Tonight will be good, but perhaps indicate nothing.

After a night of thug hockey, Babs will have a big challenge on
just how to use his bruised and battered line-up.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don�t live up to my expectations on 10/30/08 at 03:47 PM ET

Forgot to mention:

I will be surprised if it turns out to be another penalty festival.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don�t live up to my expectations on 10/30/08 at 03:48 PM ET

38% of the Wings goal production is on the PP,
or
only 62 % is non PP.

28% of the Sharks goal production is on the PP,
or
75 % is non PP.

If the whistles go in the Refs pocket tonight…
that could be the deciding factor.

SJ has allowed 10 fewer goals than the Wings in the same # of games.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don�t live up to my expectations on 10/30/08 at 04:06 PM ET

Thug Hockey.  I like that HTT.  Remember when the Ducks used to be Mighty?!

Tod, Tod, Tod...good coach, nice guy, great family.......now if you will excuse us we haves to kick yur butt.  I mean that in a nice way.

Posted by Rumbear from the den.... on 10/30/08 at 04:54 PM ET

Well… one way or another we’re going to win tonight. Thug style or not, we can play with anyone. We just need the want to and need to dig a little after a game like last night to find the will.
Todd can deny wanting to win this one more than any other game… keep telling yourself that Todd… you might believe it.... eventually.
Rumbear… do you have a tv in the kitchen yet?

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 10/30/08 at 05:21 PM ET

What did Babcock say about this tough stretch of games here?  That it would be all about mental toughness and to “suck it up and play”?

So yeah, “suck it up and play.”

Just find a way to get through tonight, knowing that there’s only one game the next eight nights.

Posted by yawt from norcal on 10/30/08 at 05:32 PM ET

Thinking ass’t coaches now.... Scotty picked Barry to be his replacement..
Barry moved to PHX which seemed to banish him to Siberia… or the Russian Super League at least Good ching but not the NHL. Just thinking out loud as I’m bored moving furniture back in place I moved last night… bleh. Beer doesn’t make the stuff lighter either.
I was critical yesterday of the newbie behind our bench maybe… but I called out the guys on the ice as much as the newbie.... and I’ll say that again. The guys on the ice havn’t changed since last year, other than Cheli being out. Ergo, he’s a rudder we need to steady the ship in choppy seas.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 10/30/08 at 05:36 PM ET

knowing that there’s only one game the next eight nights.

I’ll get to bed earlier and get more done.... going to bed after midnight after 6 or 12 beers and all.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 10/30/08 at 05:41 PM ET

If you look throughout the league there are many successful Red Wings alumni.  Coaches and GMs are flourishing.  We are a production factory for all kinds of talent.

I am glad Todd is thriving, it shows the quality of our system. 

Sorry for the length, wanted to share a couple of great articles on the Pipes & Tubes today should make WIngs fans happy:
1) Mirtle breaks down Forbes’ NHL data article
For Wings fans we can take solace in the fact despite all the empty seats at JLA and the general malaise of the Michigan economy, the team is the 4th most profitable in the league.  Not only that, but overall increase over four years is a modest 13%… no bandwagon, just hardcore.

Notice something else?  All the top 4 are original 6.  So much for Li’l Gary’s theory that the original 6 don’t matter when fielding scheduling questions about matchups.  Who wouldn’t want to play the biggest markets in the sport a bit more than once every three years?

Among biggest gainers:  Pittsburgh and the Poultry.  Bandwagons to the max.  You can see the Poultry’s success since the Cup, and we will see their fairweather fans depart when they realize no Cup is forthcoming after Burke mortagaged their future on big contracts. 

The Pens are riding the swell of Crosbymania, which the marketing hype for is causing the rest of us to lose our lunches.  Most of the fans are too young to be around for Mario’s prime, but there are exceptions.  The dedicated pre-teens at Pensblog will have liked the Pens for almost a DECADE by the time they get start shaving.  Wow.

Among biggest losers:  Bubba and the Dive.  Next time the drooling masses from Trashville pollute our boards asking about empty seats, remind them the gaps in our seats subsidizes their team, their ice, their seats, and the concessions where tooth decay leads to gaps in Bubba’s teeth.

And the Vagalanche.  Oh pitiful Dive.  They like to point out that the 2003 Cup winning team was one of the best assembled in recent memory, too bad the fanbase didn’t assemble the same way.  The definition of no history, legacy, or identity… the penultimate fairweather fans.  See the steady decline in attendance and revenue since their Cup.  One of only three teams NOT to make money under the rules that were designed to make EVERYBODY money.

And quickly…

If you are new to the game... is a primer for new fans in Chicago to the game of hockey.  A sort of Dummies guide to the Hawks.

Notice the sage advice tucked among information like what icing and offsides are, is this pearl:

And if you are a Hawks fan, you hate Detroit with an unspeakable passion.

Even in the comments, just before I represent the A2Y 19 to the new fans, Nurse Hatchet admits to spawning children only to hate the Wings.  They are even allowed to say Detroit S-U-C-K-S when cheering, and they aren’t allowed to use THAT word!

I had to break it to her that until her children feel the salty tears of playoff defeat running down their cheeks and chin at the hands of the Wings, they won’t understand the hate.  Maybe this year.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 10/30/08 at 06:00 PM ET

MOWings,

TV in the kitchen....BRILLIANT!

Although, no pizza tonight...it’s Martini and Mexican food Thursday at Rumbear Manor.

Posted by Rumbear from the den.... on 10/30/08 at 06:02 PM ET

More gems from perusing Snapshots:

From OC Register:

When Teemu Selanne sealed his hat trick in Wednesday night’s overtime Ducks victory, the reaction of the 17,174 fans at Honda Center was pathetic.

It took close to 30 seconds before one measly hat went zipping through the air. I didn’t see more than two hats land on the ice. By night’s end, more octopi had landed on the Honda Center ice than hats. And the Ducks were the winning team!!!

The funniest part was for those of us forced to watch the crappy Ducks feed, Brian Hayward tried to defend Ducks fans for the lack of hats thrown by saying that they probably didn’t know Selanne had 3 goals, they didn’t realize the 2nd goal off Lilja’s skate was credited to him.  Right.  That’s what it was.

And another one from the LA Times archives:

Babcock’s representative, Bobby Brett, had asked Burke to improve the deal, requesting more money, more years and more time to make a decision.

“I said a flat ‘no’ both times, with a considerable amount of emphasis and profanity,” Burke said.

Could Burke be even more of an ass?  Well, on behalf of a majority of Wings fans Burkie, thanks for that “flat ‘no’,” as we wouldn’t otherwise have the greatest coach in the NHL on our team.  Cheers to Uncle Mike!

Posted by yawt from norcal on 10/30/08 at 06:14 PM ET

Just keepin Andrew off ya… (ok maybe me too) ‘Bear.
I’m sans wife for a few hours whilst I rearrange after having the carpet thrown down today. So beer burger n fries for me n the little dude.
No Canadian tonight, bad karma from it last night. Back to my college years with Rocky Mtn Piss… Original Coors.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 10/30/08 at 06:14 PM ET

And I just realized that OC Register article was already on the KK main page!  Sorry!

Posted by yawt from norcal on 10/30/08 at 06:23 PM ET

Nevermind McClellan’s impact. What about our video coordinator? Do we get piss poor pregame reports now? Maybe we lost our treasured hot dog vendor, and all our beer is flat.

Nah

Buckle down and play the game.

Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 10/30/08 at 06:42 PM ET

Chief, just to catch up, my thoughts on The 81 are the same as yours as I wrote up in this bitch I think Sunday morning, we may have to write out some beloved grinding hard working mules, in fact a lot of them, but keeping Hossa has got to be at the top of the list, and no lower than inking Zetterberg.  To keep both of them on a scale that is only minorly insulting to stay with the Wings will require Mule and others to sign for 1/4 pay or sign on with the Predators.  Sorry to say, cuz I luvs me some Mule.

Related topic, Thanks Maltby and D Mac, but Abbadabba Do can’t be kept down too long for your benefit.  Home Keys skates much faster, in his one game he hit harder, and can score much better.  The list of players forcing Malts on his way is growing longer.  Emmerton, Leino, Abdulkader, geezo these guys need to feed off of Hossa, Datsyuk and Zetterberg over the next 4 years, starting very, very, soon.  You need production on your 3rd and 4th line?  Look to the GR baby.  Drapes, stay on a little while longer to teach your mad faceoff skills and your positive upbeat locker room karma… but not too long, and thanks for The Cups.

Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 10/30/08 at 06:43 PM ET

Buckle down and play the game.

I’m pointing a finger at them too Nate.... really I am.
RWBill… theres a bunch of us with you not over-ripening in GR. Granted Leino needs a little more exposure before we give the blessing as ready. But Helm’s a gamer and ready to shove Malts aside...... Sammy should be looking over his shoulder if not for that damn man crush.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 10/30/08 at 07:09 PM ET

Voox is being a monster poster; good stuff man.

I’m not optimistic about tonight but whatever...I’m tonight’s bitch.

If Fil and Z aren’t paired together tonight, I’m gonna be pissed.

Also, put Paul MacLean back in charge of the defense.

See you bitches for the live blog.

Posted by Osrt on 10/30/08 at 07:36 PM ET

Not tryin to pick on you MO or anyone else .

Just saying I don’t buy the excuses. With the exception of Hossa(who’s doing just fine thank you), they all know the system and have for a couple years.

Maybe they’re pressing, maybe they’re adjusting to lines, or new equipment. Either way, I don’t think there’s anything more to be done from the bench. Just something to work through.

Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 10/30/08 at 07:44 PM ET

I hate the 10:00 p.m. games. But I will be watching. Had a few to many “Ginger Ales” last night, and today was a little rough. I’m not as young as I used to be but I’m still as Irish.
One is too many, and a hundred is not enough.Bitches.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 10/30/08 at 07:54 PM ET

Irish or not… I’m Scandanavian (1/2 Finn).... the northern Euro’s are rather thirsty too… Just sayin’. Not an excuse either… LOL
Hey, I like beer. I don’t hide it. My ginger ale goes with Jack or Makers preferably. Hey, I have Makers in the cabinet…
Thanks Kate!

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 10/30/08 at 07:57 PM ET

Voox is being a monster poster; good stuff man.
I’m not optimistic about tonight but whatever...I’m tonight’s bitch.
If Fil and Z aren’t paired together tonight, I’m gonna be pissed.
Also, put Paul MacLean back in charge of the defense.
See you bitches for the live blog.
Posted by Osrt on 10/30/08 at 08:36 PM ET

Thanks for the kind words, here’s hoping I make Douche Canoe’s monster list.  *fingers crossed*

In general, how Lidstrom goes, our D goes, and I haven’t been to happy with his play since he returned from injury.  I even feel Kronwall was our best playoff defenceman.

I like how Cleary and Fil work together so putting them with Zetterberg might be the new second line as everyone gets better on Z’s line.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 10/30/08 at 08:11 PM ET

Voox n Orst or Orst n Voox… 110% agree. Z needs the jump to be pumped about his linemates.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 10/30/08 at 08:17 PM ET

And the Vagalanche.  Oh pitiful Dive.

Epic comment, VooX…

Except the 2003 Cup Winning Team part…

But otherwise...epic. 

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 10/30/08 at 08:54 PM ET

28% of the Sharks goal production is on the PP,
or
75 % is non PP.

um, that’s 103%.  is that how they’re winning?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 10/30/08 at 08:54 PM ET

In general, how Lidstrom goes, our D goes, and I haven’t been to happy with his play since he returned from injury.

Do you mean his injury from preseason or last season’s knee sprain?  Nick hasn’t been Norris Nick yet, but I’d give him a little slack as he’s been taking the brunt of all the PK’ing.  Expending so much of your efforts and energy on 3-on-5 kills would hurt other parts of your game, no?

I even feel Kronwall was our best playoff defenceman.

Kronwall had a coming-out party, no doubt, but better than Lidstrom?  You might wanna check this out:

Fantastic defensively for the first three series, and he looked good in the finals as well.  I guess you could say he only had 13 points, but keep in mind the two negated goals which should have counted if not for the Homer Rule would have given him an extra goal and assist, bringing him to the same tally of points as Kronner.  Plus, who knows if the Wings would’ve won the Cup without his center-ice goal? 

Posted by yawt from norcal on 10/30/08 at 08:57 PM ET

for those of you looking for an online feed, the game is free tonight on NHL.com’s GameCenter…

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2008020147

There’s a “get it now” link under the pic...I assume it doesn’t work until the game starts.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 10/30/08 at 08:58 PM ET

Epic comment, VooX…

Except the 2003 Cup Winning Team part…

But otherwise...epic.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 10/30/08 at 09:54 PM ET

Well Gabe, I have to hold it down as I can’t be here during the live blog.  My brother is sick of all the Wings games in the evening, and I have to watch this on PVR at about 2am.

Let’s Go Red Wings.  Hold down the live blog, bitches.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 10/30/08 at 08:59 PM ET

Well Gabe, I have to hold it down as I can’t be here during the live blog.  My brother is sick of all the Wings games in the evening, and I have to watch this on PVR at about 2am.

Dude...if anyone, anywhere ever needed to have a few Tylenol PM crushed up and sprinkled into his drink, it would be your brother.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 10/30/08 at 09:03 PM ET

RWBill: Outstanding avatar.  You can stay.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 10/30/08 at 09:04 PM ET

28+75=103 you get a star for math on yer forehead Paul.

Can’t really explain, except team stats have them at 32 goals. and the standings have them at 33.
Quick calculations on small calculator, different database or maybe a typo.  I think you still got the point.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don�t live up to my expectations on 10/30/08 at 09:08 PM ET

John Keating talking with Mac and suggesting that a few of the Wings are rampantly downloading porn....friggen classic.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 10/30/08 at 09:24 PM ET

Expending so much of your efforts and energy on 3-on-5 kills would hurt other parts of your game, no?

in the past, no, not for Nick.  but we all have to come to grips with the reality that he IS getting older.  as much as we’d like to deny it.

we all think about things like the kick in the sack, 37 seconds, things like that from the past 10 years.  but the darkest day looms.  I hate to ruin your Friday night, but just try to imagine for 1 second how you’re going to feel watching the Nicklas Lidstrom retirement speech. 

methinks it’ll be a scene like this repeated in households across America…

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 10/31/08 at 08:14 PM ET

oh, and one more thing (yeah I’m waiting for the girlfriend to get ready to go out), who thinks the Lidstrom retirement speech will be followed up immediately by the Holland retirement speech?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 10/31/08 at 08:15 PM ET