… That was better. They handled a highly-motivated and energetic young team fighting for its playoff life with a relatively strong game. Their downswings weren’t too far, and overall their level of play was pretty decent. It wasn’t the nuke we may have been hoping for, but that was never going to happen against a team as desperate as the Blues.
… I don’t think it was just the Blues and their fans that came out of that 46-second span there in the second shellshocked. That was fun, but my head was spinning.
… The Blues were their physical selves, that’s for sure. David Backes never missed a chance to crash the net, and the Blues didn’t let something like the rules keep them from cross-checking left and right. If they’re trying to set the tone for a possible future playoff series, they probably did a good job, but also doomed themselves to yet another elimination at the hands of the Wings. Those types of shenanigans only have one effect in the post-season for the Wings: they win.
… Valtteri Filppula had to leave the game with back spasms, which is a definite shame given how well he’s been playing lately. It looks like he’s day-to-day. He’ll be replaced by Derek Meech tomorrow in Columbus.
… Marian Hossa finished without any points, but I thought he looked like the best Red Wing out there. He had a ton of jump and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. Good to see the motivation’s still there for him after some uncharacteristic injuries have disrupted his season.
… Pavel Datsyuk was as good (probably better, if I were to watch again), and had the points to show for it. He made a great play around that punk Oshie on his first, and then skillfully used two Blues as screens on his second. He was dangerous all game.
… Chris Osgood was strong in net, though the first goal may have been a little weak. He couldn’t do much on the second as he was taken out by a sliding St. Louis player just before the puck went in. Late in the game, he was stellar and kept the Blues at bay with some great saves. He’s been better since the hiatus and seems to be reaching form, if only gradually.
… Overall, a pretty strong outing for the Wings. They still have work to do, but this was a decent win against team desperately trying to make the playoffs, and that’s a good sign. Tomorrow will be a stiffer test, however. They should be looking to exact revenge for the embarrassment they suffered last week, so they shouldn’t be less than their best.