The Wings celebrate The Captain’s second goal

I wasn’t able to watch the game at all last night because I had a game of my own. I wish I had been able to, though, because, from what I’ve heard, The Captain had a great game. He scored two goals and really is looking good. He played on a line with Zetterberg and Whitney. I think Lewis has done a good job so far with the lines, finding combinations that work and being willing to change up lines that aren’t. Dom got the shutout and it’s looking like it’s going to work out pretty well with him in net. The Stars apparently didn’t play too well but it’s still a win over Dallas, so I’m happy. The Wings have won 15 games in a row at home, a team record. Henrik Zetterberg had an assist on Yzerman’s second goal and Woolley and Draper scored the other two for the Wings.

Next up: @ New York (R), tonight, 7:30

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Lines-
Shanahan-Datsyuk-Hull
Maltby-Drape-McCarty
Zetterberg-Yzerman-Whitney
Devereaux-Williams-Holmstrom

Lidstrom-Schneider
Fischer-Chelios
Woolley-Dandenault
Fischer-Dandenault

PP-
Shanahan-Yzerman-Holmstrom
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Hull

Lidstrom-Scheider
Whitney-Chelios

PK-
Maltby-Draper
Shanahan-Yzerman
Zetterberg-Whitney
Shanahan-McCarty

Lidstrom-Chelios
Fischer-Dandenault

Net-
Dominik Hasek

Tonight is the first of 4 meetings between these two clubs this year. The Stars haven’t had the best start but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a threat. The still have talent and the ability to be one of the top teams in the league, even without Derian Hatcher. Obviously, Hatcher won’t get a chance to play his former team in a meaningful game until much later in the season but the Wings shouldn’t need him, not with their depth at defense. The games last year between these two teams ended in ties and I won’t be surprised if it’s a close game tonight as well. Dominik Hasek should get the start tonight and the roster will likely be the same.

Check out Steven Ovadia’s comments on the Paul Kariya injury. Pretty interesting, in my opinion. Looks like all that firepower might not be the answer, after all. *gasp* Amazing how that works, huh?

Detroit News | Free Press | ESPN | Box Score | Game log

Next up: vs. Dallas, Friday, 7:30

Lines-
Shanahan-Datyuk-Hull
Holmstrom-Hudler-Williams
Zetterberg-Yzerman-Whitney
Maltby-Draper-McCarty
Holmstrom-Draper-Williams
Shanahan-Hudler-McCarty

Fischer-Chelios
Lidstrom-Schneider
Woolly-Dandenault

4 on 4-
Datsyuk-Hull

Fischer-Chelios

PP-
Shanahan-Yzerman-Holmstrom
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Hull

Lidstrom-Schneider

PK-
Shanahan-Yzerman
Maltby-Draper
Zetterberg-Whitney

Lidstrom-Chelios
Fischer-Dandenault

5 on 3PK-
Maltby-Draper

Lidstrom

Net-
Manny Legace

The Avs lost Paulie “I’ll play for free” Kariya to a sprained wrist. He is out indefinitely, but it doesn’t seem like a serious injury. At the very least, Selanne will not know what to do without his pal Paulie. Oh boo hoo…

The Wings played well tonight versus the Blue Jackets. No defensive breakdowns. At times it was a boring game, caused by Columbus’ trap and Denis’ covering the puck at all costs. But the Wings had some pretty goals. Zetterberg made an amazing pass to Whitney for a two-on-one short-handed goal. Shannie had three assists, and made a great rising shot on Denis, on which Holmstrom tipped an electron on the puck to get the goal. Hullie redeemed himself with a goal. And Pavel Datsyuk made a nifty individual effort on his goal, undressing Denis and shooting to the far-side. The Wings looked really together tonight and played coherently, making great passes and actually deciding to score at even strength so us fans don’t have to live and die with the man advantage!! Let’s hope they can carry this type of effort into Friday night versus Dallas, which should be more of an open game than tonight, as the Stars actually have offensive skills and just don’t wait for us to make mistakes (Jackets, we’ve got you all figured out!!!).

Tonight is the first of 6 meetings between the Jackets and the Wings this season. Expect different lines and maybe we’ll see Jiri Hudler. Manny Legace is getting his first start. This is Ray Whitney’s first regular season game against his old team. I expect him to have a good game, like he has every other night so far.

Brian has already given a pretty good assessment of the game, in my opinion, so I don’t have much to say.

Basically, all I know is, the Wings got out hustled to just about every puck until the 3rd period. The Habs wanted that game much more than the Wings did and it showed.

The defense was weak and the offense was too pass-happy. Dominik is the sole reason it wasn’t worse than it was. There weren’t very many shots (19-15 Wings) in the game but the puck spent way too much time in the Wings’ end.

Dave Lewis, speaking about Brett Hull behind the net with the puck before his failed open net chance: “He has the patience of Job.” If you don’t get the reference, don’t worry. It just means he’s really patient. The fact that he rushed it and missed the net is unusual. I get the feeling he’s going to have a breakout game soon.

Detroit News | Free Press | ESPN | Box score | Photos

Next up: Columbus, Wednesday, 7:30

Lines-
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Hull
Whitney-Yzerman-Shanahan
Devereaux-Williams-Holmstrom
Maltby-Draper-McCarty
Whitney-Yzerman-Holmstrom
Devereaux-Williams-Shanahan
Devereaux-Williams-Hull
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Lidstrom-Schneider
Fischer-Chelios
Woolley-Dandenault

PP-
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Hull
Shanahan-Yzerman-Holmstrom
Maltby-Draper-McCarty

Lidstrom-Schneider
Fischer-Chelios
Lidstrom-Whitney

PK-
Maltby-McCarty
Draper-Maltby
Shanahan-Yzerman
Whitney-Zetterberg
Datsyuk-Hull

Lidstrom-Chelios
Fischer-Dandenault
Schneider-Dandenault
Fischer-Schneider

6 on 5-Hasek pulled-
Shanahan-Datsyuk-Yzerman-Hull-Holmstrom

Lidstrom

Net-
Dominik Hasek