Gong Show

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Now that that’s out of the way, let’s recap this game shall we? 

First of all, I’m not sure if the refs were trying to impress Bettman or they thought that Tom Brady was in the pocket, because they were HORRENDOUS.  I know Mickey comes across as a ridiculous homer most of the time, but I’m pretty sure he was cussing like a sailor on commercial breaks.  There were a total of 15 penalties called in this game (DET 6, NSH 9), and about half of those were actual penalties.  Fortunately the Red Wings were able to add two PP goals (Z and Holmstrom), but this is going to be a long series if the calls flow like this. 

Nashville got an early lead on a fluke bounce off Stuart’s skate, which pretty much sums up the rest of the night for Detroit.  Their second goal also came off a fluke bounce, giving Nashville a 2-0 edge in the “luck” column.  Zetterburg finally finished a rebound without getting robbed by Rinne, which tied the game at 1, before the second Nashville prayer found the back of the net.  Holmstrom’s goal defines what the Wings need to do for the rest of the series if they want to have success: throw pucks at the net and crash for rebounds. 

Some random observations throughout the game:

• Will Shea Weber, the whale fucker who shoved Z into the glass and hit him after the game ended, face any supplemental discipline. 

• Can the Wings finish a fucking scoring chance?  They had a few gift-wrapped opportunities, but couldn’t find the whole like my drunk friend in my roommates shower (that’s a funny story actually). 

•  Howard played well, but you cannot expect him to stop the third Nashville goal.  After a god awful turnover behind the net, it is almost impossible for him to follow the puck up front AND stop the point-blank shot. 

• Will Helm’s wrist be okay?  Modano missed a lot of time with a similar incident, although we do not know the extent of Helm’s injury yet.  Say a few prayers or do a toast or whatever the hell you people do, for Helm’s speedy recovery.  As I type this, Ansar Khan reports that Helm is undergoing surgery.  That more than likely means he severed a tendon, which all but ensures he will be out for some time.

• With Helm’s injury, where does Nyquist fit in?  I would love to see Nyquist-Datsyuk-Franzen on a line together.  Let Bertuzzi (who had 14 goals this season on the top line) play with Holmstrom and Emmerton.  If anything you have two bigger bodies on one line, and some ridiculous set-ups for Franzen on the other line.

•  How will the Wings bounce back?  I thought they outplayed Nashville for large stretches of the game, although it did not translate into goals.  If Detroit plays the same way throughout the next game, look for some of those pucks to find the back of the net.

• Will Brendan Smith get some playing time?  I don’t know about in a crucial game 2, but I would love to see him replace Quincey out there, at least for one game. 

All in all, Detroit played well on the road for the first game, but has to step it up a notch in order to take the next one.  I’m not pushing the panic button yet, but Detroit has to take this next game.  LGRW