Bob Duff: Howard in; Mantha out Jimmy Howard returned for his first game action since Dec. 20, while Anthony Mantha was a healthy scratch.

The sun shines on a dog's ass at least once in his lifetime. That was the Wings last night. Even though this doesn't help the tank, it was nice to see the Wings beat a quality opponent after that embarrassment versus Boston. I know Chicago was tired from playing the night before and didn't dress Oduya or Hjalmarsson. Even after enduring this abysmal season, it still makes me happy to see the Red Wings win a game. Maybe I'm am idiot for feeling this way.

I was happy with Howard. He looked solid. That first Hawks goal was EAsports like. Great no look feed by Kane to Panarin. The Z-Tats-Gus line was good. Tats and Gus needed that effort earlier in the season. I guess Z lifts up any player who plays with him.

I liked how Jensen, Ouellet and Russo played. Not stars mind you but good depth going forward. The PP is still painful to watch. No movement and so predictable. AA and Larkin looked good too creating scoring chances with their speed.

I'll enjoy this win because the team will likely lose the next 5 games. They always act like they won the Cup after any win. Then the effort disappears. Anyway, I'll take it. I'd start Jimmy next game versus the Rangers.

A lot of the boys played well last night. The Hawks looked sluggish to me. The Hawks threw 45 shots at Bernier the night before in a 1-0 loss. Howard had an easy night with very few quality shots. Chicago's # 8, whoever that is, broke in late in the third and kind of mishandled a shot that trickled towards Howard's five hole. It hit Howard and Mickey Redmond and Ken Daniels howled with delight like they had just witnessed the second coming of Christ.

You just watch Howard, we will find out just how good he is in the coming stretch.
That 1.96 GA and .934 SV is in for a major U-turn.......hope I'm wrong so we can get rid of his inflated contract for a bag of pucks in June.

Why is the Bum Sheahan getting more ice time than AA, or Helm and almost as much as Larkin. Blashill has totally lost his mind since Sheahan struck the idiot in the head with the puck. Power Play time lol........Why ! Why ! Why !

Oh let's just tank for the draft and be done with this Chaotic Foolery.....winning now just doesn't make any sense and doesn't do anyone any good. A Booby Prize is better than nothing I guess. The Leafs management still can't get that smug grin off their faces as they cuddle Mathews.......Hopefully there's a diamond in the ruff for the Wings.

A lot of the boys played well last night. The Hawks looked sluggish to me. The Hawks threw 45 shots at Bernier the night before in a 1-0 loss. Howard had an easy night with very few quality shots. Chicago's # 8, whoever that is, broke in late in the third and kind of mishandled a shot that trickled towards Howard's five hole. It hit Howard and Mickey Redmond and Ken Daniels howled with delight like they had just witnessed the second coming of Christ.

You just watch Howard, we will find out just how good he is in the coming stretch.
That 1.96 GA and .934 SV is in for a major U-turn.......hope I'm wrong so we can get rid of his inflated contract for a bag of pucks in June.

Why is the Bum Sheahan getting more ice time than AA, or Helm and almost as much as Larkin. Blashill has totally lost his mind since Sheahan struck the idiot in the head with the puck. Power Play time lol........Why ! Why ! Why !

Oh let's just tank for the draft and be done with this Chaotic Foolery.....winning now just doesn't make any sense and doesn't do anyone any good. A Booby Prize is better than nothing I guess. The Leafs management still can't get that smug grin off their faces as they cuddle Mathews.......Hopefully there's a diamond in the ruff for the Wings.
- GeoffY

I agree Howard is in for a regression toward the mean. However, he is still a quality goalie...just not worth that contract. I have no problem winning games, it would be stupid and hurt the young players development if they tried to lose on purpose. Putting mediocre lineup out there with blashill at the helm should result in plenty of losses regardless