Jacksoni

Z won't be able to keep it up, agreed no doubt. Something tells me his "fall" will be timely with our freefall, despite there not being a good correlation on the ice. But he's the captain and them players are as sharp as anyone on picking things up, on- and off-ice. Any good defensemen among the top 10 picks in the 2017 draft?

Philly is an exciting team, got Giroux, Simmonds, Ghost Bear and plays uptempo but lacks solid defense. I have no idea how this one will go but we do stand a fair chance I believe. Maybe an aggressive forecheck on Radko Gudas makes him cough the puck up just as Ericsson has done last two seasons, albeit not as much this season. Good luck to us!

I would add Vladislav Tretiak and Carey Price to that very fine edge of goalies carrying teams like that. Your reasoning is on point regarding potential in my opinion though.

Much ado about nothing here. There is no conflict in our crease. The crease is our only hope of making the playoffs if that's our goal, which can be debated. And that means business as usual, both goalies are playing while Mrazek gets the majority of games but not by a huge margin. Just my two cents.

To me this game was as likely to be 7-1 as it was 5-2 which was the final score. A lot of flaws surfaced and we did not look good, I'd say we looked lower tier NHL on par with Arizona. Hopefully it'll change, we have shown good play a few games prior. I'd actually prefer us being decently bad rather than this up-and-down. The next batch of games should tell us a little more about what's going on here. Perhaps.

I have no idea who sits. I am more concerned about the dynamic of the team. Right now our defense is decent, miraculously enough. I bet most would not have thought that going into this season. I for one have scratched my head a couple of times this summer over the issue. Ideally I'd like to have Kronwall as the 7th defenseman. Let him sneak in here and there, show what's up. If he's healthy, in game form and delivers he climbs up. Hopefully management has the same attitude.

Just watched the game, avoided the forum and whatnot to not know the outcome. I did not see that win coming. I would have taken one point and ran to the bank with it prior to game start if offered. How we got two points there is great. Sure we wobbled a bit but didn't fall apart as we have in close years past. Smith looked stable, Ericsson still looked rather stable, mostly. I liked that the young guns got to shoot first in the shootout. No dramatic point to make except that I'm very pleased with 2 points in Saint Louis. Made me proud for once.

I see it as a travesty that the arena is not called the Gordie Howe arena. It is timely with his passing as well. Just the right way to go. But this world is not controlled by men wanting to name it that any more.

None. At all. Only watch Wings games due to time constraints. I will be watching some Edmonton games if they keep staying high in the standings. That would signal the true arrival of Mcjesus.

Asking me, Vanek seems to be the key. He is biggish, tenacious, keeps at it, has a knack for creating things from nothing and has vision. That combination is non-defendable, particularly in the high corners where he reaks havoc if turned toward the goal with the puck after beating a defenseman. I would most certainly keep Vanek with Nyquist, who is a top tier sniper around the slot which is exactly where Vanek look after commanding puck control deep in the zone. Don't like the breakup at all. In fact, I protest.

Howard has been excellent his first two games this season. Question is whether his performance justifies his cost for any team needing a #1 goalie as replacement for their injured goalie going into the playoffs, or very remotely possibly as a trade piece for a young defenseman. Either way, he's here now, and legitly won us a game all by himself against the Rangers. I'll take that scenario.

4 and 2 on a tight schedule. Doesn't get much better than that. If this keeps up all my predictions will fail - which is a good thing. Howard a little more shaky tonight compared to the Rangers game but still shut San José out. Smith looked good, Zetterberg looked pretty decent considering it's his 3rd game in 4 nights. He's no spring chicken. Nyquist was given too much time in the slot - that's easy pickings for him, he only needs a second to gather and let off a placed shot, he had more time than that and it shows on the score sheet.

I was predicting J.Howard to start (of course) and that Zetterberg wouldn't play today. No news that he isn't playing yet so my prediction might be off. I'd be quite content with one point tonight. It is our third game in 4 nights. Thankfully it is at home though which increases our odds. Let's go!

Hehe maybe he's a natural. Guess we'll find out. Here's his interview after the game.

About time he fought. He will shoulder this team eventually and that means being a stout captain when that time comes. So this was an important game, and we also won which should enhance that experience for him going forward. He actually looked Ok doing it also. Loved the quick uppercuts and then the spin-o-rama to get Weber down. Much better than expected.

I agree, not likingly. He needs a little bit more experience and also needs to fill out more. He has been bullied a few times this season already. It's easy to forget he's still a youngling. No doubt he'll play center in due time. For now, let's use him for what he brings us guaranteed which is deadly speed, and good puck control+vision with that. Has a deadly wrister to boot.

Well something ain't right. Helm was not suppose to score that goal Tuesday and we were certainly not suppose to win at Msg tonight. 2 and 2 is a record I'll buy any day at season start with 3 away games. I'm in good spirits for now. Doubt it'll last but I'll take it.

I agree, as you probably know. I'm just glad that he is on track to deliver what he can. Let's hope it sticks.

One of these days you're gonna have to tell us about your Brendan Smith connection. Can only fools us for so long. By the way, so far I am liking what we have seen from Brendan mostly.

No worries Matt. We're all sure you'll supply us with a November one.

Vanek has been a very pleasant surprise so far. If he keeps it up, just mostly of what he's done so far he is the steal of the year in my opinion.

Hat off for Mike Green. Pretty hard to score a hat trick from the blueline. Good stuff. And what's with Helmers hands? He is not at all suppose to score that goal.

I think it means that Red Wings owns his rights for three years but he can be assigned wherever they see fit, including the minors. All reports have this kid to be the bomb. Looking forward to see him climb up the ranks. The hockey gods know we need it.

I like that this Trouba debacle keeps going. Imagine a fight be it vocal or physical. The longer it draws, the more it opens up for diplomacy of some sort. Exhaustion comes into play. We've all been there I would presume. This is where weasel Ken Holland murmurs a suggestion (spiced up) that Winnipeg didn't want a month ago but right now it might be the best way to go. It's opportunistic, el cheapo & working angles. It's today's Ken Holland. Edit: It's not today's Ken Holland - it should be is what I meant.

I for one we will get this one. It'll be ugly and messy but somehow they'll sneak a win in. I recall winning sneakily, almost luckily against Ottawa the last couple of games. This one should be similar to that.