Heroes of Hockeytown

A stirring performance from one Jim Howard.

These guys could use an intermission. Pretty obvious they played last night, they're a step behind.

That's a no-no, Darren.

Awesome? I think I'll go with awesome. He and Draper and Helm have clicked in a huge way, and so long as they keep rolling there's no reason why they shouldn't be the permanent third and (hopefully, eventually) fourth line for this team going forward.

That was a really fun game to watch, but holy mother of god were the BJs just giving the Wings the puck, perfect set ups for goals. Some forced, some unforced, but even with pressure you've got to be smarter with the puck. Can't argue with their finishing though -- a week ago that would've been all wide and off the posts. Gotta agree that I wasn't very impressed with Howard, he was giving up huge rebounds on long, unscreened shots but Nick and the rest of the gang were in good position to help him out. It's funny that when he plays well the team seems to do a terrible job around him and he loses by five goals, and when he's shaky they demolish the opposition for an easy W.

It's funny and sad because it's the truth.

It would be a good idea if they shaved some games off the season in Olympic years (assuming the NHL will continue to send players to the Olympics), but otherwise there's no way. More games = more $$$, and the bottom line is all that matters.

Doomed by a missed extra point, the fates have conspired against them. Or, perhaps, it's the conference and probably nation worst defense getting rung up for 500 yards and 38 points. The game turned on that disastrous pitch play gone awry but the offense was still good. I take serious issue with the decision to go for it on 4th and 10 -- even if the lateral had been allowed and they had got it, it was still the wrong call; taking the FG and getting the stop so they could drive for the game-winning TD was the right idea. This team is never going to really get going until they get a new defense, which isn't going to be this year obviously, and their last realistic shot at a bowl game is down to next week's game. Fingers crossed.

With Chicago's OTL to the out-of-nowhere-powerhouse Avs tonight, the Wings can jump them and possibly the BJs for tops in the division with a win against the hapless Leafs. Probably not, though, as those Jackets are playing the even more hapless Hurricanes, but fingers crossed.

As I said here, this is your average Hawks fan's opinion on the State of Kopecky:

He seems kind of weak on the puck, prone to losing it when facing little or no pressure, he makes weird passes and occasional turnovers, but I can't complain. He's generated a lot of scoring chances and can't quite finish (this was not unlike the entire Red Wings team last night), and he's not getting paid very much.

Heh, I wish Brad Watson had had that kind of patience a few months ago when Hossa tapped in a late goal against a certain team from California...

He had his pad over it and yeah, the ref was 10 feet away staring at Nabby's back and there was no puck in sight. There should've been a whistle. I don't blame Hank for flying in and crushing it out of his pad, just like I don't blame the Yotes for crashing the net and jarring the puck loose a couple weeks ago; and while in a just universe there would be karma, the Sharks shouldn't have to pay for the refs' sins that benefited the Coyotes.

I just want to hug the Eurotwins right now. They've made my day.

If Helm had any hands at all he'd be Pavel Bure.

What a crazy finish.

Very, very impressed with the PKing tonight.

Oh wow, there absolutely should have been a whistle.

Finally! Hank!

Another miss, these guys are killing me.

Wings paying for their inability to finish tonight. First step is to just get the dang puck on net; counting a full 15 missed shots through two periods, way too many.

One of the forwards got caught, not sure who that one's on.

Looked like an honest to goodness collision, but knowing Oz he might've flopped.

Lots of speed, good pace to this game. If the Wings had any finish at all tonight we'd really be hummin' along.

Still controlling the puck, they gotta get a goal here.