Mar 9 :: Numbers are Deceiving

The Red Wings enter tonight's action with a 31-22-12 record. Obviously, they're off of the pace of years past, but I thought it'd be educational to take a look at where they stood on March 9 in previous years:
2008-09 :: 43-15-8 (Finalists)
2007-08 :: 45-18-6 (Cup Champs)
2006-07 :: 43-16-9
2005-06 :: 42-15-5
2003-04 :: 39-17-10-2
2002-03 :: 38-18-9-3
2001-02 :: 46-11-6-2 (Cup Champs)
2000-01 :: 40-17-7-4
1999-00 :: 40-19-8-1
1998-99 :: 32-27-6
1997-98 :: 34-17-13 (Cup Champs)
1996-97 :: 32-19-14 (Cup Champs)

Moral of the story is...even in the back-to-back Championship seasons, they weren't in much better shape in early March. Yes, the points system has changed since then, and I don't remember any of those seasons being a struggle to qualify for the playoffs. But, in the spirit of optimism, I present you precedent! Homonyms are fun.

The Wings are currently on pace for 93.35 points, which might teeter on the 8th playoff cutoff line this season. In years past, here's what 93 points would have gotten you in the Western Conference:
2008-09 :: 6th
2007-08 :: 8th
2006-07 :: 10th
2005-06 :: 9th
2003-04 :: 7th
2002-03 :: 8th
2001-02 :: 9th
2000-01 :: 6th
1999-00 :: 6th
1998-99 :: 3rd
1997-98 :: 5th
1996-97 :: 4th
1995-96 :: 4th
1993-94 :: 5th

More Red Wings relevant numbers and awards after the jump...

RED WINGS STATISTICAL LEADERS :: March 9, 2010

Games Played :: Todd Bertuzzi, Nicklas Lidstrom, Brad Stuart (65 - that's all of them)
Goals :: Pavel Datsyuk (19) [54th in the NHL]
Assists :: Pavel Datsyuk (36) [29th in the NHL]
Points :: Pavel Datsyuk (55) [33rd in the NHL]
+/- :: Nicklas Lidstrom (+20) [19th in the NHL]
PIM :: Todd Bertuzzi (68) [70th in the NHL]
Power Play Goals :: Tomas Holmstrom (8) [25th in the NHL]
Shorthanded Goals :: Darren Helm (3) [4th in the NHL]
Game Winning Goals :: Henrik Zetterberg (4) [28th in the NHL]
Shots :: Henrik Zetterberg (227) [8th in the NHL]
Shooting % :: Tomas Holmstrom (18.3%) [7th in the NHL]
Time on Ice Average :: Nicklas Lidstrom (25:37) [7th in the NHL]
Shifts Per Game :: Nicklas Lidstrom and Brad Stuart (29.4) [19th in the NHL]
Faceoff % :: Pavel Datsyuk (56.0) [12th in the NHL]
Faceoffs Taken :: Henrik Zetterberg (810) [52nd in the NHL]
Hits :: Brad Stuart (162) [21st in the NHL]
Giveaways :: Pavel Datsyuk (61) [11th in the NHL]
Takeaways :: Pavel Datsyuk (100) [1st in the NHL]

CHRIS CHELIOS AWARD Update
*Given at the year's end to the Red Wings defenseman with the fewest goals scored in the most games played. The player must have played in at least 3/4 of the team's games. The award is named for Chris Chelios, who scored 23 goals in his EXACTLY 600 games as a Red Wing.*
1. Brett Lebda (1 goal, 59 games)
2. Brad Stuart (2 goals, 65 games)
3. Brian Rafalski (5 goals, 61 games)
4. Nicklas Lidstrom (8 goals, 65 games)

DANNY CLEARY "SACRAFICE YOUR FACE" AWARD Update
*Given at the year's end to the Red Wings forward with the most blocked shots. Award is named for Dan Cleary, who is used to becoming synonymous with "black eye" and/or "broken jaw."*
1. Darren Helm (42) [36th in the NHL, among forwards]
2. Patrick Eaves (36)
3. Drew Miller (33)
4. Henrik Zetterberg (27)
5. Kirk Maltby (25)

DEREK MEECH AWARD Update
*Given at the year's end to the Red Wings player with the most games spent in the press box. Award is named for Derek Meech, who was a healthy scratch 35 times last season.*
1. Derek Meech (22)
2. Brad May (14) -- no longer with the Red Wings
3. Ville Leino (13) -- no longer with the Red Wings
4. Patrick Eaves (7)
T5. Kirk Maltby (6)
T5. Brett Lebda (6)

GREG STEFAN AWARD Update
*Given at the year's end to the Red Wings goaltender that makes you question how they're in the NHL and you aren't. Award is named for Greg Stefan, who played nine seasons for the Red Wings, but only had three seasons with goals against average under 4.*
1. Chris Osgood (7-8-4, 2.97, .890)        
2. Jimmy Howard (24-14-8, 2.37, .924) 

MIKAEL SAMUELSSON AWARD Update
*Given at the year's end to the Red Wings forward with the most shots to miss the net. Award is named for Mikael Samuelsson, who literally must have been aiming for the 11th row.*
1. Henrik Zetterberg (93) [6th in the NHL, among forwards]
2. Todd Bertuzzi (66)
3. Pavel Datsyuk (58)
4. Darren Helm (46)
5. Patrick Eaves (44)

PAST WINNERS
The GoodFellas Award (final Red Wing to be penalized) :: Patrick Eaves
The Aaron Downey Award (final Red Wing to score a goal) :: Derek Meech