RedWingsFanatic

Yikes. I think I'm going to have to side with the minority here. I don't like those comments. If Melrose had said anything even close to that about Detroit, I think a lot of people would have a much bigger problem with it. His comments just sort of reek of arrogance, but that's just me.

I don't think there's much of a chance that Tootoo and Downey fight. Tootoo and, say, Hudler? Sure. Just because that's the kind of guy that Tootoo is. But I don't think we'll ever see the day when Jordin Tootoo fights a guy that is perceived to be even relatively tough.

I think it's very interesting that Ellis and Downey are getting the nod ahead of either Drake or Kopecky. Not necessarily disappointing, but interesting. It's encouraging, really, because I feel like Red Wings teams of the past would have stuck Drake and Kopecky in there without much question. Tonight's game against Nashville certainly feels a heck of a lot different than last year's games against 'em, but it still might provide for some feistiness. A nice, big Aaron Downey hit on Jordin Tootoo would be much preferred.

I normally park in the Fox Theater lot, which is only $5 and then take the free Hockeytown Cafe shuttle over to The Joe.

Chris Osgood is such a fantastic human being. I love him. What a humble, well-spoken, funny guy. Oh, and the fact that he's 7-0-0 doesn't hurt. Osgood For Starting Goaltender. kthanksmikebabcock.

As much as I hate mascots for hockey teams, that Flames mascot sitting in a seat and watching the game from the second row is ******* hysterical.

It's pretty remarkable how nobody leaves the Saddledome before the game is over. It's a three-goal Red Wings lead with under five minutes to go, and there isn't an empty seat to be found. Anyway, this is getting awfully redundant. The Wings played a very solid game, Osgood was great, Zetterberg is amazing, Chris Chelios is old, etc. etc. I will gladly take this sort of redundancy, however.

Anybody know why the GDT's have been so quiet this last week?

Only the best Red Wings fan ever. He has been coming to games for years and years wearing an orange hat, much like the one they are giving away. He's great.

Yes, exactly. There is something intangible that this team has that has been sorely missing in the past. We have grown accustomed to the Red Wings losing games like this. The fact that they found a way to win tonight proves to me that this is a different team.

I officially start my "Osgood For Starting Goaltender" campaign tonight. What a goal by Filppula. It is simply outstanding that he and Hudler seem to be finally breaking out of their respected slumps. I keep saying it, but I think the success of this team firmly rests on the ability of the second line to produce. It produced tonight, and the Wings succeeded. Let's keep it up.

Where in the world did those last 10 minutes come from? Goodness. I will take gladly take a point out of this, please.

Well, the forums are pretty dead this evening. Those not watching tonight's game haven't really missed out on anything. This has been a fairly boring game, with neither team able to really sustain any sort of pressure. Boring games are alright on the road most of the time, but I think the Wings are going to need to pick it up here in the third if they want to leave with two points. I still question whether or not it was the right move to move Franzen, and especially Drake, back into the line-up when the team was playing so well. I certainly understand the desire to stick The Mule back in, but I'm not usually one to switch around the line-up when things are going so smoothly. The fourth line has been virtually invisible this evening. Let's hope this one picks up some in the third period.

I'm a bit superstitious about altering a line-up when it's been winning and successful, but I suppose it makes sense to get Franzen and Drake back as soon as possible. I was saying this on Sunday about the game in Vancouver and it continues for tonight, I fully expect the Wings to win this game, which is something I rarely feel confident about saying when playing in a city like Edmonton. But this team is different. It has little to do with the opponent, even though they are a pretty weak team on paper tonight, but it has more to do with the way this group of guys is playing right now. I would pick them to win any game against any team in any location. They are playing tremendous hockey. This will, of course, come around to bite me in the ass later tonight when they lose.

I think Brodeur is a pretty safe bet in New Jersey.

Well, I don't care what anybody says, that was not a goal there at the end. Even if the whistle hadn't blown, you can't push a goaltender into the net with the puck. No goal. Another solid victory from the Red Wings. They are just playing really, really nice hockey right now. Tonight wasn't their best effort of the season, but it was enough to get the win on the road, which is just fine. Good for Osgood, good for Derek Meech, good for the entire team. This is fun to watch.

That Hudler goal was outstanding, and he's really started to break out of the box in these last few games. It's really nice to see and it's going to be vital to the success of this team that he continues to play at this level. Outside of about a five minute stretch there in the second, the Wings continue to play solid, defensively-conscious hockey. I don't think I've ever felt confident in a one-goal lead in Vancouver, but I feel confident tonight. The Canucks are a bit of a mess, but the Wings aren't making things easy on them. It's a pleasure to watch the team on a role like this.

This is a bit odd that the start of the game is going to be closer to 11:00 than 10:30. I'm not sure what the deal is. Anyway, this is really a game that the Red Wings should win, which isn't something I've said about a game in Vancouver in a while.

A nice, solid game from the Wings. It has become habit to out-shoot a team like they did tonight, which is great, but it makes you wonder if Hasek will be able to get in any sort of rhythm. I guess that's a good problem to have, though. Tonight's Attendance: 17,015. Ho hum.

As far as the starting goalie goes, Ted Kulfan says it will be Hasek for sure.

The Canucks have probably owned the Red Wings more than any other team these past few years, so here's hoping the Wings show up to play this evening. Vancouver is off to a slow start, but that worries me. I think they're due for a big break-out night. I'm just hoping it isn't tonight. Bieksa out of the line-up is a big factor. I'm looking forward to the Downey/Ellis/Kopecky line pushing around some Canucks this evening. I really enjoy watching them play. Forget Grigorenko, stick with these guys.

I still disagree with this. I think it makes us all sound a bit silly to say that the referees have some sort of bias against the Red Wings. I just fail to believe that for a second. I do, however, think that they are looking especially close at Holmstrom's play in front of the net and calling him for whatever may resemble any sort of penalty.

It really is. It's damn hard to figure out. I'm not saying the league has any sort of agenda against the Red Wings, but you sort of have to wonder what's going on when Homer is called for penalty after penalty, when other players get away with much worse. Like I said, you can't call penalties based on reputation. I think Holmstrom's reputation follows him around, and referees are watching for him. Still, Ken Daniels mentioned that the penalty was for INTERFERENCE, not for GOALTENDER INTERFERENCE. So, I guess the call was made on Holmstrom's play with the Phoenix defender, not on Tellqvist. Whatever the case, it was a terible call and it makes it hard to take any of this seriously.

I'm willing to bet that most of those "Arizona Wings fans" are originally from Michigan. I know that when I attend games with my family in southern California, the majority of the other Wings fans there have direct ties to the Detroit area.

I know this has been discussed to death, but the combination of the two calls on Holmstrom and then the non-call on the second Phoenix goal is just utterly ridiculous and unexplainable. You can't call penalties based on reputation, and I firmly believe that's what is happening with Holmstrom in front of the net. It's just incredibly frustrating to have penalties called when there is literally NOTHING to be called. It's not just a case of bad call, but a call in which the infraction is completely make believe. Anyway, I'm not very worried about the 2-1 deficit here. The Wings should by all accounts, at least be tied. They'll be alright.