Red Wings Await Another Rival; Gameday Preview

Detroit will look to continue their solid start to the 2010/11 season as they face the Colorado Avalanche tonight at 7:30pm ET.

The Red Wings have been successful in their last two starts against their two most recent arch-nemeses; the Blackhawks and the Ducks. A win over the Avs will make it a 3-peat over the last 3 significant rivals of Detroit Red Wings history.

Colorado has had a more mixed start to the season, as they split their first two games.

The Avalanche provided the other loss for Chicago this season as they edged out the defending Champs in a shootout in the season opener at the Pepsi Center in Denver. They weren't so lucky last night however as they fell by a 4-2 decision to Chicago's opponent in the 2010 Cup Finals, Philadelphia in Philly.

There are no excuses for the Red Wings in this one.

While they are sporting a few injuries from Ericsson, Abdelkader and Draper, Colorado is probably hurting just as much, as they'll need to get it done without the services of Peter Mueller and David Koci.

The Wings always prefer to have their encounters in front of a friendly audience at the Joe, but an additional advantage is availed to the locals as they await a team that is travelling from Philadelphia in the second of back-to-back games.

Last year I did two 16 hour trips between Philly and Detroit in a week; and probably couldn't have made a pass with a 4-man advantage afterwards. I sure hope the Avs aren't travelling by Greyhound too!

While I'm sure they'll be on a nice jet for no more than an hour in their journey, the Red Wings will still be raging favorites to win this one.

After taking two points from a visit to the United Center with a modest return from the top line of Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmstrom, this game against will be an ideal opportunity to build on their momentum and get the #1 trio back on the scoresheet.

UPDATE: Brian Rafalski underwent knee surgery and will be out of the line-up for at least 3 weeks. Doug Janik has been re-called from Grand Rapids as his replacement.

Lilja Needs to Fire His Agent

Andreas Lilja has signed a one-year $600k contract with Anaheim. This about 3 months after his agent, Todd Diamond reportedly turned down a $1m offer from Detroit because he thought Ken Holland was low-balling his client.

Lilja will now join possibly the worst defense in the Western Conference and a team destined to sit at or near the bottom of their division for $400k less. It was a gamble, and Lilja lost. Big time!

The deal is believed to have up to $150k in bonuses for playing 30, 40 and 50 games in the season. Each milestone earning $50k respectively.

While it's nice to see that Andreas finally has found himself a job and a new home, you can't help but think that as he signed the deal, he regretfully reflected back to the time when he could've signed with the Wings for a significantly better deal.

A quote from him just over a month ago:
"Of course, I regret it (not signing with Detroit. Now that we got here yesterday, got into my house -- we’ve been here five years, it feels like home. The kids like it here. I think I was looking for something else, I guess."

Good luck, Andreas!

A Huge Opening Weekend for the Wings

What's a great way to start the season? Make Blackhawks' fans boo at the final buzzer on the Stanley Cup banner raising night. And just for kicks, throw in a 4-0 shutout win over the Ducks.

It was a perfect way to begin this heavily anticipated season for the Wings, who currently sit atop the Western Conference with Dallas, with 2 wins. Of course, standings don't mean much 3 days into the season, but it's still pleasant to see Chicago sitting on the bottom of the division with just a single point in their 2 games played.

Friday night's affair with the Ducks proved to be a challenging one, for reasons other than the battle on the scoreboard, as Detroit got the win without too much hassle. But true to form, the Ducks continued to be an unignorable physical presence -- one that needed to be matched.

Three fights on opening night?!?

No, just two. But it was almost three. Ruslan Salei's mini-scrap with Andy Sutton was given just a minor for roughing. So Detroit are well on their way to surpassing last season's NHL-low, 19 fighting majors. But that's not the best part. Oh no...

...Pavel Datsyuk!

Yes, that's right. Dats got down and dirty with a much larger, much more experienced (in fights) Corey Perry. Not just that, Pavel held his own as the fight ended with Perry beneath the Russian Roughian™ when the linesmen stepped in. Chuck in a beautiful tip-in goal and a an assist and you've got yourself a Gordie Howe Hat-Trick. I could be wrong, but I believe that would be Detroit's first since Brendan Shanahan. Maybe someone can correct me on that.

A shower, sleep and quick jet west and we're in Chicago to see the 'Hawks unveil and raise their 2009/10 Stanley Cup banner before a rapturous audience at the United Center.

The excitement was quelled, then restored, repeated and finally quelled as the game was neck and neck all night. By the end of the second period the Red Wings twice gained the lead and twice gave it up. It was a see-saw affair played in spurts where each team had their moments of controlling the play. But the Wings improved in the 3rd period.

Filppula scored his second goal of the night, the eventual game-winner as the Red Wings held onto a 3-2 lead to take the two points form the defending Champs and now await the Avs arrival on Tuesday night.

The good news:
Filppula - 2 goals, 1 assist
Bertuzzi - 1 goal, 2 assists
Franzen - 1 goal, 1 assist
Cleary - 1 goal, assist

The secondary scorers have answered the call so far, taking the heat off of Zetterberg and Datsyuk. If this continues and guys like Flip and Mule can get north of 70 points this season, Detroit will certainly prove to make a dangerous competitor for all.

The best news:
Howard - 0 goals against, 21 saves
Osgood - 2 goals against, 26 saves

Solid isn't even fair. Howard didn't need to stand on his head against the Ducks, but he could easily have given up a goal or two if he wasn't so sharp. When challenged, Howard was up to the task and made a statement that last season was no fluke for the sophomore.

Osgood was just as good. With the tougher task of shutting down the Blackhawks, Ozzy was brilliant. The two goals given up were tough to fault him on. A lapse in defense during a 'Hawks powerplay gave Seabrook a lay-up and a fortuitous deflection for Brian Bickell were the only blemishes for Osgood, who was forced to make several outstanding saves to give Detroit the victory.

Up next is Colorado at the Joe Louis Arena at 7:30pm on Tuesday night.

Big Rig Out, Kindl In for 'Hawks Banner Raiser; Gameday Preview vs. Chicago

The Red Wings began the season out of a cannon last night, as they trounced the Ducks 4-0. Better news than the result was the strong performance from Detroit's best with points from Zetterberg, Franzen, Filppula, Modano, Rafalski, Cleary with Datsyuk throwing in a Gordie Howe Hat-Trick for good measure. If that wasn't enough Jimmy Howard stopped all 21 shots for the shutout.

The Wings now face a more uphill battle against the defending Champ Chicago Blackhawks in their home-opener and 2010 Stanley Cup banner raising ceremony.

In the second of back-to-back games, Detroit will be without the services of Abdelkader and Draper again, with Jonathan Ericsson also joining the list of injuries. Big Rig left last night's game in the first period with back spasms. Jakub Kindl will take his place.

Mike Babcock also confirmed Chris Osgood will start in net, as was always the plan with back-to-back games to start the season.

Let 'Em Loose; Wings' Season Opener

It was a seemingly endless offseason. They all are, but this one was a little longer than the two preceding it but... it's back. Well it will be tonight.

The NHL took off last night to begin its 2010/11 season, but conspicuous [for Wings fans] by their absence was the Red Wings, for whom the first puck will drop tonight against Anaheim.

While the Ducks are no strangers to Detroit, this is a very different team to the Anaheim that traded playoff series' wins with the Wings in '07 and '09. The once feared defense is now a shell of its former self with the retirement of captain Scott Neidermayer and the movement of the ever-hated Chris Pronger to Philadelphia last season. That said, the Ducks forwards are about as dangerous as it gets.

Having talent like Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry, veterans Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne as well as the new captain Ryan Getzlaf up front is enough to make any GM grin. The group will surely prove to be a handful and a major priority for the Nick Lidstrom and Detroit's defensive core.

So how do the team's match-up against each other? Well let's find out with Word on a Wing's brand new graphical game preview. OoooooOOOooooo... fancy. Enjoy!

One of the unfortunate things about Game 1 of the regular season is the lack of stats and data. So all the figures used in the game preview are from the 2009/10 season.

As expected, Jimmy Howard will start in net with Ozzy as the back-up. Todd Bertuzzi is questionable with some back soreness, but is most likely to play. If not, Kirk Maltby might be called-up to play what could possibly be his final NHL game.

Abdelkader and Draper Out for Weekend; Is Maltby Done?

Just in case someone thought there might be a chance the Red Wings would have an idyllic beginning to the 2010/11 season, grab a brush and wash away those crazy thoughts. Mike Babcock ruled out Justin Abdelkader and Kris Draper's availability to play this weekend.

Abdelkader, who is suffering from a cartilage problem with his ribs was ruled out for the two opening games of the 2010/11 season against Anaheim on Friday night and the Wings' visit to Chicago on Saturday night.

Likewise for Kris Draper, who has been having groin problems since a training camp scrimmage on September 18.

Todd Bertuzzi skated on Thursday and says if he feels the same on Friday, he will be ready for the Ducks. Bertuzzi has seen the return of his back problems of late and was unable to practise for about a week.

While it seems slightly more likely that Bertuzzi will be good to go against the Ducks, his absence coupled with that of Abdelkader and Draper creates an opening in the roster that will require the calling-up of a Griffin. Given the loss of Ritola via waivers to Yzerman's Lightning, Kirk Maltby would be the leading candidate for recall.

Kirk Maltby recently cleared waivers to be sent down to the Grand Rapids Griffins. The veteran is now considering his future; whether to report to the Griffins or to retire. After Friday morning's skate Maltby will know if Bertuzzi will play in the season opener and if he's required to fill in.

Bring On 2011

For the Detroit Red Wings, the 2010 pre-season has now drawn to a close, leaving the Red Wings faithful eagerly awaiting the season opener this Friday (Oct 8) against the Ducks.

It wasn't the most auspicious lead-in to the season, as Detroit went 3-5 in their 4 home-and-home series'. The Wings were able to split each series with Chicago, Toronto and the Rangers, but lost but their games to Pittsburgh. I could go in-depth into the performance of the team and some individual efforts, but what's the point? The pre-season is seldom if ever even a rough reflection of what to expect from the upcoming regular season. 3-5 record or not, the Red Wings have a damn good team [again] and here's why:

Top three lines
Detroit will be icing the same first line that won the 2008 Stanley Cup, an unignorable threat for every opponent in Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmstrom. This trio will form one of the most formidable top lines in the League, but the real danger comes from depths below.

Unlike the Blackhawks, the Red Wings will be one of very few, if any, teams to boast three lines that are genuine scoring threats. Babcock can think himself a lucky coach to have the likes of Filppula, Hudler, Bertuzzi, Franzen, Cleary and newcomer Mike Modano at his disposal for a 2-3 punch combo. This poses quite a headache for opposing coaches when added to the stress of dealing with Hank, Dats and Homer.

On the back end, it's more of the same; stability, experience and offense.

It's fair to say veterans Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski have probably seen the peak of their careers, but their value on the PP and first pass out of defense make them of great assistance to the forwards corps. Also worth mentioning, is the fact that in Lidstrom, Detroit will be receiving just about the best non-physical defensive skill-set in the world today.

A little further development from younger guns Nik Kronwall and particularly Jonathan Ericsson could act as an addition to the team to go along with free agent acquisition, Ruslan Salei. Interestingly, the blueline pairings will begin the season a little juggled from last. Earlier today Babcock announced a few switches:

Lidstrom -- Ericsson

Stuart -- Rafalski

Kronwall -- Salei

In net, we just need to hope for more steadiness from sophomore, Jimmy Howard. You don't have to look too far back to see examples of major slides from great rookie seasons (Mason and Price), but it can be done. But Niklas Backstrom and Pekka Rinne will tell you great second seasons are possible. If in this case it is not, you could do a lot worse than have a 3-time Cup Champion goalie come in and hold down the fort.

How that's a good hockey team right there. Even Pierre LeBrun knows it. Bring on 2010/11!