Last time we saw Dana Wiki she was picking her teeth in front of the ill-fated cybercomwebcast the other day.  Tonite? She’s liveblogging.

The players have all skated out on the ice for warm-ups and the game-time decision guys—Brad Stuart, Mikael Samuelsson and Tomas Holmstrom—are all out there. Does that mean they’re going to play? Not necessarily but it’s a good sign and probably means they will.

I’m looking forward to seeing how well Stuart does in the postseason with this team, especially after being off for so long.

Also, Darren McCarty is out there. Again, no guarantees, but it seems fitting to see him wearing the winged wheel and being out there during the postseason.

Mac is in, Downey out…

Bruce is the man.

Dave Strader’s doing play by play for VS.  Good sign.

Frigging Legace is a guest commentator in the VS studio.  Try to keep breathing big boy.

Manny!  Holy jumpin.....

Just checked the fridge:  6 Oberons, 3 Two Hearted Ales, and 2 Hopslams (in case things get bad)...all smuggled in from Kalamazoo.  Michigan-brewed beer for me only, thank you very much.

I’m ready.  Let’s do this.

Can’t resist.

Golf’s running long, and in it’s wisdom, TSN has decided to stick with the golf until the bitter end… over the NHL playoffs?  Are you kidding me?

Yeah but my freaking DishNetwork doesnt have the chrystal clear HD tonite—Golf instead.  GOLF!!!

Drake, Draper, Samuelsson to start. interesting.

Nice hit HOMER!!

Long FREAKING SHIFT!!!

What the lawyer said. long shift led to that powerplay.

WooHoo—the even-up.  Wings look like they are gripping the stick awfully tight!!!!

Jeez that was a weak penalty…

Good.

Heya Chief, Jeff, all… hitting the tub, catch up in a bit.

Jeff, turn the golf channel on. It’s the game. I did the same thing. (At least on DirecTV)

Niiiiice DUB!

MULE!!!!!!

FRANZEN!

MULE!

FRANZEN!!!

Mule!  You magnificent BASTARD!!!

GABE!

Thanks Gabe—Game on HD!!!
HOLA TD!!!! 
Freaking MULE!!!!  Give that Swede a raise!!!

DUB! Man...I don’t know about you...I got ready for the game by pumping up the infate-a-date. MAN I feel alive.

Grinders on now!!  LEts take someones head off!!!

Z!!  Off the Post!!!

Holy crap that was a fast shot by Sammy.

Holy Crapola Samuelsson, that was almost nifty.

HAHAHA!

Yes, GD DAMN I FEEL ALIVE!

Okay, I’m seriously getting in the damn tub, see you cats during itermission.

… WTF, Sammy hit the net?!?!

Sammy hit the net—can’t remember the last time anyone said that!!!

DET has the best of the scoring chances, hell I dont know if Bubba even has one.  But Bubba is spending alot of time in the DET zone.

Hell yeah.

Missed the first 20 of the game...long day.

Train looks full...I never got off in February.

GO WINGS!!!

Christ Almighty, are they interviewing Babs ON THE BENCH DURING THE GAME?!?!?!

DAMN Pavel—SHOOT the FREAKING PUCK!!!!!

I didn’t think I’d like Franzen and Cleary on the same line, but so far I’m impressed.  They’ve both come so far since the start of the season--especially Franzen.

Webber with a penalty to kill the PP.  Expect to see much more of that.

HaHa --Webber --even up!!

Has Barry Trotz gained weight?

Mule—Johnny on the spot AGAIN

Tootoo and McCarty...my vocabulary isn’t large enough to describe how badly I’d like to see them go tonite.

Ditto that thought Chief

Nice save by Hasek there.

DAMN who ran Hasek?

Smithson with the charge and it’s the Wings shorthanded.  So that’s how it’ll be.

I vill fleep you nex, Smithson.

And the ticker on Versus just informed me that someone called N. Lindstrom led all defencemen in points.  You learn something every day.

Is Hasek winking, or is that the facial tic of a crazy person?

Well that wasn’t so bad.  The first period that is.  Score helps a lot.

Anyone else notice a little into the first just before a faceoff when the PA was playing Paralyzer?  “I hold on so nervously, to me and my drink, I wish it was cool in me, but so far has not been good.”

The guy that runs the PA must read this blog

Matt, I leave it to you to decide.

By the way, does anyone else who caught Allanah’s post yesterday being plagued by images of Doogie Howser?

Is Douche Canoe doing the game for TSN?  I could’ve sworn I saw that bald head at least twice in the 1st.

They need to get more in Ellis’ bubble. He looks just shaky enough that something other than long, unscreened shots may go in.

Ha...six minutes in and the Canoe is already looking like a Douche (Franzen = secondary scoring).

Best ine of the FSN broadcast so far goes to Ken: “Zetterberg is starting the playoffs clean shaven. But he’ll probably have a full beard by the start of the third period.”

Priceless!

In deference to the ladies abord the train, I’ll refrain from commenting on how Hank’s “hirsuteness” must affect Emma on a nightly basis.

Porter? More wine!

Out of Yuengling. Switching to some german stuff my neighbor brough back from frankfurt.

Nick with a bomb shorth handed

Sammy on a line with Dats and Cleary—

Man, I just found 2 bottles of Yuengling in the back of my fridge, what a bonus!

New Rule:  If you’re at the game and some idiot on a cell phone stands up to wave at the camera and blocks your view, it is perfectly OK to spill your beer on him.

Samuelsson actually looks pretty good.  Christ it literally hurt me to type that.

There’s honestly no play I love to see more in a Red Wings game than Pavel Datsyuk finishing his check.

Anyone else notice a little into the first just before a faceoff when the PA was playing Paralyzer?  “I hold on so nervously, to me and my drink, I wish it was cool in me, but so far has not been good.”
The guy that runs the PA must read this blog

I thought the same when they played How Far We’ve Come.

“I believe it all is coming to an end...”

Is it me or is the stadium extremely empty and lifeless?

Wings appear to be much stronger in the NSH end so far this period

where did the freaking game go?!?!?!?

Anyone else’s feed just cut to commercial right in the middle of play?

Damn. Franzen looks frigging great.

Good work in front of the net draws 2 mins—Mule Again

Matt in ChiTown - Two Hearted Ale?  I’m a huge fan, loves me some IPAs.  Gotta get Hoppy.  Next time I’m in Michigan I gotta visit Bell’s Brewery and pay homage.  I can pick it up at a couple of wine specialty shops here in Richmond.  DAMN!  Hockey’s on too!

Why didn’t the ref RIGHT NEXT TO THE PLAY call that penalty??

verification word: 37lot. Good sign for Sammy?

Goblin - It’s Detroit, its a lifeless crowd.

Damn good chance by the 2nd unit

Damn so close.  still a 1 shot game.

This is getting difficult to watch.

Wings are really starting to Buzz!!!

Here’s where we stand halfway through: the Wings look fantastic. Total puck possession.  Stifling defense. Hasek looks alert and on top of his game. Second power play unit looks as good as the first.

Yet only up by one.  That’s an issue.

Yes, only up by one.  But this is the playoffs.  Almost every game ends 3-2, or something like that.  Be interesting to know what the chances are.  We have hit the iron twice.

Yes! Found the feed!

And it’s all Hacker-Pschorr over here. Beer schnobbing it up. Plus weed.

RWBill- Nothing but the best.  Only Bell’s beer during Wings playoff games, it’s a superstition that dates back to the ‘97 run.

I just found a bone fragment in my polish sausage.  That’s good luck!

Ahh Versus says chances are DET 8, NSH 2.  Sounds about right.

Stevie Y:  All class, all the time.

When the Wings bag the next goal this game is all but over.  They have owned the play so far.

Love long interviews with Yzerman, but could they maybe do them sometime that is not the middle of the freaking game?

Ellis standing on his freaking head first oj Datsyuk than on that last chance

Ohhh damn

And there’s the nightmare.  A fluke goal after multiple scoring opportunities for the Wings.

...crap.

And THAT is why the playoffs suck.

When the Wings bag the next goal this game is all but over.  They have owned the play so far.

Jeff, you can put comments like that right next to the Chief’s inevitable shutout comments.  Now, go sit in the corner.

We have owned this game and yet it is 1 - 1.  Damn lucky *#$%@& Tootoo.

Ill have to go sit in the corner for a bit Gabe.  Battery is about kaput

Hopefully, the Mayans will be proved correct about December 21, 2012.  That would mean only five more years of this torturous bullshit.

Dammit Toootooo.  Fluke goals piss me off.  It’s Ellis’ turn to give up a garbage goal now.  *crosses fingers*

Anyone remember the last time the Wings got a truly lucky goal in the playoffs?  Seems like all of their goals have to be fought for while opponents get stuff that’s off the net, off the ref, off Gary’s head, off the post and in.

2nd period shots were 17-6 Wings.  2nd period goals?  Don’t ask.  Life sucks.

I am gonna go against the grain and say we haven’t owned this game ... i mean, i know shots are crazy, but they always are.  Bubba is all over our D.  They hold it in for loooong shifts and if that happens too much, they’re gonna score.  Now, I’m not saying that the wings aren’t controlling much of the game ... it’s just hasn’t been titled in one direction the whole game.

manny...there’s a pre-production meeting to sit in on..."Who can we get as a guest announcer?” Hey, how about Manny Legace! Yeah, Manny......... 

Somebody needs to be fired. Publicly.  Town Square stuff.  Jeeez....

Anyone else’s feed just cut to commercial right in the middle of play?

Yup. Me too. It’s Comacast. They somehow think that making money is more important than the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Who woulda thunk it?

AS viewed from the Baggage Car, the good news is the Wings have completely dominated the first two periods. Kudos to Babs for getting the guys ready.

The bad news? Freakin’ Ellis just might be the real deal. Or at least he thinks he is. And that’s not good.

Porter? More wine, damnit!

I’m with ColdWar. The long periods of Nashville cycling in the Wings’ end are troubling and have to stop.

Nashville’s forecheck has confused the Wings all game. Boo on the coaching staff. No adjustments.

“Anyone remember the last time the Wings got a truly lucky goal in the playoffs?  Seems like all of their goals have to be fought for while opponents get stuff that’s off the net, off the ref, off Gary’s head, off the post and in.”

Those two off of frenchy mcquack in game one of the west finals last year are the only ones I can remember.

Detroit’s controlling. Even if they fall tonight, Ellis won’t stand under such a ridiculous amount of pressure and domination.

Jeeeeesus.  Frigging Rafalski’s giving the puck away like candy at christmas.

YESSSSSSS! Dats -> Z and in!!!!

YES!  MONEY!!!

YES!

ZZZZZHHGGEYEAAAARRGH!

Bout fookin time!!!

now let’s do that 7 or 8 more times!!!

Holy crap.  the house is asleep and I almost gave myself some kind of aneurism thing when zetterberg scored trying not to yell.

There’s that lucky bounce goal someone was just talking about…

I’ll count that hold in the zone as our lucky bounce.

Chelios go back pretty quick there.

err..."got back”

Great play from Lilja standing up whichever nondescript redneck was trying to enter the zone, and a great job from Cleary drawing that penalty. liking this german beer.  The Hasek Club Car is getting rowdy.

i feel even more stressed when the wings are up by one.  like i’m just waiting for someone to drop the bal (as it were).

I’m back what did I miss—j/k

“I am $6 a bottle, but I am the finest champagne you will ever taste.  I am the NHL Playoffs.”

More like “I am $6 a bottle, and I am the worst Tums you will ever taste.”

Going to enjoy a cold one while this PP is going.

I thought I was watching pee-wee hockey for a second...what the hell was that Rafalski?

What a hit by Kronner!!!  Penalty or not

Damnit you know Trotz will have that tape on the league’s front door by midnight.

Wheres the call on Cleary????

Can someone explain to me the crappy officiating tonight?

Can someone explain to me the crappy officiating tonight?

We have a three word phrase for that here at A2Y Jennifer.  Thanks Gary. Ass.

Gut check time now gang!!!

Lol… Thanks Gary. Ass.

I’ll remember that.

Anybody have an idea how much ice time Homer’s had tonight?

Crap, about 1 minute until empty-net time.  Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap

Wont be long till Trotz pulls Ellis.  I say at 18:30

About 13 minutes for Homer.

Can someone explain to me the crappy officiating tonight?

Simply put, no.

about 13 minutes for homer so far

Holmstrom: 17 shifts, 12:54 ice time

Thanks guys, I just found the TOI sheet on NHL.com.

Tension— Tension—lots of tension for the next 44 secs

Living on a Prayer. Lovely.

Here we go again!!!

SCORE!!!

Drink up motherfu***rs.  15 left.

Borat says “Veddy Niiice!!”

Go Z!

one down, fifteen to go.

Go Wings! Full steam ahead!

Score was closer than the game.  Wings looked very good tonight.

Exhale

And now back to your regularly scheduled playoff twitching.

I just hope that before this series is over, someone knocks the crap out of “Toots”. Hate that puffy-faced snot.

See you guys tomorrow—G’Night! 

WooHoo!!!!

Eh. I knew they’d dominate and win. I don’t know what you were all worried about.

...

I’m gonna go throw up now.  But not because I was stressed. Not me.

Wings doubled their shots. No surprise. Was very happy with overall play.  Puck possession in the second and third wasn’t what it was in the first, but a good strong playoff game. 

And..no problems with Hasek’s play.

As I said this morning my playoff slogan is “BRING IT ON!” Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Legace just slipped. “We..Uh, I mean Nashville has to get more shots on net.” Call Strickland Manny.

Not sure if anyone else has heard, but NASHVILLE HAS NEVER WON A PLAYOFF GAME ON THE ROAD.  The versus guys just told me.  Again.

1 down, 15 to go.

Wings win and I’m headed to the Laundry Car to wash out my shorts. Why can’t these guys do what the Pens did to Ottawa? It would save us all a lot of angst...not to mention the laundry bill.

The good news: this game is over.

The bad news: We’ve got 38 hours to wait until the next game.

Porter! Bring me all of the $6 wine you’ve got.

Bring. It. On.  They look good.  Dominated in shots.  Of course Ellis gets eight million saves, but how could you imagine anything different?  I was at a business dinner all night and had my blackberry refreshing every 30 seconds.  Zetterberg’s goal shows up and I interrupt a speech with “YES!  ZETTERBERG!”

Awesome.  3-1, Chase.  Write it down.

(waking up on floor of Hasek Club Car) Did I miss anything? After Nashville pulled their goalie I blacked out. Saw most of the game but stress tends to have a cumulative effect on me… Wow the Wings held on for a 3-1 win? (crumples to the floor again… sucumbing to the sweet relief of unconsciousness)

Pretty good first game...I think this is going to be one heck of a series.

Wings, at times, were putting a puck control clinic on for my Preds...they are so good with the puck!

Wow, so respectful PredJoe; we don’t tolerate that around here. So F*** you and f*** your family and F*** your pets. Especially F*** your pets.

Damn, I’m starting to sound like a STL fan.

Anyway, I missed watching the game because I’m writing a paper. I’ll miss the next game because I’ll be delivering this paper at a conference. The third game, I will be writing another paper, same for the fourth.

After that, I can rest because the series will be over

Staying up late has its advantages though: Stars lead Poultry 2-0 Hell YEA!  I want to see a Poultry beat down.

Calgary got the first six shots on goal. Tied 0-0 right now, but they hit a few posts. Go Flamers!

Staying up late has its advantages though: Stars lead Poultry 2-0 Hell YEA!  I want to see a Poultry beat down.

Well, you’re getting your wish, Osrt. The Poultry look absolutely pathetic tonight. The best VS shot was of Carlyle after the third Stars goal. He looked like he wished he was anywhere but behind the Ducks bench.

But, hey, what can you expect from a guy named Randy.

Wow, I can’t believe I’m typing this but I thought William Tell had a great game.  Rafalski has got to improve on the give aways.  Yikes.  Anyway, exhale.  One down three more to go.

Kulfan from the Detnews this morning.  “Mikael Samuelsson (a team-high eight shots on net), Brad Stuart (22 minutes ice time) and Kris Draper (12-of-19 faceoff victories) returned to the Wings lineup.”

I guess this is why Babcock gets paid to coach this team.  I would have sat Sammy for Home Keyz, but Babcock seems to have been right with his selections.  I think sometimes we forget that he’s a really good coach.

Bruce “The Highlander” MacLeod (There can be only One!), penciled his thoughts on game one:

-- It doesn’t look like Scott Nichol will return to the Nashville lineup for Game 2 after a “left arm injury” and that’s a significant loss for the Predators. Nichol centered the third line, but he was a plus-12 in the regular season and won 59.8 percent of his faceoffs.
-- I’m not a big fan of Darren McCarty playing ahead of Aaron Downey. But I did love seeing McCarty’s face when Jordin Tootoo acted up.
-- Brad Stuart had three shots on goal but I’m not sure that his broken finger is allowing him to shoot the puck well at all.
-- Dominik Hasek turned the switch on for the playoffs. The Red Wings have the better goalie.
-- Brian Rafalski had a weak game and fortunately it didn’t cost the Red Wings.
-- I fear Alexander Radulov above all other Predator forwards. But the Red Wings coaching staff doesn’t, matching up against the Jason Arnott line instead. Worked well tonight.
-- Dallas Drake looked like a good lineup decision. He and Tomas Holmstrom had a team-high four hits.
-- Henrik Zetterberg was a one-man shooting gallery. He had eight shots on goal, six that missed the mark and one that was blocked.

I’m not a big fan of Darren McCarty playing ahead of Aaron Downey. But I did love seeing McCarty’s face when Jordin Tootoo acted up.

I thought the exact same thing at that moment.  I think it’s a premonition.  There will be more between McCarty and Tootoo in this series.  Bet on it.  Think Iginla would’ve gotten away with his bs last year with McCarty in the game?  I don’t.

Speaking of physical play, I loved Kronwall’s massive hit.  Yeah he got the elbow up, but in the playoffs that’s not such a bad penalty to take to send a message early.

Looks like the Predators fans are blaming the refs for Zetterberg’s game winning goal.  First, they say it was off-sides (which is garbage, it wasn’t even close) and now…

YES! I was more upset about that than the non-offsides call. That was one of the more blatant penalties that didn’t get called.

No way it was a tripping penalty.  The puck was there, both players were headed for it and there feet made contact.  Z didn’t intentionally drag his leg or anything.  If Z had fallen down, should it have been a Predators penalty?  Nope.

Yup, theys doin’ them some whinin’ in Tennessee.

I went to the official Bubba board this morning just to revel in their misery, but left after the third ‘Chelios needs a walker’ post.

Funny stuff, Cletus.

After the fact, as usual for me, but a couple quick comments…

Why can’t these guys do what the Pens did to Ottawa?

I with you OTC.  If all the games are going to be like this we need to call Jiri Fischer and get an AED on this train.  Fast.

Rafalski has got to improve on the give aways.

Gee, I don’t know, hockeychic.  I don’t think he can give it away any better than he did last night.