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Disaster averted

November 22, 2011, 3:07 PM ET [ Comments]
Mark Spizzirri
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Detroit Red Wings returned home early Monday morning having recaptured their confidence. Following Thursday’s night 5-2 loss in San Jose, it was quite evident that Coach Mike Babcock had reached his boiling point in declaring his team needed to “sit down and decide what kind of hockey team we want to be.”

Consider the answer to be loud and clear. The Red Wings responded with two solid road victories over the weekend in Los Angeles and Anaheim to avoid another extended losing streak only six weeks into the regular season. By outscoring their opponents 8-3, the Wings provided a clear signal that they still intend on being heard from as a contender for the division and conference titles. In grabbing four points on the four game road trip, a disastrous trip was averted with the two wins at the tail-end of the six day jaunt out West.

There were several positive developments from the weekend:

- The offensive return of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. With three goals and six points combined over the two victories, the “Euro Twins” finally provided some offensive production on the scoresheet. Getting the monkey off their backs could help alleviate the extra pressure both guys put on themselves and allow them to return to their normal production levels.


- Continued offensive output from the Wings D. Niklas Kronwall continues his offensive emergence with four goals in his past 6 games, while Brad Stuart chipped in offensively with two goals (including the game winner) vs. Anaheim. The Red Wings lead the NHL in goals from their blueline with 18. This type of production has helped offset the slow goal scoring starts from some of their forwards. It adds an extra element opposing teams have to account for when facing the Red Wings.


- The solid debut of Brendan Smith. In playing around 13 minutes per game and recording 2 assists over the weekend, Smith looked anything BUT out of place in playing his 2nd and 3rd NHL games. If anything, he showed that he belongs in Detroit and not in Grand Rapids. With Detroit’s top five spots essentially spoken for, the Red Wings would rather continue to see him play 20+ minutes in Grand Rapids than 10-12 minutes in Detroit. His time will come next season with either the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom or a spot opening on the blueline if Brad Stuart is not re-signed.


The Red Wings do get to welcome back Ian White to the lineup tomorrow vs. Calgary. Brendan Smith was originally slated to go back to Grand Rapids. However, he will remain with the big club until its determined whether Jakub Kindl can play this week, as he has been nursing a tweaked shoulder for the past week. Nevertheless, Smith hasn’t seen the last of Detroit this season and will likely be back sooner rather than later, whether it be due to an injury or ineffective play from one of the current rearguards.

As I write this, Fabian Brunnstrom was reassigned to Grand Rapids this afternoon, thus keeping Smith in Detroit for the time being.

A tricky week lies ahead for the Red Wings. The Calgary Flamers are in town on Wednesday night, fresh off an ugly 4-1 defeat in Columbus on Monday night. Coach Brent Sutter ripped into his team following the loss and the Red Wings should expect a highly motivated Calgary club rolling into town. The Flames already have won once this year at the Joe, winning 4-1 a mere three weeks ago. The Wings get a brief reprieve before flying into Boston on Thanksgiving night prior to the Friday afternoon matinee against the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins, who are red-hot having won nine in a row following last night’s 1-0 victory. The Wings finish off the week on Saturday night back at home to face division rival Nashville.

If the Red Wings can grab at least two victories from these three games, they will have plenty to be thankful for over the course of this Thanksgiving weekend, when it comes to their team's opening quarter of the season.


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