Morning Skate: Visiting the Island

by JeffHancock41 on Jan 10, 2012 9:01 AM CST in Game Preview

Ugliest jersey ever or ugliest jersey ever? Who the hell approved that crap? (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Tonight is pretty simple...the Red Wings should win this game.

The Islanders are not good. Only the Ducks and Blue Jackets are worse. The team from Long Island sits dead last in the Eastern Conference. Yes, that's right, dead last in the conference that's a joke. New York has lost two-in-a-row. Who did they lose to? The Wings next opponent, Phoenix, and the Ducks. Yup, the same Ducks that are crap this year.

I'm not saying the Wings are going to win this game with their eyes closed. No one can win in the NHL without putting forth an effort. They can't go in there thinking they can coast to a win. But the Wings are far superior to the Islanders and a loss tonight would be embarrassing. When points are so crucial, you have to win the games against the bad teams. The Islanders are a bad team. It's an opportunity to tune up your game, spread the minutes around, and pick up two points on the road.

Lighthouse Hockey is your SBNation Islanders' blog.

Puck drop is just after 7p ET

The Expected Lineup

Johan Franzen -- ? -- Todd Bertuzzi

Valtteri Filppula -- Henrik Zetterberg -- Jiri Hudler

Danny Cleary -- Darren Helm -- Drew Miller

Tomas Holmstrom -- Justin Abdelkader -- Cory Emmerton

Nicklas Lidstrom -- Ian White

Niklas Kronwall -- Brad Stuart

Jonathan Ericsson -- Mike Commodore

Jakub Kindl

Ty Conklin (starting)

Jimmy Howard

Scratches: None

Injuries: Patrick Eaves (jaw) and Pavel Datsyuk (unknown)

Conditioning: Jan Mursak

RED WINGS	HOW THEY MATCH UP	ISLANDERS
26-14-1 (53 pts; 2nd in West)	Record	14-19-6 (34 pts; 15th in East)
3.24 (3rd)	Goals Per Game	2.26 (28th)
2.29 (5th)	Goals Against Per Game	3.15 (25th)
19.7% (6th)	Power Play %	19.8% (5th)
81.1% (23rd)	Penalty Kill %	83.1% (12th)
Johan Franzen (16 goals)	Goal Leader	Matt Moulson (18 goals)
Pavel Datsyuk (43 points)	Points Leader	John Tavares (36 points)

The Red Wings are 46-43-6-1 (W-L-T-OTL) all-time against the Islanders.
The AHL's Player of the Week Kevin Poulin is expected to start tonight. He's 0-1-0 this season with a 3.05 GAA and an .897 SV%.
The Red Wings have won every game that Filppula or Datsyuk has scored in. So, yeah, we love you Mule, but Feed Those Guys.
Since December 8, the Islanders have only won two games in regulation. They're 5-8-1 since then with three shootout wins.
A win would pull the Wings to .500 on the road.
The Blues are visiting the Canadiens and the Blackhawks host the Blue Jackets tonight, so all the Central leaders play bad teams. That makes winning tonight even more important for the Red Wings.

Prediction: Red Wings win 6-1. Valtteri Filppula is your player of the game.

Let's Go Red Wings.

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Comments

4-1 Detroit

Flip of the Valtteri is PotG.

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

by Dannik99 on Jan 10, 2012 9:07 AM CST reply actions

Per Trevor Thompson

Conklin is starting for the Wings (meaning JJ was right, making him even more insufferable).

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Jan 10, 2012 9:07 AM CST reply actions

I wonder

was he already slated to start this game and the Chicago start was a surprise, or is this start a reward for his play on Sunday

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

by rock n rye on Jan 10, 2012 9:33 AM CST via Android app up reply actions

Jimmy not starting

It sounded like Babcock thought Jimmy needed some down time based upon his performance in Toronto. It also sounded like Conklin starting Chicago was a surprise. An extra day of rest would be good for Jimmy to be ready for Thursday’s game. He kinda owned Phoenix in the playoffs…

by Beldin on Jan 10, 2012 9:49 AM CST up reply actions

Yep

Jimmy needs a rest. He’s on pace to play 70 games, which is too many for a guy that is expected to be good to go for a long playoff run.

There is a stretch of games coming up with a very condensed schedule for the Wings. Conklin needs to be good enough to give the Wings a chance to win every time he plays.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Jan 10, 2012 10:04 AM CST up reply actions

meaning JJ was right, making him even more insufferable

Is that possible?

by J.J. from Kansas on Jan 10, 2012 4:45 PM CST up reply actions

I suspect

Anne would say yes. But that’s what sisters are for. :P

Random nonsense at @Baroque97

"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)

by Baroque on Jan 10, 2012 5:39 PM CST up reply actions

5-0, Wings, POG Franzen

The Mule is fed tonight.

by wingsluver4ever on Jan 10, 2012 9:15 AM CST reply actions

I was looking at puck daddys midseason awards

and I don’t really disagree with them other than with Quick for Vezina but it isnt a total injustice. I think its pretty impressive that the wings arent up for one award but are playing pretty outstanding hockey. Tied for first in their division and have the best goal differential. Hopefully the wings can land a top 6 forward or someone to score some goals on Datsyuk’s wing by the deadline

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

by Eric @ PRBU on Jan 10, 2012 9:56 AM CST reply actions

the Isles' recent record against us

is an anomaly and a half. The Wings will have this in mind and, in the interest of protecting Ty and our share of first place I hope/believe we’re going to come out of the the gate roaring.

5-2. Hudler with a goal and assist is the POTG.

by Wizard of Corsica on Jan 10, 2012 10:00 AM CST reply actions

7-2, Detroit, Z PotG

Still trying to atone for the turnover in the Toronto game, Z has a hat trick and two assists. Conks lets in one goal by Grabner (I need him to score for one of my fantasy teams) and one by Tavares, assisted by Grabner (I really need the points).

by zfan16 on Jan 10, 2012 10:19 AM CST reply actions

Since I have Grabner as well, I approve of this plan. He also shouldn’t be on the ice for any of our goals, I don’t want him to kill my +/- stat too badly.

by SlapshotGoal on Jan 10, 2012 10:59 AM CST up reply actions

I gave up on Grabner

I really thought he was going to have a big year, instead he summoned the power of 2010-11 Jiri Hudler.

by Brion on Jan 10, 2012 4:25 PM CST up reply actions

6-2 wings, hank POTG

2 goals and assist.

by bond021 on Jan 10, 2012 10:26 AM CST reply actions

5-1 Wings, Datsyuk

by EthrDemon on Jan 10, 2012 10:28 AM CST reply actions

Per Khan(!)

Datsyuk not taking the morning skate. Took a hit in the OT that may have slowed him up.

Not sure if this is serious or if he’s playing or not. We’ll keep on it.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Jan 10, 2012 10:41 AM CST reply actions

That may have been the hit by Toews on the way up the ice

just before the GWG. Emerick mentioned that one of the Wings appeared to be laboring up the ice after being hit. Here’s hoping it’s just a precaution and a chance to rest a little more.

Also, too bad Nabokov won’t be in net. It would be nice to watch Pav mess with him.

by zfan16 on Jan 10, 2012 10:52 AM CST up reply actions

I believe Nabokov is starting tonight.

That’s what Jesse spector of the sporting News said on Twitter anyhow.

by SlapshotGoal on Jan 10, 2012 10:56 AM CST up reply actions

Kahn just tweeted that Datsuk is out for the night.

Nothing serious, he’s day to day.

by SlapshotGoal on Jan 10, 2012 11:02 AM CST up reply actions

He probably has sore muscles from laughing so hard

at Chicago on his OT winner, and then at Commorode taking his place on the 1st line in morning skate. Hoping he has a speedy recovery.

by SlapshotGoal on Jan 10, 2012 11:04 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Finally signed up for a Twitter account

Now, all I have to do is decide who to follow and this way I won’t be among the last to know everything.

by zfan16 on Jan 10, 2012 12:05 PM CST up reply actions

If you want to follow me (@slapshotg0al) I don’t do much tweeting, but I’ve found quite a few hockey people to follow that I find helpful and informative. If you go to my profile, you can see who I follow and maybe get some ideas from there. Hockey news is the reason I signed up for Twitter to begin with and it’s a great source for not only Red Wings news, but hockey news in general. Welcome to the Twitterverse!

by SlapshotGoal on Jan 10, 2012 12:08 PM CST up reply actions

you can follow me!

I’m @Baroque97 (obviously, as my signature says) and start off following the guys here at WIIM and the Red Wings official account. Also, follow @RedWingsFeed – the account is run by Mike Serven who does a simply fabulous job finding all the new and articles and blog posts about the Red Wings (often before they are posted from their own blogs!) – after that, just see which people get retweeted by the people you follow, and then you can choose whether or not you want to follow them as well. :)

Random nonsense at @Baroque97

"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)

by Baroque on Jan 10, 2012 5:44 PM CST up reply actions

Yep

Datsyuk is out with a day-to-day injury. Not sure what it is, but it’s not supposed to be serious.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Jan 10, 2012 11:10 AM CST up reply actions

4-1 Detoit Zetterberg

Z with 2 goals and 2 assists tears it up tonight. Won’t be able to watch because of work, but I’ll be listening and yelling and screaming anyways.

by SlapshotGoal on Jan 10, 2012 11:01 AM CST reply actions

Contest update

If anyone picked Datsyuk before it was announced that he’s out of the lineup, go ahead and re-submit a PotG and we’ll get the sheet updated.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Jan 10, 2012 11:12 AM CST reply actions

any predicton on

lineups now?

by bond021 on Jan 10, 2012 11:30 AM CST up reply actions

Per Khan

The Wings don’t have time to call anyone up, so they are going with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen.

Lines? Who the hell knows.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Jan 10, 2012 11:33 AM CST up reply actions

7 dmen?

any chance we see Shitbox on a wing tonight?

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

by rock n rye on Jan 10, 2012 11:36 AM CST via Android app up reply actions

A move I'd like to see. Get him charing the net & creating some havoc,

in the offensive end though (keeding, of course).

I remember the Production Line and the Darkness

by beemerron on Jan 10, 2012 12:13 PM CST up reply actions

Nope.

They’ve stated in the past that they do not want to put Ericsson in as a forward.

by Brion on Jan 10, 2012 4:28 PM CST up reply actions

4-1 Wings, Hank POTG

I like to Dangle Dangle.

by playboyperry509 on Jan 10, 2012 11:36 AM CST reply actions

By the way, anyone know when an update on the game prediction poins

By the way, anyone know when an update on the game prediction points is coming out?

I like to Dangle Dangle.

by playboyperry509 on Jan 10, 2012 11:37 AM CST reply actions

there goes my prediction...

Pasha is sitting out tonight.

by Veihl789 on Jan 10, 2012 11:48 AM CST reply actions

You can make another one

We have the power to do that, you know :)

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Jan 10, 2012 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

Like This?

by SlapshotGoal on Jan 10, 2012 12:09 PM CST up reply actions

Datsyuk is out tonight

It was just posted on Facebook by the Official Red Wings. Also, Conklin gets the start again tonight.

by Chris Sass on Jan 10, 2012 12:09 PM CST reply actions

Aw hell. beaten.

Carry on.

by Chris Sass on Jan 10, 2012 12:10 PM CST up reply actions

5-2 detroit, hank

I remember the Production Line and the Darkness

by beemerron on Jan 10, 2012 12:14 PM CST reply actions

i get deeply saddened when pav is out of the lineup

who do you think will be grabbing up all those pavel minutes tonight?
oh btw its rumored to be his groin that is the problem

by Drumbum87 on Jan 10, 2012 12:19 PM CST reply actions

Groin Epidemic?

Homer and Helm, now Datsyuk? Is there a case of contagious groin-itus going around?

by SlapshotGoal on Jan 10, 2012 12:22 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

My only regret is that I have...groinitis...

Think about how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! --George Carlin

by J_Stone on Jan 10, 2012 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

lol!

i really hope not… aside from it being bad for the team i dont even wanna try to think about how “contagious groinitis” would be transmitted from person to person… :/

by Drumbum87 on Jan 10, 2012 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

Sad panda

I hope it’s more of a precautionary measure than anything. It sounds like there is a small chance he might miss the Phoenix game as well. I saw what I think was the hit in OT. He was getting up very slowly after the hit but made it down the ice and made that move on Kane to score the winner. I’m also guessing groin. Doesn’t seem too serious.

by MajesticY on Jan 10, 2012 2:07 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

conk's

Great to see him in net after chicago, totally agree that howie needs a break. Gng to Phoenix- great if he gets his 100th win while we’re at the game. Wings need to start the game off with energy, not the bs they’ve pulled the last few away games…

Go wings!
4-3 Wings. Val with GWG.

by Icecracker on Jan 10, 2012 12:54 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

Submitted twice, once after I found out that Dats was out for tonight. Hope that isnt a problem.

by Hornecker on Jan 10, 2012 1:07 PM CST reply actions

Same for me :( - I need my pasha too bad he's not in :-/

Asheeshy's Twitter

"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)

by Igorzba on Jan 10, 2012 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

Probably Jinxing it right now

but 4-1 Wings, and Conks is the PoTG

Fan of the Detroit Tigers ~ Detroit Lions ~ Detroit Red Wings! - No Town Better to be a fan of!
Fantasy: WIIM Mursak League (Wingedmule (76-73-32)) PoD Bench (PackMules (7th place)
Restoring the Roar - The '11 Detroit Lions! (10-7) Thank you for a great season!

by MuleRules on Jan 10, 2012 1:59 PM CST reply actions

woudnt the islanders have to actually have a few scoring chances for conks to get PoTG?

just dont see that happening

by Drumbum87 on Jan 10, 2012 2:11 PM CST up reply actions

with the way things have been lately, someones bound to slipup a scoring chance or 2 (or 3)

by MuleRules on Jan 10, 2012 3:37 PM CST up reply actions

NYI beat Detroit last season.

So did the Hurricanes. Columbus beat us this year. If the effort isn’t there, Detroit will lose.

by Brion on Jan 10, 2012 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

as mike valenti would say

i dont care what happened last year.

by Drumbum87 on Jan 10, 2012 5:46 PM CST up reply actions

great point...

by Icecracker on Jan 10, 2012 5:28 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Just the Opposite

I agree with the points made in this article and wish I had the same optimism. That being said I sight the above reasons as a warning sign for a bad night. Coming off two big, high effort, games on the road and heading to New York I smelled trouble. An “easy win” night was bound to be trouble. Pavel being out doesn’t help. As I write this it is 5-1 NY. Sure wish it was 6-1 but not tonight. Conklin back to his old 2011-2012 self. BTW I did feel this way about this game before I knew we were down 4. Wings will be ready to go Thurs. night. Go Wings

by katiebarthedoor on Jan 10, 2012 8:35 PM CST reply actions

Red Wings No Show [ Disappointed Old Red Wing Fan]

As a Red Wing fan for over 60 years, I went on record last year as saying they are too old and slow, also not mean and tough enough to survive to much longer as a top team in the NHL. I said it earlier this year I think they will be life and death to make the payoffs this year. They went into tonites game tied for first and did not show up against the lowly Islanders, and did not show until it was too late against the Leafs and Chicago. They are life and death to hold a lead if they get one as has been evident all year. There goaltending is hot and cold with too many weak goals between both Howard and Conklin. I think it is time to rebuild with some youth, size, speed and toughness. Plus a little desire in more games. Remember you heard it first from a Red Wing fan they may not even make the playoffs this year. You will know by end of January were this team is going, I hope into the playoffs and on to the Cup but from what I have seen this year I think the chances of that are slim and none.

by JRDH on Jan 10, 2012 10:49 PM CST reply actions