Game #2

THE GAME

Detroit Red Wings (1-0-0) @ Chicago Blackhawks (0-0-1)

The little brother gets to raise their Cup banner against the team they hate the most?  Well to that I say, GOOD.  Bring out that Cup...raise that banner...have your fan base with the biggest inferiority complex in sports chant "Detroit Sucks"...and then prepare for a massive ass kicking.  All the pre-game ceremonies and celebrations will just motivate a veteran team to take back what is rightfully theirs.  Keep the Cup warm Chicago.  Shine it up real nice for us.  We're coming for you.

THE EXPECTED LINE-UP

Pavel Datsyuk-Henrik Zetterberg-Tomas Holmstrom
Johan Franzen-Valterri Filppula-Todd Bertuzzi
Jiri Hudler-Mike Modano-Danny Cleary
Drew Miller-Darren Helm-Patrick Eaves

Nicklas Lidstrom-Jakub Kindl
Brad Stuart-Brian Rafalski
Niklas Kronwall-Ruslan Salei

Chris Osgood
Jimmy Howard

In the press box: Kris Draper (groin), Justin Abdelkader (ribs), and Jonathon Erisson (back spasms/vagina)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• The Wings looked pretty solid last night against the Ducks.  It's the second game and second day of the season so I don't expect too much fatigue from playing the night before.  Plus, it's Chicago and their raising the banner.  The Wings will be motivated.  

• Marty Turco sucks against Detroit.  Will this continue? (Hint: Yes.)

• Osgood starts in net tonight.  Last time I watched Ozzie play was in Chicago with the Griffins.  I thought he looked solid that night.  Let's hope he can play well with a full line-up in front of him and, at least momentarily, quiet some of the Ozzie doubters.  
• Jakub Kindl will see his first action of the season.  Big Rig didn't play terrible last night...but he also didn't play very long.  We don't know how long Ericsson is out, so let's see if Kindl can make Ericsson's return date irrelevant.
  

BRENDAN SMITH

Smith made his Grand Rapids Grffins' debut last night against the Abbotsford Heat and scored his first goal.  Smith and the Griffins will play again tomorrow in Rockford against the Ice Hogs.  Puck drops at 5:05pm.

GANNON'S THOUGHTS
(Uncle Leon was unavailable for comment.  Gannon is my right hand man when it comes to the Red Wings)

"Wings win 3-2.  Hank with the game winner."

NEWS OF THE DAY

It's Michigan State @ Michigan today at 3:30pm.  GO GREEN! GO WHITE! 


Lets Go Red Wings.