Jimmy Howard Breaks Finger in 3rd Period of 4-3 Win Over Vancouver

Freep - Howard is out at least the next two games -- Saturday at Edmonton and Monday at Phoenix -- after getting hurt during Thursday's 4-3 shoot-out victory at the Vancouver Canucks. "I happened about four minutes into the third last night," Howard said today. "Went blocker down, took everything away down low, and when (Maxim) Lapierre spun and shot it, it missed my blocker and caught me right on the finger." Howard is to be re-evaluated Tuesday, after the Wings return to Detroit. The Wings recalled Joey MacDonald from the minors to serve as Ty Conklin's backup for the rest of the trip. Howard has been a rock for the Wings all season, going 32-11-1 with a .924 save percentage and 2.03 goals-against average.

Well, it appears that after a bit of a scare late last night Jimmy Howard and his uncircumcised penis of a finger will be just fine. You kinda knew this was the type of injury, that although painful, is something you just play through. But it's really great to actually hear from his mouth that he'll only be out a week or so.

Still, this injury brings to light major concern about the backup tender situation in general. Ty Conklin and his 3.20 GAA offer about as much protection to the Wings' back end as a consistent policy of pulling out and with the trade deadline looming in late February a much more serious injury to Jimmy has to be on Ken Holland's mind. The question becomes does he use a chunk of the bountiful salary cap space the Wings possess to acquire an upgrade at the backup spot or does he focuses all his resources on getting a top notch defenseman or a skilled, physical forward? Either way, I think a move is imminent and I ain't worried cause there isn't a guy in sports I trust more than Ken Holland. The Wings are rolling and Kenny knows how to keep it that way.

Where the hell are my white gloves?

Has Bmase Ever Watched a Wings Game?

Now I'm obviously not a stickler on grammar but I just got an email from Bmase about 10 minutes ago as I was writing the Kid Rock post that said...

"kid rock, lindstram, and cheli paddling around? U gotta write about that."

What was that Bmase? Did I catch a Lindstram in there? Now it's one thing to get busted on the common mispronunciation of Linstrom if you're not a Wings fan, but this is borderline sacrilege. Guy has been a Wing for half his life and has been our best defenseman for every single game you ever remember watching in your lifetime and you come at me with Lindstram? Unforgivable.

Atlanta living son of a bitch probably thinks this is the Red Wings logo.

Thrashers' Move to Winnipeg Could Mean Switch to Eastern Conference for Wings

The Wings have been looking to get into the Eastern Conference for some time now. It would eliminate the long West coast road trips that always seem to burn them out during the season and also keep Wings fans from having to stay up to all hours of the night during those 10:30pm playoff starts. It would also allow them to rekindle rivalries with four of the original six teams that are currently in the East, most notably Toronto. The only real negative to the whole thing is that the West would lose their most storied team and get the Thrashers in return. We'd also probably watch the Wings/Hawks rivalry fade away but if I'm getting the B's, Rangers, Habs, and Leafs in return, I'll take it.

PS - If Columbus gets the nod to switch conferences I'd understand it because they're slightly further East but giving it to Nashville makes no sense.

Brian Rafalski Hangs Up the Skates for Good

Three time Stanley Cup champion Brian Rafalski announced yesterday morning that he will retire from the game of hockey. Rafalski's speed and timely scoring will surely be missed next year on the Detroit blueline, especially as the Wings await an announcement from fellow defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom about his future. Lidstrom, who unlike Rafalski had a healthy and productive year, is expected to re-sign for another term with the Wings. Getting Lidstrom back, who most still consider to be the best defenseman in the game, now becomes essential. The departure of Rafalski will also free up 6 million dollars to spend along the backend on either an elite defensemen or possibly a combination of several serviceable guys. Babcock has already expressed his opinion that a big name is needed to cover the loss of talent with Rafalski's departure. If that's the case, Vancouver Canucks Kevin Bieksa would be my leading candidate.

And We're Not, Done, Yet!

Holy hell, what a game. Is there any stopping this team? I've been holding off on getting excited but I'm over that now. I'm jumping outta my fricken skin over here. Game 7 baby! Game fuckin 7!

Roenick Shits on Former Teammate Patrick Marleau's Effort in the Wings Series

Detroitnews.com - "I am a huge Sharks fan," said Roenick, whose last two NHL seasons were with the Sharks. "I am a huge Doug Wilson fan. I think Doug Wilson has stepped to the plate and been very loyal to people, including to Patrick Marleau. And I'm going to call things the way I see them. This is not a personal attack. It's my job to speak my mind. People can say whatever they want. I want the Sharks to win the Stanley Cup someday. I think the fans deserve it. I think Doug Wilson deserves it. But when you're in a position to close out your arch-rival, I think you need a better effort. I don't think it was there and I stand by what I said."

Roenick continued...

"This is totally on the record," he said. "I am not a Patrick Marleau fan. I'm not going to pretend to be. But I also will tell you that he is an incredible, incredible talent. I wish I had the talent he has. If I had the talent Patrick Marleau has, I wouldn't even know what I could have done. But I have my opinion of his determination and effort level, especially with the amount of money that he makes. I respect people's opinions, but I have one, too. I really feel that the San Jose Sharks, the fans, and Doug Wilson deserve a better effort than they have gotten on a lot of nights in this series. And I have the ability to say that. This is not an act. This is me speaking my mind. Patrick Marleau has a lot of fans. I just happen to be not one of them."

I love how Roenick managed to pay himself a backhanded compliment while also shitting all over Patrick Marleau's name. I mean what a line..."I wish I had the talent he has. If I had the talent Patrick Marleau has, I wouldn't even know what I could have done.". It's brilliant cause while you're calling him a gutless waste of talent, you come off as an overachiever. Well played J.R., well played.

I just wish he would've quoted Coach Parseghian when he's calling out Jamie O'Hare towards the end of Rudy. "Marleau you just summed up your entire sorry career here in one series! If you had a tenth of the heart of Roenick, you'd have won a Cup by now! As it is, you just went from second line to the prep team! Go on get out of here!"

PS - I really hope this doesn't fire his ass up and he gets a hat trick tonight or something.

Wings Avoid Feeling Like This for One More Day with Improbable 4-3 Comeback Victory. Still Down 3-2 as Series Heads Back to Detroit

They live to die another day. With an improbable 3rd period comeback the Wings have earned one more chance to avenge last years 2nd round loss to the San Jose Sharks. The Wings really didn't do a whole lot different in this game than they had in the previous four. They were dominated for a vast majority of the game and minus a few spurts of offense, left Jimmy Howard alone to steal the show, which he did early and often. Once again he was without a doubt the only reason Detroit was in the game and able to mount this comeback for the ages.

Early on it seemed like the same old story. Just like Hudler earlier in the series, Ericsson, was robbed by Niemi in what we here at JoeyBlueSkies will forever refer to as "The Save". Insert gross fabrication of original "The Save" story from BMOC here.


But as someone who's been harping about finishing, it seemed like things just weren't gonna go our way. The Wings looked slow, sloppy, and definitely injured as they hobbled through what might have been the worst playoff effort I can remember watching. But after going down 2-0 Pavel threaded the needle on a pass to Kronwall that could've been the biggest Wings' goal to date this season. Without that quick answer goal the Wings were basically dead in the water. Then again when we went down 3-1, 54 seconds into the 3rd on Logan Couture's goal it seemed as if we were finally done. Would've been real easy for the Wings to pack up and mail it in at that point, but then they realized they're not the Lakers and continued to play hard.

Detroit got a powerplay not soon after and I thought to myself, this will be the season. Score and we've got a chance. Don't and well, it's over. The powerplay came and went without a Wings' goal and it was basically time as a Wings fan to come to terms with the fact that we let another one slip away. But for some reason following that powerplay the Wings dug in and started playing a frantic style of hockey that lead to garbage goals from Ericsson and then Cleary. And I call them garbage only because of their lack of flare, not their lack of importance. Those are the kind of goals that win you a series and they'll need more on Tuesday night if they want to force game 7 back in San Jose. Of course Holmstrom's eventual tip in gave Detroit their first lead of the game and lead to a very nerve racking final 6 minutes.


Being completely honest, I'll tell you right now that I never saw that 3rd period burst coming. I didn't see Datsyuk stepping it up and dominating with one hand. I didn't see Zetterberg continuing to lead with a level of health unbeknownst to us. And I didn't see Kronwall being the most dominant offensive and defensive player on the ice. But that's what happened and now the Wings have a chance. Health is a major concern. But what's one more game? Hopefully I can say that again after Tuesday night.

Jimmy Howard is God Live Blog

Wings Win

1 Down.

PS - Sharks can eat a dick.

Haven't Seen Mike Modano in a While. Maybe Karen Newman Ate Him

It's not the lack of offensive production that's sinking the Wing. It's not the defensive zone turnovers. It's not even the penalty kill. It's the extra 25 lbs Karen Newman has put. I hope to god you're pregnant Karen, in which case, you look great! Otherwise this just seems like an omen that Hockeytown, like Karen Newman is past their prime. Prove me wrong tonight.

PS - I know he hasn't really done shit all year, but I wouldn't mind seeing Mike Modano get regurgiated back into the line-up for game 4. Need to switch something up.

I Can't Believe We Let Ryan's New York Friend from The Office get a Hat Trick?

You think Setoguchi lives in a normal sized house?

Wings Lose Heartbreaker 4-3 in OT

Ooooooh sheeeeeeet. Okay, I guess now would be an appropriate time to panic. Just like games 1 and 2 the Wings should've won. They came out solid in the first and it was obvious that Pavel was trying to up the physicality of the game and was leading by example. I thought overall we were being a bit impatient with the puck and were choosing bad angle shots over puck possession just for the sake of getting pucks on net. On the flip side, San Jose was taking quality shots and every rebound seemed to find it's way right out back in front of Howard. In fact that's how the Sharks got their first goal. But even being down, it still felt like Detroit was in control, and once Heatley got Kronwalled you could just tell we were gonna score.


All it took was an absolutely sick, between the legs pass from Zetterberg to Lidstrom and things were all tied up. Other notable happenings from the first period...


-Niemi's monster glove save on Hudler ended up being a game changer. If he could've one timed it instead of getting handcuffed it's an automatic goal.


-Where has Bertuzzi gone? Sometimes you forget he's even on the team and when you do notice him out there it's only cause he thinks he's Datsyuk and pulls a spin-o-rama into the boards or leaves a no look, behind the back drop pass to no one in particular.

My game notes from the 2nd period are more sporadic which leads me to believe less was happening or I was just getting drunker. Probably both. I definitely remember Erickson running into our own guy behind the net only to be bailed out by Howard and I'm pretty sure at one point I declared Helm the new Draper.


Think it was after that wrap around burst that he had which set up Eaves for the rebound goal. Guy is awesome. I also thought Filppula played great and was almost Datsyukian at times. He absolutely dominated his last shift with 1:20 seconds left in the third.


But all we ever got was a couple of one goal leads in this game and you just knew that Detroit needed an extra one to put San Jose out of reach. You can't leave a team that good hanging around and once it went to OT I pretty much had come to terms with the fact that one goal and our season was over. And that's basically where we're at today. Lidstrom seems to be his usual chipper self following the heartbreaking loss but I'm still way more in a pouty Jimmy Howard kinda mood. All we can do now is play one game at a time and see how far it takes us. Just such a bummer cause I honestly believe that had we won that game we win the series. Now we'll be lucky to get this thing back to Detroit for a game 6. Rough, rough day in Detroit, let me tell ya.

Wings Down 2-0 But Head Home to The Joe

You wanna turn this thing around Babs? Wheel Vladi into the locker room to give the pregame speech and Wings roll 7-0. Book it.

New Game, Same Problems

The Wings definitely played better in game two than they did in the opener but it still wasn't enough.

First and foremost I have to take my hat off to Jimmy Howard who continued to play out of his gourd. If you would've told me we were gonna get this kinda play out of him before the playoffs started I would've guaranteed a Cup. Absolutely guaranteed it. But unfortunately the story thus far hasn't been the stellar play of Detroit's netminder but rather the porous play of their forwards. Like Babcock has continued to reiterate in his pressers, the Wings just aren't getting to lose pucks and are giving the San Jose defense the night off while their forwards are hammering ours. Basically just not being physical enough. And I agree, I'd also throw in the fact that their passing was atrocious. All in all, pick up the intensity and flat out start scoring on their chances. Helm's breakaway being the perfect example.

Still, it's no time to hit the panic button. Wings just have to do what they do and keep grinding. Wednesday's game is huge. I just hope they really get it done cause I'm not ready to exclusively watch the Tigers.

PS - Why was this Frazen wrap around attempt (FF to 9:30 mark) not reviewed. It happened so fast that it's impossible to tell from this angle whether or not the puck went in on the initial shot or simply after Franzen was pushed into Niemi, but the ref is standing a foot from the goal and staring right at the puck as it gets fished out from the back of the net. You gotta review that in my mind. Really just one of those moments when I wish the Wings weren't so regal and Babcock was climbing over the bench screaming for a review.

Red Wings Superfan with Texts from Game 1

"Good save there. I got mickey and versus. Foxsd doesn't have hd tho. Such a diff. On my new sony." - In response to, Who you got doing the game?

"Mickey says bad call that's y I love him. He tells how it is" - In response to the first bad call to go against the Wings.

"Mickey says if he were a ref he wld punch his co-workers in the face
and call it it mickey redmond hat trick" - In response to Mikey Redmond getting a little animated.

Mickey going off. "Back in the day pavelski would have a hatd time to
keep head on shoulders and howartd never gets penalty". Almost an
exact quote - In response to Howard getting sprayed and throwing down.

"The old mcdonald garage sale" - In response to Bertuzzi getting hurt and throwing his stick and gloves all over the ice.

"Lol. He is one tough mother fer. He's gotta be gutted like a frsh salmon" - I'm guessing in response still to Bertuzzi getting hurt and throwing his stick and gloves all over the ice.

"Daysuk best in game at everthing but finishing. Take daysuks skills
and frazen sniper skills and u have a hockey player on steroids
driving a mustang" - In response to Pavel's domination.

"When u call a one handed slash might as well just wear a skirt instead
of a sweater" - In response to every shitty call.

"Not worried if refs stop apefucking them" - In response to every official in the history of the game fucking over the Wings.

"I just checked " hero" in websters a,d it said "daysuk" - In response to the Wings going to OT.

"All refs. Bullshit four minute call. No blood" - In response to the OT four minute double minor.

Jimmy Howard Plays Great As Wings Lose Game 1

You just knew that the Wings weren't gonna pull that game out. They got the early goal but the only line that was buzzing at all was Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmstrom. Everyone else couldn't get sustained offensive zone pressure and ended up just chasing in our own zone. Thank to fuckin god that Jimmy Howard, the one guy you might expect to be rusty, was sharp as a whistle. I really hope the Wing wake up in game two, get all the lines going, and stop taking the penalties that the officials are just waiting to give them.

PS - The 4 minute double minor in OT was absurd and very reminiscent of last years' series against the Sharks. Total bullshit.

Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy...

Despite losing 6 of the last 8 and 3 of 4 this year to the Sharks I'm still taking the Wings in seven. San Jose could possibly be the toughest team they face the rest of the way but the Sharks were lucky as shit to get by L.A. and have issues like magazines on the defensive end, especially at tender. The Wings are playing better than they have all year and we should see Hank return sometime in the series. Scotty, get out the skates.

Who Do You Think Babcock is Rooting For in the Vancouver/Chicago Game 7?

Here's the scenario. If Vancouver stops hemorrhaging all over the god damn place and wins game 7 at home then we'll be heading to San Jose to start round 2. If Chicago does the unthinkable and actually pulls this off after being down 0-3 in the series then we'll see Nashville.

Personally neither team scares me with the way the Wings have been playing but I'm also not dumb enough to believe that they'll be pushovers like Phoenix either. San Jose has a potent powerplay and scoring that series clinching goal in OT last night should do wonders for Thorton's playoff confidence. They're pretty weak on the defensive end though and have goaltending issues as well. I see Pavel and company having their way with them.

Nashville on the other hand has relied heavily on their goaltending and water tight defensive coverage but lacks the offensive firepower up front. The Wings match up well against either team and honestly I don't really care who it is as long as we just get it going. I guess I want San Jose cause it'll be fun to get that revenge fuck outta the way. Plus it means Chicago lost tonight and fuck chicago.

YYYYYuck.

Can't believe we lost the Cup to these pond rockets.

And I'm Officially Bored As Shit Waiting for Rd 2

If the rest of these clowns in the Western Conference don't get their shit together and wrap it up soon I'm gonna go nuts. Only so long can I listen to these three talk their eins, zwei, drei bullshit.