Is it just me, or is it starting to feel like a turning point is coming soon?

Maybe all the silly hype for the outdoor game and the still-not-really-a-rivalry rivalry with the Hawks is getting to me.  Either way, I know I’ll have a stiff drink ready both Tuesday and Thursday—just in case.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 12/29/08 at 01:30 PM ET

The MRI is very good news indeed.  I doubt lids will play outdoors in his first game back, but at least he’ll be with us down the stretch.

Posted by A2Z from Philly on 12/29/08 at 01:40 PM ET

Lids is just being a good Captain and letting that cranky old bastard Cheli play in his hometown game.

That’s my theory and I’m stickin’ to it.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 12/29/08 at 01:43 PM ET

The way this season is going, I’ve given up on any turning points or wake up games. The San Jose game should’ve been it, but nothing has changed.

Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 12/29/08 at 01:44 PM ET

That is actually a good idea.  put the “C” on cheli’s jersey.

anyone else just feel sick when lidstrom is hurt

Posted by DrW from Detroit on 12/29/08 at 01:44 PM ET

I don’t see Nick returning for the Winter Classic.  Why take a chance with a rut in the ice, etc.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 12/29/08 at 01:48 PM ET

to be honest A2Y 19, I’m very, VERY worried. This MRI is bad news in my opinion. If you look at sports injuries, they say the worst ones are groin, ankle or back injuries, because they can linger for months. And also, isn’t the old tale “a sprained ankle is worse than a broken ankle”?

Either way, I’ll be in the back of the Hasek in the fetal position, trying to figure out a plan to get a starting goalie and fit him under the cap, and then give the plan to the Genius.

and on a completely trivial note, why do all the Diggers and even the Anti-Digger keep listing the line combos wrong? Khan(!) has them as:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Cleary-Zetterberg-Hossa
Hudler-Draper-Filppula
Meech-Kopecky-Maltby

Now correct me if I’m wrong, but Hudler, Cleary and Franzen all play RW, and Hossa, Homer and Maltby all play LW. So it should be:

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Franzen
Hossa-Zetterberg-Cleary
Filppula-Draper-Hudler
Maltby-Kopecky-Meech

Are they all dyslexic or something?

Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 12/29/08 at 02:05 PM ET

Is it just me, or is it starting to feel like a turning point is coming soon?

Turning point for the better, or turning point for the worse?

Posted by Nathan on 12/29/08 at 02:32 PM ET

And also, isn’t the old tale “a sprained ankle is worse than a broken ankle”?

I can attest to that. I’ve had a few sprains n breaks & a dislocated shoulder. The shoulder dislocation was when I was 22, at 34 it still bothers me. Broken bones heal stronger at the break point, sprained ligaments, tendons etc can have symptoms that take forever to pass.
That said, let Nik rest a few more games… really why chance it.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 12/29/08 at 02:55 PM ET

The best thing for both teams and the fans would be a blowout on Tuesday,
causing Thusday’s game to be a grudge match.

If I had any money, I would put it on the Blackhawks.
The Wings team stats just keep looking worse compared to
Boston or San Jose.  It is starting to catch up to them.

Odds may be that the Hawks win streak ends Tuesday,
But the Wings are pretty good at upsetting the odds.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 12/29/08 at 03:15 PM ET

to be honest A2Y 19, I’m very, VERY worried. This MRI is bad news in my opinion. If you look at sports injuries, they say the worst ones are groin, ankle or back injuries, because they can linger for months. And also, isn’t the old tale “a sprained ankle is worse than a broken ankle”?

I guess it’s possibly a sprain. . . I"m not a doctor, but usually sprains result from some kind of over stretch or twisting of the tendons.  Not an impact.  So if we’re to believe that it really was just a shot block, then that shouldn’t be it.

Chances are it’s just a bad bruise, hopefully not a bruise on the bone.  But, like I said, I’m not in the medical profession.

Posted by halomasterd4n on 12/29/08 at 03:24 PM ET

It’s a bruise.  Ken Holland told Pierre LeBrun that it’s a bruise and nothing more.  The only issues here are pain management and swelling. 

An MRI is used to rule out a hairline fracture because it provides a 3-dimensional view and a layer-by-layer view of whatever structure a doctor wants to take a look at. 

This is nothing that rest and some anti-inflammatory medication can’t take care of.

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 12/29/08 at 04:14 PM ET

This is nothing that rest and some anti-inflammatory medication can’t take care of.

What Malik is TRYING to say, is Lids will be fine with some HITS FROM THE BONG, bitches.  At least that’s what I read between the lines. 

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 12/29/08 at 04:40 PM ET

But, like I said, I’m not in the medical profession.

Yeah, well I’m not a hockey expert, but that really doesn’t keep me from throwing my opinion around like it’s gospel.  Never let a thing like ignorance stand in your way.

And also, isn’t the old tale “a sprained ankle is worse than a broken ankle”?

Alzy, I just want to be clear…you’re suggesting that we hold Lidstrom down and break his ankle, right?

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 12/29/08 at 04:49 PM ET

Off topic a bit, but being I went to the Caps game last night and watched AO pretty much will a goal in.  I thought I’d point out this article:
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/16051/alex_ovechkin_nhls_undercover_superstar

I like that they bring up Dats and Z as well…

Are the 19 from the DC area going to be at the game January 31st?

Posted by Gusoline from Bugsys in Old Town on 12/29/08 at 06:04 PM ET

Lids will be fine with some HITS FROM THE BONG, bitches.

Well Voox, that certainly qualifies as a loose interpretation of what George James said.

Well said.

Now what about Ozzie?  Time for a groin check?  Been at least 24 hours without a groin report.

Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 12/29/08 at 06:58 PM ET

VooX…a Mr. Men avatar.  I’m speechless.

Also…anyone notice that Pepe Lemieux picked up a 2-way contract with the Sharks?

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 12/29/08 at 07:58 PM ET

I like the thought of Cheli playing in the way over hyped Winter Classic. Heck I just like the fact that he is playing. He is a mean SOB and holds all accountable. I do not like the way Conks has been playing of late.

Everyone is bitching about Ozzie, but come on, Conks looked about as sharp as a marble the other night at the Ass-Can. He thinks it’s fine to let in a few goals because we do have the scoring ability to launch a comeback but you cannot continue to think we can keep going to that well forever.

On the other hand, Ozzie is chomping at the bit to get back in net, and he plays so much better when he is fighting for the #1 spot and believes he has something to prove.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 12/29/08 at 09:14 PM ET

Pull out the four footer and bring it on…....
Hits from the bong, y’all!

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 12/29/08 at 09:24 PM ET

Also…anyone notice that Pepe Lemieux picked up a 2-way contract with the Sharks?

I did….and couldn’t believe my friggen eyes. Disgusting. I wonder if Todd will play him; if he does, his new name will be Anniken Skywalker. Dark Side *#$%@&.

Anyway, I’m not looking forward to the next two games. We’re going to be “plot devices,” to use Malik’s line, and get bitch slapped for the nation’s viewing pleasure.

blow me.

Posted by Osrt on 12/29/08 at 10:40 PM ET

Thanks Gabe, comng from someone whose avatar had 100% more Hossa than mine, that is a compliment.

About Claude and Todd.  Some bad mojo will come to Todd’s family and pets if Lemieux gets ice time with the Sharks.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 12/30/08 at 01:11 AM ET

Thanks again for appearing on last night’s PUCKCAST. We had a blast.

Posted by Forklift on 12/30/08 at 06:41 AM ET

I have very low expectations for tonight, the WC is a coin toss or more like a novelty. Gary.Ass. Will ooze with pride, puppies and kittens best beware. We’ll flounder around on the ice for at least 1/2 the game if not more.
Chief, I trust you have some incindiary devices on hand for the neighbors houses….

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 12/30/08 at 08:22 AM ET

I wonder if Todd will play him;

Eh, Todd doesn’t strike me as a “Red Wing at heart” kinda guy…but yeah, he’s dead to me if Pepe plays.  I still just can’t believe the *#$%@&’s been given the opportunity…especially during the holiday season.  Doesn’t everyone know that every time Claude Lemieux signs a contract, an angel gets sodomized?

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 12/30/08 at 11:21 AM ET

Khan! says both Lids and Sammy are out tonight; Cheli and Meech are in. I’m going to the game Thursday (will be eating mac and cheese for the rest of the year to afford it) and have really low hopes for the Wings performance tonight and then. Sigh. The way this season’s been going, I just don’t think things will end well.

Posted by Abe on 12/30/08 at 12:14 PM ET

We just need to be sure the Chief doesn’t run out of beer. He switched to Southern Comfort the other night and all hell broke loose….rubber became magnetic, old dead hockey bastards got resurrected, and the temperature hit the mid 60’s in Kalamafriggin’zoo.

Drink up 19!

Posted by The Hurricane on 12/30/08 at 12:31 PM ET

As we head into the winter classic, I think I’ll just echo what most hockey fans on the planet are thinking: Go Blackhawks!

Posted by rwhater on 12/30/08 at 12:38 PM ET

Looks like none of the Wings will be starters for the All-Star game…hope they just get some rest, screw that thing.

Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 12/30/08 at 01:22 PM ET

And as we head into the second half of pre-season hockey, I think I’ll just echo what 19 more educated and discerning hockey fans that I respect more than some troll who hangs out where he doesn’t belong just to annoy and flame bait other people who could give a flying rats ass about some carny-trash outdoor hockey thanks.Gary.Ass look at what I can do stroke fest: STFU!

Posted by The Hurricane on 12/30/08 at 02:07 PM ET