puckloo39

sounds like the crowd at the Pepsi Ctr might rival the size of the group in here. Smyth is back in tonight. Maybe his re-entry will screw with the Avs chemistry and help us out, as if we need it.

I just hope they are ready to play tonight. Tired from last night, bad travel, etc... I know they are professionals, but I've seen them play after a bad flight into an away game -- they got into Denver at 1AM this morning, so I wonder how well they will do tonight. The last time I saw this happen with travel ills in a back to back, the Wings skated like zombies and it was a disaster. I shall hope this particular brand of lightening doesn't strike twice.

USA Today game preview Interesting numbers going into the game tonight: Zetterberg leads the Red Wings 50 points, and Holmstrom is second behind him with 17 goals. Still, Detroit has outscored its opponents 9-1 with them out the lineup. Colorado's 15-3-0 home record is second only to Detroit's 16-2-1 mark for best in the league. "We have a lot of momentum right now," Colorado coach Joel Quenneville said. Hmm. [Hasek] The six-time Vezina Trophy winner has won six straight over Colorado with a 1.32 GAA since January 2002. He also hasn't lost in Denver since 1998, going 6-0-0 with an 0.99 GAA and three shutouts. Hasek also needs one win to tie John Vanbiesbrouck for 11th place on the all-time list with 374. Hasek has gone 6-0-1, 1.68 GAA in his last seven starts. Wings will miss Z and Homer tonight, but I am hopeful that Dats will step up. Again. Strikes against us: Back to back games, key players out of the line up, Nick not up to speed for whatever reason. Is Mule playing or is he in the doghouse for taking Jackman out? Wings generated plenty of offense last night v. the Boos. Can they do this again and pile up five unanswered goals? I say no, since Manny's not in goal for the Avs. This one is not going to be easy, I suspect. Good luck, guys!

I always liked Miro. He has a sense of humor about the North American jokes surrounding his name. He was asked one time what happens when he takes out a credit card to pay a bill. He said, "Lots of people say, 'Is that really your name?" His response: "Only in America." It's pronounced "shah-TAHN" in Slovak, not Satan as in Beelzebub, so he gets the joke but probably goes privately. Personally, I think it's a great hockey-name. Easier to spell than Beelzebub, too.

Wow, take a deep breath. ESPN is just the first (and only place) I bothered to cite. I know it was from an AP stringer. Hence, no by-line. Does it matter? Guess so! Wings won, got lots of shots on Backstrom, some were good chances. Most weren't challenging or Backstrom would have gotten a game star or similar recognition of some sort. One save on Hudler at the end of the game was great, but with the lead we had, it didn't really matter by then. The Wild got lucky on the Wings once due to a ref in the way, otherwise it would have been a shut out. I got called out in the game thread for saying Cheli directed the goal in accidentally (in combination with the ref being responsible for the puck staying in play). He did. So, I cited one story I happened on before I went on to other things last night - on ESPN, which is why I cited the link there - for a source for that fact. Giving credit where it is due, here. Love Draper's comment. Hope they got home OK, I didn't realize how bad the weather is in MN. Have a safe holiday everyone!

Wings win decisively without Z and Homer, Dom plays great and wins yet again vs. the Wild, and the bashers are absent. Does life get any better? Talk about a "Silent Night" in here. Have a great holiday, all.

this is true. Anyone else impressed with Lebda tonight? I forget sometimes how fast he is. And Kronner had a good night, too, as did Kopay and Flip. Good game. I missed seeing Homer out there, and Z, of course. But they owned the Wild. Take the ref out of the equation, and it would have really been a blowout. espn write up Forget Merry Christmas. How about Happy "Smothered" Day, whenever the Wild and Gabby meet the Wings. NHL writeup saw the same thing I did on the lone goal against Dom, I guess: "Kim Johnsson managed the only goal of the night for the Wild, and that was a lucky one. His shot from the point on the power play with less than 9 seconds remaining in the second period deflected off Detroit defenseman Chris Chelios and past Hasek."

again, misleading numbers on the 51 shots. Backstrom was good at times, but he would grab pucks that would have gone wide, or else they were shots he could see. The real chances went in (more than what we got credit for, actually). I would say the fact that he didn't get a game star says it all, in terms of the numbers telling the tale in this game. I will stop nit-picking now, and just enjoy the thought of the Wings headed for their plane as fast as they can, to enjoy their victory and have a good time going home to their families now. Merry Christmas to the Red Wings, and to all of you. xo, looooooo

I am glad Hank didn't try to play tonight. Turns out we didn't need him, and certainly didn't need any possible further injury. Get will soon, Hank and Homer. I miss them when they are not out there, it's not the same... good win, anyway. Merry Christmas, dear Wings!!

they neutralized the Wild's only real weapon, Gaborik. Dom does own 'em, and that was probably in their heads a little bit. He was totally confident tonight. Shame about the ref and the lone goal. It shouldn't have happened. But he will take the W and be happy with that. Hope the Wings have a great trip home and an outstanding Christmas. We love our Red Wings!!! Night, dear. Merry Christmas! Three Stars (NHL) 1. Dats 2. Cleary 3. Lebda EDIT: I guess they gave Lebda 3rd star since he actually should have had a goal and an assist?

too little, too late, but yes. High shot count is a little misleading. They was far from all scoring chances. But he stopped a few good ones, all irrelevant really as it turns out. Only needed two.

despite the 4/5 goals, he's been very good at times. Wild should be pleased with him.

now that's just mean. Keep it up, I love it.

Dominik more...more what? Everything I hear that, I wonder for a second what they're talking about. Finish this off, Wings, and go home. Gaborik runs into Dom. Announcers whining. LOL! Poor innocent Gabby...

just a little pushy-shovey in front of Dom's goal. Kronner lost his helmet, the refs broke it up before anything happened. Despite the four (five) goals against, Backstrom's looked pretty good tonight.

Red Wings are "relentless" -- ahhh, yes. I love it. Make it 5 (or 6, if you will), Wings!! Hudler standing up to a guy who's at least a head taller than him. He didn't look a bit intimidated. I think Huddie has a hidden dark side... Happy, huh? OT: oooh, Perkins Pies commercial on FSN. I forgot about that place. I used to live in MPLS/St. Paul, long before there was (another) hockey club there. Best pies, ever.

Kopay, baybee!!!! Excellent effort, all. Looo is very pleased with that one.

bleah... nothing doing on that power play opportunity. come on, boyz... score in bunches!! Backstrom is going to have a sore tummy tomorrow, from all those pucks to his midsection.

PP, Wings... the Wild crowd has the audacity to boo a trip (again) by Backstrom. He got away with one already tonight. Sheesh.

shut 'em down, Wings. Refs, get the hell out of the way!

Refs 2, Wings 3 or 4, Wild 1, just got lucky is all. Odd score, that. I own a Wild jersey, never been worn, from their first season in existence. My best friend in the world lives there, doesn't care for hockey, but got it for me for Christmas. It's very beautiful and Christmassy, red and green with gold embroidery. They really do have a beautiful logo, but they could use another first line scorer. Of course, if they keep these refs on the ice, the Wild could win without every actually scoring themselves.

How would you ever know? Let's hope the Wings come out as pissed off as I am right now in the 4rd. Dats for a hattie tonight. Go, Wings!!!

of course, I am watching the game. Cheli directed the puck into the net. Are you watching the same game I am?

I knew it! Why didn't they get the puck out of the zone, why, why, why???????????? I saw that coming. God, CHELIOS SCORED ON DOM!!!!!!!!! You owe him for that one, Cheli, there went Dom's shutout. Nice.

Wings penalty. Nullifies part of Gaborik's penalty. Not a good call on us, by the way.