RedWingsFanatic

I would really like Larry Murphy to go just one game without disastrously messing up a player's name. Just one.

This is a big, big, big win. It's nice to see the Wings actually feed off some adversity and take it to the Sharks. They were physical, they got some nice production and pressure from numerous lines and they actually got better as the game progresed, which rarely seems to happen. The Wings proved a lot to me this evening.

There is still a long time to go, but if the Wings can hold on, this will be quite a win. Going into San Jose, without three of their regulars for the majority of the game, establishing some physical play and wearing down the Sharks, this would be huge.

I forgot to mention that my favorite moment of this game so far is Larry Murphy constantly referring to Christian Ehrhoff as "Christian Earnhardt."

It bothers me that Downey didn't take his helmet off.

I argue that Nick Lidstrom might be the most underappreciated athlete of all-time.

Well, that was obviously a much better period than the first. It would have been really nice to get one there at the end, but they'll still have some time to start the third. A goal there would be huge. Osgood has been fantastic again. I'm not sure how long you stick with him if continues to play well. But, it's at least encouraging that he's on the top of his game.

My God, those Sharks jerseys are awful.

There is something about watching late, West coast games while it's storming outside that I simply LOVE. Such a good time. Anyway, this is probably the biggest test of the season so far for the Wings. I'm not sure why I feel this game is incredibly un-winnable, but I do. Here's hoping our guys can prove me wrong.

Um... I think predictions are alright.

My goodness, there is a lot of overreacting going on around these parts today. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but...I want to defend Dominik Hasek. Ugh. That was hard. But, here's the thing. Even as one of Dom's biggest detractors, there is no way in hell you can put this game on him and you can't abandon all hope for the rest of his season. He obviously was not very solid last night, but it's not like he got a heck of a lot of help. It was a pretty weak game all around, not only in the goaltending department. He will bounce back, he always does. Give him some time. Alright, and as somebody who bashed the play of Filppula and Kronwall earlier, I again want to come to their defense. A couple poor games does not a player make. Have we completely abandoned any sort of patience? Let's not forget that both guys are incredibly young and immature and to expect flat-out greatness every night is ridiculous. I have been very disappointed with the play of both of them so far, but for somebody to mention that we should use them as trade bait? Jesus H. Christ. Let's breathe here for a second, folks.

When Ken Daniels mentioned tonight that Osgood is 9-0-5 in his last fourteen starts, my jaw dropped. I had no idea.

You know, I'm not even sure you can rate the Wings' play in this game. It was just so stop-and-go with absolutely no flow. Obviously, the short-handed goal kills them. It's a tough one to take, no doubt, but you just sort of have to shrug your shoulders and move on. When a game features as many penalties as this one did, it's hard to take anything away from it.

As a fan of the National Hockey League, not of the Detroit Red Wings, I must vent here for a second. This isn't even hockey anymore. I'm not just complaining about the calls on the Wings. I'm complaining about all of it. I don't like the rules, I don't like the way they are interpreted and I don't like what the NHL product has become. You get a game with two great teams featuring a number of some of the brightest young stars in the league (Zetterberg, Getzlaf, Datsyuk, Perry, etc.) and it's reduced to nothing more than a penalty-filled mess of a game. Who enjoys this? I certainly don't. The players certainly don't. The coaches certainly don't. Who exactly is this benefiting? The NHL will not catch on with the average Joe Schmo sports fan because of finesse and puck-handling. It will catch on because of physicality and toughness. That is what sets hockey apart. That is why I love it. But this crap? I'm embarrassed to watch it. Oh, and Go Wings. Beat the Ducks.

This is as intense a regular-season game I can remember in a while. I'm having trouble remembering what's happened in these last ten minutes or so.

4 MINUTES!

MATT ELLIS FOR HART!

Yeah, agreed. It's such a shame. Ack! GOAL!

It's becoming obvious that if Datsyuk/Holmstrom/Zetterberg isn't clicking, the Red Wings aren't clicking. This is a HUGE issue.

I really enjoy how we've just abandoned all hope of figuring out what the penalties are.

Andreas Lilja and Valtteri Filppula are playing two AWFUL hockey games tonight, especially Pain Train. Good lord. I hate to constantly rag on the guy, but he just makes it so easy.

Alright, some first period thoughts: - Some of these penalties have been ridiculous. We all just sound so redundant at this point, but it's frustrating. I miss the old days when power plays mattered and when a penalty was called, it was obvious what the call was for. I mean, Holmstrom got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for....what exactly? - Filppula and Kronwall looked awfully lazy on that first goal. Too much standing around in the defensive zone. It looks like Hasek should have stopped it, too. - Draper made a great play on the Wings' goal. It looks like he will get credit for it, which is even better. It's great to see him with this kind of success early on. - I will personally send a $100 check to whoever nails either Pronger or Perry. I will send a $500 check if both players are taken out at the same time.

Genius. In all seriousness, though, I do think a veteran presence would be great. Outside of Dallas Drake, which isn't a good option, the Wings just don't really have anybody. I think Samuelsson is the best choice, and that's not saying much. That second line, though, is really going to be what makes or breaks this team. I think you just have to sort of employ a rotating door here for a while and just figure out what works. Or Darryl Bootland. There's always that.

Ozzie has taken away a few goals from the Kings tonight. Darryl Bootland. They need Darryl Bootland.

Essentially.