Detroit (8-2-1) @ Vancouver (7-3-2)
And then there was one.
With 2 Western Canada teams having been dropped, Detroit looks to make it a clean 3 for 3 when they take on the Vancouver Canucks this evening. Both teams have a shot at the top seed in the West--or at least a piece of it, with the Red Wings poised to pull a point ahead of the Los Angeles Kings should the Kings not earn a point in their match tonight.
Both the Wings and the Canucks played last night and both teams won their respective games. Now comes the war of attrition, the marathon. Which team is going to save enough gas in the tank to run the full 60 minutes (or more)?
For my thoughts on tonight's game, let's run the numbers for The Geek's Winning Formula!
1.) Smart Shifts - I really hope to see good shifts out the 3rd and, especially, 4th line for Detroit tonight. If we can get some quality ice time out of our energy lines and make life easier for the top lines to keep their lungs full to drive the offense, it will be MUCH easier to control the pace of the game.
2.) Control your Sticks!! - Our boys' hockey sticks kind of went out of control at certain points of the game last night. As amusing as it was to watch Lidstrom crank a home run with the puck, I really almost died having to watch the ensuing PK with Nick in the Sin Bin. We need to be more responsible with sticks and positioning, don't put yourself into a position where you have to try and use your stick to impede your man, and remember: this isn't the World Series!!
3.) 3rd Line Thunder - Keep this baby rolling, boys! How great has this line been recently? If these guys can keep up the offensive punch they've had going the last few games, we're really going to have teams scared and defenses exhausted. With growing confidence, I only see this line getting better and better, and I have my eyes on them tonight, for sure!!
Game starts in a little over 2 hours from now. I'll be on Twitter and I hope to see you there too!
Enjoy the game, Wingnuts! Let's Go Red Wings!!
