Red Wings prey on Predators
Ok, that's a lame catch phrase, but the Red Wings refuse to pass the torch to the new rising upstarts of the league. Didn't everyone talk about the Red Wings being finished prior to the start of last season? All they did was win the President's Trophy. Granted their playoff hopes were dashed early, but this year things appear to be different. This year they have Dominik Hasek.
Red Wing forward Henrik Zetterberg opened the scoring for Detroit and helped his team keep pace with the Predators.....his second goal also chased Tomas Vokoun from net in favor of backup Chris Mason. The Predators answered back quickly, but it would be the last time they would do so in the game. The Red Wings tied the game at 3 a piece and then never looked back, defeating the Predators 5-3. Dominik Hasek had a human night, allowing 3 goals on 17 shots, but he didn't need to be spectacular. Zetterberg finished the night with 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist), and linemate Pavel Datsyuk had 4 assists.
With last night's victory over their division rivals, the Nashville Predators, the Detroit Red Wings (65 points) have pulled within 2 points of the Central Division lead, and 3 points from the top seed in the Western Conference.
Quick Shave:
It had to end sometime. The Phoenix Coyotes win streak ended at 6 games last night as they fell to the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 last night. In fairness to the Yotes, they almost pulled off the comeback. Down 4-1 midway through the third, Doan and Zigomanis scored to give the Avs a bit of a scare....but newly crowned starting goaltender Peter Budaj, (his 10th straight start) made 26 saves to complete the win. The Dallas Stars defeated the Calgary Flames 4-2 last night. Joel Lundqvist (New York Ranger's goaltender Henrik Lundqvist's twin brother) scored his first ever NHL goal in the game. The Buffalo Sabres hammered the Boston Bruins 6-3 last night. Bruins defenceman Phil Kessel, who recently returned to lineup after cancer surger, had is first ever career 2 goal game. New York Rangers forward Martin Straka who is having a career season was rewarded with a contract extension for next season, that will pay him $3.3 million.
Game of the Night:
Vancouver at Ottawa 7:30 PM
Both of these teams are hot right now, and tonights game should be one heck of a collision! Enjoy the games!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Is that Zetterberg or Hudler? It's not Lidstrom, and it's not ugly enough to be Chelly...
Posted by: jeff | January 18, 2007 07:53 AM
Jeff, that would be zetter.
Posted by: Paul | January 18, 2007 08:14 AM
Ha - I love that drawing! I knew it was Zetter. He looks so shy, like a little kid almost. Cracks me up.
While you're drawing the Red Wings could you also send them the message to give up more than 17 freaking shots a game so Hasek's save % will be a little better? Am i asking too much for 20 shots? Sheesh. Who do they think they are, the Devils???
Posted by: Stache | January 18, 2007 10:54 AM
Welcome to the world of coach Babcock.
Hopefully Mason has a better night tonight against Ottawa then he did against the Wings after Vokoun got chased.
Did you know that Dastyuk had 20 points in his last 8 games before last night? I think if you have a chance now is time to pick him up.
Posted by: Paul | January 18, 2007 01:08 PM
Wait, isn't Haseks % second best in the NHL, behind only God (Brodeur)?
Posted by: jeff | January 18, 2007 07:22 PM
You're thinking goals against, Jeff. His save % is somewhere around tenth or eleventh in the league. Not bad, but it would be a hell of a lot better if he faced more shots.
Posted by: Stache | January 19, 2007 06:31 AM