Morning Skate: Is This The End?
by JeffHancock41 on Feb 17, 2012 8:31 AM CST
in Game Preview
Email
PrintWhich Red Wings team is going to show up tonight?
I feel silly starting off with that questions, but I accepted Graham's challenge, so it is what it is. Truthfully though, regardless of which team shows up, the Wings are going to have their hands full with the Predators. There isn't much star power on the Nashville squad outside of Shea Weber, future Red Wing Ryan Suter, and Pekka Rinne, but the Preds have a system in place and work their asses off. Their 33-18-6 record is no accident.
The Preds are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games, but you know they're going to come into the Joe hungry and wanting to end the streak. We have to hope that this isn't a let down game for the Wings. They're going to be missing Henrik Zetterberg in addition to already missing Cleary and Howard. They already have the home win streak record. Let's hope they don't sit back because of what they've accomplished and use not having Hank as an excuse for playing poorly if things get rough early.
The bottom line is that there should be plenty of motivation for this game regardless of the streak. The Canucks and Blues are still right behind the Wings in the standings just waiting for their chance to knock the king off their throne. The Preds aren't too far behind either. If we're talking home ice advantage, why stop in the West? The Rangers are one point back with two games in hand. The reality is that the race for the playoffs is so close. The Wings need home ice advantage and the top seed. There is 24 games left in this season and each and every game is important. Every two points are huge. Don't fall asleep, Detroit. The playoffs will be here sooner than we think and you don't want to look back and think "what if" at lost opportunities.
Get the job done.
*
On the Forecheck is your SBNation Predators' blog.
Puck drop is just after 7:30p ET on Fox Sport Detroit Plus for the locals and NHL Network for the rest of us (which means no Center Ice or Game Center Live coverage).
The Expected Lineup
*
Johan Franzen -- Pavel Datsyuk -- Todd Bertuzzi
Valtteri Filppula -- Justin Abdelkader -- Jiri Hudler
Jan Mursak -- Darren Helm -- Drew Miller
Tomas Tatar -- Cory Emmerton -- Tomas Holmstrom
*
Niklas Kronwall -- Brad Stuart
Jonathan Ericsson -- Jakub Kindl
*
Joey MacDonald (starting)
Scratches: Mike Commodore
Injuries: Patrick Eaves (concussion), Jimmy Howard (finger), Danny Cleary (knee) and Henrik Zetterberg (lower body...I blame Emma)
| PREDATORS | HOW THEY MATCH UP | RED WINGS |
| 33-18-6 (72 pts; 5th in West) | Record | 39-17-2 (80 pts; 1st in NHL) |
| 2.77 (11th in NHL) | Goals Per Game | 3.07 (4th in NHL) |
| 2.58 (11th) | Goals Against Per Game | 2.33 (5th) |
| 21.5% (2nd) | Power Play % | 17.8% (14th) |
| 81.7% (16th) | Penalty Kill % | 81.3% (20th) |
| Two tied with 17 goals | Goal Leader | Johan Franzen (22 goals) |
| Martin Erat (42 points) | Points Leader | Pavel Datsyuk (57 points) |
- The Red Wings are 45-22-4-7 (W-L-T-OTL) all-time against the Nashville Predators franchise.
- Nashville is a ridiculous 13-2-2 against teams from the Central Division.
- Detroit is a perfect 11-for-11 on the penalty kill in their last three games. The Preds come to town with the 2nd best power play in the league. Tonight is a real challenge for Detroit's specialty teams. If the Wings can keep Nashville off the score sheet on the power play it could be a huge confidence booster for the PK moving forward.
- Interesting stat from NHL.com's Brian Hedger, "Nashville is 21-10 when playing with one day's rest between games and just 5-10 when getting two days off between games, while the Red Wings are 13-17 with one day off and 6-4 when after a couple days of to recover."
- Pekka Rinne is 9-4-3 with a 2.41 GAA, .929 SV% and 3 shutouts in his career against the Wings. Joey MacDonald is 0-3-0 with a 2.89 GAA and .898 SV% in 4 games against the Preds.
PLAYER STATISTICS DURING 21-GAME HOME WIN STREAK
| GOALS | ASSISTS | POINTS | |
| Datsyuk | 6 | 20 | 26 |
| Filppula | 7 | 15 | 22 |
| Franzen | 11 |
10 | 21 |
| Zetterberg | 8 | 11 | 19 |
| Lidstrom | 6 | 11 | 17 |
| Hudler | 5 | 11 | 16 |
| White | 2 | 14 | 16 |
| Kronwall | 8 | 7 | 15 |
| Bertuzzi | 5 | 9 | 14 |
| Cleary | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| Miller | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Helm | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| Holmstrom | 5 | 3 | 8 |
|
Stuart |
2 | 5 |
7 |
| Abdelkader | 2 |
4 | 6 |
| Kindl | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Emmerton | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Ericsson | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Conner | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Brunnstrom | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Eaves | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Prediction: I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about this game. Nashville is good and they always play the Wings tough. It doesn't help that the Wings are down some key players. Not having Hank would hurt a lot more if the Wings were up against a more powerful offensive club. If the Wings can be strong on the PP and PK, they'll win this game. I'm going with a 3-2 Detroit win. Pavel Datsyuk is your player of the game.
Let's Go Red Wings.
99 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
4-3 Detroit, Franzen POTG
Franzen wants to be fed. Feed the Mule. D looks good, but that PP scares me and our PK could be better. Here’s to hoping I’m guessing high and we only allow 1 or 2. Gotta put up a few on these preds.
Your Photochop Guru
Maker of Movie Posters
Quoter of Nonsense
Want cool stuff?
My wife makes some...
byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/
2-1 Detroit, Joey Mac as PotG
Not sure why I’m picking Joey as PotG, but it just felt right. Going to have to listen to the game via my computer since it’s been appropriated by the NHL Network and is blacked out on Center Ice.
Follow me on Twitter -- @zfan16
Interested to see how lines 2 and 3 play tonight...
Gator’s play on two and SAK’s on three could be the difference.
I think Bert is the POTG tonight
Goalies are enforcers too.
Twitter- @nkehagias
FYI, one late development is that the Preds will be without Patric Hornqvist, who is tied with Mike Fisher for the team goal-scoring lead. He took a beating in front of the Boston net on Saturday.
Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and a guy who can help you save money on all things hockey-related at Hockey Gear HQ.
Thanks for the update.
I feel slightly better without Hornqvist in the lineup. He’s the kind of guy who just leans on defenders all game long. Not having him around the crease should help a bit.
by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 17, 2012 10:00 AM CST up reply actions
Typo?
“Red Wings are 13-17 with one day off…”
And I will be the wet blanket. The streak ends tonight, and becomes a 2 game skid after Sunday.
Pierre McGuire is a blithering dimwit.
by Brion on Feb 17, 2012 9:38 AM CST via Android app reply actions
If it's a typo...then it's a typo in Hedger's article.
I quoted him word for word.
Brendan Smith fan
by JeffHancock41 on Feb 17, 2012 9:44 AM CST up reply actions
It has to be
That would give the Wings a record of 19-21 with 1 to 2 days off and they only have 19 losses on the season.
Pierre McGuire is a blithering dimwit.
Sucks hanks out
seems like he always plays pretty well vs the preds. Im going with 3-2 Wings, fil is your Potg.
2-1 Lids is the PotG
I think this game is going the be gritty, and Lids is going to step up and show us why he will win yet another Norris this year, over that Weber guy.
future Red Wing Ryan Suter
He really does want to play for us doesn’t he!
I'm a Homer
Stats!
Nashville is a ridiculous 13-2-2 against teams from the Central Division.
Anybody want to guess where those two regulation losses came from?
by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 17, 2012 10:00 AM CST reply actions
Columbus!
Winging It In Motown, Over the Monster, Liberty Ballers, and Buffalo Rumblings!
by Scott Kenny on Feb 17, 2012 10:05 AM CST up reply actions
Expected Lineup
Khan does verify that Abdelkader will be playing center.
I thought it would be Holmstrom moving up from line 4 to take Abby’s place, but I kind of like the concept of Mursak up there.
by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 17, 2012 10:08 AM CST reply actions
I'm curious to see how the bottom two lines shake out
If Mursak does indeed get to play with Helm…holy hell the speed on that line.
Brendan Smith fan
by JeffHancock41 on Feb 17, 2012 10:13 AM CST up reply actions
Helm - Mursak - Conner
Fap Fap Fap
by DanFromDetroit on Feb 17, 2012 10:20 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Tatar
I have been excited about Tatar for 2 years now but the Wings have so many prospects they haven’t given him many shots with the Wings. I hope he can play well and earn himself a point or two tonight. Anyone know why they chose to bring him up instead of Nyquist?
My guess and it's a shot in the dark
A chance to showcase him a little bit for potential trade scenarios.
Brendan Smith fan
by JeffHancock41 on Feb 17, 2012 10:20 AM CST up reply actions
I also think that's why we've seen Kindl the last 4 games
instead of Commodore. Holland showing the talent he has as potential trade bait.
Brendan Smith fan
by JeffHancock41 on Feb 17, 2012 10:22 AM CST up reply actions
I was @ two Griffins game two weekends ago
He wasn’t impressive or a standout IMO. Also the girl I was sitting next to said he’s the prima donna of the dressing room and most of the guys there didn’t like him. I take her word for it because she was pretty slutty and a few players waved at her before faceoffs so I’m guess she was “well known”.
by DanFromDetroit on Feb 17, 2012 10:23 AM CST up reply actions 11 recs
whatisthisidon'teven
Winging It In Motown, Over the Monster, Liberty Ballers, and Buffalo Rumblings!
by Scott Kenny on Feb 17, 2012 10:26 AM CST up reply actions
I'm sure Happy would have the straight story
On both of the above. “Rink skanks” are his speciality.
Relentlessly preaching the word of TPH and converting the heathens in the NHL wasteland that is Oregon.
Woooooooow
Looks like Babcock is switching Mursak and Holmstrom…
Winging It In Motown, Over the Monster, Liberty Ballers, and Buffalo Rumblings!
As pointed out by a commenter over at On the Forecheck
The Tennessean stated the following in and article posted today:
The Red Wings haven’t lost at home since Nov. 3, when they fell in overtime to Minnesota 4-1. That is their only loss at Joe Louis Arena this season. They are 24-1 there.
Holy shitballs, that is some bad reporting. A 4-1 overtime loss?
This is the same paper that called Datsyuk a defenseman back in October 2010 too
by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 17, 2012 11:15 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Wait
You mean to tell me Datsyuk isn’t a defenseman?
Winging It In Motown, Over the Monster, Liberty Ballers, and Buffalo Rumblings!
by Scott Kenny on Feb 17, 2012 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
nevermind the loss was to Calgary.
The Aristocratic Deciding Foolish No. 1 Guy
twitter: @wizardofcorsica
by Wizard of Corsica on Feb 17, 2012 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
and that their record is 24-2-1
and that it’s impossible to lose by three goals in overtime
by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 17, 2012 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
No I remember that overtime
The Flames scored, and then the Red Wings all left the ice, and the Flames put two more goals in after the net was empty and the NHL counted them.
Word is it’s the same scorer who gave Gagner those fraudulent 8 points.
by eight_legged_freaks on Feb 17, 2012 11:29 AM CST up reply actions
. . . and that the very notion of a hockey team from south of the Mason-Dixon line is an affront to common sense. We should win this game by forfeit!
Failing that, superior skill and tactics will have to suffice. 4-2 good guys.
The Aristocratic Deciding Foolish No. 1 Guy
twitter: @wizardofcorsica
by Wizard of Corsica on Feb 17, 2012 11:45 AM CST up reply actions
3-1 Detroit, Abby
With getting bumped up to the 2nd line, I think Abby will relish* the promotion and seek to make the most of his opportunity. * not the kind of relish Murph eats on his hot dogs
At least he won’t have to try to “ketchup” to Hudler and won’t “dog” it.
Sorry, but it’s Friday and close to lunch time and I really don’t feel like working today.
Follow me on Twitter -- @zfan16
Hopefully he won't cut the mustard either? Sorry I couldn't resist.
I really don’t want to be at work either. A friend and I started shoveling off a little rink on the lake last night and I’m antsy to work on it more. I had dreams about hockey last night (again) and I’m really pumped for the game tonight. Hockey is pretty much the only thing on my brain right now, and I’m not even sorry about it.
by SlapshotGoal on Feb 17, 2012 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
Canadian
BOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUUOOOUUUOUOUUOOUUUOUUUUUU
You wanna tell me that to mah face?!
by uvgt2bkdnme on Feb 17, 2012 3:02 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
3-2 Red Wings
I’m sticking with Datsyuk. That steal and goal from a couple years ago just makes me smile every time i think about it. Wings win a close one tonight and keep the streak going.
"Need more shoot" Pavel Datsyuk
ZETTERBERG UPDATE
Zetterberg a gametime decision
But Wings general manager Ken Holland confirmed in a text message that Zetterberg will take the pre-game skate and decide whether to play tonight. "Right now looks like he will play but final decision after warmup," Holland wrote.
Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen
I had a feeling that he might play tonight. Maybe Tatar is already unpopular in the Wings dressing room. It seems every time he is called up he ends up not playing last second. Joking…maybe.
by PavelsBabbles on Feb 17, 2012 12:26 PM CST up reply actions
You are so right
Every time he gets called up, he sits lol. Obviously if Z can go we would all rather he play but Hockey Buzz was reporting that the 4th line was going to be all Grand Rapids Griffins which would have been sweet. They reported Babcocked had the line as Tatar, Emmerton, and Mursak
Did you hear this from a slutty looking girl?
Because if so, I believe it.
by eight_legged_freaks on Feb 17, 2012 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
pzar11
If the “unpopular” and “pre-Madonna” stuff is true then they probably should trade him. Pretty sure that wouldn’t work in most NHL locker rooms.
PS – I definitely typed pre-Modano first
Tatar for Jarome Iginla straight up.
by eight_legged_freaks on Feb 17, 2012 1:48 PM CST up reply actions
"pre-Madonna"
on second thought, that’s way funnier than “prima donna”
If my knees didn't hurt so much today
I’d do my happy dance. But I’d probably get a lot of strange looks (more than usual) from my co-workers.
Follow me on Twitter -- @zfan16
I'm too old to be a slutty looking girl
Anyhow, I’m doing my happy dance for the possibility of Z being back in the line-up; Tatar I can take or leave.
Follow me on Twitter -- @zfan16
Happy Dance?
Great, all I can picture now is Hudler doing some sort of crustacean shuffle dance. Make it stop!
by SlapshotGoal on Feb 17, 2012 2:33 PM CST up reply actions
your fault for your own imagination!
You wanna tell me that to mah face?!
I was thinking more along the lines of Snoopy, with that great music playing in the background.
Follow me on Twitter -- @zfan16
hmm.
A Zoidler doing the Snoopy dance? Interesting.
by SlapshotGoal on Feb 17, 2012 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
shuffle you say?
Your Photochop Guru
Maker of Movie Posters
Quoter of Nonsense
Want cool stuff?
My wife makes some...
byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/
by Josh Howard on Feb 17, 2012 3:32 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
more like scuttle
woop woop woop
Fan of the Tigers ~ Lions ~ Red Wings! - Restoring Pride to Detroits Sports Teams
WIIM Mursak Leagues Wingedmule (118-95-42))
Let's Go Red Wings!! Bring the Cup back to Hockeytown!! Thanks Lions for the Renewed Hope! (10-7)
Hal Gill traded to Nashville from Montreal
https://twitter.com/#!/SunGarrioch/status/170587066000871424
Wonder if he will suit up for tonight’s game?
Follow me on Twitter -- @zfan16
If he’s not a US citizen then I believe he will have to get a work visa before he can play, so maybe, maybe not.
Winging It In Motown, Over the Monster, Liberty Ballers, and Buffalo Rumblings!
I don't have any idea how US/Canada work visas operate
but it’s possible he already has one, or still has one from when he last played for a US team.
by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 17, 2012 1:28 PM CST up reply actions
I imagine he is since he was in Pittsburgh just a couple years ago
But I don’t know the rules on those at all.
Pierre McGuire is a blithering dimwit.
He’s a US citizen (born in Concord, MA) so the visa thing is no problem.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Gill
As long as he’s in Detroit before the roster deadline, he should be eligible to play unless I read that rule wrong.
"Lucky for me, unlucky for you" - Pavel Datsyuk, on why he wears No. 13
Well, there you go. Unless there’s a hiccup somewhere, I’d bet he sees the ice tonight.
Winging It In Motown, Over the Monster, Liberty Ballers, and Buffalo Rumblings!
Montreal is playing in Buffalo tonight
So, unless there’s some kind of delay and depending on the time of the roster deadline, he should be able to make it to Detroit.
Follow me on Twitter -- @zfan16
This one is hard to predict
I don’t see Joey Mac outplaying Rinne. But I don’t see the Preds outscoring the Wings either. Maybe 2-1 SO win for Wings.
2-1 Wings
Not a trap game, but I think this one is going to be painful and slow to watch. I watch Big Ten basketball, so I know a thing or two about slow and painful.
Franzen accounts for Z’s absence and is your player of the game.
5-2 Detroit, Helm
He finally channels his inner Datsyuk and finishes on a shorthanded breakaway
by NorthbayWingsFan on Feb 17, 2012 3:20 PM CST reply actions
It's crazy to think even Eaves has a point during the streak
He hasn’t played in forever.
Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.
by Elfuego51 on Feb 17, 2012 3:26 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
3-2 Wings, POG Datsyuk
Streak continues…with Dats dangling along.
by wingsluver4ever on Feb 17, 2012 4:27 PM CST reply actions
3-2 Wings, Joey
He won’t outplay Rinne, but is PotG for that very reason. Hangs in there, busts his ass, and keeps us in the game against a team that’s no slouch. I’d like it to be Franzen, but I have concerns that now that history has been made, he won’t feel quite as motivated :(
Relentlessly preaching the word of TPH and converting the heathens in the NHL wasteland that is Oregon.
Or will he?
Your Photochop Guru
Maker of Movie Posters
Quoter of Nonsense
Want cool stuff?
My wife makes some...
byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/
by Josh Howard on Feb 17, 2012 4:44 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
It is true
You never know with The Franzen, he is inscrutable. He is a riddle, wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in a jersey.
Relentlessly preaching the word of TPH and converting the heathens in the NHL wasteland that is Oregon.
And as always....awesome.
I can’t wait for Jimmah to be back, and in part because your Tiberius posters are seriously righteous. And I imagine they strike fear in the hearts of our enemies, as well they should.
Relentlessly preaching the word of TPH and converting the heathens in the NHL wasteland that is Oregon.
LET'S FUCKING GET IT BOYS!!!!!!!!!!! DON'T THE GRIND!!!
START HARD!!! SKATING HARD!! AND SHOOTING RUBBER ALL NIGHT!!!!!!!! LET’S GO RED WINGS!!!!!!! LET’S GO RED WINGS!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOFUCKINGWOOOOO!!!!!!!
by chicagowingsfreak! on Feb 17, 2012 4:51 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Via Darren Dreger
Kubina Watch continues. Hearing offers from both Det and Philly have been made.
https://twitter.com/#!/DarrenDreger/status/170642887829225472
This makes me happy if only because I guessed correctly with that FanShot. :)
Winging It In Motown, Over the Monster, Liberty Ballers, and Buffalo Rumblings!
I'd be cool with Kubina
Based on recent deals, have to imagine the offer is a 2nd rounder and a prospect or something similar.
Brendan Smith fan
by JeffHancock41 on Feb 17, 2012 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
I don't know if I like this
Unless we have a defenseman going the opposite direction. We already have 7 defensemen in the rotation and if needs be we have Smith who has shown he can at least fill in some solid 3rd pairing minutes right now.
So unless we send a D-man the other way whats the point except to say thanks Kindle/commodore but screw you
The point is you upgrade your depth.
Kubina right now is better than Commodore and probably Kindl. He’s got experience too (won a Cup in 2004). You can never ever have too much defensive depth especially come playoff time. If they acquire Kubina and don’t send a defenseman on the roster back, you waive Commodore. At the same time, if someone like Emmerton or Mursak is in the deal. You can carry 8 defenseman and one less forward.
Brendan Smith fan
by JeffHancock41 on Feb 17, 2012 5:25 PM CST up reply actions
Not sure I want us to get Kubina
I mean, is he really such an upgrade over Commie or Kindl to warrant giving prospects or picks for a 6/7 D man?
Goalies are enforcers too.
Twitter- @nkehagias
He probably is
you just waive Commie and see if he’d rather go help out in Grand Rapids (with the blessing of the organization) or if they want to try to put him on recall waivers and offer him up at half-price.
Commodore has been good enough this season that he very well could get a contract somewhere else as long as he doesn’t lose his shit over being bumped down the depth chart by Kubina.
by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 17, 2012 5:42 PM CST up reply actions
I think in a different system, Kubina could be a really valuable asset
Taking a glance at their defensemen and their point totals this season, it’s really abysmal all around. Prior to going to Tampa and the 1-3-1 system, he was a 40 point defenseman pretty regularly.
While he’s two years removed from those totals now, I do think he’s a definitie upgrade, for sure over at the very least Commodore, but most probably also Kindl.
by eight_legged_freaks on Feb 17, 2012 5:43 PM CST up reply actions
Late prediction, but 4-3 Wings
Pavel is the Man.
Fan of the Tigers ~ Lions ~ Red Wings! - Restoring Pride to Detroits Sports Teams
WIIM Mursak Leagues Wingedmule (118-95-42))
Let's Go Red Wings!! Bring the Cup back to Hockeytown!! Thanks Lions for the Renewed Hope! (10-7)
3-2 Wings, Franzen
I like to Dangle Dangle.
by playboyperry509 on Feb 17, 2012 6:38 PM CST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Winging It In Motown
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Why the Devils and the Kings are evidence the Capitals shouldn’t trade Alex Ovechkin
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
- Friday’s Three Stars: Devils head to Final; Brodeur, Kovalchuk the difference in Game 6
- Devils eliminate Rangers in Game 6, ending fear of the past, setting course for the future
