Wings Look to Make Blues See Red

Detroit (19-7-3) VS St. Louis (14-9-5)

After a disappointing loss to Los Angeles, the Red Wings will need to bring the same heat to the Joe tonight and hope that they run into a much colder goalie when Jaroslav Halak and the Blues come to town.

Detroit put 51 shots on Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, but Quick's performance was fast and furious, shutting the Red Wings out for the first time this season. The Wings hope to bounce back from this, and to do so against the Blues, they'll need to remember a few things that are summed up in that segment we like to call The Geek's Winning Formula:

1.) Don't Give Up on Shooting - Wouldn't it just figure that the game the Red Wings listen to me about shooting more, they get shut out? Detroit can't give up on this, though! They had the right idea, but just ran into the wrong goalie at the wrong time. I would love to see another goalie stand up to 51 Red Wings shots and not give up at least 2 goals, if not more.

2.) Shake it Off - Jimmy Howard is starting again tonight, so he needs to put the past in the past. I'm sure he has little trouble doing this, but it never hurts to mention it, you never know. We need Jimmah to get back to his regular sparkling form to keep the gap between the Wings and the West nice and wide.

3.) Break the Huddles Hex - Honestly, Babs, if you're going to waste a roster space on Jiri Hudler, you damn well better find something that turns into pucks in the net. Hudler has 1 point since November 17. 1 POINT! We could play anyone in his spot and they could get at least a point in a month. I'm sick of waiting for this offensive boost Jiri's return was supposed to herald. It hasn't, so if one of the best coaches in the NHL can't help him, sit him the hell down and get ready to cut him loose for something better.

I'll miss the start of the game, but I should only be absent for the 1st period at most.

Enjoy the game, Wingnuts! Let's Go Red Wings!!

Preview: Red Wings get First Chance for Curly Fries this Season

Detroit (18-6-3) @ New Jersey (8-18-2)

After going winless in three before last night's game, it's safe to assume Detroit is not considering any team as an easy matchup. The Wings travel to Jersey for a date with the Devils. While they may not look like much in the standings, don't ever count out a team playing one of the most successful goalies in hockey. Reports show it'll be Osgood VS Brodeur in the clash of the creasemen tonight, with Ozzie still looking for win 399, which would be win #1 in New Jersey for the veteran netminder who has never left the city with a W.

To bring that W home, let's look at The Geek's Winning Formula:

1.) Better Backchecking - The Wings have giving up a few goals that could have been saved if backcheckers were skating better. Our transition game has only been good one way, and I say good because even offensive transitions haven't been stellar. If it must come to pass that we give up the puck here and there, we have to have guys skating hard back down the ice for support for the D-men.

2.) Focus on the Face-Off - That first goal last night? That was piss poor communicating by the Wings on the draw. We can't go screwing up assignments like that, no wonder we've been shitting the bed in draws this season...! Someone on the CBC feed last night said it best: Play the draw like you're going to lose, at least then, you're setup for that scenario. If you win it...well great!

3.) Traffic, Traffic, Traffic! - I can't say this enough. It's been working more than the cutesy plays, boys! I know you don't like doing it, but that's the way it is. The Red Wings need to drive harder to the net. Screens and redirects and muscling to the goal have been a huge part of our offense this year. Dats had it right last night with the beauty he scored: he wanted the goal and he wasn't letting ANYTHING stand in his way.

Running to the liquor store then sitting down for the game!

And, oh yeah, guess what? CURLY FRIES ARE BACK!!!

Preview: Wings Look to End Skid, Face Preds

Detroit (17-5-3) VS Nashville (12-8-6)

Another quick one, I've had some crap to deal with recently and I'm sorry the quality of the posts isn't up to snuff. Once things get ironed out, TDG should be back to normal as well.

Don't forget to vote Curly at Fox Sports Detroit, either! Only a couple days left and we're winning the fight!!

Here's The Geek's Winning Formula for tonight's match:

1.) Marathon, not Sprint - As we witnessed against the Sharks, it does nobody any good to get an early lead if you waste all your gas doing it. Detroit bottomed out last game and the boys need to remember to save some energy for the later stages of the game.

2.) Buckle Down - The plays need to be sharp tonight, none of this unnecessarily cute business. Be aware of where linemates are moving and don't let go of the puck recklessly. Puck-possession teams shouldn't be producing turnovers like bakeries.

3.) Stand Tall - Howie gets the start again tonight and should shake off the bad taste of last game. As long as he does his job, then it's up to the offense to put the game away.

Enjoy the game, Wingnuts! Let's Go Red Wings!!

Preview: As 'good as it Gets

Detroit (16-4-2) @ Los Angeles (14-10-0)

Arguably the most love/hate goalie to ever wear the Winged Wheel will be suiting up for action tonight as Chris Osgood and Detroit land in Los Angeles to try and dethrone the Kings who have gotten the better of the Red Wings in the last two meetings.

Also, Kris Draper will be skating tonight, so someone will again be rotated out. Based on last game, I hope like hell it's Jiri Hudler because I'm getting tired of his lack of productivity.

To help turn our poor luck against these foes, let's look at The Geek's Winning Formula!

1.) Dominate Face-offs - With Drapes coming back, I'm hoping our draw percentage goes way up. We've not been winning the amount of draws we should be for a puck-possession style team. If we've been having such trouble against LA recently, the last thing we need to do is give them more time with the puck.

2.) Don't be Scared to Shoot! - Still this is happening and still it is frustrating me! Why are so many Wings forwards afraid to let rip a shot? I can understand a pass or two to open up lanes for a better chance, but there's just some times where you've got to let go a rocket and hope for the best, or that someone might...

3.) Create Traffic - We might see more confidence in shooting from our forwards if people would start creating more ruckus in front of the net and drive to the crease looking for rebounds. It seems to me that we focus to much on keeping everyone on the perimeter to cycle the puck and rarely does anyone but Homer or Cleary push to the net area. We need to try harder for second chances and rebounds.

Another late game, hope to see you all on Twitter!

Enjoy the game, Wingnuts! Let's Go Red Wings!!