Game #5

Return of the Doan Face

THE GAME

Detroit Red Wings (2-1-1) @ Phoenix Coyotes (1-1-0)

I didn't get to watch the last game and it sounds like a good thing I missed it.  I was busy getting a nice whooping of my own (See Emerson Hockey update below).  Apparently Ozzie played awful.  Datsyuk was minus-3 and Hank was a minus-2.  On top of it all, it sounded like the defense was the worst it's ever been.  Phoenix has been off since last weekend when they face the Bruins twice in Prague.  I watched both games.  Boston was horrible in the first, which Phoenix won 5-2.  The Coyotes looked decent in the second game.  The biggest thing I took away from those games is that Ilya Bryzgalov is still playing at a high level. 

THE EXPECTED LINE-UP

Pavel Datsyuk-Henrik Zetterberg-Tomas Holmstrom
Drew Miller-Valterri Filppula-Todd Bertuzzi
Jiri Hudler-Mike Modano-Danny Cleary
Patrick Eaves-Darren Helm-Does anyone have Kirk Maltby's number?

Nicklas Lidstrom-Brad Stuart
Niklas Kronwall-Doug Janik
Jakub Kindl-Ruslan Salei

Jimmy Howard (starting)
Chris Osgood

In the press box: Brian Rafalski (knee), Justin Abdelkader (ribs), and Jonathon Ericsson (back spasms)

On STIR: Kris Draper (groin)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• The "Lumberjack Line" is missing an important part.  Babcock needs to officially sit Franzen out the first five games of every season so he can't get hurt.  Miller will be filling in for him.  He's no Mule, but maybe he can be a Foal?

• The Wings are only dressing 17 skaters (plus two goalies) tonight.  Someone is going to be rotating in on the 4th line with Helmer and Eaves.  I'd like to see a Datsyuk-Helm-Eavers line at least once or twice.

• Detroit is 11th is Goals Per Game, 11th is Goals Against, 13th in PP%, and 10th in PK%.  All of these need to improve.
• Jiri Hudler.  Score a goal.  Seriously...Do it...Do it........................Do it.

BRENDAN SMITH

Brendan Smith and the Griffins won their second game of the season last night 1-0 against the Manitoba Moose.  Smith was held of the score sheet and was even for the game.  He did however record his first penalty of the season.  Smith got two minutes for hooking at 19:39 of the third period.

GANNON'S THOUGHTS

"Could be a tough game with Bryzgalov in net and they definitely can't turn the puck over like they did in Dallas.  Wings win 2-1."

EMERSON HOCKEY UPDATE

We got rocked in our scrimmage.  Looked like the Wings defense out there.  We only had an hour of ice time so we played to 25 minute halves.  We were down 2-1 at halftime...and lost 8-2.  Pretty brutal.  Playing my first game in 6.5 years was a rude awakening.  I was a minus-2 and nailed my impersonation of Doug Janik.  Let's hope that tonight's game goes better.  Puck drops against Berklee at 9PM.  

Let's Go Red Wings.