Hey gang! Hope this game put a little hop in your step like it did for me. Tonight the Wings flew into Toronto for their last meeting with the Leafs for the 2013-2014 season. Both teams were (and still are) desperate for points in order to make a push for the playoffs. Ah, hell.. Let's be honest, Toronto is a smoldering tire fire right now. After tonight they are 1-9-0 in their last 10 games. I don't blame it on the team, as they have talent.. Just seems like it's poor coaching and an overall bad system. Anyways, not here to talk about the Leafs or grill them.. Because I could care less about them and their problems.

Detroit came out tonight and played one hell of a game. Everyone stepped up and made big plays, the kids, the old guys, the coaching, and the goalie. The scoring is pretty easy to sum up as Darren Helm scored his first career hat-trick. Boy, did this guy work his nuts off tonight. Even though he has hands of stone and has trouble with staying healthy, he comes to play when he's able. The other goal comes from none other than the WHITE HOT Gustav Nyquist. Gustav is now on an 8 game point streak with 10 goals and 2 assists. Sooner or later Gus is going to slow down, but in the mean-time he is absolutely carving up every team he faces.

There were a few times during the game that Toronto had Detroit back on their heels and while that was happening, Jimmy Howard was making gigantic saves to keep Detroit in the game. Jimmy had a very strong game, great positioning, great everything. It makes me happy hearing CBC giving Jimmy praise for the way he's playing.. Because we know damn well that he has had his fair share of hate this season.

I'd like to give a shout out to Brendan Smith for making the biggest save of the game. Kronwall and Howard both had a bit of a biffed for a moment, but Smitty was there to dig the puck out from behind Jimmy before it crossed the line. HUGE. Thumbs up, kid! You beautiful man, you.

I made a vine earlier this season for Nyquist's hat-trick, but I think it's appropriate to bring it back out for the occasion of Helmer scoring his first career NHL trick:


What now? Tomorrow we see Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Helene St. James reports that Jonas Gustavsson gets the start, which will be his first since March 7th when Detroit scored a touchdown on the Devils. Let's go, fellas. Keep the momentum and take the Lightning by STORM!!! (boooooo)

LETS GO RED WINGS!!