Morning Skate: Is your house on fire, Clark?
by Casey Richey on Dec 27, 2010 10:13 AM CST
in Game Preview
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Print(Editor's note: I've probably watched Christmas Vacation a few too many times this holiday season so expect that as a theme after the jump)
The Wings are fresh off a 4-1 win over the Wild in Minnesota last night but much like their last win, it didn't come without a price. Detroit has lost the services of its leading scorer Dan Cleary for about a month with a fractured ankle. Cleary scored his team-leading 16th goal of the season last night and was on pace to score well over 30 goals for the first time in his career.
With the Wings now down three forwards after losing Mike Modano, Pavel Datsyuk and Dan Cleary, they recalled forward Jan Mursak from Grand Rapids to fill the spot. Mursak will see action immediately and play in tonight's game.The 5'11" Slovenian forward has scored 10 goals and added 11 assists this season for the Griffins and has obviously impressed the front office.
As for the Avalanche, in their most recent game they suffered a loss to the Wild 3-1. In their last 10, the Avs have pulled out a 6-3-1 record with wins over Washington, Montreal and a pair over the Blackhawks.
In the previous matches this season, the Wings dropped a shootout to Peter Budaj (effin' kidding me?) and then won 3-1, both games at home. This will be the first trip to the Pepsi Center this year and the next one will come on January 10.
Mile High Hockey for Avs' coverage.
Notes and form after the jump...
- Non-theme: Ozzie is starting tonight. Please, let's get #400 out of the way shall we?
- "Get me somebody...anybody. And get me someone while I'm waiting" That's a phonecall overheard from Ken Holland to Grand Rapids last night after the Cleary injury.
- "He worked really hard, grandma"--That's the way the season has been for Jiri Hudler so far it seems. Like Griswold setting up the Christmas lights on the house, there's so much promise and excitement about Hudler. Maybe he needs Beverly D'Angelo to flip the light switch in the garage and he'll get going.
- "So do washing machines"--If Dan Cleary were a washing machine, he'd be an industrial strength one. That's one of the worst things about losing Cleary is that he's the hardest worker on the team and possibly in the league and I think losing a guy that does so much out on the ice can stress the team in other areas.
- "Is Rusty still in the Navy?" Ruslan Salei returns to Colorado for the first time this season. Salei has been well received by the Red Wings and their fans this season and why not? He's been a solid contributor on the defensive end and has done exactly what is needed: play better than Brett Lebda.
- "Merry Christmas! Shitter was full!" Would the aforementioned Brett Lebda be the Wings' Cousin Eddie?
- "Every time Catherine revved up the microwave, I'd piss my pants and forget who I was for about half an hour or so" That answers my previous question.
- "I don't know if I oughta go sailin' down no hill with nothin' between the ground and my brains but a piece of government plastic" Maybe that should be the Wings M.O. for a while until bodies get healed?
- "The man was wearing a blue leisure suit...the license plates were from Kansas" Is that you, JJ?
- Score Prediction: 5-3 Detroit. I think Babcock gets the team up and ready to go for this game and has everyone playing with a new sense of responsibility.
- Player of the Game Prediction: Todd Bertuzzi. Bert still gets boos from Colorado fans--we won't go there--but I think he breaks his goal scoring slump and starts to step up for the injured players.
- For discussion: I couldn't think of a good quote to go with this one but who steps up into the spotlight now that Datsyuk and Cleary are out, who joins Zetterberg to be the offensive leader?
- Off-topic: Your favorite line of Christmas Vacation? Mine is "You couldn't hear a dumptruck driving through a nitroglycerine plant."
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4-2 Detroit - Johan Franzen
I don’t own a blue leisure suit, but I’m wearing a blue shirt today.
This and other boring news at 11.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 27, 2010 10:17 AM CST reply actions
5-4 Avs, Franzen
It’s Osgood against one of the best offensive teams in the NHL. I said I’m done, and I meant it. Prove me wrong, Ozzie!
Best line: “It will be the hap-hap-happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny-fucking-Kaye”.
It will be the hap-hap-happiest Christmas since Sid Crosby tap-danced with Patrick-fucking-Kane
That’d be a sad Christmas actually.
by Casey Richey on Dec 27, 2010 10:40 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
The irony is that I’ve said that exact three-word phrase for describing 20 Cent on more than one occasion.
by Amerinadian on Dec 27, 2010 10:47 AM CST up reply actions
6-1 Wings
Franzen finds the net for more than a couple.
Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen
would love that score line
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 Dec 27, 2010 2:38 PM CST up reply actions
4-2 Colorado, Helm POG
I do not like our chances in back to back games….ever.
(A Squirrel is in the house) “Where is Eddie? He usually eats these goddam things”
So the last few spots for the forwards are Draper, Eaves, Miller, Mursak, Hudler…..who gets to take over Pav and Buckets spots most of the time? Who becomes the new group of rotation players…or is this whole group still rotated? How often does Mursak play?
I actually would not be surprised to see Mursak play at like the second or third line. I don’t think Babcock breaks up that fourth line persona and Mursak may payoff pretty well on a higher line too.
by Casey Richey on Dec 27, 2010 10:39 AM CST up reply actions
This is what I expected when I heard he had been recalled. I know Babcock sees a great future for the kid (and we have a really great fourth line) so I would not be surprised if he sees time on at least the third line, possibly second at times to see where he fits.
That said, injuries can bite Bender’s shiny metal ass. We don’t need this again this year.
by Apocalyptic0n3 on Dec 27, 2010 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
agreed
Although I wouldn’t be too unhappy with the fourth line playing third line minutes.
Ban Devorskis from officiating Wings games.
2010 Big Ten Champs- On Wisconsin!
by Mardiros Efendi on Dec 27, 2010 1:11 PM CST up reply actions
6-4 Detroit, Holmstrom
Avalanche can’t be happy with their last few efforts before the Christmas break. with Osgood in net, i can’t imagine it won’t be a high-scoring game, especially after Colorado was the #1 GPG team before their game against the Kings. BOLD PREDICTION FOR THE NIGHT: Mursak gets his first NHL goal. make that his first two. hmm . . . maybe I should take back that Holmstrom PotG prediction . . . nah.
4-2 Wings, Franzen PotG
Franzen won’t necessarily “step up” his game, but he’ll play like he usually does and hammer the net with shots.
I’ve always been partial to “Little full, lotta sap.” from the movie. Followed by Clark having everything stick to him when they are in bed, including the lamp.
4-3, Wings.. Bertuzzi
I’m saying Mursak will score tonite too… Let’s hope for a better back-to-back effort than last time.
by kylegroombridge on Dec 27, 2010 11:23 AM CST reply actions
4-3 Wings in OT
Mule player of the game…eff the injuries….go get em wings
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."
Holidays are crazy
been too busy to be around here much lately, but things should be settled down now. I will still miss tonight’s game thread, as I will be at the game with my #400 sign and my Federov jersey. Ozzie is gonna make it happen tonight in front of the dive fans, just to rub their nose in it. Oh, and Bert will be pissing them off all night too.
by Red, White and a Mile high on Dec 27, 2010 12:33 PM CST reply actions
Looking for input
my creativity today is even more lacking than usual and I am trying to think of something less boring than “#400” to put on my sign. Any suggestions?
by Red, White and a Mile high on Dec 27, 2010 2:10 PM CST up reply actions
- - Ozzie has as many wins as Patrick Roy’s kids have felonies!
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 27, 2010 2:47 PM CST up reply actions
piss
I voted while getting ready for work, and didn’t see Ozzy was starting. Of course I voted howard as POG. Any way to change?
by Kjell on Dec 27, 2010 12:57 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Prediction Contest Update
Remember, the winner of the Winging It In Motown Prediction Contest gets a prize at the end of the year (a good one, even)
The leader right now (among people eligible to win) is rock n rye with 7 points. One correct player prediction, two correct PoTG predictions and one bonus hit of each for the same game got him there.
2nd place is onevilklown, who has guessed the PotG 6 times so far and DetroitSports, who has one bonus hit prediction and two PotG hits.
Baroque shares third place with Red, White and a Mile High with 5 points each.
kylegroombridge and mardiros efendi have 4 apiece
Five commenters could tie the leader with a correct guess tonight, as they’re each sitting at 3 points.
17 people have correctly guessed two times, including some newcomers. 23 have one correct guess point.
One person, who is not being named, has tried to go the smartass way and has used the form to fill in his guess for score and PotG after both have been decided. It was funny the first time. It will not be funny more than once. That’s as subtle as I can manage.
Remember, you get 1 point for correctly guessing either the score or the player of the game and, if you guess them both right on the same game, that’s worth 4 points. Keep those guesses coming in. There’s a long way to go in the season and a ton more chances for you to earn them. Even if you haven’t tried yet, the game is not out of reach for anybody.
Thanks everybody!
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 27, 2010 1:00 PM CST reply actions
damn where the helk am I
i guess in the boat with others at 3
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 Dec 27, 2010 1:12 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, you're at 3
all of them PotG hits.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 27, 2010 1:16 PM CST up reply actions
I woulda had another point if stinkin Burns didn't score late in the game yesterday..
and I still think I should have gotten bonus points for predicting Zetterberg’s 4-point night, that was money.
by kylegroombridge on Dec 27, 2010 1:13 PM CST up reply actions
clutchhh
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 Dec 27, 2010 1:15 PM CST up reply actions
Definite props for that
A few people have hit some pretty good predictions. I got the Vancouver score, but one person picked it in OT (which isn’t bonus points either, but is a damn good prediction).
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 27, 2010 1:16 PM CST up reply actions
It kills me to do this
But I have to give J.J. props for his prognostication skills, as he is currently sitting with 11 points, including hitting the bonus twice.
Even though he is not eligible to win, I think he needs to be recognized for the great score he’s achieved so far. Now he’ll have so much pressure on him he’ll fold.
DAMN YOU!
I was trying not to brag.
It’s like you just started saying “no-hitter” in the sixth inning.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 27, 2010 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
Hahaha
I was going to add the following words to jinx you:
Shut out
Perfect game
No-hitter
Winning streak
Unbeatable
Purple Monkey Dishwasher
sigh
I suck at predictions.
4-3 Detroit wins, POG is Johan Franzen, and the latest injury is Filppula.
Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
aye no
no no no no more injuries
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 Dec 27, 2010 2:25 PM CST up reply actions
I sure as hell hope not
but I’m trying to reverse-jinx it. Maybe. While avoiding thinking of the injury that would make me cry for days.
Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
lol true
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 Dec 27, 2010 3:18 PM CST up reply actions
no one's good at predictions
the people who get them right are just lucky *i’m looking at you, JJ.
4-3 Wings PotG - ValFlip
My first ever WiiM prediction:
Wings will pull together with a hard working effort like teams are wont to do when their best players are out.
by loojay on Dec 27, 2010 4:19 PM CST via mobile reply actions
4-2 Franzen
Wings win. I seriously fuckin hope Mursak gets on the points and taunts Jiri Hudler in some Eastern European Lingo …maybe that will help him do the following -
>SHOOT THE PUCK AT THE GOAL
>CREATE PLAYS AS A POINT MAN IN PP
>JUST PLAY SOME TANGIBLE HOCKEY
I celebrate Festivus!!!
Slovenian and Czech are about as far apart as two Slavic languages get. But, if Hudler picked up enough Russian last year, he just might be able to get the main idea.
Ban Devorskis from officiating Wings games.
2010 Big Ten Champs- On Wisconsin!
by Mardiros Efendi on Dec 27, 2010 6:03 PM CST up reply actions
so tired of shoveling fucin snow all day
can it be game time already ugh
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."
Franzen's the obvious choice to step up because he makes the big bucks
But I think Filppula’s got a golden chance to show he’s a top liner.
Back off man, I'm a scientist
SB Nation Detroit --SB Nation's regional hub for all your Detroit sporting needs
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4-1 Wings w/ ozzie comin' up big in fond remembrance of what once a rivalry game for him and the wings
I dont think I have any points >:0 I need to make up some ground quickly!
"A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day." ~ Calvin (C & H)
I started a new octopus
Will have it done by the new year – and take pictures so you can see what I am talking about. :)
Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
I'm not sure
I think I may have just submitted some guy named John Franzen as PotG. I smell trouble tonight, 5-1 bad guys.
On the note of picking Franzen.....
What the hell happens if Zetterberg goes down? With Dats and Cleary out, 75% of the people would vote for Franzen.
I've been picking Cleary every night
So I’ve defaulted to Franzen. I plan on alternating between him and Lidstrom until further notice.
4-2 AVS (I think that was my guess lol), Zetterberg POTG
I was correct on the last back-to-back, so I’m going with my gut again here. I don’t like Ozzie in net on the road second night of a back-to-back. Call me a pessimist, but these situations don’t end well. Go Wings!
A thought on the lines
While I’m not a fan of breaking up the fourth line (especially the Helm-Draper-Eaves group that is probably the fastest grouping in the league and can create all sorts of mismatches), might it be a good to move Eaves around?
Of the three (the four if we include Miller) I think he has the most offensive skill, and has proven his willingness to do the dirty work (block shots, good enough effort along the boards, etc) to merit consideration for the second line. He’d probably see a disproportionate rise in point production if he’s surrounded by more talented players.
Thoughts?
Ban Devorskis from officiating Wings games.
2010 Big Ten Champs- On Wisconsin!
by Mardiros Efendi on Dec 27, 2010 6:00 PM CST reply actions
Drew Miller
can deke well! I think he has more offensive potential as well. Anyone would do better than Hudler right now.
This could be a good thing come playoff time
With Datsyuk and Cleary out the wings will have to play harder every night and there will be opertunity for other to play and step up there games.And if all goes well Datsyuk and Cleary will be back in Febuary and tune up for the Playoffs.It should make us a stronger team for the Playoffs.
These lines are what I'd like to see..
Franzen-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi
Hudler-Filppula-Mursak
Miller-Abdelkader-Holmstrom
Draper-Helm-Eaves
Altho that 1st line is a bit top-heavy compared to the others.. but I want to see Babs put those 3 back together, they were fire late last year together.
I’m really interested in seeing Mursak play.. this’ll be fun.
by kylegroombridge on Dec 27, 2010 7:14 PM CST reply actions
"Uh Clark, I can't swim."
“I know that Eddie….”
Glad to see Hudler have a pulse tonight.
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