18 replies to this topic

[YzerFan19]

The Red Wings are back at it tonight after a four-night break, hosting the Calgary Flames.

Johan Franzen will return to the lineup, missing only one game after taking an elbow to the face from Mark Fistric in Dallas last week. That's the only lineup change for Detroit, with no one coming out as the team iced only seventeen skaters last Sunday.

Jimmy Howard gets the start in net. Calgary may be going with their backup, Henrik Karlsson.

I've got a 6:00 soccer game in Lansing so I expect to join this one in progress.

[SYfanSD]

This is the first meeting in a four game series. Last year the Flames won both games at the Joe however, the Flames are coming off of the second game in a four in six night road trip. They won 1-0 in overtime against the Preds in their last game.

On paper the Wings lead in all categories except PK% and Shots per game.

[YzerFan19]

Jimmy with a couple decent shots from what I've seen so far. Better than I did, that's for sure.

[YzerFan19]

Well f*ck. That looks familiar.

[YzerFan19]

You could see that one coming. Very, very nice.

[YzerFan19]

How did that not get cleared? Janik not looking good.

[SYfanSD]

Zata!!!!!!



Edit: f*ck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SYfanSD]

Start of the second... Let's get it back

[catmandu]

Huh. I've never seen that called before.

[YzerFan19]

Datsyuk deked Backlund about six times to get the puck to Lidstrom. Nice.

[SYfanSD]

NICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[YzerFan19]

Modano still needs more shoot.

[YzerFan19]

Well this'll be interesting. Looks good to me.

Edit: That's a hell of a bounce. Wow.

[YzerFan19]

I think Jimmy dove a bit there.

[YzerFan19]

Kronner, what the f*ck was that?

[YzerFan19]

Awful-looking powerplay there. Ugh.

[YzerFan19]

Never expect to see that from Bertuzzi. He jumped to get free and that was great shot.

[YzerFan19]

Mickey's right, Jimmy's the first star tonight.

[YzerFan19]

Thoughts on the Red Wings' 4-2 win over the Flames last night...

Positives
Jimmy Howard was pretty much spectacular. He had several stops early in the first and again early in the third that kept the Red Wings in it. Neither of the goals were his fault, as Backlund was left alone in the slot on the first one and the second was a bit of a fluke.

The power play looked better than it has all season. I wasn't happy with the last chance with the extra attacker but in general Detroit was moving the puck better and holding the points to keep the puck in the zone. I liked the Lidstrom-Modano pairing, they seemed more comfortable than Lidstrom-Kronwall. Still can't wait to get Rafalski back.

Henrik Zetterberg's goal to get the Red Wings on the board and Todd Bertuzzi's to end the scoring were fantastic for two different reasons. Zetterberg's was made possible by great passing to get him the puck and Bertuzzi's was just an incredible shot.

Negatives
Mikael Backlund should never have been left alone in the slot for Calgary's first goal. That's becoming a trend this season and it needs to stop.

The Wings came out slow again. Howard kept them in it but he shouldn't have to.

Calgary outshot Detroit 36-30. Part of that is the slow start but shots were 15-10 in favor of the Flames in the third period. The Wings' need to control the puck more to limit opposition shots.