Osgood Tries Again for 400 in St. Louis

Detroit (21-8-4) @ St. Louis (16-12-5)

There's that damned number. It's staring Chris Osgood right in the face. It's staring all of us in the face, but we all know that it's the last thing on Ozzie's mind. As the Red Wings come off a thrilling OT win against Vancouver, they land in St. Louis for the date with the Blues, one of Chris's former teams. You want a fitting time for Osgood to win #400? How about doing it in front of two of the teams he's played for? Not at home? I don't care. A win is a win, and at the end of the night, Ozzie will be more pleased to walk away with 2 points for his team than his 400th win.

Just to switch it up, instead of the Geek's Winning Formula, I'm going to give you The Geek's Straight-A Star of the Game. Tonight, I'm expecting a Straight-A performance from Henrik Zetterberg. With Pavel Datsyuk out four weeks with a busted hand, I expect Hank to step up huge, and I expect he will start tonight. My report card for Z: 1G, 2A.

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

This is my disappoint face.

Detroit (20-8-4) VS Vancouver (19-8-4)

Babs, you got it half-right. You listened to your players, that's good. The bad part is you listened at the wrong time. Do you think I give a shit if Ozzie gets his 400th win at home or on the road? Hell no! A win is a win, and it's not like there'd be any special celebration for him at the end of the game just because it's at the Joe!

Bottom line, Osgood would've won in Chicago and Howard would've won against Dallas, and those 4 points would mean a whole lot more to me right now than trying to inflate Ozzie's non-existent ego by winning at home.

Next time, the players defer to the coach and not the other way around. 400 will come, but not by forcing it, Dallas proved that to us.

On tap tonight is the Red Wings VS the Canucks, with Jimmah in the crease. I'm still upset at my Wings for not being able to get one measly win the day before OR after my birthday, so no Geek's Winning Formula for them tonight! They can figure this shit out on their own for once. Maybe if they pull out a win, I'll forgive them...

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

Osgood Eyes #400 Tonight VS Blackhawks

Detroit (20-7-3) VS Chicago (16-14-3)

Everyone enjoy their curly fries? I thought so. Now we have another big moment ready to go, as Chris Osgood sets his sights on win #400 when the Chicago Blackhawks come to town. Ozzie beat the Hawks in the only other match these two teams have had this season, and hopefully he can pull off another one tonight for the milestone marker!

I'm going to give the Formula a rest tonight, but the Wings should know what to do. They know they're style of hockey and how to best utilize it. They just need to play hard and keep the rhythm on their side.

I'm going to be going out tonight, so I'll probably miss the game, sadly. It is my birthday at midnight though, so an early birthday present W and Ozzie hitting his milestone would be awesome!

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

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!!