Post Game Post-its: Avs 5, Wings 4 (SO)

(Carlos Osorio/AP)

Meh.

The Red Wings should have won this game.  I didn't feel like writing a recap last night and decided to sleep on it, but waking up this morning I still don't like that we list this game.  Maybe the team was distracted with Maltby's retirement or blindsided by Rafalski's knee.  They seemed out of sync at times.  Yeah...yeah...yeah...it's still early and we got one point, but I want two points every night.  As Uncle Leon said after the game, "No excuses after 3 days off."   I tend to agree with that.

On to the post-it notes!

First Period

• Lumberjack Line strikes again - I'm absolutely loving the 2nd line.  Franzen, Filppula, and Bertuzzi combined for five points last night.  They continue to roll.  Bert leads the team with five points, Mule leads the team with three goals, and Filp is tied for second in points with Mule at four.  Keep it going, boys.
• Janik got owned - Welcome back to the big leagues. Doug.  Janik/McLeod I wasn't quite Mac vs Claude.  He got it taken to him.  Janik needs to take some fighting lessons from Pavel Datsyuk because that was just embarrasing.  I can't wait for Janik/McLeod II.  Should be a thriller.
• Kronwall must finish - How many chances did Kronner have wide open in the slot?  Bury it, would ya?  Seriously. 
• Bad 1st period - Overall, I felt it was a very sloppy 1st period.  The D didn't look great and it felt like Colorado was taking it to us in our zone most of the period.

Second Period

• PP Goal - Wings were perfect on the power play.  They were a mean 1 for 1.  Surprised the Wings only have one power play, but they capitalized on it.  Nice work by Hank and Pavel on the goal...but then again, when don't those two work well together?
• Mule! Nice pass! - As prediction here at BSI, the Mule is going to score 40+ goals this season.  He's currently on pace for 82.  Three goals in three games so far.  His second goal was set up on a very nice pass across the offensive zone by Filp.
• D stepping up - Stepping up defensively? Not so much.  Stepping up into the offensive zone?  Yes, very much so.  It seemed like the D was pinching a lot.  As previously mentioned, Kronwall had some nice chances in the slot.  Stuart seemed to be pinching a bunch as well.  I like the D taking some chances on offense, just make sure you're still good defensively, and hey, here's a good idea, why don't you finish?  Next game I want to see one of the defense put the puck in the back of the net.

Third Period

• Janik/Kronwall - Text from Uncle Leon: "Kronner is a real liability this game....real sluggish play....more focused on O than D...needs to get priorities straight."  I responded: "Well, he is paired with Janik tonight."  Uncle Leon: "All the more reason for focus on D."  If Kronwall had scored, maybe we're not talking about this, but his D wasn't very good.  Maybe that's because he was paired with Janik.  Maybe not.  I just thought this pairing was not good at all.  If Janik is sticking around (more on this later) the D pairings might need to reshuffled.
• Patrick Eaves looks like CM Punk -  When Eaves isn't moonlighting as a former WWE Champion, he's scoring short handed goals.  Nice pass by Helmer.  Glad to see the 4th line guys finally get a goal.  Seriously though, Eaves and CM Punk could be long lost brothers.  When the Wings play Toronto and Eaves and Versteeg go head-to-head again, I better see Patrick bust out the folding chair, a ladder, and maybe a table that's lit on fire. 

Overtime

• HIT THE NET! - How many great chances did we have in overtime where we just missed the net?

Shootout

• No spin-o-rama - Before the shootout began, I sent a text to Uncle Leon saying, "I'd go Pav, Hudler, Mule here."  I was close to perfection on my prediction.  Babcock sent out Pav, Hudler, Bert (then Mule, Modano, and Hank).  Pav had Budaj beat.  He just didn't get the puck up enough.  I thought for sure when Bert hit the ice for the shoot we would see the legendary spin-o-rama.  Sadly, it just wasn't meant to be.  Modano came close, but no cigar.  I thought Jimmy looked solid in the shootout compared to what I remember last year.  By the way, have I mentioned how much I hate shootouts?

Brendan Smith

Smith should be off for the week until the Griffins play in Manitoba, but I say not so fast!  After Janik's embarrassing performance last night (especially in the fight), is it too soon to call up Smith?  Rafalski is out for the month.  Who knows when Ericsson's will find the testicular fortitude he's been missing since 2007?  If Janik continues to suck it up, then let's get Smith some games in Detroit!  You've got one week, Janik.  Prove you can be a semi-competent defenseman or else it's time to call up the kid. 

Let's Go Red Wings