BlueMonk

If he showed any willingness to work and go to the net, those shots might not all be from ridiculous angles.

The last couple games were pretty weak, sure. But earlier in the season, when the Wings were playing stifling defense, Hasek would face like 16 shots sometimes for the whole game. Osgood would get a start and they'd get 30 on him. It seemed like he got the worst of it. I've heard Mickey and Ken talk about it, too. It's strange.

Pretty terrible showing by the Red Wings. I can't believe how poorly they play when Osgood is in net. Maybe there are some lockerroom issues there. The difference is consistently striking. I wonder if they just don't like him for some reason. I can't believe how bad Lang and Samuelsson are playing. If the Wings are counting on those two to produce scoring in the playoffs, they're dead.

Some of it is undisciplined play, but let's not kid ourselves, the officiating has been lopsided in these games. I'm not surprised with what happened in Western Canada. That's a house of horrors for visiting teams. It happened to Nashville last night. The officiating is biased. It's just the way it is. It's not just against Detroit. The Nashville series was the strange one. The Wings didn't even get the home cooking in their own arena during that home and home. But the Wings get their share of favorable calls too, it's just that nobody starts threads about it when they do. It's just been Detroit's turn in the barrel this past 5 games or so.

CrazyCanuck is right, though. Bertuzzi played different after the Moore incident. He wasn't as physical and reckless. The Wings have to bank on him returning to form with the help of a change of scenery. It could go either way.

If saying it in front of the media motivates his goalie, then he did the right thing. Hasek is a really polarizing figure. He seems to get less credit than he deserves sometimes. But the people who defend him tend to lose touch with reality, too.

Babcock's right. Hasek's always been a flopper, but that was a terrible decision by him and it cost the team a goal. You fix the problem and move on and it's all good.

I have to agree with the LCS Hockey guys. I think the best matchup Detroit could get in the playoffs is Vancouver. Don't let the head to head games between them this year fool you. The Red Wings would cause massive matchup problems for the Canucks. Of course, for that to happen, the Wings have to get out of the first round. Calgary, San Jose, those are bigger problems for the Wings.

They're hot right now, but lots of teams take turns looking invincible. It was Anaheim for a while, Nashville had their turn, San Jose, etc. Anaheim and San Jose are the teams to beat in the conference. The rest of the teams are a step below them. Vancouver could win the West the same way any other playoff team could win it: Anything can happen.

Fridge has been fighting scared since the Boogaard thing. Being tentative is the worst thing a fighter can do. I can't remember the last time a heavyweight suffered two KOs in a single season like Fridge has. It's been a really bad year for him.

Here's the game recap from yesterday night. Note the quotes from Sundin and Brodeur about the importance of the fight. By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press Writer March 21, 2007 Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Andrew Raycroft, top, and center Nik Antropov along with New Jersey Devils right winger Jamie Langenbrunner (15) tumble during a collision in third period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Tuesday, March 20, 2007. (AP PHOTO/CP, Frank Gunn) Canada AP - Mar 20, 10:52 pm EDT More Photos TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs got revenge and a needed victory. Kyle Wellwood and Nik Antropov scored, and enforcer Wade Belak got retribution for Toronto by fighting New Jersey's Cam Janssen in the Maple Leafs' 2-1 win over the Devils on Tuesday night. The last time the teams played on March 2 at New Jersey, All-Star Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle sustained a concussion after a late hit from Janssen, who was suspended for three games. Kaberle practiced Monday for the first time since the hit, but missed his eighth straight. Fans booed Janssen when he stepped on the ice for his first shift and after he sent Yanic Perreault into the boards with a crushing check. Belak and Janssen immediately dropped their gloves at the start of Janssen's second shift. Belak landing several punches before Janssen connected at center ice. Fans chanted 'Belak!' Belak!' throughout the long bout. "I came out and just kind of yelled at him and he looked at me, and it was time to go," Belak said. "My job is protect players like Kabby. He's not expected to go out there and fight. That's my job and I'm fine doing it." Andrew Raycroft made 24 saves for the Leafs, who moved into a tie for eighth in the Eastern Conference with Carolina and Montreal. Toronto captain Mats Sundin called it an "unbelievable fight." "We lose one of our best players during this time of the season. I thought it was the appropriate thing to do and he did a great job," Sundin said. Travis Zajac scored for the Atlantic Division-leading Devils, who have lost four of five. Devils goalie Martin Brodeur gave Janssen credit for fighting. "He's a great kid. He doesn't mean to hurt anybody. He plays his game. He was dealt with a certain talent and that's what he does," Brodeur said. "He felt really bad for what happened to Kaberle. He's been waiting for this for a long time. He knew he had to face the music and he did it like a man, that's good." New Jersey's Jay Pandolfo lost the puck on a breakaway, and the Leafs brought it back up ice. Mats Sundin made a drop pass to Wellwood, whose one-timer gave Toronto a 1-0 lead at 18:33 of the first. Sundin recorded his 900th Toronto point with his second assist. Sundin failed to score on a wraparound, but Antropov put in the rebound at 6:01 of the third. Just 48 seconds later, Zajac cut it to 2-1 by scoring on a rebound. The Devils pulled Brodeur for an extra skater with 34 seconds left, but failed to net the tying goal. Notes Toronto is 4-3-1 without Kaberle. ... Brodeur is 12-14-1 with seven ties against the Leafs. Toronto is one of two teams (Vancouver) he doesn't have a winning record against. ... Belak didn't look he'd been in a fight. "I'm still beautiful. I'd like to have that modeling career when I'm done," he joked.

It's sad to say, but I don't think Fridge can continue to fight. He's had his orbital bone broken multiple times. The last time, earlier this year with the Ducks, it was reported that you could see where his face was just caved in from where the damage was done. Gruesome.

At least the officials aren't deciding the outcome of games. Oh, wait.

Babcock refused to blame the refs, but called out Hasek for flopping on the 2nd goal trying to draw a penalty.

The hope is that having Zetterberg back (assuming he does return) and getting Bertuzzi on the ice will help with that.

Niklas Kronwall shooting one-timers does not make me happy.

I think Calgary deserves more power plays than Detroit. The Wings came out very flat and on their heels. I don't they deserve 5-0, but they should have more, yeah.

NW Canadian teams are a combined 41-51-15 on the road. NW Canadian teams are a combined 70-33-8 at home. That's a pretty ridiculous split.

I just don't understand it. Both teams are skating and playing hard. There's lots of contact. Both teams should eventually wind up taking some penalties.

5 power plays to 0 now.

Calgary apparently the cleanest team in the league, on their heels for most of the 2nd period and somehow not committing a penalty. Impressive, playing perfect defense for 35 minutes so far.

A little better at the end, but the penalties are absolutely out of control with this team. It's not bad calls this last couple of games, it's a lack of effort. They're sleepwalking out there.

Think of it this way. Wings skate into the Calgary zone, towards the side boards and shoot the puck from about 40 feet gently into Kiprusoff's glove. Flames skate into the Detroit zone, go right at the net and the puck is bouncing around like a pinball between the skates of the defensemen. That about sums it up.

A lot of the Swedes are playing terrible hockey right now. Any illusions that Kronwall will be a top four defenseman in the NHL are quickly eroding. Samuelsson had one lucky season last year. He's useless now. Unless you need someone to just shoot the instant the puck touches his stick, regardless of where he is, in which case he's your man. LIlja is one of the five or ten worst defensemen in the league. Lang doesn't even try at all. He can't be bothered with things like "skating" and "hustle." Yeah, I know Lang isn't Swedish. Sue me.

Beautiful, old time hockey. Belak challenges Janssen and Janssen obliges. My eyes are moist.