off Nicklas Lidstrom's skate,so Howard had a very good night,in net,and so did Roberto Luongo(Canucks' goaltender)... Jiri Hudler was not supposed to play,but did,and scored the Red Wings' goal... Red Wings had chances to tie game,and,in fact,have had chances to win games,recently,but injuries,and lack of concentration,at certain times in recent games,and just have treaded water in past eleven games(4-4-3),which is not a good record,recently,but is still second in Western Conference,which means they have had a very good year,record-wise,but not a great year,but they should be healthy for the playoff run(their 20th straight playoff run---tops in professional sports)... NHL playoffs are very unpredictable... for example,the 7th seed,and 8th seed,in the Eastern Conference(Philadelphia,and Montreal)fought for the conference championship,and the right to be in the Stanley Cup Finals,against Chicago,and the Philadelphia Flyers became only the 3rd team in NHL history to beat a team(Boston Bruins),after being down 0-3,in a seven game series... the key is to get to the playoffs,and then anything can happen,and almost always,not the best team wins Stanley Cup,because hockey is unpredictable,and the Stanley Cup is the toughest trophy to win,in professional sports... who would believe that the Tampa Bay Lightning,and the Carolina Hurricanes would win the Stanley Cup,but they did win it (in 2004-Tampa Bay,and 2006-Carolina)...

commentary...

Canucks/Red Wings,tonight... if there is a game for Jimmy Howard,to play his best game,this is it... Mike Babcock must be coach his best tonight,with nine games left,it is time to stand up and never give up... the last game,against Pittsburgh,was great,for one reason only,because the Red Wings fought like dogs coming back from a four goal deficit,to send game into shootout... if they keep up that effort going into playoffs,they will be tough to beat,and getting some injured players back,by the end of season will help... to tell you truth,this year has been very stranger than last year,not with injuries,but the Red Wings have been very inconsistent,but still very good overall,which is odd to me...

tease of playoff opponent...

before today's games,if season ended today,Red Wings(as number two seed) would play Blackhawks(as number seven seed),in first round... just a tease...

injury update...

Pavel Datsyuk,Jiri Hudler,Todd Bertuzzi,and Johan Franzen have been ruled out for Wednesday's night game,against Vancouver... Vancouver lost Manny Malhotra,their best face-off man,to an eye injury,for the season,when he got hit in face with a puck,against Colorado,earlier in the week...

game score,and commentary...

Penguins 5,Red Wings 4,shootout loss... very good game for fans... Red Wings got a good point,tonight... for over thirty seven minutes,Red Wings were dead meat,and actually had chance to win game in third period,when short-handed,Darren Helm got absolutely robbed,by Brent Johnson,late in third period,on a perfect two-on-one(odd man) rush... Mike Modano scored his first goal,since coming back from lacerated tendon injury,to tie game,at 4,and then got robbed by Johnson,in shootout,too... good basic game,and a very important point,for the Red Wings... down 4-0,with less than three minutes to play in second period,you expect to lose,but to force a shootout,at 4-4,was very huge for the Red Wings... i am very happy... it made up for Saturday,when referees cost the Red Wings a point,in my own opinion... three points up on San Jose,for second place in Western Conference,and nine points up on Chicago,and Nashville,in Central Division,where Detroit have won seven of last eight division titles,and it looks like they will win Central Division,this year,for their eighth division title,in nine years...

game in progress...

Penguins were up 4 goals,4-0,now tied,4-4,just over 9 minutes left,in game...

game in progress---2nd intermission

Penguins 4, Red Wings 1... getting steamrolled by Penguins,so far... oh well,can not win them all... Jimmy Howard pulled in second period,in favor,of Joey MacDonald... let us see if Red Wings can play better in this game,and see if they can score on Penguins' goaltender Brent Johnson,who is the grandson of Syd Howe,Detroit Red Wings' Hall of Fame member...

commentary... suspension update...

Pittsburgh Penguins' Matt Cooke suspended through round one of NHL Stanley Cup playoffs,for his hit(elbowing)to the head,of the New York Rangers' Ryan McDonagh... he is a repeat offender of rule 48.5,and was a headhunter before the rule was imposed,this year... he concussed Marc Savard,of the Boston Bruins,last year,and was not suspended then,which was a crime,and i blame "the Three Stooges" (meaning Colin Campbell,Mike Murphy,and NHL Commissioner,Gary Bettman),for a lack of NHL discipline,and being consistent,in doling out suspensions or fines... if a Red Wings' player,got called for excessive discipline,and did not get suspended,or fined,if he deserved it,i would be calling for his head too,but the Red Wings are basically disciplined,to keep elbows down,and,right now,the team are among the top three in the NHL,in not giving up power plays(amount of time short-handed,about nine minutes a game)...

commentary...

the Predators played very well,and so both goaltenders,and i just think that the referees really screwed a call up in first period,because right before the Red Wings scored the only goal that counted,they scored on a separate power play,when Niclas Kronwall put puck past Pekka Rinne,but Tomas Holmstrom "supposedly" interfered with Rinne right,as the puck went in,and all he did was to turn to see the puck go in the net... instead of being up,2-0,after one period,that was the turning point in game,because the Predators scored in second period,to tie game,at one... both goals that Nashville scored were very beautiful,and great passes were made to get skaters open,and score both goals... Nashville played a great game,i admit,and Pekka Rinne had a .940 save percentage,over the last nine games,so beating him twice with goals,in first period was very big,but the referees screwed the Red Wings out of a goal,and possibly a point in the standings... the game was more meaningful for the Predators,because of the standings,in Western Conference,and in Central Division,where they are in third place,(now)ten points behind Detroit,but that was a really bad call,period...

game score,and commentary...

with four major players out(Pavel Datsyuk,Jiri Hudler,Johan Franzen,(minor injuries),and Ruslan Salei(paternity leave)),Red Wings lose to Predators,3-1(empty net goal,scored,by Nashville),and a disallowed power play goal-waved off by referees,but honestly,it was truly a lousy call,because Tomas Holmstrom barely touched Pekka Rinne,and it was Rinne who initiated contact,with Holmstrom... in fact,it was made on reputation,of Holmstrom,who is known to bump goaltenders,but honestly,it was a really bad call that actually cost Red Wings a point,at least... i have seen all but three of the Red Wings' games this season,and up to this point,i really have not ripped the referees,or linesmen,have I?,but that call stunk,honestly....

injury update...

Pavel Datsyuk will not play tonight(the dreaded lower body injury),but is day to day,and is precautionary,the Red Wings announced this morning,and with playoffs coming up,they may just want to rest Datsyuk,and expect him to play next game,against Pittsburgh,Monday night,in Detroit...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/Predators,tonight,in Nashville... game score,tonight... analysis tonight,or tomorrow morning...

curious fact...

last night was Joey MacDonald's second NHL shutout,and first,as a Red Wings' goaltender... curious fact:his other NHL shutout came at the Red Wings' expense,when,as a member of the New York Islanders,he shut the Red Wings out,2-0,on March 27,2009...

Red Wings' history...

last night's win,against Blue Jackets,was Mike Babcock's 300th NHL coaching victory,with Detroit...

injury to Pacioretty update...

Max Pacioretty have been cleared to skate a week from next Saturday,and may be allowed contact in practice,in three to five weeks,after that... Montreal Canadiens announced today....

game score,and commentary...

Red Wings 2,Blue Jackets 0... Joey MacDonald,recalled from Grand Rapids today,shut out Columbus,and Red Wings scored 33 seconds into game,and Red Wings' defense played very,very good,and MacDonald was spectacular,in goal... Red Wings kept Blue Jackets off balance,and Blue Jackets did not have an acceptable power play all night... it fact,it was pathetic,including a horrid 5 on 3(two-man) advantage,on the Red Wings,late in game,and did not get a sniff of a goal,or even a legitimate shot at one,in over forty seconds,of two-man advantage... Red Wings made the two early first period goals,by Drew Miller,and Valtteri Filppula(on a power play),stand up,and Joey MacDonald was a stone wall,in putting Blue Jackets probably out of the playoff hunt,because they may have run the table to make the playoffs,and the way they played really sucked,because Red Wings refused to give an inch,and allow the Blue Jackets,to clog up the crease,in front of MacDonald,and the shots that they did get were long range,and at an angle,which is low risk,and that happened all throughout the game,which is Detroit's strong suit on defense... Brian Ralfalski suffered leg/knee injury,late in third period,which is one drawback,in game,but Red Wings fought through that,and won game... update on injury later on tonight,hopefully...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/ Blue Jackets,tonight,in Columbus... game score tonight... analysis tonight,or tomorrow morning

NHL news...

NHL suspend Sharks' Dany Heatley,2 games,for hit on Dallas Stars' Steve Ott...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/Blue Jackets,in Columbus,tomorrow,in back end,of back to back games,for Red Wings,then they play Nashville,Saturday night...

game score,and commentary...

Red Wings 3,Capitals 2... Henrik Zetterberg scored two goals,including game winning goal,along with Valtteri Filppula,and then shut down Capitals in third period... Alex Ovechkin scored a goal for Capitals,but the Capitals were kept to the boards,and had very few chances of shooting in front of net,in third period,and Red Wings played very good defense around the net,throughout the game... against Red Wings,they needed a garbage goal(tap-in goal),in front of Jimmy Howard,but he,and the Red Wings refused to even give Ovechkin,and company,a sniff around the net,in third period... Washington played a rather defensive-minded game in first two periods,and then ran out of gas to wind up their offense,in third period... Ovechkin scored goal in second period to tie game,at two,after two periods... Howard was screened by his defensive player on shot,and it was rocket over head,and he seemed to be frozen(did not move on goal)... it was not his fault,and he played well enough to win his league-leading 34th game... he stopped everything that he could see,and Washington did not have enough offense to beat Zetterberg(with his two goals),and the Detroit Red Wings,tonight... the Red Wings shut down the Capitals' top offensive line,and kept Ovechkin in check,most of the night...

game score,and game summary,for the Blues' game...

Pavel Datsyuk and Justin Abdelkader scored 1:30 apart,in third to put down the Blues,5-3,Saturday night... Red Wings have won two in a row,to set up tonight's game,against the Washington Capitals,in Detroit,tonight

Red Wings' news...

Capitals/Red Wings,tomorrow(March 16th)... Capitals have won nine in a row,going into game,against Red Wings,and have played better defense,winning seven of the nine games,by a goal,which is important in the playoffs...

game score,and comment...

Red Wings 2,Oilers 1,overtime win... Nicklas Lidstrom tied it,at 1,with 25 seconds,left,and Pavel Datsyuk won it with 42 seconds left in overtime... probably the biggest two points of the season,because of basic momentum,of the Red Wings...

commentary...

NHL commissioner(in some circles,people call him,"commissioner for life")Gary Bettman,basically absolved Mike Murphy,for his non-call,for discipline,on Zdeno Chara,saying that," what would discipline do;would it change the outcome?",in comments to the Canadian press,today... CYA,on parade,i guess!!!!!

commentary...

this is big hooey:Zdeno Chara will not suspended for hit on Max Pacioretty,during Boston/Montreal game,earlier in week... however,Montreal police are looking at incident,to see if charges should be brought,against Chara,and Air Canada,is threatening to pull sponsorship,of the NHL,over "head shots"... what a real mess for the NHL,and they should have suspended,or fined,Chara,for the hit,on Pacioretty... NHL favors stars,like Chara,in doling out discipline,in the NHL... in fact,it is a real bad joke,that the NHL doled out two separate suspensions,of 19 games this season,for New York Islanders' player Trevor Gillies,for fighting,in a line fight(all players on ice fighting at one time),and then suspended him,his first game back from that suspension,10 more games,for a very bad head shot on a different player,and then Chara puts player into stanchion,and then on ice(head hit both),and Pacioretty is out for season,most likely,and Chara,who is not be a dirty player gets nothing,but a message should be sent to the NHL... Colin Campbell,and Mike Murphy(head of NHL discipline,and assistant head of NHL discipline,respectfully),who made call on Chara,because Campbell's son,Gregory,plays for the Bruins,are the biggest joke,in doling out discipline,for any professional sport,period!!!!!!!! WHAT A JOKE BIG TIME!!!!! what discipline!!! i will not tell you what i really think about both of them,because i can not mention it on here... let me say that i am no fan of either of them,and leave it at that...

game score,and commentary...

Kings 2,Red Wings 1... great game,on defense,for both teams... Jonathan Quick was great,for the Kings,in goal,robbed Red Wings numerous times,with great save,after great save... Jimmy Howard was very good in goal,finally,but Kings' defense was just superb,and so was the Red Wings' defense... game winning goal was on power play,for the Kings,but referees missed a high-sticking call,when Nicklas Lidstrom got clipped by high stick(like bang-bang),just before game winning goal was scored,by the Kings,on a tipped shot over Howard's head,and shoulder... both teams played excellent,and referees had a bad period... Kings have won five of last six games,between the teams,and their third straight win,at Joe Louis Arena,but honestly,Red Wings played much better than,at Phoenix,which was the worst game(period)... the Red Wings is winless in last four games,overall,and right now have lost their four home games,which sucks... they will play better,but this a beginning,playing great defense,and the even strength goals will come,and with fifteen games to play,they have time,and yet,even with the minor scoring slump,they are still in top three,of Western Conference,five points ahead of Chicago,with a game in hand,and with two more wins,than the Blackhawks,who lost their last two games,to Florida Panthers,3-2,and to the Tampa Bay Lightning,4-3,in a shootout,tonight...

Red Wings' news...

Los Angeles Kings/Red Wings,tonight,in Detroit...

Pacioretty injury update...

Max Pacioretty,of the Montreal Canadiens,has a non-displaced fracture of the fourth cervical vertebrae,and a concussion,because of hit against the glass,and post,in game(2nd period),between the Bruins,and Montreal,by Zdeno Chara...

correction...

Pacioretty plays for the Montreal Canadiens...

Pacioretty injured...

Max Pacioretty was carried off the ice,on stretcher,when he was driven into glass,and post,between the teams(head first),by Zdeno Chara,of the Boston Bruins... he was on ice,motionless,for five minutes... at hospital,he is moving his arms,and legs,but expect a suspension,for Chara... he received a five minute major,and game misconduct,but that will not be enough,for Chara...

sad anniversary of worst,ugliest incident on ice,ever...

Todd Bertuzzi/Steve Moore $20 million suit,finally,is coming to court,in Canada... on March 8th,2004,Vancouver/Colorado were playing a game,and during the game,a number of fights happened,including a sucker punch/mugging,in which Bertuzzi jumped on Moore's back,and sucker-punched him,forcing his neck,and head,into the ice... ugliest incident on the ice that i have ever seen... the incident ended Moore's NHL career... he suffered three broken vertebrae,and a brain injury... Moore sued Bertuzzi,and the Orca Bay Ltd.,the company that then owned the Vancouver Canucks,Bertuzzi's former team... Bertuzzi also is counter-suing Marc Crawford,his former coach,for alleging he wanted Bertuzzi to hit Avalanche players... i hope that Moore gets justice,because it still turns my stomach to watch the hit,and that is not hockey;that is being a goon,period!

Red Wings' news...

Los Angeles Kings/Detroit Red Wings,Wednesday...

ghosts of bad losses....

down 4-2,with less than two minutes left,this team forced overtime,against Red Wings,and beat them,5-4,in overtime... sounds like last night,doesn't it? unfortunately,it was last season... well,Phoenix did it,on January 26,2010,in Detroit...

commentary...

the third period,tonight,should be a major wake up call,for the Red Wings,because even though Phoenix got some weird bounces,in third period,the game should never have gotten into overtime,in the first place... they were out-worked,and out-hustled in third period... the worst overall period,this entire year,for the Red Wings... honestly,if this game does not gnaw at their guts,they are not Stanley Cup contenders,at all... they have played like they have been sleepwalking through the last ten games,and yet,they still have a six point lead in Central Division,over Chicago(have three more games,with them,before end of season)... Mike Babcock is not saying too much to team,right now,but will blister their ears,when at practice,tomorrow... love,and hate,to be a fly on the locker room wall,or in arena,because i guarantee that he is steaming,after this game,and that includes blasting Jimmy Howard,who got hung out to dry,in that third period... it took me awhile to get really upset,over this royal turd,of a period... better wake up,Red Wings,tighten up defense,and stop sleepwalking through games(at least,third periods),and they did same thing,against Los Angeles(giving up three late goals,in third period,but won game,7-4,by the way,on this road trip).. luckily,they do not finish with any game past St. Louis,the rest of the season,but they play Nashville and St Louis twice,Vancouver,Washington,and Pittsburgh,all once,along with Columbus,Minnesota,and Toronto... they need to win eleven,of last sixteen games,to reach fifty wins,for season,but honestly,they need to stop reading their own press clippings,and simply get to work... this game is either major turning point of a season that will either go a long time in playoffs,or a first round exit,because do Red Wings have talent to devastate opponents,or do they have talent to flush themselves down the toilet?... now is the time to decide,Red Wings? do they have talent to get Stanley Cup or do they really stink,like this royal turd? i am betting on the former,not the latter... you may not believe what i am saying,but it is time,to fish,or cut bait,for the Red Wings,and Babcock is never giving up until he gets every ounce of Red Wings' energy,and talent,out of this team,and do you think Lidstrom,Datsyuk,Zetterberg,Holmstrom,and company is giving up,on the season?... they were embarrassed in Phoenix,as a team,and to a man,and they are saying that that is hockey,but to look like Keystone Kops,in that third period,is not acceptable,to the team,and to a man....

game score,and commentary...

Coyotes 5,Red Wings 4... shootout loss... great game for the fans;strange things happened all over... all four goals,by Coyotes,in regulation,came on strange bounces,and non-call(goalie interference),on first goal,by Coyotes,but odd bounces,in third period,around net,cost Red Wings a three goal lead in third period,including two goals,in 3:29,late in third period,by Phoenix,put game into overtime/shootout... Red Wings got every fortuitous bounce,in first two periods to build a 4-1 lead,after two periods,and Jimmy Howard played lights out,until late in game... both goaltenders did not have their "A" games,because the puck had bounces,and eyes,that you could not see happening,like Ilya Bryzgalov whiffing on a long shot,by Drew Miller,to open up scoring,for Red Wings,and Howard missing the puck that dribbled through the legs,of a Red Wings' player,who was in front of him,and whacked into net,by Martin Hanzal,to send game into overtime... that is hockey!!!!!! just a very odd,and strange game... i could get very upset,but honestly,Coyotes refused to lose,and got the final good bounce,of game,but to tell you truth,Red Wings just missed game winning goal,as regulation ended,when puck went through Bryzgalov's legs,and went just wide past right of goalpost in final second(tenths of second left,on clock)... what a wild game!!!!!!! happy to get point,but should have had two points...

Red Wings' news...

Detroit/Phoenix,tonight,on final stop,of road trip... analysis tonight,or tomorrow morning...

Red Wings' history...

Nicklas Lidstrom's power play goal,in first period,of Red Wings' 7-4 victory,over the Los Angeles Kings,was his 250th NHL goal,in his career...

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

Grand Rapids Griffiths are 27-25-1-8,last place in North Division,of Western Conference,but only five points,behind Toronto Marlies,who is in fourth place,and in last playoff spot,if today was last day,of AHL season... Toledo Walleye are 26-26-3-1,in tenth place,in the North Division,of the Eastern Conference... i do not know what the playoffs are in the ECHL,but an educated guess is that they have a eight team playoff field,in each conference,which means they are three points behind the Cincinnati Cyclones,who is in eighth place,in Eastern Conference...

game score,and commentary...

Sharks 3,Red Wings 1... simply put,Sharks out-played Red Wings,played great defense,and Red Wings had no jump in their legs,most of the night,period... both teams will be in playoffs,and may meet in playoffs,in second round,and both teams will have a chance at conference championship,and Stanley Cup,depending on seeding in playoffs... they do not like each other,and San Jose,and Detroit,are two of the best teams,of the NHL,and both teams should be fighting for the final four,and fighting for conference championship... the Sharks beat Red Wings,three of the four games that they played,and a first-ever sweep,in Detroit... only one of those games,did both teams have a healthy team,and not once did either team play their best games... Red Wings beat a team,on November 30th,that simply did not play their best game,and San Jose,in the last two games played,beat a Red Wings' team that had just gotten their injured players back from major injuries,and the Red Wings played out of sync,in last two games... no excuses,but stating facts,it takes time to really gel for any team to play well... Red Wings are,right now,inconsistent,scoring seven goals one night,and then losing,2-1,and 3-1,the next two games,and San Jose is playing lights out,as a team,which means real trouble,for the NHL teams,in the playoff seeding... both teams are teams you rather not play in first round,and yet can Sharks play this well,for another 40+ games,including long playoff run? i do not like the Sharks,but i do respect them no end... can Sharks be more consistent,in the playoffs,overall,and can,honestly,both teams' goaltending hold up,for long playoff run... that is key,because defense usually wins Stanley Cups... being a true hockey fan,i enjoy the games,but as a true Red Wings' fan,this season,in spots,has been very difficult to watch,but Red Wings have been very near the top of league-wide goal scoring,but their power play has been out of sync,but has scored a power play goal,in five straight games,but was one for nine,on power play,and last two goals scored,in both games,have been on power play,but,at even strength(5 on 5,4 on 4)has been very pathetic(no goals scored in two games),which means the Red Wings are having trouble,putting puck in the net,and look out of sync,on offense,which means the Red Wings will get much better,but they are not happy with the way that they are playing right now,and i can hear Mike Babcock,and he is not happy... Red Wings will be better going into playoffs,and like the Sharks,they will be a very dangerous team in the playoffs... defensively,the Red Wings are doing very well,but offensively,they are in deep trouble,because even though,they have healthy people on their roster,they seem rusty(for example,Mike Modano has missed forty-one games,because of lacerated tendon,and Pavel Datsyuk,along with Tomas Holmstrom,have missed close to twenty games,which means they have been rusty(inconsistent)the last fifteen games,in scoring goals... both teams have time to sharpen their games,and yet Red Wings need more time,to get better on offense,because on defense,they are getting better,and both teams have too much talent to be this pathetic,on offense... on to the playoffs,for both teams...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/Sharks,in San Jose,tonight,at 7:30...

game score,and commentary...

Ducks 2,Red Wings 1,overtime loss... first loss,in seven road games;penalty shot ends it,by Bobby Ryan... Jimmy Howard mad;broke his stick,before talking to referee,on way off ice... Pavel Datsyuk scored a power play goal,for Detroit,who had a power play,in overtime,but could not solve Dan Ellis,and Ducks' defense,all night... the telecast from Detroit,was like watching a gnat,being passed,because of high definition,most of the night... of the games this season,i have missed seeing only two games...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/Ducks,tonight... analysis tonight,or tomorrow morning...

Red Wings' schedule...

Detroit/Anaheim,tomorrow night,then Sharks,in San Jose,Thursday...