It took a three-goal barrage to get the job done, but the Detroit Red Wings recovered from blowing an early lead and blasted past the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 3rd period to win 4-3.
The bad news through all of this is that Detroit needed the explosion of offense to compensate for their sub-par play through the first two periods. Even coach Mike Babcock noted this before heading out for the 3rd period. Luckily the Wings finally found some success with the man-advantage and pocketed two powerplay goals in the midst of the frenzy of scoring through the game's last frame.
Unfortunately even though the game was at home, I couldn't catch any interview clips, as I was watching the game from a friend's place, but I did get to watch all but the first half of the 1st period. So with that, let's go over The Geek's Winning Formula:
1.) Play with Passion - The Wings showed great passion...for a period. The last period. With a one-goal deficit. Maybe we should have let more youngsters play tonight, at least the flow of the game would be justified. I know it's late in the season, but c'mon boys, can we PLEASE try and stay in playoff form here? We don't want you losing your hunger before the big dance even gets here...!!
2.) PP Must Improve - I said it didn't I? I've been saying it for weeks! When Detroit gets their PP going, it's going to make the difference between wins and losses, and that was exemplified here tonight, as the two goals that brought the Wings even 3-3 with Columbus were on the PP, and helped create the momentum for the go-ahead goal shortly thereafter. This is what I'm talking about, and Babs would be a genius to go over this with the boys very heavily.
3.) Checking/Energy Lines Critical - You wanna talk about the role players stepping up? How about Patty Eaves!? From levelling a guy on the boards to dropping the gloves and tussling with another, this is how you help show the other team that you are no pushover. This sort of intensity is going to help keep the Red Wings alive in the post-season, through what could be some long playoff matchups. This was a perfect response to the game against Philadelphia, because if the Wings can hold this posture, it'll keep teams from trying to emulate the style of play the Flyers used, and help the Wings keep control of the flow of the game.
As long as the Wings can draw from their play in the 3rd and drop the bad habits, we're looking at a lethal contender for the Cup. Still a couple games left, so Detroit has lots of time to fine-tune. I'm getting excited for the playoffs. Are you?
Next on the docket is the game in Columbus to round out the season series on Friday. Till then Wingnuts!! Let's Go Red Wings!!!
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