11/23/09 - Detroit at Nashville: W 1-3

First of all, let me just say that I wasn't so sure I was going to get to type out a 'W' in the title of this post when I left for the game yesterday. With that being said, I am so happy I can.

THE GOOD:

Thank you, Red Wings! I love it when the other team helps us score goals. Yes, technically our first goal came from Jason Arnott but I don't buy it in the least. Myself and everyone else around me saw that puck go in on a deflection from a Red Wing player.

I love a good 'NSync song played during intermission. It makes my inner (waaaaaay down deep) boy band fan giddy.

Martin Erat's first power play goal made him look like Shea Weber. Wow, that goal was amazing. While we're at it, let's talk about his second power play goal. Wait, no...let's just talk about Erat in general. I have always been a pretty big Martin Erat fan, though we've had our ups and downs (mostly downs) here lately. Last night was a prime and exceptional example of all the reasons I love him.

THE BAD:

I felt like we were playing in awe of them for a while in the first though I'm not sure why. Due to all their injuries, half of their team are guys we've never heard of before.

The Red Wings, Todd Bertuzzi especially, did not like Jerred Smithson last night. One would assume that is actually good, all things considered, but I still hate it when one of the guys gets singled out on the ice shift after shift. It's not always fun to watch. However, Smithson played smart and drew two penalties in the midst of all the pestering. That's the mark of a good player right there.

What the heck was Pekka thinking coming that far out to play the puck? And then casually going to get his stick like it's no big deal and leaving the net unattended? Does he have that much confidence in our defensive core to make that okay?

I really didn't like that for most of the third period, we just seemed like we were playing to hold the lead instead of playing to WIN.

We were the victims of really bad timing on the line changes tonight. For a while, I thought Coach Trotz was experimenting with the line combos but our guys just couldn't get off the ice soon enough for the change.

THE UGLY:

The Red Wings injury report. That was just so sad to see. I can put myself in the shoes of a Red Wings fan for a second and be sympathetic to their unfortunate circumstances for the moment.


With the team riding high off the current wave of success, I hope that the boys stick to what they know best and continue to play Predators-style hockey. And also not get too cocky. As a fan but also a realist, I keep waiting for the skate to drop. We're bound to play a crap game soon, right? Right?! I mean, maybe not but someone pinch me because I must be dreaming.