Preview: With Playoff Hopes Dimming, Detroit Desperately Needs Win

Detroit (19-15-7) @ Nashville (15-19-8)

We've already hit mid April and for the first time in over two decades, Wings fans are legitimately scared.  Detroit's tenuous hold on 8th spot in the West was finally ripped away when the Dallas Stars won their latest match to take the seed from the Wings through tie-break rules.  It is now imperative that Detroit win some hockey games to keep pace with not only Dallas, but also Phoenix and Columbus, who are all swarming.

Tonight, the Red Wings can reclaim 8th with a win over divisional foes the Nashville Predators.  It's the first game of a one-on-two-off week for Detroit, who will play Calgary on Wednesday, and finish the week in Vancouver against the Canucks.  Detroit and Nashville have split the first two games of the series, the most recent game being a blowout by Detroit, who crushed the Preds 4-0.  A similar effort tonight for the Red Wings would be just what the doctor--or in this case, the Geek--ordered, since Detroit's recent games have lacked offensive punch.

With Nashville pretty much out of the playoff picture now, they will likely look to play the role of giant-killer and try to help end Detroit's playoff appearance streak.  If the boys in the Winged Wheel want to have a chance at the big dance, they need to win games like this.  These are the teams you're supposed to beat, and when you find ways not to, well...the playoff window just shuts a little bit more each time.

With a concerted effort from all four lines and communication between the blueliners, Detroit has every chance to walk out of Tennessee with two points in their pockets.  We'll see if they're up to the task very soon.

The Art of Kronwalling: Why is it Disappearing?

I like me a good Kronwalling.  Now technically, I like any big hit dished out on an opposing player that keeps their head on a swivel for the rest of the game, but there is nothing like watching a beautiful, signature move-esque hit from number 55 in the Winged Wheel.  I get shivers when I see Nik turn that corner on the backskate and see the rear-end wrecking ball careening toward its unsuspecting prey, and I hear explosions in my head when I see the carnage before me as that opposing player drags themselves back to their feet...if they're even able to. This is a far cry from advocating injury to anyone, but I just can't get enough big hits in a hockey game!


Kronwall is one of the best at what he does, because of HOW he does it, the Kronwalling, as it has lovingly come to be known in Hockeytown is almost as important a symbol of hockey in Detroit as the octopus! ...Almost. It is still a must-see for Wings fans, but lately I've noticed that the artist has been putting down his proverbial brush and has been painting with a more defensive-minded stroke.  To an extent, yes, I understand this.  Lidstrom retired. Stuart left.  Rafalski retired before them.  The biggest keys to Detroit's blueline have packed up and gone one after another for their own reasons, and that leaves Kronwall with a bunch of kids and nomadic journeyman.  Like it or not, for the time being the top D-man in the D is 55.  This means a few things: much more ice-time, a more diversified role such as constant use on the PP and PK as well as at even strength.  He's out there all...the...time.  He feels he needs to shore up his defensive game.

He thinks he needs to be a Nick Lidstrom.

At least that's how it feels to me, because Nik Kronwall has not played a Nik Kronwall-like game once this year.  We've seen flashes of it, like the hit on the Av's Jamie Mcginn, but it has been a decided rarity since the departure of The Perfect Human.  Big hits are part of Kronner's game, and as long as he keeps reining it in, other teams are going to take advantage of it.

Want a great example? Anyone who watched that heartbreaker of a game last night in Chicago would've seen the Hawks get a late scoring chance in Overtime that nearly kept us from even GOING to a shootout.  The Hawks entered the offensive zone by pressing up the boards, and were primed for a Kronwalling.  Instead of stapling his mark to the glass, Nik decided to BACK OFF HIS MAN and let him enter the zone! Wanting to remain defensively sound is one thing, but when your worrying about getting caught out of position or taking a penalty results in a good scoring chance on your goaltender, that's no smarter NOR any more responsible a decision.

I've watched teams attack our blueline more this year than any other recent season in memory.  Primarilly this is due to the transition period the Wings are going through and the lack of experience and depth on the back end.  I would also argue, however, that this aggressive push teams are making against our lines would get a bit more timid if number 55 stood a guy up here or there a little more often.

There is a balance to be had between a defensive game and a physical game.  The great players who play a physically defensive style find it.  Kronwall almost had it before Lidstrom left, but now he's all out of sync with himself and his team is suffering for it.  For the good of Hockeytown, Nik, get out there and Kronwall the hell out of somebody!

The Sarcasm Report: Samuelsson Working Hard to Get Back to Highly Paid, Overrated 2008 Form

With the regular season winding down, the Detroit Red Wings are in serious need of more unable-bodied, awkward, oft-injured, over paid wingers on their roster in order to make the playoffs. Current Red Wing Mikael Samuelsson believes he can be that type of player for his team.

" I certainly believe that I can fill a role like that," Samuelsson told reporters today, "It's not often you can replace a big plug on the second line and also on the point on the powerplay."

Samuelsson, who signed a two year contract worth a whopping $3 million per season, is currently injured with a pectoral strain and is apparently confused as to when or if he can return, and most importantly why he would want to attempt such a thing when it could ruin his teams chances of success.

"I think I have a pulled boob," reported Samuelsson, noting that it hurts when attempting to miss the net on the far side high and wide by fifteen feet.

"I can't even do a proper dump in or that stupid looking, obvious head fake thing I do. Don't even as me about high and wide shots around the glass. It's frustrating."

Ken Holland explained that while Samuelsson's injury isn't serious, they need him back in a hurry.

"Listen, we're in eighth spot in the conference. The way I see it, we're lacking that god awful type of player who can float around out there and not earn his paycheck."

Teammate Johan Franzen agreed, saying that it was difficult to replace Samuelsson's presence on the bench.

"Every time I look down the bench and don't see Sammy, I get really excited to try and mimic what he does so well," Franzen said, "I can tell it's working because no one really likes me anymore."

Holland was adamant that Samuelsson's contract had nothing to do with his ability as a hockey player. "When I was looking down the list in NHL 08 and saw Samuelsson's overall was like an 82 and on best lines he was slotted with Datsyuk and Zetteberg, I knew we had to sign him," he said, "Three million dollars for a player like that I'll do every time. Hell, I had to throw in a no trade clause to get him here."

Samuelsson is even baffled at the attention he is getting in Detroit. "It's amazing really. I never thought anyone in the right mind would give me three million a season and a no trade clause. Who would want me? Phoenix? Probably not."

Samuelsson has one goal this year.

"I just want to get back to my 2008 form," he said, "Remember that game against Pittsburgh where I somehow went end to end and scored on a wraparound? And then the same game scored another goal? How does that even happen?"

Mike Babcock is reportedly excited to get Samuelsson back sometime before his contract expires in two years. "Sammy is going to be on the top line, no doubt," Babcock reported, "I like how he makes three million dollars for every goal he scores."

Samuelsson is working hard to get back into the lineup, saying that "I'm basically just sitting around in my boxers eating Cheetohs," and "Man this is sweet I made three million dollars this year by not doing anything."

No word on if the Red Wings are trying to sign Samuelsson's future replacements; Kirk Maltby or Uwe Krupp.

Marleau difference, as Red Wings fall to Sharks in shootout 3-2

In the crisp air of this spring day (WTF spring, get your act straight!), the Red Wings were playing at home in the hunt for a playoff spot (WTF Red Wings, get your act straight!). « To win, they have to score goals » said Ken on Fox Sports Detroit, a very smart fellow, as Mickey mumbled something about how the Sharks were going to play a « nasty game ». Joe Thornton was slated to play with Torres and Wingels after a couple of horrible games, even though Big Joe’s parents were in the crowd. This game had a strange feel to it, making it a great Thursday night game at the Joe. The bottom-line was simple: if the Wings win, they’re two back of San Jose in 5^th with the Wings having more regular or OT wins. If the Red Wings lose, they risk sliding to 9^th if Phoenix wins against the woeful Calgary Flames tomorrow night.

Marleau potted a shorthanded goal in the first period and Abdelkader notched his 8^th goal of the season in the 2^nd as the Sharks captain would win it in shootout for the visting team.

Apparently, the blurry TV feed in the first 6 minutes of the game affected the Red Wings’ on-ice play aswell. The Red Wings just couldn’t make passes on the tape that resulted in numerous turnovers. The Sharks took away every single play the Wings could have done, thus the Red Wings didn’t score in the first. This Shark’s team was huge, even without Murray at defence and it was evident in the corners and in the neutral zone where the Sharks were very active with sticks. Marleau had the only goal of the period.

In the second period, Detroit came on harder and were making better plays, aka a normal Red Wings’ game. During the couple of first minutes, Niemi made a couple of big saves, stoned Emmerton and Mickey Redmond commented on it for the next 5 minutes, so nothing out of the ordinary. All was not lost however, Abdelkader scored after Franzen did all the hard work behind the net (barely, he waltzed in like Datsyuk on a shootout attempt), matching his jersey number’s total in goals for the year. The little things the Red Wings did in this period were better than in the first; Brunner made simple plays to pick the puck out of the Sharks way, Dekeyser made great heads-up passes, Andersson poked Niemi in the back when the latter went out to play the puck and Smith played « real-gud »hockey, like coach Mike Babcock likes to say. The Wings did fall in to penalty trouble in the latter part of the 2^nd period, but the 5.3 million-dollar man made some amazing saves against Marleau to keep it tied.

The third period was a very critical point in the Red Wings’ season. If they win this one, they go into Chicago tomorrow with a little bit more confidence, having won against a team in front of them in the conference. If they lose, they might be playing a little more out of desperation against a Chicago team that doesn’t make a lot of mistake, especially on home ice where they’re 14-3-2. After a Burns’ penalty, Kindl makes them pay with a shot top shelf, where moms hide the cookies from the kids (sorry kids)!  After a couple of bang and crash plays, Brendan Smith does his best Don Cherry impression after getting caught for a holding penalty  and the Sharks get a PP marker with a Logan Couture backhander from a spot he hardly had room to do so. The pace of the game then slowed down at the 10 minutes in the 3^rd period, with San Jose playing a tight-checking game and the Red Wings stalling, needing the valuable point. At the 5 minute mark, Abdelkader and Filppula had great chances individually, but nothing came out of it.

With each team getting the oh-so-valuable one point, they went at it with each team still playing it safe. In this period, we heard the ever-so-rare words of « Gomez with a shot » and « Andersson on the ice in OT ». Even with their best shots, Kronwall and Datsyuk couldn’t put it past Niemi, thus bringing this game to shootout.

In the shootout, Datsyuk kept it simple for a backhand goal against Niemi and Couture mimicked him to score against Howard. For the second attempt, Pavelski and Brunner didn’t score and Nyquist almost scored on the spin-o-rama move, but Niemi had an amazing toe save. Then, the one who started the scoring also finished it with Marleau going five-hole on Howard.

All in all, it was a hard-fought game that the Red Wings kept close and got a valuable point. Now, they have to rest up and play Poop-cago tomorrow night. Let’s hope the Wings can repeat the feat on the anniversary of their 61st win of the year in 1996, coincidently a 5-3 over the visiting Blackhawks. That year, the Wings broke the record of 60 set by Montreal in 1976-77.