Week In Review: Feb 5 – Feb 11
By Kevin N
I’m happy this week in Red Wings hockey is over. I know four out of six points is good, but the way the Wings played left something to be desired. This was to be expected, considering the Wings flew from Edmonton to Phoenix to Detroit in four days and had no more than one day off between games. Realignment, anyone? It was still a positive road trip with the travel schedule and the Wings are still dominating at home.
The most significant happening this past week is that of Joey MacDonald and Ty Conklin. Based on the fact that Mac has started three games in a row, and is probably going to start tonight against Philly, it’s hard to imagine Conks being with the Wings much longer. I know he has a one-way contract while Mac has a two-way contract, but since it’s late in the season and neither financial hit is very large, I can see the Wings putting Conks on waivers and sending him to Grand Rapids if he clears. This would probably be a good move for him as he would see some game action. As I discussed previously, Conks has seen very little game action this season. Practice is nice, but it nowhere near replicates game action. And as it looks like Howie will be back within a week, this decision has to be made soon. The Wings haven’t said anything, and the beat writers are mostly focused on Holmstrom playing his 1,00oth game and the home winning streak, I hope this question gets asked eventually, regardless of how hard Babcock stares at the person asking it.
Let’s get to the game reviews!
Quick Game Recaps:
2/6/12 – Wings at Phoenix – Not a good game by our Wings here. First of all, Brad Stuart missed this game with the same flu bug that caused Nicklas Lidstrom to miss the game that never happened against Montreal. Can’t blame Stewie, as I love Nick as much as humanly possible, and would honor him in any manner possible. Anyway, the result of this game wasn’t nearly as bad, but it doesn’t matter since no points were earned. Around this time, I made several jokes to myself about the Wings declining penalties as I don’t think our power play could get any worse…until we gave up a shorthanded breakaway goal when White and Kronwall fell over each other. The Wings did actually score a power play goal, by the Mule nonetheless, but it didn’t matter much in the end. 3-1 loss (with an empty netter). Mac kept the Wings in the game, they just gave him no help at all.
2/8/12 – Wings vs Oilers – Holy crap a home game! Holy crap another power play goal by the Mule! EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING! I would say the Wings played a solid 50 minutes in this game. I especially have to give props to Ericsson and Kronwall, along with Hank and Pav, who killed an extensive 5 on 3 penalty. Also have to give props to the third and fourth lines, who got goals from Miller and Emmerton with hard nosed net front style goals. Hank also got a goal, which sadly, is newsworthy right now. As of this writing, Drew Miller has more goals than Henrik Zetterberg. I’m choosing to focus more on Miller rocking hard than Hank, um..not playing well offensively. Sadly, this Wings did the usual “Let’s not play good for 10 minutes and give Sam Gagner two goals” this game, but once again Joey Mac played good enough, and the result: Wings 4-2 victory!
2/10/12 – Wings vs Ducks – Worst. Hockey. Game. Ever. I’m very close to not kidding at all. Neither team played well. The reffing was horrible. I went to this game, and after the first, I was upset I spent money to go and watch it. I mean, I would have been watching at home anyway, but it’s the principle of the matter. The Wings did hit a couple of posts and the Ducks missed a couple of wide open nets, so this game could have gone either way. The Ducks goal came on one of those WTF plays between White and E. They literally passed the puck back and forth for 15 seconds (at least it seemed that long) then E rimmed the puck to Mule, who missed it. This ended up in a goal. By Parros. Ugh. Thankfully, our “bottom” players combined for a goal. Good work by Miller and Abby down low, good play by Kindl to create a shooting lane, and a great tip by Abby, and we have our only Wings goal. Pav and Bert owned the skills challenge, giving the Wings the victory. Joey Mac played incredible this game. Yes, he had help from Stewie and Fil to save goals, but he also made some great saves and kept the Wings in a game they had no business in winning. I’ll take it!
Goal Of The Week:
Yes, it’s the Hank goal. I’m half giving this goal the honor because Hank needs it, and because it was an actual nice move by waiting then shooting the the goalie is out of position.
Hit Of The Week:
There weren’t any real memorable hits, so let’s go with Abby trying to fight. Dear Kronwall and Stewie: Let’s make things happen this week!
Save Of The Week:
Goaltending Analysis:
Since most of this post talked about the goalie situation, this should be a quick summary. Joey Mac has been playing great. Conklin hasn’t played much, but when he has, the results have not been good. Like I said, I think it’d be a good idea to give Conks a few games in Grand Rapids when Howie comes back. If he continues to only play a period or two a month, he will not be successful when he plays and it won’t be his fault. And, if he gets claimed on waivers or re-entry waivers, good for him. He’s a nice guy and deserves a chance to play.
Random Comment Of The Week:
There has been a massive amount of news this week: Homer’s 1,000th game, Nick tying Alex Delvecchio is Red Wings games played, and the announcement of the Winter Classic. It’s all great, but I think something far, far, far more important is going to be announced in four months: Nicklas Lidstrom will return for next season. I have the feeling he’s coming back, and dammit, if I’m wrong, it would be best to not talk to me for a long time.
This Week:
Home games against Philly (tonight), Dallas (Tuesday), and Nashville (Friday). Two playoff teams and one team fighting to make the playoffs. Complete opposite of this week when there were only one possible playoff team (Phoenix). All these games are at the Joe, so I’d like to see four points at a minimum (I know there’s the winning streak, and while I want that to continue, I’m being more high-level about this).
Classic Video Of The Week:
Yes. SO MUCH YES!
You know the drill – leave a comment or yell at me on Twitter. Until next time, GO WINGS!!