Morning Skate: Dallas, from Phoenix...
by Casey Richey on Dec 29, 2010 7:36 AM CST
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" ...and Cleveland, from Detroit. And Tex--well I don't remember where Tex came from."
Detroit comes off an emotion filled game as Chris Osgood won his 400th career game and Niklas Kronwall won the game in overtime on the powerplay. Dallas won last night but both teams will put their last games behind them and focus on tonight's match-up.
After the Stars beat the Wings in overtime, they beat the Canadiens but dropped two straight--to Calgary in a shootout and Phoenix 1-0. In last night's victory over the Predators, the Stars dominated the third period with three goals to close out the 4-2 win. Although last night wasn't one, the theme of the Stars' season has been close games and 7 of their last 10 have been one-goal games. Overall on the season the Stars have won 14 of their 22 in this fashion, but then again there's not much room for me to criticize them for that as 9 of Detroit's 23 have come in one-goal games. Again, this just means you can expect a fairly close game between the 1st and 3rd place teams in the Western Conference.
Brad Richards leads the Stars with 16 goals and 25 points with Loui Eriksson right behind him at 16 goals and 23 points.
Defending Big D is your Stars' SB Nation affiliate.
More after the jump and the form.
- Most likely, Jimmy Howard will start in net. Howard played against the Wild on Sunday and earned a 4-1 win. Will Jimmy have another solid performance or will the Stars
- Kari Lehtonen will start for the Stars. You know what's cool about Lehtonen? Google "Kari Lehtonen Mask" and you'll see at least three examples. My favorite is this one.
- Niklas Kronwall's game-winning overtime goal was his 8th goal of the year, a career high for the Swede. Kronwall's 8th goal is as many as Ilya Kovalchuk. Classy at half the price.
- I think Patrick Eaves has been one of the more under-appreciated players on the team this year, 8 goals out of a 3/4 liner (depending on the line-up) guy and a penalty killer--all for $750,000. I really like the direction Eaves is taking his game
- How will Jan Mursak play? I think he was pretty good in his NHL debut against the Avalanche and he could have a good game again tonight as long as he stays out of the box. I like the backcheck he had in the Avs game, apparently he has some good wheels?
- Kind of sad to see that Jason Williams signed with the Connecticut Whale of the AHL. Williams breaking his leg last year spelled the end of a comeback in Detroit and likely cost him getting a NHL job.
- Of note: Darryl Sutter resigned as GM of the Calgary Flames and was replaced by Jay Feaster. Previously, Feaster was the Lightning GM for six years.
- Score Prediction: 3-2 Detroit, I think the Wings wear down the Stars in the second and third periods and start to click.
- Player of the Game Prediction: Henrik Zetterberg. I need to get one right eventually so why not go with the guy leading the Wings in points?
- Around the League: Crosby extended his streak blah blah blah, the Canucks whooped the Flyers 6-2, Blues over Hawks 3-1, Bruins 4 Fightin' Yzermans 3.
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3-2 Detroit - Filppula
Man, the Flames are in trouble.
Let’s get a win tonight, boys.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 29, 2010 7:57 AM CST reply actions
I just predicted the same
with the last goal being an empty-netter by Z; how could I not pick Z to be POG. And, yes, can we please beat the Stars tonight? I’m hoping for beginner’s luck since this is my first prediction.
Good luck as well
Im hoping we keep in the win column producing a long decent win streak… im thinkin maybe another 7 or 8 games in row would be good.
2-1 Wings, Franzen POG
lol Calgary
Franzen looks to be heating up, I think that will continue tonight.
3-2 Stars - Howard
I think 3 games in 4 nights in 3 cities is going to be too much, and there will be a slight let down after the emotional win the other night.
In the WJC, Canada beat the Czechs 7-2, but lost a defenceman to injury and a forward to suspension. Zack Kassian laid a head shot to a Czech player and was given a game misconduct. He will miss Canada’s next game against Norway, and could miss more time depending on what tournament officials decide.
The US beat Slovakia 6-1 in a laugher, as the US outshot the Slovaks 57-18. The US now sit in first in their group and can pretty much wrap up their group with a win over Germany.
Any other night
I would agree with your defeat tonight, but wings got to take advantage of a team playing the night before and traveling while they rest.
Didn't see that
Eh, I’m going to stand by the score, because I hate second-guessing myself. And for some reason, the Stars just seem to play the Wings really tough. I’ve been wrong before (a lot), so I won’t mind it if I’m wrong again.
WJC - Canada/Czech game
Just saw on NHL.com that Kassian is suspended for two games for the head shot.
Yep
He’ll miss the game today against Norway and then the game against Sweden. But he should be good to go for the medal round.
Re. Williams...not to pour salt on old wounds...
…but I’m pretty sure it was consistently making plays like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d61IFR2Wos
that cost Williams his NHL job.
I’m taking Detroit, 3-2 tonight, with Z as POTG.
And I hope Steve Ott gets run over by the Zamboni. Because I’m as classy as Otter.
Part of me wants to feel badly for Jason Williams
since I think he would have found a good rhythm with the Wings had he not broken his leg and I did like the guy’s shot (and that he was a righty).
But, I only have so much sympathy to give out and Williams had plenty of chances to prove his worth.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 29, 2010 9:18 AM CST up reply actions
I've always wondered
how it was that right-handed shots are at a premium in the NHL when something like 90% of the general population is right-handed.
No Limits.
Most hockey players shoot opposite their dominant hand. So a right-handed shot is usually a lefty in their everyday activities.
It’s all about the control hand, really. The dominant hand stays on top of the stick to better control the angles while the non-dominant hand is farther down the shaft to provide stability and the fulcrum by which the dominant hand controls the lever when stick-handling and shooting.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 29, 2010 11:44 AM CST up reply actions
huh
interesting. I played hockey for 8ish years, and I shot right-handed lol.. I never knew that though.
No Limits.
I am right handed and i shoot right. The reason many people go opposite their hand is 1, whoever taught them told them it was a better idea and 2. Your dominant hand has better control from the get go, so you get better stick/puck control by doing that, and using your off hand to shoot is purely just about controlling the force your other hand is putting into the stick.
I learned this after I had already played right handed so there wasn’t a big choice for me to switch since i was already invested in righty sticks.
by Crater from SoCal on Dec 29, 2010 12:03 PM CST up reply actions
I shot left
And I am right-handed. Think about it in terms of baseball – do you hit right or left-handed? Then think about what hand you throw with. I threw with my right hand but batted left handed.
Crater is correct in that it also depends on who teaches you. My dad taught me how to play hockey, and he was a pure lefty.
by Amerinadian on Dec 29, 2010 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
Well I throw righty and bat righty (used to be switch, but I always preferred righty, so I screwed that up).
The difference between hockey, where generally the dominant hand is the one closer to the body on the stick/bat/club and baseball/golf, where the dominant hand is higher up the stick/bat/club is that in baseball and golf, the entire purpose of the swing is to hit it as hard as you can (which is why you’ll see a lot of golfers go the “goofy-hand” method when they putt).
In hockey, 95% of stick/puck interaction is in trying to control the damn thing. The power gained by having your dominant hand in that power/pivot spot is often offset by the loss of control.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 29, 2010 12:21 PM CST up reply actions
Ya, i'm left handed and I shoot right handed
by kylegroombridge on Dec 29, 2010 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
i've unfortunately never played hockey in my life
but just imagining it, i think i would be a right-shot. this whole discussion is definitely news to me; i played little league baseball, and bat and threw righty. i’m right-handed (though i was ambidextrous for short span of time in elementary school before i just went full-on righty).
Two words for JW
Defensive Liability.
I liked his shot too, but there are two parts to the game, offense AND defense. He just wasn’t very good at the latter part.
i really really really want this game tonight
sick of losing to friggin Dallas…..4-2 Wings potg Z
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."
since Z might not play tonight
going to change stuff up….3-2 Wings POTG Franzen
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 29, 2010 5:58 PM CST up reply actions
I think Eaves should be both a mainstay in the lineup and receive a big extension.
Not like, a huge one, but I think he’s earned at least a two year extension based on the way he’s played from last year and this year. The guy’s a great energy guy, he’ll fight if he has to, and he has great scoring instincts. Will he ever score 20 goals again?
Who knows, but for the role he’s played on this team, who cares? I think, if we can get a deal done that pays him 750-850 a year for two years, we should hold him for at least a few. So valuable.
by eight_legged_freaks on Dec 29, 2010 9:31 AM CST reply actions
Agreed
I’m wondering if Eaves wouldn’t be looking for at least a million a year though? He’s probably worth that, if the second half of the season is going to go as well for him as the first half has (heck, 20 goals could possibly happen this season if he picks up the pace just a little).
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 29, 2010 9:38 AM CST up reply actions
Yea I think
750 would be undercutting him. Everyone knows his value including him.. I think a mil a yr is still a good deal for him.
I say Kenny offers it.
We’ll probably have some cap space. Especially if Lidstrom shudder retires.
by eight_legged_freaks on Dec 29, 2010 3:15 PM CST up reply actions
4-1 Wings Lidstrom PotG
The captain continues to put up multiple point games.
by loojay on Dec 29, 2010 9:52 AM CST via mobile reply actions
3-2, Detroit...Lidstrom PotG
Lidstrom was overshadowed (again) by someone last game, though it was obviously for a good reason as Ozzie played lights out for a phenomenal 400th win milestone. Nevertheless, I see Lidstrom getting another 2-3 points tonight, and with 6-7 points in two games, he won’t be overshadowed this time.
4-1 Wings
PoTG Lidstrom
I celebrate Festivus!!!
by bharatwaj5 on Dec 29, 2010 11:17 AM CST via mobile reply actions
3-2 Detroit
Franzen as PotG.
BTW, how can we check prediction stats.
We keep a running tally
I have you with 1 point right now.
Leaders (rock n rye, DetroitSports, onevilklown) have 7 points each.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 29, 2010 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
There are 56 people on the board right now with at least one point. I’ll see about making it into a fanpost tomorrow just so everybody can see where they’re at.
We don’t have a column for total predictions attempted, so it’s just right answers.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 29, 2010 11:50 AM CST up reply actions
You could always make it a read-only public document on google docs and link to it, then no need to do special formatting or anything.
by Crater from SoCal on Dec 29, 2010 12:05 PM CST up reply actions
6-3 Wings
Statement Game. Its time to put the hammer down on the conference. Who better to put the hammer down than Brad Stuart? (There may be some others, but why not)
LETS GO WINGS!!!!
4-2 Dallas, Mursak
the superstitious one in me says the Stars may have the Red Wings’ number this year (at least in the regular season). Lehtonen’s had moments of being flat-out spectacular this year, so the Red Wings are going to have to clog up the front of the net like nobody’s business.
Of course he will be
Apparently we’ve time-warped back to last year where each day brings a new injury to a key contributor.
Someone encase Franzen in a combination of bubble wrap and those little popcorn chips. He may be our only offensive threat when this is all over.
Curious question: if Z does sit out tonight, are we allowed to complain about injuries yet? Someone fetch me a Blues fan so we can ask an “expert”.
Please say it ain't so Z
We don’t need a repeat of the disaster last year.
here we go again....
this is so not cool
by HockeyGuy9125 on Dec 29, 2010 2:59 PM CST up reply actions
Here's the Free Press link
http://www.freep.com/article/20101229/SPORTS05/101229035/1053/Zetterberg-(sore-back)-questionable
Ban Devorskis from officiating Wings games.
2010 Big Ten Champs- On Wisconsin!
by Mardiros Efendi on Dec 29, 2010 3:07 PM CST up reply actions
Rafalski also in doubt.
Although after that brain fart against the Stars last time, I’m not as upset about that.
Ban Devorskis from officiating Wings games.
2010 Big Ten Champs- On Wisconsin!
by Mardiros Efendi on Dec 29, 2010 3:08 PM CST up reply actions
i hope it's one of two things
a one-gamer where he comes back next game
or something that takes only ONE OR TWO players out for an extended amount of time. then they come back in March and sharpen up for the playoffs and suddenly, they become the freshest players in the playoffs.
anything to avoid over-fatigue and lack of sharpness because 82 games out of all the original 20 guys to start the season just doesnt happen ever. balls.
I wanna clear this up
Mike Vernon
Chris Osgood
Dominik Hasek
Curtis Joseph
Back to Hasek
Back to CuJo
Manny Legace
Back to Osgood
Hasek 3
Osgood 3
Ty Conklin
Osgood 4
Jimmy Howard
Did I get it right?
by The Last Shall Become First on Dec 29, 2010 3:24 PM CST reply actions
In terms of Wing goalies?
If you mean the order of them since 1995, then yes, except Osgood was in Detroit before Vernon was (he was a rookie in 1994 and played in that series against the Sharks).
to the best of my memory
that’s correct from “back to Osgood” onward. my memory’s incredibly hazy beforehand, so i’ll defer to someone else for the rest of that list.
Since Osgood joined the team
Osgood – 94
Vernon – 95
Osgood/Vernon split time in 1996-97 (Osgood actually played the most during the regular season in that time, but Vernon was the playoff goalie)
Osgood – 98-01
Hasek – 02
Cujo – 03
Cujo/Hasek – 04
Legace – 06
Hasek – 07 (Osgood was the back up)
Osgood/Hasek – 08
Osgood/Conklin – 09
Jimmy/Osgood – 10-present
i know it's probably obvious
but since Casey put it as “most likely, Howard will start in net,” here’s just a little bit more confirmation
it’s also on Left Wing Lock
Wings and babcock wanna shake the dallas monkey and i need some POTG/Score Points!
*5-2 DETROIT — POTG is . . . Filppula *
angry detroit beats down Dallas @ home
"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'm predicting a Detroit win
But I don’t feel confident about it at all. 2-1, Lidstrom POG.
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)
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