The Door Man

I am getting the Coyotes feed on my Comcast Center Ice package, channel 782, but the menu says MLB, New York Mets at St. Louis. 783 is the Hawks, 784 is the Devils game, and the menu is correct for those two.

I don't even know where to begin on this beauty. http://coyotes.azvibe.com/2010/04/14/the-snake-free-coyotesred-wings-2010-playoff-preview/ Incredible defensive philosophy. Truly fascinating. All in all, D for effort for this in-depth masterpiece.

The song played right before the faceoff after Detroit Rock City is Fedde Le Grande - Put Your Hands up for Detroit.

I have the Red Wings World code, but was wondering if anyone has the season ticket holder password? Thanks!

Last time was definitely looked like the defending champs was the 6-1 win against Dallas early in January. Since then, lethargic and unmotivated hockey; good wins in LA and Anaheim between, but the Dallas game was the last great performance.

There you go 4th line.

Dave Strader - former voice of the Wings' broadcasts. Actually one of the better play-by-play guys in the league if you watch everyone else on the Center Ice package. What a slow, boring first period. No jump in this team right now, no energy. They need a breakout period.

Correct. From Uni Watch Blog "Two more NHL teams have unveiled their new uniforms. Let’s start with Detroit, where Reebok’s new tailoring template has forced the Red Wings to move their “C” and “A” designations to the other side of the jersey (full details here). But as Craig Barker points out, putting the designatory letters on that side is nothing new for the Red Wings."

I'll be there - planning on being at the Greene Turtle right at 11am and heading to the Verizon Center before noon for warm-ups. Seats in club level, Section 219. Can't wait - hopeful they'll start a strong run tomorrow.

This one is hilarious. Won't let me embed but definitely worth a watch. Asian Hockey Brawl

Absolutely. Helm has the speed that Draper has lost and Downey is the physical player that the 4th line now lacks. No one to throw their weight around right now, no one to create a spark.

Agree on all accounts. Except Kopecky...may be too early too tell. I think it's about confidence with him - let's see how he does with some different linemates before we write him off. He's a big body, if he's with people who can create some chances, he may do some good things. But right now, the 4th line is a huge liability. Anyone think we'll see some significant changes in the lines Wednesday? I'm thinking a couple slight adjustments after the hot streak came to an end.

Man, Maltby and Draper are not what they used to be. Maltby looks lost and Draper has lost one of his main weapons, speed. Let Helm generate some energy on the 4th line. Regardless, the whole team looked awful tonight (with the exception of Datsyuk and Osgood, maybe Hank too). They didn't deserve to win this game tonight. Wouldn't have felt good about it either way. Not how you want to start a road trip but Babcock can get them back up.

I'm guessing they had a jersey for each period as they do (at least did) for the All-Star game.

Good stuff, thank you sir.

I'm thinking of ordering the Datsyuk Winter Classic premier jersey from NHL.com but noticed that in the picture the name is on a nameplate - is that how the replica jerseys were really manufactured for those who bought one? The jerseys worn by the Wings last week didn't have nameplates, from what I could tell. Just wondering if I should order mine elsewhere. Thanks.

That's it for pics with the players. Unfortunately Lidstrom, Rafalski, Draper, McCarty, Lebda, and Babcock didn't hang out - at least not where everyone else was, they could've been in another room. Didn't get pics with Lilja or Hossa. Both were there and I had them sign my ticket to the event. I think I got about 15-16 autographs. Wish I would have known I was going to get to meet them all, I would have brought something cooler to have signed. Oh well, still an amazing memory.

I work here in DC and just lucked out with getting on the guest list using some connections. (Door Man is in reference to the great man holding the door open for Wings fans heading into the silo to cross over to the Joe.) Also got pics with Dom, Ozzie, Hudler, Mickey, and Maltby and Holmstrom. Got to meet Helm, Lilja, Hossa and Bettman, too. Wanted to boo Bettman, but refrained. All outstanding guys. Once in a lifetime experience.

If anyone cares, I can put up some pics of me with the players.

I was actually at the ceremony at the White House today. Absolutely awesome. I'll upload pics tonight. Most players hung around afterwards and took pictures and signed autographs. Incredible experience.

Crosby is such a little *****. He's got talent and I know he's young, but he's got a long way to go. Following Zetterberg after the game and chirping, that's not being a leader. Sack up and take some blame. The only other captain in the league I can see doing that is Iginla. That whole damn team is so whiny. The differences between these two teams are staggering; just look at the way Detroit and Babcock handled the game 3 loss compared to the whining and constant complaining. What can you be whining about now Sid? Your team got a 5-on-3 in the 3rd period and had at least 3 (4?) more power plays than the Wings. Sorry dbag, Zetterberg owns you. Rant: over. That just got me irritated. Finish them on Monday.

I agree entirely. He is such a liability. He just gets abused out there, we saw it in his short time on the ice in the Colorado series. He is so easily exposed, I am NEVER comfortable with him in the lineup. In regards to scoring first, obviously it's huge. But what I see as perhaps being more important is that the Wings need to be either tied or ahead after each period. We can come back from a 1-0 deficit just fine (just need to seize the momentum after tying it at 1), but starting a period down is tough. I know we have had extremely talented teams in the past that have underachieved, but this is one of the very few times, if not the only time, I've ever believed a team had the ability to just "flip the switch" and turn it on. It's a battle of the minds right now, and with their backs against the wall, this team needs to respond with urgency and desperation. I'm confident, but cautious.

I absolutely agree that 13 and 40 should stay together. Splitting them up against Nashville didn't do much. But I just don't see Cleary being close to breaking out, as a lot of people here seem to think. Of course, I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see it. Yea, he's gotten a couple chances, but other than that, he looks out of it. The lack of focus on the backcheck on Saturday was awful. With Samuelsson, he's just very frustrating to watch. You can't score when you shoot at the goalie's chest. Granted, he's been decent defensively. I'm fine with the changes that were evident in practice, but we better not see Lilja on the ice tonight.

This got me thinking about lines I might consider. I don't even know if I would change anything up; things were rolling well and we've hit a couple bumps. If I were to change lines, I think I like the following: Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom Hudler - Filppula - Helm Maltby - Draper - McCarty Drake - Hartigan - Abdelkader Yes, Abdelkader. No Cleary and no Samuelsson. Cleary's been nowhere and Samuelsson is lost. Just thinking out loud. However, I don't expect any major changes tonight. I have faith we'll get it done.