Littlest Caesar

Record by period since Game 1: Not sure if anyone has already done this analysis but I found it somewhat interesting given the Wings need to take things period-by-period but here goes: 1 2 3 OT Overall result Game 1 L W L Loss Game 2 T W L Loss Game 3 W W L L Loss Game 4 W T W Win Game 5 ? ? ? ? ? So in the first 4 games, on a period-by-period basis the Wings are 6W 3T 4L and more importantly 4W 1T 2L in the last 2 games. None of this changes the fact that they are down 3 games to 1 in the series but may indicate that the tide is starting to turn in their favor. My approach when the Wings have been down in a series is to pull for either a W or a T in each period they play. In 2002, when they were down 3-2 in the series to the Avs and they were being written off, they went ahead and posted a 4W 2T 0L in the next 6 periods of hockey (if you recall Games 6 and 7 ended 2-0 and 7-0). I think they have this mindset right now and let's see if they can start with winning tonight's first period and building on that success. A 'Statue of Liberty' type goal like Game 6 in 2002 would serve as a good omen.

Games 5-7 in a series is where you begin to see the effects of wearing down your opponent. You started to see it on Friday with the Coyotes starting to dish out the hits less and less and the Red Wings more and more. Today, it will be even more apparent. I wish I could be at the Joe today but I am setting my sights on either a round 2 or round 3 game at some point either at the Joe or on the road. Red Wings style of play, superior coaching and commitment to winning has all the makings of another long play-off run with Stanley waiting at the end! But first things first, let's finish with the Coyotes today and avoid further complications before proceeding to the next round!

No doubt 'Z' had that look that he wasn't going to be denied tonight. Such a smart player knowing how to pace himself when pushing to the net (i.e. his first and second goals) but did he ever crush a coyote (don't know who it was) right in front of the Wings bench. Babcock was right about lines 3 and 4, they really did a job tonight - love Miller's play along the boards - he wins most of his battles. I foresee the same type of effort for games 3 and 4. It is fun to watch when they play like they did in periods 2 and 3 last night.

I had the pleasure of watching the Red Wings live during their 3 game western Canada swing in late March when they were playing desperate hockey and, in succession, beat Calgary with one minute to go tied Edmonton in the waning seconds of regulation to salvage a point and then with Z's OT buzzer beater against Vancouver. In each of those games, during the warm-up, you could tell they were ready. Not sure how they seemed during last night's pre-game warm up but they did seem to lack the same level of desperation during periods 2 and 3. I believe this team will take it up a few notches for Friday, come back tied 1-1 in the series and then continue with strong games at the Joe for games 3 and 4. I agree that Willaims needs to get replaced by Abdelkader. Williams's only benefit is when he can use his shot but 1) he is rarely in position to make use of it even on the PP and 2) he never wins a batlle for the puck along the boards. He needs to take a few lessons from Miller who competes like a mad man whenever there is a battle for the puck and usually he comes away with it.