Update (6:35 PM): You can watch the game online on NHL TV here. It’s the Sportsnet feed if you’d rather not watch the Versus one. - Matt
Update (2:25 PM): The Calgary Herald’s Steve Cruickshank, writing for the paper’s Flames Insider blog, has a pre-game update of his own.
First, he relates a run-in Chris Osgood had with Kris Draper in the lockerroom (birthday shaving cream pie + Ozzie’s face = ensuing hilarity).
On a more serious note, he writes that Owen Nolan is expected to dress tonight, while Marcus Nilson is not. Nolan, by the way, has just 4 goals and 8 points through 23 games.
The Flames evidently did not skate today, choosing instead to have meetings.
Also, Red Wings TV now has an interview with Nick Lidstrom on the game tonight. - Matt
Update (2:05 PM): Helene St. James’ post-practice update has little to add except that “Dominik Hasek has flu-like symptoms,” though it appears he’ll be capable of sitting half-in-uniform on the bench to “back up” Chris Osgood, who had the flu a week and a half ago. Let’s hope Dom is the last player to come down with it.
There’s also this post-practice interview from Mike Babcock on Red Wings TV. Again, the network’s to slow to actually allow me to watch it, but I’m sure it’s very profound. - Matt
Update (11:52 AM): Bruce MacLeod reports that neither Tomas Kopecky (shoulder) nor Matt Ellis (headaches) has been cleared to play tonight. Kopecky seems to be okay, however, as he participated in practice, but Ellis only worked out off the ice. So, the lineup will be the same as it was Saturday.
MacLeod’s practice lines also show that Jiri Hudler’s banishment to the fourth line continues, despite the fact that Johan Franzen is a much better fit with Dallas Drake and Aaron Downey. I have nothing at all against Drake or Downey, but they aren’t offensively-minded players like Jiri, whose talent is completely wasted on that line. Hudler does not have the size or physicality to make that unit cohesive. Franzen, on the other hand is both large and physical. I’m a big fan of Johan and believe he has a decent offensive upside, but I also believe he should have to earn a second line spot, which he hasn’t quite done. In the meantime, he and his size should be put to use on the energy line.
Jiri hasn’t scored a goal since the 11th, but he has two assists in the past three games, which is more than can be said about Franzen and his one goal in thirteen games played. - Matt
Update (11:40 AM): The Calgary Herald has a couple nice pieces on two Red Wings today: Brian Rafalski and Chris Osgood. It’s good to see the opposition paper write about the Wings. It’d be even better if the Detroit media did the same for the Wings’ opposition. - Matt
Update (10:00 AM): HockeyTownTodd has his preview posted. - Matt
Tonight is the third of four games between these two teams this season. The Wings won the first two meetings, beginning with a 4-2 decision on October 10th and finishing with a 4-1 decision on November 1st. The fourth and final game in the series will be played on February 22nd in Calgary.
After a decent a 6-3-3 start in the first month, the Flames have had a bit of a rough November, posting a 4-8-0 record thus far. The loss to the Wings on the first kicked off a skid that lasted five games that only ended on the 13th with a 3-2 win over Minnesota. Since then, they’ve alternated wins and losses. They’ve managed two wins over Colorado and a win over Edmonton, but have lost to Vancouver, Chicago, and St. Louis over their past six. The loss to St. Louis, a 3-0 decision, came on Sunday in their most recent game. Tonight is the last night in a three-stop road trip for the Flames, who have a four-game homestand to look forward to. They’re 4-5-1 on the road, but 6-6-2 at home.
Jarome Iginla leads the team in the three major offensive statistical categories: goals (13), assists (17) and points (30). Daymond Langkow and Alex Tanguay are next with 21 points.
According to the Calgary Sun, Rhett Warrener (leg) and Wayne Primeau (ankle) are out, but Marcus Nilson (concussion) and Owen Nolan (hip) are day-to-day and could possibly play. The Calgary Herald reported yesterday that Nolan is ready to go, at least according to Mike Keenan, the head coach.
Miikka Kiprusoff will be in net tonight.
For the Flames perspective, check out Battle of Alberta, Completely Hammered, Five Hole Fanatics, and Open Ice Hits.
The Wings haven’t exactly had a stellar November themselves, having posted a 5-4-1 record thus far. They played nine straight against Central Division opponents and finished that stretch with a measly 4-4-1 record. They are coming off a shootout loss to Columbus on Saturday and, before that, a regulation loss to Nashville on Thursday. They aren’t playing their best hockey at the moment.
Henrik Zetterberg still leads the team in goals (16) and points (32) and Pavel Datsyuk is the assist leader with 18.
Tomas Kopecky (shoulder) and Matt Ellis (headaches) are both listed as “questionable.” Ellis did not practice yesterday and Kopecky only participated in non-contact drills, so it’s highly unlikely either of them will suit up tonight. Thus, it’ll be Aaron Downey and Dallas Drake on the fourth line, probably with Jiri Hudler.
Chris Osgood will get his second consecutive start tonight. The team has more confidence in his ability to earn them at least a point than they did in Hasek’s, at the moment.
Be sure to stop by Snapshots, Gorilla Crouch, Abel to Yzerman, HockeyTownTodd, Gloveside, Behind the Jersey, No Pun Intended, and Winging It In Motown today.
Mike Babcock called the team out after the loss to Columbus Saturday:
“It was the first time in a long, long time that we didn’t have enough people ready to play and ready to compete. That’s unacceptable and that’s un-Red Wing like.”
Hopefully the players got the message. They’ll need to be on top of things tonight.
Unfortunately, my evening class conflicts with the game, so I’m definitely missing the beginning, and possibly the end. We’ll see.
