Nah, I think we all felt it coming.

Bertuzzi was a tad quicker than I expected, though he has a few games to go before we probably really see a good jump from him.

I liked what I saw in that he seemed to try and get back into playing with power, but his timing is just so off right now that it doesn’t do much. That’s all expected though. The good news was that I thought he was stronger in the 3rd and OT than in the first two, so it seems like he may have actually squared away the injury for good [knocking on wood].

Posted by Nathan on 03/23/07 at 07:59 AM ET

I really disagree with the Detroit fans booing Fedorov.  Sergei is one of the best players ever to wear the Winged Wheel.  He was an extremely important part of the last 3 Wings’ Stanley Cup Champoionships.  The Wings have been dismal in the playoffs since he left.  The Detroit fans owe an awful lot to Federov, and should acknowledge that and cheer him robustly.  The truth is that the booing is a backhanded acknowledgment of how important he was to the Red Wings.

Posted by w2j2 on 03/23/07 at 08:28 AM ET

Of course Fedorov was going to score.  It’s a shame too, because Osgood really should have earned a win.
I don’t understand why the big one (sans mustache) didn’t use him earlier.  I question Babcock sending Bertuzzi out as one of his first three shooters.  I don’t care if you have Gretzky himself, you don’t use a player who really hasn’t played since last year to help decide a game 73 games into the season.

Posted by Matt from Royal Oak, MI on 03/23/07 at 08:38 AM ET

I agree with you Matt. I was surprised that Bertuzzi showed the agility in his first game back to make that move to the backhand and beat the goalie, but the rust from not playing in so long was the difference between his goal post and what would’ve been a game winner.

Posted by Nathan on 03/23/07 at 09:23 AM ET

The way Federov left Detroit, he deserves to get boos. It was the opposite of classy.

Posted by --- on 03/23/07 at 09:24 AM ET

I sat there last night going, “When is Fedorov going to shoot and win it, when is it going to happen.” I even said outloud to my friends that were watching, “Watch, Fedorov is going to win it.” I still miss Sergei and wish he wore the Winged Wheel.  Wings could really use him in the playoffs.  He didn’t leave Detroit under the best circumstances but I still wish the Wings had him.

I was really surprised that Babcock went with Bertuzzi in the shootout. 

After the Wings loss I switched over to Bubba vs. the Flames.  Was really hoping the Flames would pull out the win in regulation so Bubba didn’t get any points.  Sigh.

Posted by hockeychic on 03/23/07 at 09:56 AM ET

I liked Bert’s play, all things considered. I was a little surprised that Babs went with him in the SO, but far more shocked with the selection of Sammy.

Posted by johnnygloveside on 03/23/07 at 11:09 AM ET

I got a lot of my laundry done last night.  That’s good. 

Wait, the Wings played last night?  Oh, it was just Columbus.  No wonder I didn’t remember. 

Yawn. 

Do we play the BeeJees again this season?  I could maybe get the garage cleaned out that night.

Posted by O-Joe on 03/23/07 at 11:19 AM ET

O-Joe - “Just Columbus” just beat the Wings for the 3rd time out of 6 this year. 

Jackets play the Wings two more times - hopefully between cleaning the garage and stroking your ego you can find time to watch them lose again against a non-playoff team….not exactly the best way to be entering the playoffs.

Congrats to Feds on the game winner.  Also nice to read the comments from some Wings’ fans that actually appreciate what a future hall of famer like Fedorov meant to their team and league.

Posted by Anonymous on 03/23/07 at 12:33 PM ET

I think Federov needs the Wings, and the Wings needed him.

If he were back in Detroit, I think his game would hit another level. Not like before he left, but still far above average.

Posted by Nathan on 03/23/07 at 01:07 PM ET

I’ll stay away from the tempation to be an ass and simply state that despite the low score at the end of regulation, this was one of the more exciting hockey games I’ve watched in the last few months.  I’d guess that Wings fans who disagree probably do so rightly because this is a team they should beat soundly.

Great goaltending from both sides, the right amount of chippy play (boy, do I love to hate Kirk Maltby), and the typical CBJ/DET third period of madness.

And yes, as the booing intensified with Fedorov skating up the ice in the shootout my wife and I both commented how nice it would be if Sergei could do a little something to quiet the crowd.  What a way to start our sports evening.

Since we (CBJ) won’t be there, I’ll wish my best to the Wings in the playoffs.  Good luck!

Posted by Drew from Columbus, OH on 03/23/07 at 01:08 PM ET

“Just Columbus” just beat the Wings for the 3rd time out of 6 this year.

Yeah, so?

Jackets play the Wings two more times.

Looks like I get the basement and attic cleaned before the playoffs start, too.  Woot!

Posted by O-Joe on 03/23/07 at 01:14 PM ET

Wow, you BJ fans sure are touchy.  If a little cyber facewash gets your collective goat, you’re never going to survive should this become a real rivalry.

*shakes head like Thomas*

{Probably should take down the Christmas tree, too.}

Posted by O-Joe on 03/23/07 at 01:28 PM ET

I hope you’re referring to “Anonymous” as touchy, and not me.  Because I didn’t mean to come across that way. 

Yes, I have a strong dislike for the Wings.  But it’s a respectful dislike.

Generalizations are a tricky thing.

But I guess if you really want to deliver a facewash…

Posted by Drew from Columbus, OH on 03/23/07 at 06:31 PM ET

“Cyber facewash”... god gawd get a life bro..either that or clean out that wad of mush between the ears while your at it :rollseyes:

Posted by Anonymous on 03/23/07 at 08:12 PM ET

Sergei Fedorov was my first favourite Wing, and the soap opera surrounding his departure from Detroit was downright insulting…but it’s been four years. 

Sergei did what he did, the Wings moved on, most of the fans moved on, and there are a few thousand yutzes who continue to boo him every time he touches the puck reflect poorly upon a group of hockey fans who generally refrain from the “your team sucks” or “your player sucks” chants that you hear in most NHL rinks.

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 03/23/07 at 08:41 PM ET

...but it’s been four years.

Yeah…that’s along time—almost one entire presidential campaign!  :D

There has to be someone else worth booing who is more relevant to the present.

Posted by Baroque on 03/24/07 at 04:35 AM ET

the federov reaction was expected; joe louis fans are idiots. (i can tell you stories)
btw- bert trade will be gold.

Posted by zaw on 03/25/07 at 05:08 AM ET