Holmstrom: Raise your hand if you were irrationally thrilled with Holmstrom’s goal. Having the shutout streak ended felt pathetically good.
Bertuzzi: Raise your hand if you were shocked and amazed by Bertuzzi’s game-winner. I know I was. For all the flak I’ve given Todd so far this season, I do want him to succeed, so watching him roof that puck was not only shocking, it was good to see.
That said, that kind of action by him should be far less shocking: we need that from you more often, Todd.
Helm: Had a heck of a game. Would have had a record-setting night had he buried all of his big scoring chances. He had a rough night in the finishing department. One of these days, he’ll find his AHL touch and convert it to an NHL one, but for now we’ll probably have to continue grinding our teeth every time he puts the puck in the netting when it should go into the net.
Meanwhile, he can keep creating chances like the one that led to Draper’s goal last night all he wants.
Howard: I thought he played a strong game. 32 saves, and a couple goals allowed he had little to no chance on. I would have liked to have seen him play a little more patiently on the Boyes goal, but no harm done there in the end.
The other shoe may drop at some point with Jimmy, but the longer he plays this way, the better his chances are of remaining a Wing in the medium- to long-term.
Bottom two: Lines, that is. The third and fourth lines were far and away the best of the night. Their STL counterparts no doubt had a lot to do with that, but no other lines generated the sustained pressure those two units did. They only got one goal and three points to show for it, but that kind of work is what the team needs. The top two lines could take a page from that book.
Eurotwins: John W. pointed out “Datsyuk was on the ice for 2 goals, but both were with Z, hey there’s a thought.” Yep.
Line mixing: Babcock went with the same units as before to start the game, starting mixing them as the game went on and then returned to the same units later in the night. That’s when I stopped paying attention to the forward units (out of disgust). When you allow new units to play together for only a few shifts, it just seems like a token gesture toward fixing the problem, Babs.
That said, he did have a different unit out there for the final minute push to tie the game: Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Bertuzzi (Howard pulled). So I guess he’ll be flexible when the chips are down.
Miller: I’m really impressed with the guy and how quickly he’s fit in on the team. He’s not going to put up big points, but he’s got a great work ethic and really works well on the fourth line. Megan said last night she hopes the Wings keep him, and I couldn’t agree more.
Next up: The Wings get today off and then have to be ready to play Dallas on Monday. Here’s hoping this time they make sure their goals are indisputable. Let’s see some revenge taken.