Morning Skate: I will avoid any obvious puns
by Casey Richey on Nov 19, 2010 9:53 AM CST
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PrintMinnesota comes to town for the first time this season to play a Detroit team that won 7-3 last time it took the ice. Minnesota has a two game win streak going after beating Stevie Y's Lightning and then the Anaheim Ducks at home but will get a very tough test tonight in Detroit.
The Wild are lead in the goal department by Cal Clutterbuck (yes, really) but the trio of Mikko Koivu, Matt Cullen and Martin Havlat lead the team in points with 15-14-14 respectively. The Wild have a pretty even scoring distribution and are anchored on the defensive side by Brent Burns and Marek Zidlicky.
Jose Theodore has moved on from the Capitals to Minnesota to be the backup to Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom normally has Josh Harding behind him but a torn knee ligament sidelined Harding for the year. Backstrom has played the majority of the minutes in net for Minnesota and has a nice 1.91 GAA to show for it.
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- Jimmy Howard will start in net again for Detroit. This is his 8th consecutive start for him and it'll be important to see how he plays in the first period. Howard has come up with some big saves for the Wings over the past few games (end of 1st period, St. Louis) and for some reason I get the feeling that pressure will be on him early. You saw how the first period against the Blues started with the puck in Detroit's end far too often for all of our likings. Now, Minnesota isn't St. Louis (oh, so that's how geography works?) but you can bet that they've noticed the tendency the Wings have of getting slow starts.
- More on those slow starts, Detroit's 1st period GF to GA ratio is 15:14. The 2nd period is 23:14 and the 3rd period is 18:11. I guess it's good to start slow and finish with a bang right?
- Detroit's offense has actually been pretty impressive production wise. They've scored three or more goals in six straight games and have scored fewer than three in only two games. They're tied with Washington for the league lead in goals/game at 3.63. Is this some early season luck or a sign of how good this team really is?
- Hope you've got something planned for after the game that will keep you awake and excited because the Wild are about as exciting as Nicolas Cage reading the dictionary. But if you're looking for a Wild player to watch, Mikko Koivu should be the one.
- Jonathan Ericsson has been pretty great of late and I like how he's played since returning from his injured back. Of course, since I lauded him just now, he will have a horrible game.
- Minnesota averages a league low 24.7 shots per game and third from the bottom 2.35 goals for per game. Will Detroit be able to focus a lot on offense with Minnesota having trouble with their offense?
- Coach Mike Babcock has apparently decided to stick with the lines he used towards the end of the St. Louis game:
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Franzen
Cleary-Modano-Bertuzzi
Hudler-Filppula-Abdelkader
Miller-Helm-Holmstrom
What do you all think about these line combinations? - Minnesota's injuries:
- Player of the game: I'm going to pick Johan Franzen. With Babcock putting him on the top line with Zetterberg and Datsyuk, there's no reason he shouldn't produce
- Score Prediction: 3-1 Detroit. I'm still a bit cautiously optimistic about this team because they're still struggling in certain areas
- Tampa Bay beat Philadelphia 8-7 last night. After one period it was 5-4 Philly and at the end of the second it was tied 7-7. Steven Stamkos had a hat trick and two assists while Martin St. Louis added five assists on the night. Dan Ellis and Sergei Brobovsky both had sub .650 save percentages and both teams used two goalies. Keep in mind that Philly is at the top of their division and is a very good team still. Yikes.
- Toronto beat New Jersey 3-1 last night and New Jersey now has as many losses as the Wings have wins. Brett Lebda was scratched by the Maple Leafs last night. So, of course, they won.
- Narf.
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Prediction 4-1 Wings
Also taking Zetterberg again for player of the game. Maybe eventually I’ll pick somebody who’s not on the top line.
by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 19, 2010 10:05 AM CST reply actions
lines look cool
and i agree it is weird it seems like we haven’t played good yet this season and we are in 1st in the west…good sign i guess…
i am going to say 3-2 Red Wings a few late goals on each side in a very defensive game…player of the game….Franzen is due…1 goal and 1 assist
LETS GO RED WINGS!
2011 will be the year....better be....
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
Also the Wild have always been my 2nd or 3rd fav team
since that team came into existence like 10 years ago so in a way i hope this games goes to OT so they can get a point lol
LETS GO RED WINGS!
2011 will be the year....better be....
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 19, 2010 10:09 AM CST up reply actions
4-0 Franzen
I hafta keep picking Franzen.. he just has to break out one of these days… doesn’t he? Expecting a low number of shots against, even with the slow starts.. a sub-20 shot shutout for jimmy, which is why i don’t have him as the POTG.
And i don’t know about those lines… hudler on the 3rd line again? sounds like trouble.. but let’s hope they can keep it going either way!
by kylegroombridge on Nov 19, 2010 10:06 AM CST reply actions
I think the key with Hudler being on the third line is that he’s still with Filppula. I think they work pretty well together and better than he does with Modano/Cleary.
by Casey Richey on Nov 19, 2010 10:11 AM CST up reply actions
Do I dare?
Do I dare to finally pick against the Wings? I’m a firm believer in a team being “due” for a win or loss, and the Wings are coming off a game where they were outplayed for the majority of the game but ended up with a 4-goal win.
Nah. I can’t do it. 4-2 Wings, with my player of the game being Mr Hart Nicklas Lidstrom.
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you had me worried there..
you do know the Wings are gunna finish 78-3-1… right? ;)
by kylegroombridge on Nov 19, 2010 10:13 AM CST up reply actions
damn right
66 more wins to go
LETS GO RED WINGS!
2011 will be the year....better be....
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 19, 2010 10:17 AM CST up reply actions
im sorry
82 more wins to go :)
LETS GO RED WINGS!
2011 will be the year....better be....
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 19, 2010 10:17 AM CST up reply actions
Thats good..
I was thinkin while reading like this is impossible, someone is actually going to pick against the wings.
i agree
one of those 2 road games next week…well if we lose i hope it is at least in OT
LETS GO RED WINGS!
2011 will be the year....better be....
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 19, 2010 10:18 AM CST up reply actions
I promise
that as soon as the Wings lose another game, I will pick against them the next game*
(*subject to me lying my ass off about actually doing this)
by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 19, 2010 10:18 AM CST up reply actions
It better not be the home game against columbus
Next sunday.. I’m gunna be there and I’ve only been to 1 Red Wings loss in my life.. 15 wins. I’m like a good luck charm ;)
by kylegroombridge on Nov 19, 2010 10:21 AM CST reply actions
damn
nice
LETS GO RED WINGS!
2011 will be the year....better be....
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 19, 2010 10:23 AM CST up reply actions
Ive been too 2 losses
once against blues at the joe in ot and game 7 scf… 2 out 21 isnt bad.. But still the game 7 feels like 10
I've never been to a loss...
However, I have been to a tie (really). 3-3 against calgary when i was just a youngin’.
by Red, White and a Mile high on Nov 19, 2010 1:01 PM CST up reply actions
Player of the game
will be Filpula. He has looked very strong this year. He has been much stronger on the puck and seems to be looking for the shot more often. I think he will be able to exploit minn 2nd line.
I hope you're right
Because he’s been decent, but hasn’t looked to be embracing the breakout year we’re hoping.
BTW, do you have a score prediction?
by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 19, 2010 10:57 AM CST up reply actions
I think
he needs to shoot the puck more, and the shots he is taking are not very high quality. He either is looking for the pass or taking weird angle shots.
the slot
I’m so sick of seeing him (and others) with the puck in the slot and dishing it off to the boards instead of shooting. as a team the Wings have done this a lot, but they mostly seem to have broken the habit…except for Filpulla.
by PaulinMiamiBeach on Nov 19, 2010 11:10 AM CST up reply actions
3-1 Wings
Just to negate Casey’s Prediction, I vote Jonathan Ericsson for the Player of the game. He will be a defensive rock and will score a goal.
I celebrate Festivus!!!
Line changes
Franzen on the first line seems like a lethal combo. Let’s hope it works out. Franzen is due for player of the game. Putting Homer on 4th line was a good move, maybe even better if it were 3rd line because 4th line has been outstanding this season. Homer is unrivaled in his office, but other than that I find that Franzen or Cleary (I know him and Bert are wrecking as of late so maybe not right away) would find a better fit as 1st line because of their hustle/back check. Ah, but on power plays let’s put Homer where he does his job best of course. (Every time I say something “bad” about Homer, he does outstanding. Here’s to 2 more goals from him tonight)
Let’s go Wings.
4th line concern
do we really want to put homer on the 4th line?
I respect the man and what he does night in and out..but he’s not really much of a puck carrier..
we all know what he does best..
I think that 4th line isn’t gonna last long..
Homer usualy plays in the 1/2nd line because he can rely on great puck carriers such as datsyuk and zberg..
anyways.. i still have faith in him..
GO wings!
Not long term
Homer won’t stay on the fourth line, but he’s having problems with moving his feet enough and working on puck retrieval. Franzen should make more room for Datsyuk and Zetterberg.
Also, we got pretty lucky with Homer’s health last season, but the guy’s falling apart. Cutting his minutes and giving him plenty of rest is just what I think he’ll need this year.
by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 19, 2010 2:35 PM CST up reply actions
Also, we got pretty lucky with Homer’s health last season, but the guy’s falling apart
You make it sound like he is an old shoe. On second thought…that’s a pretty apt analogy.
by Red, White and a Mile high on Nov 19, 2010 3:02 PM CST up reply actions
3-1 Wings
And i’ll take Bertuzzi to continue to have success
by spartanhockey89 on Nov 19, 2010 10:59 AM CST reply actions
PP
Detroit’s offense has actually been pretty impressive production wise. They’ve scored three or more goals in six straight games and have scored fewer than three in only two games. They’re tied with Washington for the league lead in goals/game at 3.63. Is this some early season luck or a sign of how good this team really is?
Imagine where they’d be in that stat if the power play were performing up to its potential.
by PaulinMiamiBeach on Nov 19, 2010 11:06 AM CST reply actions
We can only dream. Power play has been particularly unimpressive thus far.
by Casey Richey on Nov 19, 2010 11:26 AM CST up reply actions
Hudler-Filppula-Abdelkader
So much win from that line. I predict large things. Strange thing is that it is the same line essentially has Huds-Mo-Cleary was as far as makeup… but it just seems to click more with Hud/Flip. And Abby works anywhere. Love the energy.
by Crater from SoCal on Nov 19, 2010 11:14 AM CST reply actions
Agreed
Abby is freaking awesome, if he’s a lifetime Wing, I don’t think you’ll hear any complaints from fans.
I say 2-1 Wings. I live in Minnesota, and Backstrom has been off the f**king chain so far this season!!! Seriously, Vezina candidate for early season for sure. I’m actually voting for him into the All Star game. But if the Wings beat Backstrom, they beat the Wild. Simple.
by plopperrawr on Nov 19, 2010 12:19 PM CST up reply actions
Seriously!?
Come on guys, you gotta pick the only Wing that has scored in all of the past 6 games!!! Dan Cleary 4-1 Wings!
If I did it, he would score an own goal (aka a Halakian goal)
by Casey Richey on Nov 19, 2010 12:18 PM CST up reply actions
I'm sticking to my decision I made for Wednesday's game
and going with Cleary yet again. He has been everywhere the past few games. Cleary has a goal and an assist in a 2-1 nailbiter.
3-1 Wings: Dan Cleary
I like the 2-1 prediction above because of Backstrom, but I think the wings put in an empty netter to seal it. And Danny Boy stays hot, extending his streak to 7 games with a filthy rebound on Backstrom.
by Red, White and a Mile high on Nov 19, 2010 1:07 PM CST reply actions
Strike that
Can I do that?
I didn’t realize it was Theodore in net tonight. [b]5-1 Wings with Franzen as tonight’s PotG.[/b] He’s up on the first line and Datsyuk will be making plenty of space for him to work his magic.
by Red, White and a Mile high on Nov 19, 2010 1:23 PM CST up reply actions
I'll allow it
I was going to say something about how 3-1 Wings, Cleary was your last pick too.
by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 19, 2010 1:26 PM CST up reply actions
yeah
it IS a good score, and that man is on fire
by Red, White and a Mile high on Nov 19, 2010 1:43 PM CST up reply actions
As an update to the predictions contest
We have no clear front-runners yet because nobody’s hit the score & PoG right on. We’ve had a few each way. Here are the people who have correct score predictions (all from the Colorado game):
LeftWingLocked
ElFuego51
von awesome.
And here’s the (much longer) list of people who have guessed right on PoG:
onevilklown
spartanhockey89
mrsunshine
pzar11
Brion
nbschaff
Red, White and a Mile High
I don’t know just yet how we’re going to weight it when you get one or the other right, but I know that getting both right on the same game will be worth more than getting only one right twice.
Naturally, staff continues to lag behind with no correct guesses on either. If we had to begrudgingly say that somebody’s in the lead, it’s gotta be Amerinadian for being less wrong about the score predictions so far.
by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 19, 2010 1:32 PM CST reply actions
Wings win for me
Ok, you say that’s not enough, I’ll go 4-1 yawner for Red Wings fans with Ralfalski POW.
Right on with the exacta bonus
Each right guess should be one point with getting both right worth three.
That's pretty much where I was leaning.
Maybe even four though, considering how difficult it would be to get both right on.
by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 19, 2010 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
I have to go with Tomas Holmstrom
We need to talk about him more on here, he seems to produce when we do. Score prediction 4-2 wings
Unlike Casey, I'm not above obvious puns
In fact, I’m all about them.
Detroit’s about to go buck wild on Minnesota, 5-2 final score. And as far as player of the game goes, let’s go with Youth Gone Wild, Darren Helm providing a spark with a goal and an assist.
Must say, though, what with picking the POGs for this contest, it’s really too bad that we don’t have any player who is, or can be nicknamed Alf. (Cookie (girl scout thin mint!) for anyone who gets the reference.)
I'm expecting 100% improvement from the Lions this season.
4-2 Wings, Datsyuk
Expect Pasha to rebound from his worst night of the season.
Greg Devorski should be barred from officiating any Wings game ever again. The man is a disgrace.
by Mardiros Efendi on Nov 19, 2010 2:52 PM CST reply actions
Nice one
I was thinking more along the lines of …
TAMING THE WILD….blah blah blah
I celebrate Festivus!!!
2-0, Tiberius as player of the game
I think Rig will have another strong game too. Hopefully Franzen can break out of his slump and score a goal or two for my fantasy team.
2-1, Lidstrom
Backstrom will be dominant in net even with the Wings skating well, but can’t stop everything. My gut says that the Wild will win, but my fingers won’t let me type that prediction.
Wings win 4-2, Helm
I am going to say Helm breaks the goose egg finally and get the GW
You just got Kronwalled!
by DeathtotheHawks on Nov 19, 2010 3:35 PM CST reply actions
Abdelkader for the player of the game
I’d also like to see Abdelkader fight Clutterbuck tonight.
The Fear of the wild?
Not our fear…theirs. Just stoped by the wilds sbn blog and my god….. If I ever catch Casey or JJ respecting the opposition that much you will get Kronwalled. Speaking of wich….they now have Havlat….I’m sure he doesn’t remember it but at the same time will never forget the first time the hockey world actualy said "OH MY GOD! Kronwall finally killed someone. Let’s just hope all that fear is warranted…..which it is.
by normypants on Nov 19, 2010 6:20 PM CST via mobile reply actions
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