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!!

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!!)