Detroit Red Wings @ Chicago Blackhawks GameThread, Dec 20, 2009 6:00 PM CST

Game Thread: Red Wings at Blackhawks

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 5:00 PM CST in Game Threads Comment 181 comments

Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Blackhawks, Dec 20, 2009 6:00 PM CST

Well, the winning streak came to an end last night, but one hopes the Wings can get up for a big inter-division game against the Blackhawks, and some former teammates in Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky.

The Red Wings won the last meeting between these two teams on October 8th. It was the first win of the season for the Wings, and Hossa was still on the shelf following shoulder surgery. In the eleven games since his return, Hossa has five goals and five assists.

Chris Osgood is back in net on the second of back-to-back nights, starting his first game in 8 days. There's been a lot of chatter in Red Wings Nation that Jimmy Howard is slowly becoming the starter, but tonight's a big game and it'd be a fantastic opportunity for Osgood to show who's #1.

Last night, the Wings got goals from all three members of the top line: Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Holmstrom, and Todd Bertuzzi. One would think they're going to need a lot of offense to get by the Hawks, who are scoring 2.91 goals per game (good enough for 7th in the league). Chicago leads the league in goals against average (2.06) and sits atop the Western Conference standings.

Be sure to check out Second City Hockey for some excellent Blackhawks coverage. Puck drops at 7pm Eastern - be here!

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POLL TIME

Who’s going to be the first Red Wing to lay out Marian Hossa? Stuart seems like a feasible option.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 5:39 PM CST reply actions

Cmon dude, that's easy.

Bertuzzi. You knew that.

Find me on twitter @chollis

by motownchollis on Dec 20, 2009 5:46 PM CST reply actions

Duh.

King Rockstar von Awesome is everywhere.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 5:47 PM CST up reply actions

He’s just trying to be friends with you. You really should give him a chance Petrella.

Find me on twitter @chollis

by motownchollis on Dec 20, 2009 5:50 PM CST up reply actions

He wants me to drop my guard

So he can sneak up behind me and — well you know the rest.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

I’m afraid I don’t. Whatever do you mean, Michael?

Find me on twitter @chollis

by motownchollis on Dec 20, 2009 5:53 PM CST up reply actions

It’s a well-known fact that Todd Bertuzzi, when he thinks no one is looking, will sprinkle fairy dust and do the exact choreography from the Smooth Criminal video while reciting lines from Clueless (RIP Brittany Murphy).

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 5:57 PM CST up reply actions

aaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

The horror! The horror!

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

Wouldn't be so bad

If anyone BUT Todd Bertuzzi was doing those things (I actually love both). But he totally ruins them for me.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

Huzzah!

Fox Sports Detroit feed on my Center Ice. All is well.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:00 PM CST reply actions

Indeed. Ken sounds like he’s losing his voice.

Find me on twitter @chollis

by motownchollis on Dec 20, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions

More than Hossa

I’d like to see Kane smushed. Little annoying punk cabbie-puncher.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:04 PM CST reply actions

"Can't we do both?"

“Why don’t we hop in the back seat…and you can make a man out of me”

“How bout I smack you around for awhile?”

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:06 PM CST up reply actions

movie quote?

I never get those. :(

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:09 PM CST up reply actions

A League of Their Own

MUCH of what I say is obscure and ridiculous. Feel free to ignore most of it.

ALSO! I’m still expecting your Transformer suggestion!

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:10 PM CST up reply actions

I haven't watched the cartoon in a long time

I just know that no Red Wing can be Starscream.

Maybe Filppula could be Hot Rod. Young and flashy with potential?

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:11 PM CST up reply actions

Love it...

Switch it when I get a chance.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:12 PM CST up reply actions

:-)

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

In fact

I’ve got a proposition for you — are you on Twitter or should I shoot you an email?

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:18 PM CST up reply actions

uh oh ... ominous

I’m not a Twitter person because it seems like way too much work to narrate my life. Plus too booooooring.

email is zielonka97 at gmail dot com

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:20 PM CST up reply actions

A win would be really nice tonight, especially since my fantasy football team is in the process of getting obliterated in the playoffs right now. Sad times in Seattle.

Find me on twitter @chollis

by motownchollis on Dec 20, 2009 6:06 PM CST reply actions

What the hell is that sweater Babbles had on in that interview?

Find me on twitter @chollis

by motownchollis on Dec 20, 2009 6:08 PM CST reply actions

Trying to best my Yzerman+Ugly Sweater post

Or Hockeytown Static’s post.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:09 PM CST up reply actions

Lots of action...

No whistles, back and forth. Pavel Datsyuk’s unit (giggity) double shifted.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:11 PM CST reply actions

Penalty coming

Maltby for a trip, it seems.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:11 PM CST reply actions

PENALTY -- Maltby (2 for Tripping)

3:07 the time of the penalty.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:12 PM CST reply actions

Sorry...

HOOKING, not tripping.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

CHICAGO PENALTY -- Kane (2 for tripping)

Time of the penalty 4:52.

4 on 4 hockey for 15 seconds, then a 1:45 PP for the good guys.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:15 PM CST reply actions

DETROIT PENALTY -- Bertuzzi (2 for hooking)

Somehow Toews got behind everyone, Bertuzzi felt necessity.

ALLLLLMOST a penalty shot.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:17 PM CST reply actions

Chicago Goal

Duncan Keith from the point on the power play.

1-0 Blackhawks

Time of the goal 7:58

Now, we get to hear this retarded song.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:20 PM CST reply actions

at least it's not as bad as Nashville

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:21 PM CST up reply actions

Wings look sleepy.

Find me on twitter @chollis

by motownchollis on Dec 20, 2009 6:24 PM CST reply actions

Chicago outshooting Detroit badly

5-0 right at the halfway point of the first period…

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:24 PM CST reply actions

Detroit is just surviving this period

by Fiend on Dec 20, 2009 6:25 PM CST reply actions

CROSSBAR

Hawks buzzing again. Red Wings having trouble getting into the offensive zone at all.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:27 PM CST reply actions

No turnovers, please.

I like brownies better. :(

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:29 PM CST reply actions

I’m going for a walk. I’ll check back later.

Find me on twitter @chollis

by motownchollis on Dec 20, 2009 6:29 PM CST reply actions

What are you, 64?

Who goes on walks?

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:29 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry, I should have stated up front that in my apartment, “going on a walk” = "going downstairs to the bar

Find me on twitter @chollis

by motownchollis on Dec 20, 2009 6:31 PM CST up reply actions

I feel closer to you

Now I know some Hollis lingo. In my house, “watering the flowers” means “nap on the couch with no pants on.”

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:33 PM CST up reply actions

there seems to be a lot of pantlessness on the internet

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:35 PM CST up reply actions

As far as I know

It’s why the internet was invented.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

So if I said that i was going for a walk to water the flowers" does that mean I’m goign to the bar with no pants on? If that’s the case, then I’m going for a long walk to water the flowers.

Find me on twitter @chollis

by motownchollis on Dec 20, 2009 6:39 PM CST up reply actions

Attaboy

Go get that walk.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:41 PM CST up reply actions

Make it a double walk

After this first period.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:41 PM CST up reply actions

I love having an Irish bar in my building. Just settled in for a few of these “walks”:

Find me on twitter @chollis

by motownchollis on Dec 20, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions

I am very uncomfortable without pants

Although I do change out of jeans or a skirt into sweats.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:39 PM CST up reply actions

Necessity.

Jeans just aren’t “sittin’ around” pants.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:41 PM CST up reply actions

HEY! There's a shot

Datsyuk with the first, Bertuzzi followed up on the rebound. Took 13 minutes.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:31 PM CST reply actions

Leino on a near-breakaway

The only thing between him and a great scoring chance was speed and the lack of it. With the defender gaining on him, Leino snapped from the top of the circle. Huet holds on.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:38 PM CST reply actions

"oh to have the speed of Darren Helm"

Mick nailed it.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:38 PM CST up reply actions

Truly

Almost anyone on the roster could have had a clean break, but Ville Leino is about as slow as a half-frozen Bertuzzi.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:40 PM CST up reply actions

True!

by Fiend on Dec 20, 2009 6:41 PM CST reply actions

didnt catch any of the game yet

was busy watching my raiders stun the donkeys playoff hopes again hahah….how the wings looking?

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

thanks for a great season Rockies!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Dec 20, 2009 6:42 PM CST reply actions

Meh

Having trouble getting into the offensive zone, but they’re chipping away a bit now. Lots of penalties (on both sides) early — Hawks scored on the PP.

13 minutes went by before the first Wings shot, and they’re losing that department 8-5.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:43 PM CST up reply actions

kind of tired

But I kind of expected that. Chicago was going to come out flying at home, healthy, and against Detroit.

Donkeys?

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:43 PM CST up reply actions

yea figured that

just hope this team can stay afloat till people start coming back…and donkeys = denver broncos

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

thanks for a great season Rockies!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Dec 20, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions

END OF THE FIRST

SCORE: 1-0 Hawks.
SHOTS: 8-5 Hawks

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:42 PM CST reply actions

How many games is it gonna take to put leino on the fourth line?

he has not done anything, has almost the worse stats on the team. if it were up to me id trade him

by Fiend on Dec 20, 2009 6:44 PM CST reply actions

my guess

Is that Detroit expects him to improve next year. This is his first year in the NHL, despite his years in Finland, and he’s probably still trying to figure out how to play in the NHL when he’s used to everything coming more easily to him.

Datsyuk was easy to knock off the puck when he first started playing for Detroit, too – and now he can put any player on his ass and no one can get hte puck off him.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:47 PM CST up reply actions

True dat.

My biggest concern is that he was playing fourth minute lines last year as a call-up and really delivered points. This season, with an expanded role, he’s having trouble even coming up to half the points he scored last season (in 13 games). I wonder if its the increased quality of guys he’s playing against, ya know? I don’t have an answer, but something’s definitely different. You’re right, though, he does seem really easy to knock off the puck — but I’ve even noticed that’s improved from last season.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:50 PM CST up reply actions

that's why I wonder if it isn't more in his head

I’m thinking that he’s used to playing well, and knowing what to do to get the results he wants, and this is a new experience for him. He hasn’t had to feel his way through a game for several years, I’ll bet.

Maybe it’s like a high school student who always got great grades with hard work, and then he got to college and realized that the kind of studying he did in high school isn’t going to work as well because he’s going to need to do more than multiple choice exams once he gets past the lower level classes. It’s an initial shock, but students don’t adapt at all and finally change majors or drop out because it’s too hard, lower their expectations and accept lower grades, or after a period of adjustment figure out what they need to do to succeed at this higher level of studying and resume their excellent work. But sometimes it takes a semester or the freshman year to really figure it out.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

Is a semester more or less than 35 games?

Excellent analogy, though. And it could also have something to do with being an unknown commodity last season in his few games. But he looked like a sure-fire NHLer last season in most of those appearances. Yet, this season, he’s one of the weaker links, I feel. I’m sure you’re right and he’ll pick it up and I bet it IS in his head more than his hands/legs.

by Michael Petrella on Dec 20, 2009 6:59 PM CST up reply actions