On the Wings

Update (3:42 PM): Not everyone is happy with the Wings’ new style and Jamie Fitzpatrick of About.com is one of them. He contrasts the Wings with the high-flying Sabres and pretty much demonizes them for *gasp* winning games by playing good defense (or playoff hockey, as some are rightly calling it) in a post to his Pro Ice Hockey blog yesterday.

Apparently, “Detroit games are methodical, low-scoring affairs lacking in end-to-end action.” Excuse me? Fitzpatrick and I must be watching different teams. Methodical? Sure, methodically dominating. Low-scoring? Sure, for the opposition. Lacking in end-to-end action? BS. There’s been plenty. Rushes just get funneled into the boards. Sorry, Fitzpatrick, but here’s a clue for you: the defense isn’t just going to step aside, on any team regardless of the new rules. Especially not when you have the best defensive corps in the league (notwithstanding Chrisscott “We are the Media Darling” Niederprongermeyer in Anaheim), as the Wings do.

Sure, the Wings aren’t the Sabres, but then they’ve never been fast like that. So the contrast isn’t any more applicable this year than any other.

As for the idea that low-scoring hockey is automatically boring, that just demonstrates an entry-level understanding of the game. Goals do not automatically equate excitement, just as tight defense doesn’t not automatically mean boring hockey.
This part is especially rich and has to be quoted in full:

The Detroit captain, Nicklas Lidstrom, is probably the league MVP so far (Though if I had a vote it wouldn’t go to him, simply because so much of what he does - breaking up chances; closing off promising rushes - makes the game less exciting.)

Excuse me, what? I don’t know if Nick has been the MVP so far, having only watched Wings games so far, but you don’t make a statement that he is and then say he doesn’t deserve it because he, uh, does his job well.

There’s one more little gem. According to Fitzpatrick, if the Wings play like this in the playoffs and bump off some Sabres-like opponents (how many of those are there in the West, by the way?), “Then we’ll see much howling in protest, and the dreaded resurrection of countless schemes designed to increase scoring.” So, basically, the Wings will bring about the end of the hockey world by playing playoff-style hockey … in the playoffs. Wow. (via IwoCPO at KK) - Matt

… Both major papers today focus on how the Wings have asserted themselves in a new identity over the past nine games after becoming fed up with mediots like Damien Cox calling them washed up without Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, etc.

Apparently, the team had a meeting after they lost to the Sharks on October 19th, though they didn’t turn it around immediately, losing to Edmonton on the 21st to finish up a four-game road trip. When they returned, however, they got their revenge on San Jose and have been winning ever since.

Ted Kulfan especially makes a big deal out of how they’ve been getting wins in ways totally different than in recent years: on the strength of their five-on-five play and penalty killing rather than their power play, with a focus on team defense rather than flashy offense, with physical play rather than shying away from contact.

Both Helene St. James and Kulfan are right. This Red Wings team is different. There is a hardworking attitude that you didn’t used to see, with everyone demonstrating good effort consistently. The Wings have always had good defense, but it was always secondary to their offense. This year, it’s central to their strategy. And unlike last season, their opponents during this stretch have not all been mediocre. They are beating good teams with dominating defensive performances.

I know that the win-streak will end eventually and that they will inevitably have rough spots this season, but I think that this team could have what it takes to succeed. The Detroit teams of recent years certainly couldn’t get it done. Maybe a team with a completely different style and work ethic can get the job done instead.

Still, it’s a long season, and a nine-game winning streak in October and November will mean very little in April. Last year was a major reminder that success in the regular season may be fun while it lasts but it doesn’t mean playoff success. I’d rather the Wings have less success during the season so that they have motivation to succeed in the postseason, when it counts.
… In light of the announcement yesterday of a deal between the NHL and YouTube, Helene St. James wants to see NHL players try the old Diet Coke-and-Mentos thing. I think she’s getting the hang of this blogging thing.