Morning Skate: Beatin' Up The Blues

by JeffHancock41 on Nov 15, 2011 8:30 AM CST in Game Preview

Thank goodness we're not Blues' fans. Thank goodness we root for the greatest organ-i-zation in all of sports. The rivalry with the Blues -- much like the rivalry with the Avs -- has been quite one-sided in recent memory. That doesn't mean it isn't still fun to beat the team from St. Louis. And it will be fun to watch the Wings beat the Blues tonight in their own barn (and five more times later this season). At the end of the day, the Wings will be challenging for a Stanley Cup and the Blues will be playing 18 holes of golf come spring time.

St. Louis Game Time is your SBNation Blues' blog.

Puck drop is just after 8p ET.

The Expected Lineup

Danny Cleary -- Pavel Datsyuk -- Tomas Holmstrom

Valtteri Filppula -- Henrik Zetterberg -- Johan Franzen

Jiri Hudler -- Darren Helm -- Justin Abdelkader

Drew Miller -- Cory Emmerton -- Patrick Eaves

Nicklas Lidstrom -- Jonathan Ericsson

Niklas Kronwall -- Brad Stuart

Jakub Kindl -- Mike Commodore

Jimmy Howard (starting)

Ty Conklin

Scratches: Fabian Brunnstrom

IR: Todd Bertuzzi (ill), Jan Mursak (ankle)

Suspended: Brendan Smith (Smith-on-Smith headshot crime)

RED WINGS	HOW THEY MATCH UP	BLUES
9-5-1	Record	8-7-1
2.80 (T-12th)	Goals Per Game	2.50 (21st)
2.20 (4th)	Goals Against Per Game	2.31 (7th)
15.6% (18th)	Power Play %	10.0% (T-Last)
77.6% (24th)	Penalty Kill %	75.9% (26th)
Johan Franzen (9 goals)	Goal Leader	Alexander Steen (6 goals)
Johan Franzen (16 points)	Points Leader	2 tied with 11 points

The Red Wings are 112-106-37-7 all-time against the Blues.
St. Louis is 2-0-1 since Ken Hitchcock took over as head coach.
The Blues are undefeated (3-0-0) when leading after the 1st period. However, they are a dismal 1-4-1 (.167 Win%) when trailing after the 1st period. Obvious key to tonight's game: score first.
If Brian Elliott starts in net for the Blues, we could have a low scoring, goaltending duel on our hands. Both the Wings and Blues are in the top 7 in goals against this season. Elliot has a 1.49 GAA (1st) and .964 SV% (2nd). Howard has a 1.66 GAA (3rd) and a .934 SV% (T-5th). Don't forget to #VoteJimmah.

Prediction: A close affair between two teams very familiar with each other. Wings win 3-1 with an empty net goal. Pavel Datsyuk is your player of the game.

Let's Go Red Wings.

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Comments

That video...

It’s so terrible that I wanted to puke all over my workstation here. Where the heck did you find that gem? I think we take this game 4-3 with… let me see if I can get it out… Ericsson as your POTG. He’s gotta get it at some time.

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Nov 15, 2011 8:36 AM CST reply actions

No, no he doesn't.

by shanny14 on Nov 15, 2011 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

Ericcson is playing pretty good right now, don't push it buddy:)

by beemerron on Nov 15, 2011 11:51 AM CST up reply actions

Wow - scary video

Please, don’t do that to me first thing in the AM (or right after lunch either for that matter)….god, that was one scary female person…

Next – we have a rivalry with the Blues? Maybe we did, back when we beat them three straight years in the playoffs, but now….it’s kinda fizzled out. The Blues fans think there is a rivalry, I do know that, but they’re easily confused.

Zetterberg is your POTG – 4-2 Red Wings.

Oh yeah – we’re going to the game tonight!! – Section 101 (near the faceoff circle), 6th row Wings shoot end (1st & 3rd periods). Hell yeah!! Gonna be awesome! Watch for us – I’ll have the Zetterberg Winter Classic jersey on!!

by Kendal on Nov 15, 2011 9:00 AM CST reply actions 2 recs

You stole my thunder!!!!!!!

But I will say, great minds think alike (either that or we’re both fighting for space on the bottom). I’m really hoping that Z gets one of his patented “Zetternetters” to put the final nail in the coffin

by zfan16 on Nov 15, 2011 9:03 AM CST up reply actions

I like cookies

Aren’t Zetternetters part of the Keebler family? They go right alongside Nutter Butters right?

Maybe Commodore will have 64 hits tonight…then he’ll have to change his number.

BTW – I’ll be thinking of Salei tonight. He scored the first goal against the Blues last year when we went to the game (might have been his last NHL goal – idk). I usually don’t remember goals by specific players, but he scored so rarely, it stuck out and then when the plane crashed I had that thought about actually seeing him score…

by Kendal on Nov 15, 2011 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

last regular season goal, yes

he did have that strike against the Coyotes in . . . Game 3, i want to say?

RIP Ruslan

You wanna tell me that to mah face?!
YET ANOTHER Detroit Red Wings blog.

by uvgt2bkdnme on Nov 15, 2011 10:34 AM CST up reply actions

Well, I tend to think of all divisional opponents as rivals to a degree (even when they aren’t much of a threat.)

by EthrDemon on Nov 15, 2011 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

4-2 Detroit, Z

I’m not giving up on Z until he breaks free from whatever his holding him back — upper, middle or lower body injury.

by zfan16 on Nov 15, 2011 9:03 AM CST reply actions

4-0 Wings Jimmy

Yuppers, its gonna happen. Just watch.

by DarthSparty on Nov 15, 2011 9:09 AM CST reply actions

3-2 Wings – Zetterberg

Because I’ve been picking Datsyuk lately and he’s let me down. Now if he blows up and scores a hatty, you can all thank me.

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 15, 2011 9:20 AM CST reply actions

Isn’t he one of the people to have almost more 2 goal games without a hatty than anyone?

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Nov 15, 2011 9:23 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah. They mention it occasionally, but I have no idea where that master list is kept.

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 15, 2011 9:45 AM CST up reply actions

and one of my fantasy teams will thank you as well

You wanna tell me that to mah face?!
YET ANOTHER Detroit Red Wings blog.

by uvgt2bkdnme on Nov 15, 2011 10:34 AM CST up reply actions

5-2 Detroit, Howard

They keep getting this score. Hopefully I didn’t jinx the crap out of them. OR if I did it is only in the positive direction, causing everyone to get at hat trick!

I'm a Homer

by holmstrom96 on Nov 15, 2011 9:27 AM CST reply actions

Detroit wins 5-1 Datsyuk gets a hat trick.

I think our defensive minded top line has break out night with Datsyuk picking up a breakaway goal and pops in two off rebounds after Cleary and Holmstorm does some net crashing. The lone Blues goal will be a gimme by the Refs with a long count to the whistle on a Blues Power Play. Helm will net a shorthanded goal and Ericsson will slam one in from the blue line off a Lidstrom pass. Call it bold. Call it crazy. Howard gets the second star of the game.

by Idle Drifter on Nov 15, 2011 9:28 AM CST reply actions

I love morning skates.

Because that means hockey is happening soon. I also like stating the obvious.

I hate Jonathon Ericsson.

by Brion on Nov 15, 2011 9:48 AM CST via mobile reply actions

i love cookies

because that means tasty stuff will be in my mouth soon. wait what?

by Pentatonic on Nov 15, 2011 9:53 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

4-2 Wings, Dats

Boy, I say boy. One day my Pavel Datsyuk prediction will come true, I say. One day, that is, boy.

Manager of the Mursak League's Banzai Bananas. BANZAI!!!

by Dannik99 on Nov 15, 2011 10:06 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

you wanna know how to catch a chicken boy?? Do ya?, c’mon boy, cat….I say, Cat got your tongue there boy??

by Kendal on Nov 15, 2011 10:08 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, after watching about half of that Blues fan, I just wanted ol’ Foghorn to come in and slap her with a plank. “Girl, I say girl, I say they Blues are about as sharp as a bowling ball. They’ve got no talent, that is. I say, crying about it won’t do no good now, girl. I say what you need, I say, what you need is a team with class. Now I know just a team, a classy team that is, up in Detroit now, I say. I say that there is a team.”

Manager of the Mursak League's Banzai Bananas. BANZAI!!!

by Dannik99 on Nov 15, 2011 10:25 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Boy’s about as sharp as a sack of wet mice.

Don't take life so serious, son -- it ain't nohow permanent.

by Sunday on Nov 15, 2011 10:12 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

App for Android Phones

with a whole bunch of Looney Tunes characters and sayings….I used to have it with my Android, but now with my Blackberry – not so much.

Foghorn just cracks me up EVERY single time.

by Kendal on Nov 15, 2011 10:29 AM CST reply actions

"Obvious key to tonight's game: score first."

isn’t it “come out of the first with a lead”? St. Louis could score first (BLASPHEMY! ST. LOUIS SCORING GOALS?!), but we could take the lead 5-1 after 1.

5-1 Detroit, Filppula

You wanna tell me that to mah face?!
YET ANOTHER Detroit Red Wings blog.

by uvgt2bkdnme on Nov 15, 2011 10:31 AM CST reply actions

Is Halak playing?

Do we know who is in net for the Blues? Because if it’s Halak, then I need to predict at least 4 goals for the Wings.

Ah, I’ll just go with 4-3 Detroit with Filppula as the PotG.

I’d ask for a “Fuck the Blues”, but that would just be piling on what is already a terrible, terrible franchise.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Nov 15, 2011 10:39 AM CST reply actions

Left Wing Lock

pegs Brian Elliott

http://www.leftwinglock.com/starting-goalies/

You wanna tell me that to mah face?!
YET ANOTHER Detroit Red Wings blog.

by uvgt2bkdnme on Nov 15, 2011 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

Too bad

Now we can’t post the “Halak Own Goal” .gif every other post.

Datsyuk and Friends

by Dubie on Nov 15, 2011 11:06 AM CST up reply actions

The Blues are tough guys

The only tears that Wing players have ever shed have been of joy after winning a Cup.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Nov 15, 2011 10:46 AM CST reply actions

He broke a nail. Give him a break, that shit hurts.

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 15, 2011 10:54 AM CST up reply actions

now that’s just mean. Funny as hell – but mean. Ah screw it – that’s awesome!

by Kendal on Nov 15, 2011 11:31 AM CST up reply actions

Hahaha

Even the trainer looks at him like, “you serious??”

Huh Huh… Beavis was crying.

Let's GO..Wings, Tigers, Lions, Wolverines (oh my!) & Bolts!!!! (RIP Cory Smoot aka Flattus Maximus of GWAR)

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Nov 15, 2011 6:44 PM CST up reply actions

4-0 Detroit, Jimmy Howard

I got a feeling….(wooooohoooooo)

Datsyuk and Friends

by Dubie on Nov 15, 2011 11:06 AM CST reply actions

I kind of do hope that Jimmy gets a shutout

He’s my #1 goalie in our match-up this week. Bobrovsky already came through for me last night. Could be a very good week for Team Zata!

by zfan16 on Nov 15, 2011 11:13 AM CST up reply actions

I'll let this one slide if it happens.

Don’t expect me to be nice next time.

Datsyuk and Friends

by Dubie on Nov 15, 2011 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

the St. Louis Blues

Don’t. Stop Believing.

4-2 Wings, Brad Stuart steps it up with White out

"I'm a simple man. I like pretty, dark-haired women and breakfast food" - Ron Swanson
twitter

by rock n rye on Nov 15, 2011 11:13 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Ken Hitchcock says "Gfff iffnnngghhng"

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 15, 2011 11:21 AM CST reply actions

Hey careful.....

He might try to eat Babcock…..

Mark Mangino joke changed to Ken Hitchcock:

Hitchcock pulls in to Burger King really late one night, orders a Double Whopper meal and asks the window chick – “hey, I’m a bit lost, how do I get down to 270?” Chick says “Don’t eat the fucking Double Whopper!!”

by Kendal on Nov 15, 2011 11:34 AM CST up reply actions

3-1 Wings, Hank

Zetterberg gets assists on all 3 goals (1 for Val, 1 on the PP, 1 EN.)

by EthrDemon on Nov 15, 2011 11:40 AM CST reply actions

4-2 detroit, Zeeeeee

seems to be a popular choice today.

by beemerron on Nov 15, 2011 11:52 AM CST reply actions

Great video, I'll bet she made that Cup

using an (empty) 80oz. Colt45 bottle. Classy

by beemerron on Nov 15, 2011 11:55 AM CST reply actions

5-2 Detroit Zetterberg

Z had been working hard and making smart plays/decisions. I’m ready to see that pay off on the score sheet.

by SlapshotGoal on Nov 15, 2011 12:18 PM CST reply actions

4-1 Wings, Howard

Jimmy shuts the door again… but our penalty kill continues to be lackluster and gives up a goal with Ericsson in the box. Not Jimmy’s fault.

Franzen, Filppula, Cleary and Lidstrom each with goals.

by Jason T on Nov 15, 2011 12:45 PM CST reply actions

so is "Fuck Detroit" actually funny to anyone at SLGT?

It seems kind of stupid and not funny. I don’t even know how a smile is cracked at the sight of the phrase. I think its about as funny as misspelling Detroit as “DeTWAT” or “DeTOILET.” Haha did you see what I did there. Both twat and toilet have T’s in them just like Detroit. If those things pass as humor I am going to refer to St. Louis as St. LouiSHITTYASSNOCHARACTERCITYWITHDICKBAGFANSANDSPORTSTEAMS. Just rolls right off the tongue.

DETROIT RED WINGS – "war were declared"
Twitter - @TheIngles22

by Eric @ PRBU on Nov 15, 2011 12:49 PM CST reply actions 2 recs

What’s the over/under on baseball references over there tonight?

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 15, 2011 1:10 PM CST up reply actions

Innumerable

My friends call me Lenny... only I ain't got no friends.

by greg5897 on Nov 15, 2011 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

Eh, this is the internet

Juvenile misspellings and puns with the names of the opposition is pretty de rigueur for sports, politics, and whatever else people fight about for no reason.

by EthrDemon on Nov 15, 2011 4:07 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

There’s something beautiful about using “de rigueur” in a discussion about Blues fans saying DeTWAT.

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 15, 2011 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

What a lady

Just watched that video, and my boss has asked me to clear off my desk and go home, citing poor and inappropriate office behaviour.

“That tubelover10 is one piece of Ace. I know from experience.”

by Jason T on Nov 15, 2011 12:54 PM CST reply actions

4-0 Wings, POG Dats...

thought I was being over confident on score predict until I saw many others the same….GO Wings! Also, going to stick with Dats – he will have a breakout game – soon!

by wingsluver4ever on Nov 15, 2011 1:02 PM CST reply actions