Briefly, some keys to the game:
For the Ducks:
- Stay out of the box. The Wings are playing their best hockey on special teams, so it would be best for the Ducks if they take few penalties.
- Stay physical. It may just be perception, but it looks like the Wings are a little worn down. If running them is going to wear them down even more, the Ducks should do it and I expect they will.
- Pressure. They’ve been doing a great job of pinning the Wings in their own zone, something that is wearing Detroit down even more. That has to continue.
For the Wings:
- Score on the power play. If the Ducks are going to give them power play opportunities, they need to score. Every time. Some of their power plays in Game 2 were pathetic and that can’t happen. If they’re not going to be able to get it going at even strength, they need to produce somehow.
- Even strength. They have to get it going 5-on-5. They’ve been outclassed thus far and have to find a way to at least even things up a bit. They don’t necessarily have to score, but they can’t spend so much time in their own end.
- Puck control. Like I wrote last night, they need to control the puck better. It’s a huge part of their game and it’s because they haven’t been as sharp that they’re tied 1-1 in this series.
A win tonight doesn’t mean the series, obviously, but it’s still an important game for both teams. The Wings need to find a way to at least split the games in Anaheim and tonight is a great place to start.
It looks like Kopecky is in for Calder tonight. I think his speed and his gritty play will help.
I agree. It should be very useful to have some fresh legs with a bigger body on top of them. For those who have forgotten, Kopecky is 6’3″ about 205 pounds. As long as he can stay responsible defensively and do the “keep it simple” thing, he should be valuable on the ice. I don’t see how he could possibly be LESS effective than Calder has been. At this point I believe the rumors about Calder’s hand, and it’s a shame because he was great for the first few weeks as a Wing.
Finally! I did not understand why Babcock insisted on keeping Calder in the lineup only to play him for 3-4 ineffectual minutes a game. I still think Babs is wrong to worry so much about Hudler’s size, but I’m glad at least Kopecky will get a chance to make an impact. He’s got the tools. Let’s just hope he’s fresh and not rusty.
Are there any other Wings fans in Columbus, OH out there? If so, I’d like to try to get some people together a bar for some of these playoff games…
GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!
This is unacceptable. Chris Pronger and Rob Neidermeyer should both be suspended. That was bush league grade-A bullsh*t. Just because your team is having a bad game is no reason to take a run at a guy. I had little respect for both Pronger and Neidermeyer before this, and now I have none.
Other than that, this has been a textbook game for the Wings. Great puck possession, and cashing in on their chances.
The sad part about Homer is he could have a concussion, and the league is likely not going to do a thing to either Pronger or Neidermeyer. This has got to stop.
all the animosity i built up towards pronger last year lessened a bit over time, but, now, it’s back fivefold. i’m not going to call him any names based on his dirty play (keeping good ol’ bob probert firmly in mind), but the league better do something about that hit.
otherwise, yes, great play from the wings. best game since the calgary series so far, maybe even better than the game they drubbed calgary in.
I can’t believe Pronger didn’t get anything for his shared high elbow on Homer. He was just as, if not more guilty that Niedermayer.
When is the league going to protect the players??? we’ve seen an awful lot of these cheap shots and disrespect in the game this year, and there hasn’t been enough done to the guilty players to keep it from happening again.
It’s time for Bettman and the NHL heads to wake up and try to take this dirty play out of the game! I’ll all for physical play, but not when it’s unsportsmanlike, blind-sided, illegal hits… especially when the team doing it is down 4-0, and is frustrated.
GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!
Chris Pronger……flat out joke for a hockey player. You watch, nobody gets suspended again……Pronger, a typical Don Cherry Canadian boy……if your team is losing, just kill somebody to make the series worth something for your teams hapless play…..sickening……your still a loser no matter what team you play on……
These guys are quacks. They sure are living up to their reputation. Remember the hit in Vancouver just before the goal on Luongo. That was Rob Neidermeyer too. Pronger followed through way too high. The last five minutes of the third should be especially dirty. I hope Homer is okay. The league has to do something about intentional head hits in the offseason. It’s been going on all year. I just hate seeing any player laying on the ice looking like he just took a bullet to the dome. I’m with everyone else on Pronger and Neidermeyer. Game on.
he’s back!!!
Homer’s back!!! woohoooo
Now let’s wait and see how dirty the Ducks play this period…
Hopefully the Wings don’t do too much Duck huntin’!
Yeah, Homer’s back, good for him and the team….for sure there’ll be no suspension now…..still a severe hit to the head…..deliberate attempt to injure from behind…..
Weird thing about Pronger… during the first period I said to myself “you know, Pronger gets a lot of ink about his size and his shot, but he’s really an excellent overall defenseman, like Lidstrom.” He did a beautiful job breaking up that 2-on-1, but granted that was Cleary and Maltby, which is a formula for ugly.
Then Pronger goes all Jamie Mclennan on Holmstrom. Of course he won’t be suspended, much worse has happened with not even a fine. Am I the only one still pissed about Daymond Langkow? He crawls over to Lebda, who is LYING ON THE ICE INJURED, and PUNCHES HIM IN THE FACE, giving him a concussion that knocks him out for what, six games? No fine? No penalty?
Anyway, great game from the Wings. Hopefully they can recreate this Thursday.
Hey, that Hanes commercial with Jordan and Kevin Bacon just came on… what the hell is up with that commercial anyway?