commentary...

early on this season,Red Wings impress me with their overall defense... they will get better on power play,when team chemistry improves... that takes time,but now the season rotation really starts(a game every two,or three days,except for All-Star Break),so the fact that they have not been behind,in the three games that they have played(a 5-0 lead,before Ottawa scored three goals,in third period,opening night,and then back to back shutouts(3-0,against Colorado,and 2-0,over Vancouver)),will change... they are playing very good,and that will change,because a team can not play all 82 games,at peak throughout the entire season... people may say that the Red Wings may be underdogs this season,and they may be right,but honestly,when the team is facing Detroit,in playoffs,they will be in for a fight,because they have enough overall firepower,and if played like they should,they have one of the best defenses,in NHL... the Red Wings may be long in the tooth,and have many free agents next off-season,but the pride of the Winged Wheel,and the fact that last year they fought like dogs,against San Jose(and lost)really gives them momentum,and a real big chip on their collective shoulders to get the job done... they seem to be very hungry for the run for the Stanley Cup,and let Ken Holland handle team mechanics next off-season,to keep Red Wings mostly intact,and at their usual high standards... you may believe that they are on the outside of the talk about contenders,but the long shadow of the Red Wings and the team must be dealt with,because the Western Conference is,actually,up for grabs,for the very good teams,in the conference,so it will be the biggest dogfight,probably,in NHL history,or least,in the timespan of a decade... Bring on,everyone,NHL...