[Game Thread] Wings vs. Sharks

by Christy on Feb 25, 2009 1:00 PM CST in Game Threads

Joe Louis Arena hosts the Western Conference showdown tonight as the top two teams in the conference battle it out. As of Tuesday evening, the San Jose Sharks (41-8-9) led the conference with 91 points and two games in hand. The Detroit Red Wings (39-13-8) sit back in second with 86 points.

Ty Conklin will get the start in goal with Chris Osgood backing him up on the bench. Brad Stuart will return in his first game back from injury, resulting in Chris Chelios becoming the odd man out (healthy scratch). After getting scratched in Saturday's game, Kris Draper will play tonight causing Tomas Kopecky to get benched in favor of the younger Ville Leino and Darren Helm.

Hated Claude Lemieux will make his return to JLA, but this time he'll be in the Sharks uniform rather than an Avs jersey. SBN counterpart Fear the Fin will cover the game from the Sharks perspective.

The game begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be shown on FSDetroit. As usual, please comment on the game in the thread below. I will be at the game and likely unable to comment myself, but don't let that stop you. I'll respond to your comments when I get back. Go Wings!

Poll

Will Lemieux get in a fight with one of the Wings players tonight?

Definitely. It's just a matter of when it happens.

23 votes

I just don't see it happening.

32 votes

55 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I really don’t see anyone on the wings that would care at all to fight Lemieux, whether it be because most of the team wasn’t around during the 90’s or for the simple fact that without Downey or McCarty we have no one who is willing of fight at the drop of the puck, i guess maybe Hossa. On the other hand Lemieux may just not shut his mouth until someone does fight him. He probably thinks that facing a team like the wings he may actually have a chance to redeem himself after getting humiliated by Edmonton’s Peckham about a week ago. So i doubt its going to happen, but if it does i would put my money on Rafalski, he has a mean take-down.

by gsmurfs007 on Feb 25, 2009 1:50 PM CST reply actions

Lemieux

Haven’t heard much about the ol’ man on the radio broadcast (only 6 shifts, and was on the ice for one of our goals). It’s a shame so many journalists wasted their time writing articles making a big deal about his return to the Joe. It makes for an entertaining story, but I think that’s exactly what the Sharks wanted when they signed Lemieux, a gritty player and someone that will annoy the absolute crap out of Detroit. I mean it’s a pretty smart move by the Sharks, who haven’t been in the position they’re in right now a whole lot. By signing him, they sort of give themselves that—I wouldn’t say edge— but… ‘piece’ (?) to have loom over Detroit’s heads when they potentially play them in the playoffs… I could be way off, but you don’t go out and sign 42-year olds who haven’t played in five years years without some quality reason. Kudos to him though for being able to make the come back. I still hate him. I don’t think there will be any headlines about Lemieux tomorrow… unless something crazy happens here in the 3rd…

by Detroit4lyfe on Feb 25, 2009 8:23 PM CST up reply actions

Leino

Christy,

I’ve heard great things about this kid. I know it was a big deal when he didn’t make the cut at the beginning of the year, right? I have not been able to see the games obviously, not being in Detroit for the time being. I know you go to the games and see the games a lot on FSN-DET, so I was wondering if you could share your thoughts about him. What type of player do you see him developing into? Do you think he’s going to continue playing a key role with the team this year? Into the playoffs? Thanks for sharing and great work on here, as always.

by Detroit4lyfe on Feb 25, 2009 8:14 PM CST reply actions

Good questions.

If you don’t mind, I will try to answer your questions sometime tomorrow (Thurs) in a post.

Right now, Babs is rotating the fourth-line players in and out of the lineup. That includes Kopecky, Draper, Maltby, Helm, and Leino. Drapes will have a spot in the roster come playoff time, but I could see Helm and/or Leino stealing a spot.

by Christy on Feb 26, 2009 12:10 AM CST up reply actions

i just got in

love the score right now….but i heard Hossa is hurt? what happen?…if anybody knows please let me know

Jiri Hudler...our underrated MVP

by TuLoRocks2008 on Feb 25, 2009 8:45 PM CST reply actions

He got sandwiched.

He left with some type of upper body injury after being sandwiched by two Sharks. It sounds like he’ll be able to play for Friday’s game though so it’s not a huge concern.

The official word from the Wings is that he would not return to the game for precautionary reasons.

by Christy on Feb 25, 2009 10:51 PM CST up reply actions