Detroit Drops Game 1 After 3rd Period Collapse

The Wings opened their 2nd round series VS the Chicago Blackhawks last night and for 40 minutes looked to be completely capable of hanging with their opponents.  Then the 3rd period happened and the Red Wings were nowhere to be found.

After a complete and utter meltdown, goaltender Jimmy Howard was left fending for himself against the rest of the Chicago onslaught as his teammates seemed to suddenly forget how to play hockey, and the score went from an entertaining 1-1 tie heading into the 3rd into what appeared to be a 4-1 rout.

Damien Brunner scored the lone Detroit goal, answering back shortly after a Marion Hossa PPG that opened the night's scoring.  The Wings did have one consistent problem, however, that lasted throughout the game: Shots on goal.  Detroit was outshot in the game 42-21.  I'll give you a moment to let that sink in...we were doubled in shots on net. Doubled. We barely got over 20 shots for the whole damn game.

I certainly hope the Wings aren't wondering as to WHY they lost...

There was much to take from this game and learn from, and it will now be up to the Red Wings to do just that, as they have until Saturday to get their collective shit together.  You cannot play 2/3 of a playoff game and expect to skate away with the W.  It's 60 minutes or bust, or more if need be! You play until that win is secured, and if it isn't yet, you play harder!!  Hopefully the extra rest gives Detroit some time to get their energy back, because they'll need a lot more of it than what they showed near the end of last night's game...

NHL Releases 2nd Round Schedules, Wings Start Tomorrow

The schedule for the next round has been released, including all gamedays and the first four start times of each series.  Detroit's victory over the Anaheim Ducks netted them a date with the Chicago Blackhawks, in what I hope to be an epic final series as division rivals.

The Red Wings' schedule so far breaks down like so:

GAME 1 @ CHI - 8:00PM ET
GAME 2 @ CHI - 1:00PM ET
GAME 3 V CHI -  7:30PM ET
GAME 4 V CHI - 8:00 PM ET
GAME 5 @ CHI - TBD
GAME 6 V CHI - TBD
GAME 7 @ CHI - TBD

I am unimpressed that there is an afternoon game at all, but even moreso for the fact I will miss the whole damned thing due to work.  Chicago will be the more rested team, taking care of Minnesota with relative ease, while Detroit grinded their way to the Conference Semis after a grueling 7-game tilt with the Ducks that saw the two teams in overtime 4 times over the course of the series.  Which will prove to be more advantageous: Chicago's rested bodies, or Detroit's battle-readiness?

One thing is for sure: We'll be following the entire series here at The Datsyukian Geek, so remember to check back with us here, and find us on Twitter and Facebook for further discussion about all things Hockeytown!!

Let's Go Red Wings!!

Wings Came to Play, Played to Win in Game 7 Victory Over Ducks

Everything came down to one final game, one more 60-minute span: You either win or you go home.  There would be no more chances.  Every goal on either side would have enormous weight and significance.  Every mistake would feel fatal.

After all, that's what it is to play a Game 7 in the playoffs.

With no more room for error, the Detroit Red Wings played like they knew what was on the line.  They controlled the pace of the play for almost the entire 60 minutes and did what needed to be done to hold back the Anaheim offensive, pulling off a thrilling win in enemy territory to win their first round series 4 games to 3. Henrik Zetterberg, Justin Abdelkader and Valtteri Filppula scored for Detroit and goalie Jimmy Howard was sensational in holding the Ducks to only a pair as the Red Wings won Game 7 by a 3-2 margin.

The scoring started early as Filppula threw a shot at the net just minutes into the 1st, and Zetterberg would swoop in to bang home the rebound to take the early lead.  The lead didn't last though, as the Wings wrapped up a powerplay opportunity, Anaheim surged back after a successful kill and Emerson Etem zinged a shot past Howard to know it up at 1 apiece.

The Ducks would get their own powerplay chance around the 15-minute mark of the 1st, but an excellent read by Abby saw him intercept a pass on the blueline, skating away from the defense for a breakaway, and slipping the puck five-hole on Anaheim netminder Jonas hiller to take back the lead 2-1 on a shorthanded goal.  Abdelkader, who had served a 2-game ban during games 4 and 5, had been playing like a man possessed since returning, and his hunger was evidenced by this play: Great read, explosive skating, and a soft finish all leading up to a fantastic goal!

A few minutes past the halfway point of the 2nd, Detroit would again be rewarded for getting guys to the middle of the ice in the Ducks' zone, as Val Filppula got the puck from teammates Dan Cleary and Henrik Zetterberg, flicking a backhand shot past Hiller to extend the lead to 3-1.

From there, Detroit would maintain control of the game...up until Hank miscued and tossed the puck over the glass in his own zone.  A delay of game call was made, and the Captain would sit.  Anaheim made sure he didn't sit for the full 2 minutes, with Francois Beauchemin beating Howard and cutting the lead to 3-2.

Every Wings fan in the world went a little white, I'm sure.  We had seen this play out before: 2 and 3-goal leads blown in the 3rd and the Ducks forcing Overtime.  It was not the scenario anyone rooting for the Winged Wheel wanted to even imagine.  Thankfully, neither did the Wings, and from there Detroit managed to grind out the rest of the clock and hold on for the series-clinching win.

With a day or two to rest, Detroit now looks ahead to the Chicago Blackhawks, in what will likely be the last time the two teams will ever play a series as division rivals.  Chicago dominated the regular season series, and good on them for it.

This, however, is not the regular season.

Get ready for a crazy 2nd round, Wingnuts!  Let's Go Red Wings!!

Go Big or Go Home: Wings/Ducks Series Ends Tonight

There have been highlight reel moments, controversies, and everything in between during the six games that have made up the Detroit/Anaheim first round playoff series, but one thing is certain: One team is advancing to the second round after this evening's tilt.

The Red Wings found a way to stave off the Ducks' roaring last stand which was enough to surmount a 2-goal lead late in the 3rd period, but fell short when Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg blasted the puck past Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller to close out Game 6 and push the series to its final game.  It was not the first time Detroit had blown a significant lead in the series, but a win is a win and it is now up to the Wings to learn from their near-fatal mistakes and come out hard if they hope to knock off the resilient Ducks.

Playing hard will indeed be the key, this Wings club has been way too damn soft on the Anaheim skaters.  If Detroit wants to close this out and move on, the Wings need to grind out the Ducks forwards and kill their forecheck.  Far too many times have we allowed the Ducks to move the puck along the boards with little resistance and come out into the middle of the ice for scoring chances.  The less scoring chances we allow, the better.

Despite what some would say, Jimmy Howard has been a beast in this series. Besides the blowout in Game 3, every game of this series has been close, and that is in LARGE part thanks to Howard. He has made critical saves at critical points, and has continually kept the Red Wings in their matches.  Has he let in a softie or two? Sure, but hasn't Hiller?  The fact remains that Jimmy Howard has played lights out when he's had to, and has helped give Detroit this chance to end the series in their favor.

Play hard, but play smart. If the Wings can do that, they are wholly capable of defeating the Ducks in their own barn...or pond, or whatever the hell they wanna call it.  If things go my way, they can call it 'Closed until October.'

This is the one that counts, guys! Let's Go Red Wings!!