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!!

Preview: Of Ducks and Fries

Detroit (16-4-2) @ Anaheim (13-11-3)

Detroit continues their California roadtrip with a visit to Anaheim to square off against the Ducks.

NOW ON TO REAL NEWS

Supposing a Red Wings player scores a hatty tonight, do you REALLY want a stupid BURGER for the accomplishment? The correct answer is NO, you DON'T want a stupid BURGER, you want CURLY FRIES!

Well guess what, Wingnuts? Unless you've been under a rock the last day or so, we finally have a chance to right this wrong!! Go to this link and vote for your beloved curly fries (or be a loser and vote for stupid roast beef)! Voting is on from now till December 10, and the winner will be declared triumphantly on December 11.

Let's look at The Geek's Winning Formula!

1.) CURLY FRIES! - Detroit has mustered some pretty good offense this season and it would be nice to keep it going tonight, maybe give Mick a reason to yell CURL-mmmmm, not just yet...

2.) CURLY FRIES!! - Anaheim doesn't get curly fries for a hat-trick, I doubt Anaheim even 'gets' gets it. As such, the Red Wings need to keep the Ducks' productivity down, stay tight and battle hard along the boards, win the battles for puck control and maximize time in the offensive zone. Above all: WIN FACEOFFS. We haven't been doing that enough...

3.) CURLY FRIES!!! - We will maximize our chances of what should be curly fries if we capitalize on powerplay opportunities. Similarly, we can minimize Anaheim's chance of getting some dumb loser prize (probably roast beef) by being disciplined and not giving the Ducks unnecessary chances on their man-advantage. This logic dictates one thing: smart hockey = curly fries. That is all.

Have I mentioned curly fries...?

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

(UPDATE: Added actual link, so now you can GO VOTE CURLY FRIES!!)

Preview: Power Outage an Omen for Sharks?

Detroit (15-4-2) @ San Jose (11-7-4)

Well, what better way for the Red Wings to get into the heads of the Sharks than to sabotage their arena early in the day? I'm sure Todd Bertuzzi was laughing maniacally as he wreaked havoc on the building's electrical systems and beat down any security that tried to stop him from fulfilling his lust for carnage!

Meanwhile, back in reality, the Wings look to start their newest road trip on a positive note. The last time Detroit faced San Jose was during the Wings' elimination from the post-season, so a lot of bad memories can begin to be erased tonight. To do that, let's look at The Geek's Winning Formula!

1.) Stay Disciplined - Detroit played a great game against Columbus: Good offense, great defense (that 5 on 3 kill was phenomenal), and solid goaltending. Simple, smart hockey. Now, the boys need to make sure they don't fall into the trap of routine and stop working hard to improve. Keep pushing the limits and keep coming out with better games each night, that's how you hold onto a top playoff spot.

2.) Blood in the Water - Put the sharks on their heels early. Anttero Niitymaki is no Jimmy Howard, so let's make sure to pound him with shots early and often to open up the chinks in the armor.

3.) Moar Energy Please!! - The energy line for the Wings was crazy last game! If we can keep getting that kind of ferocity from the bottom three forwards, teams are never going to get a chance to rest. The 3rd line has been good as well, but Helm, Eaves and Miller just bring a tenacity and speed that the 3rd line just can't match. I hope to see lots of guts from these guys tonight.

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