Regular Season Game 19: Lights Out

The Wings continued their climb up the Western Conference standings with a win on Sunday night. This game could have ended at a normal time for a 7pm start, but instead got pushed back by a 27 minute power outage.

Two things:
1) Apparently the Wings aren't great performers after a long layoff, because they were sloppy after the power was restored.
2) Really, Honda Center? This is the second time in a week that the power has gone off there. No big deal. There's smog, crazy bad traffic and it seems like their electrical grid sucks. But hey, it's often sunny so there's that.




1st Period:


Anaheim 0 Detroit 1; 1:26- Zetterberg (4) from Hudler (6) & Smith (2)

Brendan Smith gathers the puck near the blue line and waits for a lane to open between Anaheim's moving defenders. When the lane presents itself he puts a shot on net that Hiller stops.

Hiller gives up a rebound that Jiri Hudler picks up and carries up the boards. Hudler turns and shoots between a pair of Anaheim players, a shot that Hiller again stops.

Hiller gives up another rebound. An Anaheim players gets to the puck first, but as he goes to make a hard clear off the boards Zetterberg sweeps at the puck and steals it. Zetterberg's momentum is carrying him towards the slot, while the sweep causes the Duck to fall down.

Hiller is trying to push across laterally with his pads but can't quite get square to Z before he shoots off the backhand. The far side post is open, and Zetterberg perfectly places a shot in the top corner to end his scoring drought
.
2nd Period:


Anaheim 0 Detroit 2; 00:14- Franzen (10) from Datsyuk (10)

Anaheim wins the faceoff and tries to get their breakout started. Datsyuk reads the pass perfectly and jumps it. If this took place on grass people would be all like "shades of Charles Woodson" and whatever.

Datsyuk puts a pass through the Anaheim defender for Franzen. Check out how many Anaheim defenders are in the red box above. Yep, this could get interesting.

Franzen has a breakaway here. The Mule picks up the puck in the slot, and while there may have been time for a quick deke he chooses not to, instead putting a smooth wrist shot past Hiller.

Anaheim 0 Detroit 3; 7:10- Stuart (2) from Franzen (10) & Datsyuk (11)

Detroit's trying to gain offensive zone entry here. Two Anaheim backcheckers get caught bunched up, opening up a passing lane. Franzen is standing at the blue line, waiting for the pass.

Anaheim rolls the dice here and has all 5 players overloading one side of the ice. If Franzen can make a smart pass they're in trouble. Stuart is jumping into the play here and is about to be all alone on the right side of the ice.

Franzen executes a great pass and Stuart carries in. Bertuzzi gets in the way of an Anaheim player just long enough to leave Stuart with the shooting lane he wants. That's some real #TuzziSwag. Stuart releases, Bert jumps out of the way, and Hiller lets in another goal.

Anaheim 1 Detroit 3; 11:24- Koivu from Fowler & Cogliano

The play starts in the Detroit offensive zone, where a slapshot that misses the net rolls around the boards and is picked up by Anaheim. The Ducks have a 3-on-2 break with Bertuzzi hauling butt to get involved as a backchecker.

Cogliano has the puck at first and passes to Fowler, then falls down. Two of the three Wings chase the puck instead of sticking to their coverages, leaving Koivu alone to be guarded by a too-deep Ericsson on the left side.

Congrats Anaheim, you have a defenseman that isn't an idiot. Fowler notices that two Wings have keyed on him and makes the pass to Koivu. Ericsson can't do much aside from extending the stick, and Koivu scores.

Anaheim 2 Detroit 3; 16:21- PPG Selanne from Perry & Getzlaf

We'll pick this up part way through an Anaheim powerplay. Detroit is in their diamond formation. Lidstrom should have the netfront locked up, though he's a little high. There's a Duck camped out in front of the net to screen Howard.

Getzlaf is in the process of shooting in the first screencap, and at this point the shot as gotten through and there's a rebound in front. Smith collapses and takes away the passing lane to....yeah, I'm not sure what that's all about. Maybe he thinks Getzlaf is going to try to follow up on the shot. I don't know, I didn't go to Wisconsin. Perry gets the rebound and backhands a beautiful no-look pass to Selanne, who taps it in for the goal. Lidstrom should have taken away the pass, but credit goes to Perry as well for making a pass few would/could make.

3rd Period:


Anaheim 2 Detroit 4; 19:12- EN SHG Stuart (3) from Kronwall (4) & Zetterberg (5)

By far the easiest goal I'll break down all year. An Anaheim players tips the puck in the corner and it goes right to Stuart. Stuart chips at it and puts it into the open net using a bank shot. A freaking bank shot!

Regular Season Game 16: I Got The Blues

In all honesty I didn't have time to watch this game. I've read about it, I've screen capped it, but I didn't actually see it. The game isn't easy to summarize; that sucked.

1st Period:

St Louis 0 Detroit 1; 6:07- Miller (2) from Abdelkader (3)

Miller wins the race to a loose puck along the boards in Detroit's offensive zone. He turns on it and sends the puck behind the net.

Justin Abdelkader goes to retrieve the puck from behind the net. He backs that thang up on a St. Louis defender, then turns and skates to his right.

Abdelkader puts a wraparound attempt on net that bounces around before Miller somehow gets a stick on it and taps it in. Kudos to Miller for staying alert and keeping his stick on the ice even though he's getting effing bulldozed in front of the net.

St Louis 1 Detroit 1; 17:19- PPG D'Agostini from Berglund & Shattenkirk

St. Louis is cycling on the powerplay. With the puck at the point there are two options, one of which Darren Helm has cut off by taking away the passing lane. Shattenkirk takes the available shot.

Howard lets a rebound bounce in front of him, and Lidstrom swoops in to try and clear it away. He does clear, but unfortunately it's still in the slot area.

At this point the puck is perfectly placed for the Wings to get scored on. Helm and Stuart don't royally blow their coverages, instead being just far enough away to not have a real chance to make a play. Helm is responsible for the top of the zone and Stuart is responsible for the front of the net and both players have to leave those zones to try and make a play on the puck here. Wrong place, wrong time, bad goal.

2nd Period:

St Louis 2 Detroit 1; 10:16- Steen from Colaiacovo

Franzen picks up the puck along the boards and lazily throws it away. This is a terrible turnover by The Mule and it leads directly to St. Louis' game winning goal.

Steen has plenty of space to shoot and snaps one from the top of the faceoff circle. Stuart is too far away to even get his stick extended, and this one somehow beats Jimmy.

3rd Period:

None

Regular Season Game 15: Starstruck (in the face)

The Wings stretched their winning streak to four and ended their homestand on a good note before headed out on the road for a week long west coast swing. The surprising Stars hung with the Wings for 40 minutes, but turnovers ended up killing any chance they had of sticking around for a full 60.

The Wings offense was predominantly carried by defensemen, but this game wasn't without it's fair share of defensive highlights. The reason for the corny title is a play the Wing's official site it calling the potential play of the year. A great play, but the immediate fallout is that Ian White will be sidelined for 1-2 weeks with a broken cheekbone.

1st Period:

Detroit 0 Dallas 1; 7:09- Eriksson from Daley & Benn

We start with six seconds left on a Dallas powerplay. Daley has the puck near the boards and gets Eaves to drop to a knee looking for a blocked shot. This allows Daley to move inside on Eaves and take a clear shot at the net from the top middle of the faceoff circle.

Kronwall steps up to block the shot but misses. This leaves Stuart alone down low to take care of the net front player and the guy waiting backdoor. Stuart does a good job of locking up the net front man, but this leaves the Wings vulnerable as a Dallas player is completely undefended down low.

The rebound comes off Howard's pads right to Eriksson. Eriksson wastes no time in lifting one past Jimmy to put the Stars in front early. The one player the Wings didn't want to get the puck was Eriksson and the one place they didn't want it to end up was off a rebound to Howard's right. As expected, things didn't end very well.

Detroit 1 Dallas 1; 17:17- Kronwall (4) from Cleary (3) & Holmstrom (4)

Cleary carries behind the net and three Stars shift their focus to him. Two of them are exclusively covering Cleary, trying to decide whether to give chase or stay in their zones. The other Stars defender in the slot turns his head once to look for other Wings; he may see Kronwall entering the zone here but doesn't make a move until far too late, instead shifting his attention back to Cleary.

Cleary stays tight along the boards and draws a defender out with him. He moves the puck to Kronwall, who is waiting at the top of the faceoff circle to one time it. Kronwall gets his shot off before the Stars defender who was previously in the slot can close the gap, forcing him to half attempt a shot block to no avail. Holmstrom gets in front of the goalie just enough to distract him with his stick (but not enough to screen) as the shot is on its way. Raycroft lets it through and the game is tied.

2nd Period:

Detroit 2 Dallas 1; 3:08- White (3) from Miller (4) & Lidstrom (6)

Miller does a tremendous job of splitting two defenders in the neutral zone to gain entry into the offensive zone.

Miller carries the puck low into the zone, where then makes a hard turn. One of the Stars defenders tries to make a diving poke check but can't get to the puck before Miller one-hands a pass to Ian White at the point. With the only Stars player between White and the net now face down on the ice, White has a great shooting lane and takes full advanage, burying the slap shot.

Detroit 2 Dallas 2; 12:11- Morrow from Ribeiro & Burish

Ribeiro carries the puck behind the net, and Ericsson hesitates for a split second. He isn't sure whether he should cover the puck carrier or Morrow, who is waiting to the right of the net. Ericsson chooses to play the puck carrier, but Ribeiro gets a pass off in front of Ericsson's outstretched stick. Morrow gets lucky and scores on one of the weaker goals Howard's given up this season.

3rd Period:

Detroit 3 Dallas 2; 3:47- Franzen (9) from Filppula (9) & Stuart (1)

Turnovers killed the Stars in this game, and this is a prime example of it. An errant pass from behind their net is picked up by the Wings at the blueline.

Stuart hesitates just long enough to let Filppula slip past the two defenders bunched near the blueline. Filppula gets the puck along the boards and carries deeper into the zone.

Filppula does his best Datsyuk impression here, stickhandling and sidestepping his defender and skating the the crease before shooting from close range.

This is a case of right-place-right-time for Franzen. The rebound comes right to him, and both defenders are behind him. A backhand shot over Raycroft turns into a lead that Detroit won't relinquish the rest of the night.

Detroit 4 Dallas 2; 9:19- Helm (2) from Hudler (5)

Strong backchecking by Detroit forces a Dallas turnover in the middle of the neutral zone. Helm picks it off and turns, picking up speed as he enters the offensive zone.

He leaves the puck for Hudler and the two switch directions near the blueline, with Helm cutting inside and Hudler moving outside. Hudler carries in and waits for the defender to make a move. After he's out of position Huds throws a pass behind him, just within reach of Helm. Helm taps the puck pasta sliding Raycroft. The defender circled above has a chance to stay with Helm and just...didn't. He sure cut off that passing lane back to the blue line though! Derp.

Detroit 5 Dallas 2; 10:32- Stuart (1) from Franzen (7) & Filppula (10)

Stuart's shot is creating by a teammate swinging though the middle of the offensive zone, circled in green above. This creates defensive responsibility for two of the Stars, along with setting up something of a pseudo-screen. Stuart has time to set up and put a big slap shot on net.

By the time the nearest Stars defender can move into the shooting lane Stuart has already released the puck. Thanks in part to two other Wings camped out down low Raycroft can't find Stuart's shot, which finds the back of the net.

Regular Season Game 14: We Gone Done Struck Oil, We Did

This was a swing game. It may seem ridiculous to declare that in early November, but I think we'll look back on this game later in the year and see it as a turning point. The difference between an actual winning streak and a couple of wins in the midst of a losing streak was this game.

Jimmy Howard pitched a shut out at the most opportune time, something that (along with his ridiculous stats) signals his progression from serviceable goaltender to elite netminder. The Wings defense shut down an Edmonton team loaded with young talent in a convincing enough manner that any "this team is too old" comments should be put to bed for good. I truly believe that this team has a perfect mixture of veterans and young guns, guys in their prime and guys with potential, grinders and goalscorers. Sure, this was just one game, but this one game was a momentum shifter and a necessary win to keep in divisional contention.

1st Period:

Detroit 1 Edmonton 0; 10:35- Miller (1) from Eaves (1)

Edmonton makes a mistake in their own zone that will lead to a turnover that Detroit takes advantage of. The mistake occurs with the puck deep in Edmonton's zone. Passing lane 1 could potentially be available, but Miller is close enough that it isn't guaranteed. Passing lane 2 is completely shut down by an oncoming Wings forechecker. Passing lane 3 is dangerous because a mishandled puck means a loose puck in the slot. Passing 4 is the safe choice, moving the puck away from the pressure of an oncoming Wings forechecker. The only problem? Count how many Oilers are on the left side of the ice. 4. That means they're going to have to be damn lucky for that one other Oiler to be in the right place at the right time.

Ok so they're not lucky. The Wings pick it up along the halfboards and Eaves immediately puts one on net. Khabibulin gives up a big rebound right to Drew Miller. Look at how far away anyone is from Miller. No one has a shot at defending him, and he wastes no time in putting it away for his first of the year.

2nd Period:

Detroit 2 Edmonton 0; 2:05- Kronwall (3) from Hudler (4) & Abdelkader (2)

Edmonton tries to go D-to-D but get stood up in the corner. The puck is loose and Abdelkader wins the race for it.

Abdelkader taps it to Hudler, who sees Kronwall at the blue line and nudges a dangerously slow moving pass towards him. All of Edmonton's defenders are low in the zone, so Kronwall is going to have an undefended shot.

Kronwall steps into the shot and absolutely rips it. Khabibulin is square to him, so this is a silky smooth goal. I guess this is what getting offensively Kronwalled looks like.

3rd Period:

Detroit 3 Edmonton 0; 14:52- Filppula (3) from Zetterberg (3) & Franzen (6)

The play starts off of an Edmonton turnover in their offensive zone. Franzen comes up with the puck and starts the breakout with a nice pass to Zetterberg. The Wings have a 2-on-1 and Zetterberg waits for his defender to make a move. The Edmonton player tries to take away the passing lane to Filppula, but Z somehow finds a way to thread it through to Filppula.

The pass is just within Filppula's reach and he taps it in to ice the game and the win for the Wings.

Regular Season Game 13: Tre Kronor, Tre mål

1st Period:

Detroit 1 Colorado 0; 8:54- Lidstrom (6) unassisted

Franzen gets to the puck off a dump in and puts a sharp angle shot on net. Varlamov stops the shot and pushes the rebound into the corner. To his credit, kicking the rebound into the corner is all you can really ask for here. An Avs defender falls and sweeps the puck with his stick. It ends up in the high slot....

where Lidstrom has pinched and is waiting for it. Lids has time to fully unload a slap shot that beats Varlamov and sets the tone for the night. #TPH

2nd Period:

Detroit 2 Colorado 0; 2:36- PPG Franzen (6) from Filppula (7) & Hudler (3)

Detroit is on the powerplay here, and Colorado's counter is a diamond formation. They've taken away the passing lane back to the blue line, the cross-ice passing lane, and the shot. Filppula's only option is to move the puck into the corner.

Fil moves the puck down low for Zetterberg. This pulls the net front defender away from the goal and into the corner, shifting the diamond formation. Z has 3 options available, which I've labeled according to the probability with which I think he'll pick said option. The most likely choice is to pass behind the next. The next most likely is to move the puck back up along the boards to Filppula. The least likely is to send a cross ice pass through the Colorado defenders into the left faceoff circle. Naturally, Zetterberg chooses to send a cross ice pass through Colorado defenders into the left faceoff circle.

Hudler gets the pass and quickly moves it back over to Filppula. The defense has collapsed on Hudler, leaving Fil all alone and the smart choice to pass to. Filppula has a wide open net if he's able to get a shot off quickly enough. The other item of note in this cap is Johan Franzen moving across the crease.

Filppula has an open net and takes the shot without hesitation. The puck hits Franzen's stick and changes directions, beating Varlamov high glove side for The Mule's first of the night.

Detroit 3 Colorado 0; 6:53- PPG Franzen (7) from Kronwall (3) & Filppula (8)

The Wings are cycling the puck on the power play, and the Avs are set up in a box formation. Filppula gets the puck along the boards and two of the four Colorado players converge on him. Filppula has to move the puck (and quickly). His passing lane to the closest defenseman has been cut off by the collapsing Av playing high, so to counter Fil throws one to Kronwall on the far side.

There's no one that can pick up Franzen as he cuts to the middle of the ice. The two Avs defenders that collapsed on Filppula are too far to the left to make a play on him, another defender is trying to play Kronwall straight up, and the last defender is basically floating down low with no chance of doing anything not destructive. If he jumps up to meet Franzen he either screens his own goalie or could tip the coming slapshot, but if he stays put he's camped out defending no one.

Franzen gets his blade on the puck and redirects it over the blocker-side shoulder of Varlamov. Again, no one is even close to him.

Detroit 3 Colorado 1; 8:18- PPG Landeskog from Duchene & Qunicey

Colorado is moving the puck on the power play, and Detroit is set up in a box formation (sound familiar?). Duchene gets the puck and passes behind his back to an uncovered Landeskog to the side of the net.

Landeskog shoots it and the puck gets stuck in Howard's pads. Landeskog chops and chops and chops at it. Stuart is off balance and tangled up and can't clear him from the front of the net. Ladeskog chops at it again. Chop, chop, more chop, chop, etc. Whistle? What whistle? Landeskog keeps hacks away until the puck gets loose and trickles across the goal line.

3rd Period:

Detroit 4 Colorado 1; 14:46- Cleary (2) from Datsyuk (8) & Kindl (3)

Cleary brings the puck through the neutral zone, moving left to right and drawing one of the three Colorado defenders along with him to the right side of the Wings offensive zone. Cleary passes to Datsyuk, who carries into the zone.

Datsyuk puts on the brakes and shoots from above the faceoff circle. Cleary gets inside his defender and moves towards the front of the net for rebound opportunities. There's a switch in who is defending Cleary in the above screen cap; it has now switched from the Av Cleary just passed to Quincey.

Cleary has a step on Quincey, and though Quincey steps over to make a play on Cleary's stick he's just a little too slow. Giguere gives up a rebound directly in front of himself and Cleary gets his stick on it to lift it up and over Giguere's shoulder.

Detroit 4 Colorado 2; 16:55- Hejduk from Wilson & Johnson

Colorado is on the powerplay late in the third period. Detroit is set up in the usual box formation to defend. Hejduk finds a lane and cuts inside on Helm at the top of the box. Lidstrom has the netfront player locked down (red box above), which leaves White to cover the passing lane down low and the player with the puck as he moves into the slot.

Hejduk shoots and the rebound pops out behind Lidstrom and the scrum in front of the net. Helm can't ever fully engage Hejduk and leaves him free to backhand the rebound past a sliding Howard.

Detroit 5 Colorado 2; EN Franzen (8) unassisted

There's no way that screen capping this goal can do it justice. I highly recommend clicking the link and watching it. Wings fans everywhere are rejoicing that Mule's playoff streakiness has now extended itself to the regular season. Being a streaky scorer has never been looked upon this favorably.

http://video.redwings.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20112012,2,207&event=DET651&fr=false