Wings tie the series

Detroit started this game on a mission.  Bertuzzi fought Weber about a minute and a half into the game.  Although Bertuzzi didn't deliver the ass kicking that most of the state would have liked to see, it still sent a message to Nashville.  Ian White opened up the scoring for Detroit 8:25 into the game, with an absolutely fantastic wrist shot from just outside the circle.  Cory Emmerton added a goal on a 2-1 with Nyquist, sniping the top shel just above Rinne's blocker.  Hopefully that is the first of many playoff goals for Emmerton.  Nashville made it a 2-1 game, as Kostitsyn found the back of the net, only for Stuart to knock one in off Franzen's leg 56 seconds later.  Shea Weber made it interesting late in the third period, adding a goal for Nashville on a nice backhand over Howard's blocker, for a 3-2 Detroit lead.  Detroit was abe to close out the game though, earning a 3-2 victory in Nashville, giving Detroit home-ice advantage right now in the series.  Some interesting observations:

• Detroit had 3 times as many penalties as Nashville (6-2), something that has to change.  Although Detroit's PK has been fantastic, you can't expect Nashville's PP to go 0-series.  
• Howard played outstanding tonight.  He had saves on some point blank opportunities that I was amazed he stopped.  He was easily Detroit's best player tonight, helping keep Nashville off the board on several occasions.  
• Nyquist really stepped up tonight.  He had some decent plays, and seemed to excel when playing on Datsyuk's line early in the game.  Although it probably won't happen, it would be nice to see him get some time on the top line.
• With the Grand Rapids Griffins being eliminated from playoff contention, that loud noise you heard was several Griffins heading east.  Look for Smith, Janik, and Tatar to be among the black aces this year, although I would love to see Smith get a game in over Quincey, who is riding the struggle bus lately.  
• The series shifts back to Detroit for games 3 and 4.  These are two crucial games for Detroit, since it would be ideal for them to lead 3-1, with a chance to close it out in game 5 (unlikely) or game 6 in Detroit.  Although this is a dream scenario, if the Wings cut down some of the slow play after the two goal lead tonight, it is not impossible for them to take both games at home.  Either way, I'm stoked for Sunday.  

LGRW!!

Pay your Taxes!!

As of 7:30 p.m. on Friday April 13^th, the national debt is roughly 15,652,751,500,000. Tax day is approaching quickly, and a good chunk of our tax money is going to go towards roads, bailouts, and maybe the national debt. So in honor of Tax Day (It’s April 17^th for those of you that don’t know), let’s take a look at what the national debt means in terms of Detroit sports.

With 15,652,751,500,000, you could buy:

• The Detroit Lions, 18,545 times (Per Last Forbes Valuation)
•   3,130,550,300,000 Hot’n Ready Pizza's from Little Caesars (Thanks Mike Illitich!)
• You could pay Shea Weber’s $2,500 fine for slamming Henrik Zetterberg’s head into the boards 6,261,100,600 times.
• You could pay Justin Verlander’s salary for this season roughly 782,637 times.
•  And finally, it would have been like winning the Mega Millions Lottery a couple weeks ago (640 Million), 24,457 times.

So for those of you angry about having to pay your taxes, just remember, at least you’re not the government.

No Suspension for Weber

Are you fucking kidding me?  I understand it's playoff hockey and you're all worked up, but to DELIBERATELY slam an opponents head into the glass "because he hit you from behind first" is a pure chicken shit move.  I mean, I'm pretty sure thats the logic my 6 year old sister uses after she hits my 5 year old sister.  And then for Trotz to say he was busy watching Bertuzzi punch Gaustad while acting like a complete jackass is ridiculous.  Weber is fined $2,500 dollars for the hit, but to put it in perspective, he makes that in about 40 seconds of ice time, yea that's a real punishment here.  At times like this I really miss McCarty, because we all know what McCarty did when Lemieux took a cheap shot on Draper.  Although the Wings lack a true enforcer, I'm still looking for Kronwall to absolutely tee off on someone.  The worst part about it, is it will probably end up like the Havlat hit where he got a game misconduct.  I just pray to God Bettman goes to a different games so the refs don't look to the stands after making a bullshit call like a step-child seeking their new parents approval.  Either way, Detroit now has the extra motivation to humiliate Nashville.  Look what happened to Columbus a few years ago when they tried goofing it up against the winged wheel, they paid the price.  Here's to hoping game two see better officiating and CLEAN hockey.  LGRW

"Coach Mike Abdo Power Player of the Game"-4/11/12

Well, after the shit show of a game yesterday, I narrowed the Power Player possibilities to 2: Jimmy Howard and Henrik Zetterberg. Since none of the staff picked either of those two players, we remain tied at 0-0-0-0-0.

Anybody have any thoughts on who should actually be the "Coach Mike Abdo Power Player of the Game"?

Shanabanned

Seriously do I even have to say anything? I don't even know why I'm writing this post. But my God. I don't want Shea Weber anymore.

If Shanahan doesn't bring the hammer on Weber, then we will officially know for sure that the NHL has it out for the Wings.

Bettman was at the game fergodsakes. I just don't even see where Weber gets the idea to do that. I've played sports my entire life. I played football for 10 years. I can't even tell you the number of times where my anger and testosterone and adrenaline overflowed to the point of where I wasn't really in total control of myself. But NEVER, EVER did something so incredibly dirty, sneaky, and downright criminal happen.

Weber should be banned for 2 games, and be welcomed to Detroit in game 4 by Bertuzzi with brass knuckles hidden in his gloves.

Gong Show

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKK

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  

Darren Helm lost for rest of game, maybe longer. UPDATED

Red Wings center Darren Helm's return lasted all of 3:08.

Helm left the game after getting his left wrist sliced open by Alexander Radulov's skate. Reports are saying he was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center for "further observation."

The truth is Helm had his wrist SLICED OPEN BY A STEEL BLADE!!!!! That requires a trip to the emergency room, people. In short, that means he will need stitches at the very least, and possibly get tendons, ligaments, and/or blood vessels repaired. Mike Modano had something similar happen to him last season and he missed close to two thirds of the regular season.

Say some prayers for Helm, maybe even recite a rosary, peeps

LGRW

UPDATE: Mike Babcock has reported that Helm is still in the hospital, undergoing surgery on his forearm. Unsure of extent of the damage