Big Red Machine

As I’m sure most of you were also doing last night, I watched the NHL Network air the ABC/ESPN broadcast of the 2002 Stanley Cup Game 5 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.  Gary Thorne and Bill Clement kept reiterating the star power, and the to-be Hall of Fame players.  That was a stacked team.

But it got me thinking: with the signing of Mike Modano, the Wings have really added some serious depth to the forward lineup through three lines, and the fourth is chock full of potential.  We’ve been reading and speculating about what they’ll do to solve the glut of players in the system who could all feasibly play next season.  Again, that’s an astonishing amount of depth when you can reunite the Eurotwins and then slate Mike Modano on the third line and call it a day.  This immediately reminded me of having Igor Larionov and Luc Robitaille on the third line in 2002–Future Hall of Famers at the time who, while considered to be in the twilight of their careers, still contributed immensely regardless of being lower down the chart.

Similarly, Modano was clearly thought to be done by the Stars, who chose not to bring him back.  Robitaille had 30 goals and 50 points in the 2002 season with the Wings, playing on the third line and the second unit power play, much like what Modano’s role sounds like it will be.  Granted, Modano is a center, not a winger, and I have a feeling he’ll be dishing to Hudler and Cleary a decent amount.  Still, if he can pop in 20 goals, I’ll be thrilled.

Sports Illustrated had an interesting preview for the 2002 playoffs, which is still online.  Darren Eliot took a look at all four lines, plus first unit power play, and top three defensive pairings, and offered his analysis.  As I was going through this, I kept thinking of how these line’s qualities and characteristics were visible in the current Red Wings’ lineup.  And so I present my comparison of the 2002 team versus the potential lineup of the 2010-2011 Detroit Red Wings.

Today is only the forward lines.  Tomorrow I’ll take a look at defensive pairings and the power play unit.  And while Eliot didn’t offer any thoughts on the goalies, I’ll try to draw some comparisons Monday.

Edited to add: which do you think is the “better” team, looking at the depth and potential?

I wanted to post up my three stars of the series for the Red Wings against the Coyotes, and kind of pick up again on this little weekly feature that I had done earlier in the season…

#3: Jimmy Howard
You gotta hand it to the kid. His first ever playoff series, and it goes to Game 7, and he walks away a winner.  Sure, he let up some softies at some bad times.  Sure, he didn’t stand on his head every single game, or really steal a win at any point.  But he also didn’t completely lose a game, and that’s the most important part.  He got the benefit of the doubt from me this time.  He also bounced back in a huge way after flopping in Game 3 with the shutout in Game 4.

#2: Nicklas Lidstrom
Nick showed us in Game 7 that he’s not done yet, in which he doubled his points for the post-season thus far.  But what the stats don’t show is that he’s still an amazing shutdown defenseman, and still better than a Norris Trophy candidate this year *cough*mikgreen*ahem*.  He got his job done, played big minutes, and took zero penalty minutes.

#1: Henrik Zetterberg
If you ask me, Henrik Zetterberg was just made for the playoffs.  He only scored 23 goals in 74 games for a 31% scoring rate.  This round he had 6 goals in 7 games, with 2 GWGs.  That’s absurd.  Hank lifts his game to a completely different level this time of year, and it shows offensively.  Not to mention, he’s also still a defensive force, the only player other player along with Stuart who is +6.  He’s looked like the Conn Smythe winner of 2008.

Honorable Mentions:
Pavel Datsyuk (5-3-8, +2), Valtteri Filppula (3-4-7, +4), Brad Stuart (2-4-6, +6)

My former roommate, and recent convert to Red Wings nation (and hockey in general) back in New York IM’d me shortly after the game ended and made a comment that caused me to laugh a little:

ok, don’t get me wrong, i’m glad we won
but i wish that the entire game had been like the last 5ish mins

The Wings were flat for the first period and a half.  But guess what?  I couldn’t care less.  They won.  We won.  They cranked it up and played like the 2008 Detroit Red Wings rather than the 2006 Detroit Red Wings.  They get to go back home to the JLA with one win, and we got 7 goals and free curly fries courtesy of Mr. Zetterberg.  I’ll take it.

Goals were as follows:
Detroit: Henrik Zetterberg (pp; Filppula, Kronwall); Pavel Datsyuk (Franzen, Holmstrom); Valtteri Filppla (Bertuzzi, Ericsson); Justin Abdelkader (unassisted); Henrik Zetterberg (Bertuzzi); Valtteri Filppula (pp; Stuart, Kronwall); Henrik Zetterberg (EN; unassisted)
Phoenix: Keith Yandle (Hanzal, Vrbata); Wojtek Wolski (unassisted); Matthew Lombardi (Doan, Wolski); Shane Doan (Fiddler, Morris)

– I don’t exactly understand why the Wings thought that playing the dump-and-chase for the first period and a half was going to be effective, but they did.  And it made me want to tear my hair out.  It was like watching the 3rd period of Game 1 all over again.

– We can thank Dennis Larue for the even, consistent, and unbiased officiating.  Because when Sami Lepisto drops his stick, we all know that’s actually a slashing penalty.

+ I’m convinced that the Wings turned it around mid-way through the 2nd period because I changed my shirt.  Hey, whatever we think works, right?  Hell, I’d change my underwear every intermission (yeah, I was totally going to say “every period” but, ah, poor choice of words there) if it would mean the Wings played like they did the second half of the game.

+ On a more serious note, hey, wow, look what happens when you start winning faceoffs, possessing the puck, getting secondary and tertiary chances, and hitting people.

– The 2nd period reminded me of a trend from last year’s SCF games against the Penguins when the Wings would score, and then allow Pittsburgh to score immediately after.  Can’t get caught celebrating your goal still after the puck drops again–and they seemed to rectify that in the 3rd.

+ It was nice to see the Wings really wake up after Filppula’s first goal.  Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Flip, Lidstrom were just very ON from that point on, and the pace of the game completely changed.  The three forwards had 6 SOG a piece, and each scored at least a goal.  This is what Detroit needs from their top 6.  Is that the flip of the switch that we’ve been waiting for? (Get it?  Flip?  Filppula?  ’Cause he scored the goal that…oh… nevermind).  Speed can kill a team, and from about the 10 minute mark in the 2nd, it felt like the Wings were just taking it Phoenix, fast and furious.  The turning of the tide was punctuated by the fact that Detroit did not allow a Coyotes’ goal mere seconds after Flip’s.  Keep the pace uptempo and fast, and they’ll continue to “turnstile” the Coyotes, who can’t keep up.  That was the best hockey I’ve seen the Wings play all season, and that’s the team that will rip Phoenix to shreds.

+ Holy Justin Abdelkader, that puck strip and goal was shades of Datsyuk.  I was on the fence about replacing J-Wills with Abby, since quite frankly, there were other players who didn’t play up to par in Game 1, but I can’t deny that having his physicality injected into the lineup helped.  He got the goal, 2 SOG, and 5 hits in 8:27 TOI, and went 6 and 5 in the faceoff circle (54.5 win percentage).  In short, he completely outplayed Kris Draper, statistically.

– Shane Doan is still a massive jerkoff.  Just sayin’.

+ I never thought I’d say this, but I was never more relieved when Versus ended their coverage of the Blackhawks/Predators game in time for the 2nd and 3rd of the Wings/Coyotes game.  Rick Peckham and Daryl Reaugh actually have done a very good job on the broadcasts, and Reaugh also gets bonus points for managing to talk about the long change in the 2nd without sounding like a complete douche, ala Eddie Olczyk.

I am now trying to figure out how I can get my ass down to Phoenix for Game 5… we’ll see how that ends up working out.

First things first, huge congratulations to Team USA for playing strong, tough, and with heart, and for never giving up. A great performance by the Americans to win the Silver medal. We’re proud of you all.

Secondly, congrats to Team Canada, specifically Steve Yzerman and Mike Babcock. (Can someone clarify for me whether coaches and executives get actual medals? Apparently they do not in the Summer Olympics, because then they’d have to give all coaches, like for figure skating, medals as well). I’m happy for Stevie Y, and it really did make me happy to see his jump up and cheer when Canada scored.

On that note though, did it REALLY have tp be Crosby? Of all the players… It’s probably my fault, too, because milliseconds before, I said to my brother: “If Crosby scores the GWG for Canada I’ll throw myself out the window.” And then he scored. Sigh. He was a virtual non-factor all tournament until now, and the media is all praising him as being a “leader” of Team Canada. What a joke.

Anyway, again, congrats to Finland, USA, and Canada (both mens and womens, which oddly turned out identical in terms of medal results) for their wins. And especially to Rafalski and Filppula, and Yzerman and Babcock.

Red Wings hockey starts again tomorrow, in Colorado. I’ll be at the game! Hopefully Rafalski can bring back his awesome play, and the rest of the team will get their heads into the season and ready to make a push.

Let’s go Red Wings.

My picks for the stars of the week 12/21-12/27

#3: Valtteri Filppula
He didn’t put any points up in his return against Columbus, but Flip was clearly a steadying force out on the ice. As I mentioned in my game recap, it was so relieving to have one of the top players back, and not have to worry about horrible blue-line turnovers

#2: Brad Stuart
The guy hasn’t really gotten any press for it, but he’s been a stalwart on the blueline this season.  He’s not putting up points, but he’s done a helluva job just being steady on defense.  He’s on the power play, penalty kill, and even strength, and is really just doing it all, quietly.

#1: Todd Bertuzzi
I can’t not go with Bert for first star, as he netted both goals against Columbus to win the game.  And I’m still amazed with his backchecking and defensive work ethic.

Very glad that I was wrong when I said this was exactly the type of game the Wings like to lose.

Goals were as follows:
Detroit: Todd Bertuzzi (pp; Datsyuk, Lidstrom); Todd Bertuzzi (Rafalski, Lidstrom)
Columbus: Antoine Vermette (Voracek)

Pluses
+ I know that Bertuzzi knew Petrella was in the building when he scored that beautiful power play goal, and also jammed in the easy ricochet for the 2nd.  No curly fries, but still, a great effort.
+ My God was it great to see Valtteri Filppula back on the ice.  And not just because I’ve missed admiring his hair.  You could tell he doesn’t quite have his hands back on a couple shots that he took, but he backchecked and worked hard.  He also went 5 and 3 (63%) in the faceoff circle.  Babcock wasn’t hesitant to use him–he had 17:42 TOI (4:07 PP), with 3 shots on net.  It’s just nice to see one of the top forwards back and in action, and not have to worry about bad turnovers or defensive liabilities.
+ Hello Darren Helm!  Save of the night, this kid, batting the puck out of the net with his stick, then again with his hand to keep it tied at 1.  He also had a good game all-around, 4 SOG, 64% draws won,  2 hits, and just running around and creating energy in 16:23 TOI.
+ Good to see the Wings turn it around in the 2nd after a crappy first period.

Minuses
- What an awful first period.  I watched the Columbus post-game show, and they interviewed Nick, who was pretty blunt in saying they got off to a terrible start.  I don’t know why they can’t seem to wake up on time.
– Holy Crap, Derek Meech.  An absolutely horrendous turnover led to the Jackets’ first (and only) goal of the game.
– I don’t think Nicklas Lidstrom is going to score a goal ever again.

It’s Columbus redux on Monday, which I won’t be able to watch live.

I feel like I might as well copy and paste half my game recap from the Sunday game.  Anyway, following Matt on this one, and not dwelling on the loss.  Yeah, it blows to be shutout twice in a row, but I’m trying to be positive and am looking forward to Filppula’s return on Saturday.  Jason Williams is also looking to come back on January 14.

Have a safe, wonderful Christmas everyone.

By now I’m certain everyone’s heard the news that Zetterberg will be out a minimum of two weeks with a “slight shoulder separation” after getting decked by Mattias Ohlund Thursday.  I personally can’t imagine how any shoulder separation is slight, but at least he’s not out for extremely long term.

In good news though, looks like Darren Helm will be back in the lineup tomorrow in Dallas.  There had been comments made last night that Filppula was the closest to return, which caused brief panic that Helm was more injured than thought, having gone from basically DTD to possibly after Christmas.  But he says he’s “good enough to go.”

Lastly, Howard’s getting the start in Dallas and Osgood will be up in Chicago.  I said the other day that I didn’t have the faintest idea of how Babcock went about choosing his starters, but this announcement makes it a little clearer.  Unlike some others, I don’t believe that Jimmy’s taking over the number one spot, and the starter choices make that clear.  Osgood’s playing against Chicago, our biggest challenge and rival in the division, maybe the conference.  He’s still the go-to guy, the number one in Detroit.  It’s not uncommon for Red Wing netminders to split the load more evenly than say, in Calgary where Miikka Kiprusoff plays like 72 games a year.  In the past two years Osgood shared time with Hasek and Conklin, starting 40 and 44 games, respectively.  I recall Holland saying during the summer that they expected Howard (17 starts, 19 GP so far) to play about 30-35 games.  So it doesn’t surprise me anymore that Howard’s getting the bulk of the starts right now–if you want to call him the starter now, fine, but I wouldn’t label him as #1.  The kid’s never played a full NHL season before, and no one really knows how he’ll be doing further along in the year.  Osgood (17 starts, 17 GP) will get more calls towards the second half of the season to get himself on track for the playoffs.  And if we’re in, he’s the guy.  Unless Osgood positively implodes this season (and to do so more than last season would really be a feat) and Young James plays absolutely lights out, I cannot fathom any way possible in which Osgood is not the starter for the post-season.  And that’s how you define the number one goaltender.

I lied–that wasn’t the last thing.  This is a very cool 360 degree photo of Nick Lidstrom’s living room, all decorated for the holidays.  Of course the Perfect Human has a gorgeous house that looks like it should be in a interior design magazine.  Make sure to zoom out to see the whole thing.

I’m still wrestling with how I feel about this.  Oh, irritated that we lost, for sure, but am I less annoyed because we came back from a 0-4 hole to tie?  Or am I just as pissed as I would be usually, given the train wreck that was the first and second periods?  And maybe I’m let down that we couldn’t get it done in the post-game skills competition.

Goals were as follows:
Detroit: Darren Helm (Filppula, Stuart); Henrik Zetterberg (Kronwall, Datsyuk); Jonathan Ericsson (Draper, Eaves); Todd Bertuzzi (Datsyuk); Patrick Eaves (Helm, Ericsson)
Edmonton: Jean-Francois Jacques (Brule, O’Sullivan); Dustin Penner (Horcoff, Hemsky); Hemsky (pp; Penner, Horcoff); Hemsky (Penner); Horcoff (pp; Grebeshkov, Penner)
Shootout: EDM: Patrick O’Sullivan

• Ken Daniels commented on an interesting tradition that I was unaware of.  If the Red Wings win, their jerseys will be hanging in their lockers with front facing.  If they lose, they’ll be turned around so the names and numbers face out.  It’s part of the “win as a team, lose as an individual” mentality.
• We knew this was going to be a stressful game when Edmonton scored on Jimmy 0:42 seconds into the first period.  Gee, where have we seen this before?
• There were not a ton of penalties in this game.  Detroit only had 3 power plays total, two of them back to back, and utterly failed to convert any of them.  The PP is clicking along at 24%, which is somehow good for 9th in the league right now.  (Oddly, it’s Toronto of all teams who are leading the league in converting, at 30.8%)
• Motown Wings, A2Y, and Bingo Bango all commented before the game that this is the exact type of scenario that would lead to a Red Wings loss.  Edmonton got shutout their previous two games (v. Colorado and Vancouver), are ravaged by the flu (both swine and garden variety), and yet come out with guns blazing to pop 5 goals in 2 periods.  Of course.  Sadly, we all saw this coming a mile away.
• I pretty much stopped watching at the middle of the first, and mostly through the second, and opted to talk to my mother on the phone, instead.
• It was nice to see Darren Helm finally get his first regular season goal, though.  He also posted an assist and ended the game +3 (and the game’s second star).  He sort of pulled a Maltby, in that he came back on fire after being a healthy scratch.  I still question the move because Helm hasn’t gotten lazy like Malts does occasionally, but if this is the result, I’m not going to argue.  Helm was one of the best players on the ice.
• As was Patrick Eaves.  He also potted his first goal as a Red Wing, got an assist, and was also +3.  He and Helm have some serious wheels on them, and make for a very energetic line.
• Jimmy scrambles too much, and needs to stop wandering from the crease.  It reminds me of Hasek, only without the innate, raw, ridiculous ability to make the save no matter what.  I am utterly unsold on him to be a solid backup for Osgood.  I don’t know how long they’ll allow him before giving Larsson a look, but I hope it’s not long.
• One good thing that happened was that as soon as I asked when Bertuzzi was going to get his due and score, he scored.
• Dan Cleary’s been stuck on 99 goals, and am not surprised that he’s a little snakebit in terms of getting his 100th.  I just hope he does it soon, because once he gets over it, he should be producing a bit more.
• I can’t even begin to start counting how many posts we’ve hit this season so far.  It’s absurd.
• I get that Pavel and Z were thinking that Khabibulin was going to read their dekes in the shootout, but I’m not sure if that warrants just shooting it straight at him… sure, goalies know that Pav’s going to deke, but he’s so good at it he can usually manage to fool them anyway.
• Overall, this game was ridiculous.  Yet another early deficit, only to come roaring back in the third.  I will say I prefer the trend of having a dominant third period as opposed to falling asleep, but I dislike getting to that point in the first place.  I’m tired of watching them get blown out early because they’re not awake yet.
• Lastly, when it rains, it friggin’ pours.  Filppula got hit by Gilbert Brule in the second period and wound up with a broken wrist, meaning he’ll be out for 6-8 weeks.  Just what we need, another major injury.