Assorted thoughts on Game 3:
… That early goal was a back-breaker. It took the wind out of the crowd’s sails, and stole the initiative from the Jackets who so desperately needed it.
… There are so many times where the “better” team outplays the “lesser” team to a ridiculous degree, but the “lesser” team gets all the bounces and ends up winning. This is not such a series. Not only are the Wings far outclassing the Jackets, they’re getting all the right bounces, as evidenced by the freak nature of Homer’s goal last night.
The Jackets are getting a crash course in playoff knowledge, with both sides of the post-season knife coming at them hard: elevated play, and crazy, chaotic luck.
… For a bunch of guys getting schooled, they were pretty defiant, though. After the first goal, they came back at the Wings hard and started throwing the body, getting the crowd back in it, and forcing the Wings to hurry their puck movement. They managed to force an icing, which led to the first instance of Nash against the fourth line. The result: Helm won the faceoff, but the Jackets picked it up and cycled a bit. Zetterberg somehow both made it on the ice and turned the puck over leading to a chance that was diffused by the defense.
… With Torres headhunting, and other Columbus players looking to take out guys like Marian Hossa, the Wings looked like they were just waiting the Jackets out, letting them blow off steam and get tired.
… The “patience” strategy paid off with a late first period goal by Cleary, triggered by a nice play at the blueline by Rafalski.
… Brad Stuart’s monster hit on Umberger in the second set off a hilarious chain of events involving that clown Commodore. The guy went after Cleary of all people at center and missed, ending up in the Wings bench. Seconds later, he mugged Franzen behind the net, picking up the delayed penalty in the process, while leaving Zetterberg covered only by Huselius out front. Huselius looked like he wanted to have a conversation with Hank rather than play defense on him, so it was about as easy a goal as he’s ever scored with a goalie in net.
If I were coaching the Jackets, I’d have sent Commodore to the lockerroom after that shift, but Hitchcock apparently just gave him a talking to and let him finish the game.
… The Jackets got really kvetchy after that, but got more serious in the third period. They very nearly scored at one point during their only power play of the period when a shot made it behind Osgood and trickled within a couple inches of the goalline. Quick action by Stuart with his stick saved the intitial chance, but when the Jackets crashed the crease, he ended up throwing the puck out of the crease with his glove. He is very fortunate the refs missed that, or it would have been a penalty shot.
… They finally did score not long after that, while still on the power play. Not long after a huge effort by Zetterberg at center killed off some time, the Jackets benefitted from Hank and his teammates’ sudden inability to clear the puck. Umberger was able to knock the puck in past Osgood to keep some Jacket pride in tact.
… In probably the high point of the game in my mind, an incredible Red Wings fan managed to get an octopus on the ice with about a minute left. Heroic effort, whoever you are.
… The Wings looked pretty good in the final minutes as they fought to hold off a Jacket attempt at completing the comeback. The fourth line killed a good chunk of time and Franzen’s effort at the blueline at one point diffused a rush. Then Zetterberg sealed the deal with an empty-netter.
… I understand the motivational factor behind Hitchcock’s decision to play Nash against Zetterberg and Lidstrom even when he has the last change. I just don’t understand why he’s still doing it when it has not worked. Nash obviously isn’t going to rise to the challenge of playing against two of the best defensive players in the game, so why continue to throw him out there? It can’t just be that there are limited options.
… Even without the Umberger hit, I thought Stuart had a nice night. His penalty shot-worthy play in the crease was dangerous, but saved a goal, and was just one of a number of smart plays on his part.
… FS Detroit’s hit tally was more subjective than usual. At one point, the Wings were leading in hits something like 16-7 according to their count. In reality, it was much more on the Jackets’ side, though the Wings were physical too.
… As great as that early goal was, it may not have been the best thing for the Wings. They seemed to get a tad complacent after that, and certainly didn’t focus as much on the defensive side of things throughout the night. It worked out fine in the end, but they need to tighten up when they get an early lead.
… Osgood was strong once again, and did it without the crowd backing him up.
… Now the Wings just have to close this thing out on Thursday. Columbus is sure to bring their best, so it’ll be a matter of breaking their backs before they can get rolling.