Hockeytown, No Limits

Red Wings look off-course minus captain Nicklas Lidstrom's calming influence during skid | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
I'm not one to panic about "Life After Lidstrom," but someone is going to have to eventually step up and take hold of this dressing room and become that calming influence when Nick isn't around. Now would be a good time to start.

As Red Wings deal with adversity, Mike Babcock says don't wait for the cavalry | MLive.com
The Sharks did the Wings a solid and beat the Predators last night. Otherwise, the Wings would be looking up at Nashville in the standings. No time to wait for the wounded to return and save everyone. Lidstrom isn't walking through that door anytime soon. Datsyuk might not be walking through that door either tomorrow. Someone in that dressing room needs to step up.

KuklasKorner : The Malik Report : Red Wings overnight report: Time to dig out
George wraps up all the news of the day in his overnight report.

Eight Legged Freaks: On Losses
Just drag us to the finish line, Mike. We'll take care of it from there.

Mr. Hockey pulls for Howe Great - Detroit Red Wings - News
I know which horse I'm picking in the Kentucky Derby this year.

Around the NHL

Jerkfaces, It's A Setback - Second City Hockey
The Blackhawks are practically Berras with the Yogiisms they throw out to avoid talking about injuries to their players.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, Sans the Rotten Cabbage - The Copper & Blue
C&B defends the refs from the frothing rage of the fans. I don't want logic and perspective, I want heads to roll, damnit!

Vigneault Challenging Core Players - Nucks Misconduct
Well here's one answer to the "what would you have Babcock do?" question. Do you think he'd get better results if he were more like Alain Vigneault and took to calling out players publicly more often or do you see Vigneault as the kind of guy who's going to fall on deaf ears in the locker room sooner rather than later if he keeps this up?

Fun with graphs: how our logs got jammed - Jewels From The Crown
It looks like an earthquake getting bored.

Cam Ward with 200th Career Win and 20th Career Shutout: Hurricanes 2, Blues 0 - Canes Country
I like Cam Ward. I like Jeff Skinner. I like when the Blues lose.

Hitchcock on Ruutu’s hit: "What’s wrong with our game?" | ProHockeyTalk
Ken Hitchcock whines about a play that his fossilized dinosaur-shit defensemen pull regularly.

Let's Go Red Wings.