Jedi

Actually, unless my math is off (and please correct me if I'm wrong) we'll only need 4 points to clinch. Detroit currently holds the tiebreaker if they finish with the same # of points as SJ. (Tiebreaker is the total # of wins followed by, long story short, the results of the regular season series, which Detroit owns 3-1.) So if San Jose wins out the rest of their season, they'll finish at 112 points by-way-of 51 total wins. Detroit is already sitting at 51 wins, so even if we earn our 4 points needed through OT/SO, then we'll still clinch the Conference & President's trophy. That's a worst case scenario (other than NOT earning 4 points, that is) however. If we can get 6-8 points out of our last 5 games, I'll be happy. Provided that we get those points injury free, and get in tune for the playoffs!!

Thankfully no. The schedule next year will be the same format used in the years prior to the lockout. Six games against your each of your divisional opponents (total of 24 games), 40 games against the remaining teams in the conference, and 18 games against the opposite conference, for a total of 82 games. So, there won't be a home game against some teams every year, but it's at least better than only seeing a home game against that team once every (potentially) six years the way it was. *edit* Better link found...

With a San Jose team that is rising fast in the points standings, we should take advantage of every opportunity we get to gain points/keep pace. And that means doing precisely the opposite of what you're endorsing. Detroit shouldn't be concerning themselves with who their opponent is and how well their opponent is playing. Right now, they should be concerned with getting themselves ready for the playoffs, whether they play Colorado, Nashville, Vancouver, Minnesota, Edmonton or Calgary. And it's a little hard to get yourselves ready to play in the postseason when you're resting half the team (For more information on this subject, please reference the 2001-2002 team after the Olympic break).

Haha!!! A shower of hats for Z!!! Way to go boys!!!

Z!!!! 2 tonight baby!!!

Hehe. Hitchcock didn't like that one... Big chance here boys...

Ugh...

PP Detroit. Let's grab the lead boys!

Excellent job Z! Keep it up boys. Don't let the Jackets back into it!

Yeah, but coasting into the playoffs isn't a good idea. It's not like they can just flip the "Play Well" switch on at any time (Case in point, today's game).

K... another chance to creep back into this one...

Geez... Motivation issues left and right...

The guy brings up an interesting point though. In the playoffs, a hot goalie can carry you over a vastly superior team. And Luongo definitely has the talent to do just that... It's not too outlandish to think it could happen. Especially if Luongo catches fire late in the season, and carries the team into the playoffs on his back. Momentum like that has a habit of carrying over into the first round of the playoffs, which could make life difficult for whichever team he plays. When it comes to which teams I'd rather see as our first round opponents, Vancouver would be lower on the list rather than higher...

What's the old saying about counting chickens before they're hatched? Regular season success is hardly a benchmark for how you do in the playoffs (See Detroit teams from 95-96, 03-04, 05-06, etc). Yes, we're a phenomenally talented team, but we still have a few chinks in the armor. The primary concern I have is our secondary scoring. If Babs puts the ZDH line together, then our opponent will stack their top D pairing to attempt to neutralize them. If the ZDH line's production slows, does Babs then split them (and thin out/spread the talent around), or rely on the second line to step their games up (which is a gamble)? I think our D is solid, and barring injury, is among the most talented in the league. But as last month showed us, losing a body or two (or, shudder to think, four) is not beyond the realm of possibility. With any luck, our injury bugs on the blueline are behind us, but that monster could rear it's ugly head at a moments notice... I think we have what it takes to make a long run in the playoffs (and I damn sure want to see it happen). But I would hold off on booking Woodward Ave for the victory parade just yet... *edit* (And, the Bruins actually hold the NHL & North American Major Professional Sports record for most consecutive playoff appearances, at 29, from 1968 to 1996. Detroit holds the longest current streak, at 17).

Empty netter for 'Stein. 5 goals in 4 games? I'll take it!

Try again. Detroit decided not to offer him a contract as he approached free agency. Yes, he signed somewhere else... ...because Detroit didn't want him...

Huge save. No need to give the Hawks any momentum...

Though 5 years is a long time under the CBA, I think Cleary is one of those guys that it's worth it. Great signing. This shows that Kenny is still a shrewd GM, despite the lack of activity on the Wings front at the deadline.

Ugh...

Never too late to start...

Ok, granted I just came in late, but can anyone answer this for me... Is anyone else listening to the game on NHL.com? The only feed it's giving us is the Preds feed. Doesn't matter if I choose the Wings or Preds, it only gives the Nashville feed. (Apologies if this has been answered before...) *edit* NM. Go to http://www.wxyt.com and you can listen live to the Wings feed.

It'd be nice to win, but there's bigger and better hardware out there that the Wings should be focusing on.

I wouldn't hold my breath on a Wings 3rd jersey. The only time we've ever had a true alternate was in the 91-92 season when the league mandated (please take note of this) that the Original 6 teams should wear a retro jersey for the NHL's 75th anniversary. I said take note of the league mandate, because as long as the Ilitch family owns the Wings, you're not going to see a 3rd jersey, barring the NHL requiring the change. The Wings have had (mostly, a few minor tweaks such as the reverse colored logos) the same jersey since the 1948-1949 season. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. One more note... Laces on a Wings jersey? PLEASE. The Wings have NEVER had laces. No need to start now... *edit* Links added. Courtesy of NHLUniforms.com.

Acquired via Free Agency, not trade... http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?i...amp;hubname=nhl

Honestly, I doubt that they would bring him in because he's a gritty defenseman, and then ask him not to be the kind of defenseman we brought him in to be. I dunno, but I think that the facial gestures & body language of EVERY player in this photo is pretty telling. A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words...