with the comments elsewhere on KK I was expecting a really dirty high elbow….. I don’t think it was dirty at all. You could argue the elbow came up high at the end sure, but it’s not like he led with the elbow.

Lidstrom seemed to lose an edge going into the hit which left him unable to put himself in position to properly take the hit.

Posted by Laker from Dapuddle on 02/19/08 at 07:34 AM ET

No, it wasn’t Sasquatch dirty, but it was on our Captain. That is all the dirty Downey needs…

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 02/19/08 at 08:26 AM ET

Yeah, honestly, the arm was a little high, but it wasn’t that bad.

Good News:
- Wings played their best game since the return from the All-Star Break
- Meech stepped up and played excellent, as did Lebda and Lilja (who surprisingly didn’t give the puck away under the pressure of having #5 out)
- Filppula scored, Hudler got on the sheet and had a few chances; “secondary scoring” looked worlds better
- Granted Avs suck on the PP, but the PK looked great
- Downey—enough said
- The team had passion

Bad News:
- #5 got hurt

So, here’s the ultimate question to the A2Y faithful. Obviously, this will be easier to answer once we get more news on the knee, but they’ll be lying anyways, so just try and answer anyways.

Was last night’s game worth it? Lidstrom injury and all, was it worth it? Downey became a part of the team. The offense woke up (both the top guys and the “secondary” guys). The patchwork defense played incredibly, anchored by none other than Derek Freakin’ Meech. And perhaps most importantly, the hit and injury on Lidstrom ignited a fire under the coach and the team, and seemed to give them a renewed sense of purpose and determination. So, even if it means they have a rough go of it for the next couple weeks, was this game worth it, having seen everyone rally around that play, show some anger and show the “grit” that “Mr. Reactionary” Pierre McGuire thought the Red Wings didn’t have?

Posted by Nathan on 02/19/08 at 09:05 AM ET

I love the irony of the whole situation.

A player with a French last name, beginning with an ‘L’ and in an Avs jersey, injures one of our key players.  Then, in a fit of retribution, our tough guy beats him down, and he turtles right to the ice.

Sounds like I’ve heard this story before…

Posted by BuzzFledderjohn on 02/19/08 at 09:43 AM ET

Nathan, you ask a good question. The only real answer will come in the playoffs when the solidarity created yesterday may help them push beyond a major barrier.

I actually don’t mind that Nick will sit for a while, just as long as he’s not seriously hurt. We have to build toward a Lidstrom less future and the D did an admirable job.

On a more superficial note, I will be seriously pissed off if he doesn’t win the Norris because of this though.

Posted by Osrt on 02/19/08 at 10:18 AM ET

What was dirty, was LaPariere leaving his feet to Downey in the 3rd, its a good thing Downey was ready for it, and Downey stood him up.

Posted by wingsnut25 on 02/19/08 at 10:32 AM ET

I have only missed watching maybe four Wings games all season.  In my opinion, it was one of the Wings’ strongest games I’ve seen, maybe all year (except for one game earlier in the year against the Poultry), in the way of passion, intensity and work ethic (although they still managed to give up too many premium scoring chances).

It was great to see Ozzy get out of the funk.

It was great to see Uncle Mike get jacked up (you have to wonder if Granato understood a word Babs was saying—even though he surely had to understand Bab’s was miffed)

It was impressive to see the Wings play with such intensity for the vast majority of the game—almost desparation.

Painful cannot describe seeing Nick get cricified.

You have to love Downey!!!

We’ve all seen the Wings talent on display most of the season, and I believe they have enough talent to get them to the SCF (although a second line shooter would be nice). The question raised by this recent skid has been, in my opinion, playing with passion, heart, and determination (Stevie Y where is thou torch bearer).

What we haven’t seen is Wings play with any sort of passion the past several games.  I think this was exactly what the Wings players and coaches needed!!

So yes Nathan.  It was worth it.  Besides, Nick needs to take some time off anyway, freshen him up for the stretch run—and keep him out of the bulls eye on this West Coast swing.

You could say this game was the perfect elixir for all that ailed the Wings game—so long as Nick’s injury is not serious at all.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 02/19/08 at 10:32 AM ET

Fair answers by everyone thus far. I tend to agree, but like you all say, if we’re talking 2 weeks, maybe 3, it’s a yes. If we’re talking 3 weeks, maybe 4, and definately more. It’s a no.

Posted by Nathan on 02/19/08 at 10:50 AM ET

Nathan - you bring up a good question, was it worth it?  I said at the game last night, “The only thing good that can come of this is that the Wings have to step it up.”  I really thought they elevated their play after Lidstrom left the ice.  I haven’t seen Val play that well in a long time. 

I would have to agree with what others have said, if the injury is not serious, then I could be o.k.  If it is a serious injury, it isn’t worth it.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 02/19/08 at 11:00 AM ET

Okie has it about right.

I really like that 1st line of Homer, Franzen, Datsyuk, and #2 of Hank, Sammy, Flip.

Posted by w2j2 on 02/19/08 at 11:36 AM ET

Meech was awesome - especially those repeated blasts from the blueline that just sat there next to the goaltender until one of the Avs cleared the puck.

I’m hoping the confidence lasts far longer than the adrenalin rush, but it looks good.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 02/19/08 at 11:52 AM ET

I don’t think it’s realistic to expect the quality that Meech showed on the PP repeatedly, but I think his play in his own end and his first pass should be expected throughout his career.

You never know though… the Wings always surprise us with how well they develop players. I’m sure practicing with the Nicks and Rafalski hasn’t hurt his PP learning any.

Posted by Nathan on 02/19/08 at 12:14 PM ET

chic:

You and the other Wings’ fans at the “Can” did great work last night.  We could hear you on TV, cheering and chanting for the Wings.

Well done!

Posted by w2j2 on 02/19/08 at 01:21 PM ET

I thought I heard some “Let’s go Red Wings” chants in the background!  The talking brainless heads were yammering too much to be sure.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 02/19/08 at 01:36 PM ET

A great time at the Can last night.  The most Red Wing fans I have ever seen there in my 11 years here (3-5 thousand?).  The Divealanche arena people would try and drown out our chanting with their ear splitting music.  My little 7 year old was a hit with Wings fans who wanted photos with him and his Wingnut.  He even got a practice puck from Homer before the game, and smiles and hellos from Babcock, Chelios, Lebda, and his hero Jimmy.  He told a couple Dive fans to be quiet when they tried the Red Wings suck chant. Too funny.  I loved the passion of the fans and the team last night!

Posted by Jeff from Loveland,CO on 02/19/08 at 01:38 PM ET

I would agree with Jeff.  Winged Nation was out in full force last night.  It was great!  My friend that I was with who is a full fledged Dive fan was angry that the Avs fans could not drown out the “Let’s go Red Wings” chants.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 02/19/08 at 01:47 PM ET