Red WIngs huge Victory

Yes, I do realize that happened Monday night, two days ago, but I had a busy Tuesday so forgive me for taking too long. Wait no, I don't need to apologize, the only reason I did is because this blog doesn't seem timely. Otherwise, I'd enjoy making you wait. Muhahahaha *evil laugh* Well anyway here's the legitimate blog.

The Wings played Calgary in Calgary Monday night in what was easily the most important game of the season thus far. Both teams new the importance of this game, and they both came out ready to play. But only a few minutes in, Calgary would strike first. A good, aggressive forecheck led to and an Andreas Lilja turnover. Greg Conroy got the steal, then eventually put the puck in the net off the second rebound. Falling behind on the road is tough, but falling behind early is no easy task to overcome. Especially when every game means something, and even more so, this game meant everything to both teams. The Wings had a big wall to climb, but playoff teams climb these walls.

Second period comes along and me and my new Red Wing good luck charm have been texting this entire time, most of which I cannot repeat, let's just say I wasn't happy with Lilja and she just wasn't happy. But then the Wings get their first power-play of the night. She says to me, "It's alright, we're gonna score on the power-play." I reply with damn right. It was one of the moments were you just knew a goal was coming... But then Williams hooked Glencross n a breakaway so it Calgary had a penalty shot. But Jimmy Howard coming up in the clutch turns Glencross's shot away. The Wings would then capitalize with a Pavel Datsyuk snipe that Kiprusoff had no chance at. That makes it 10 straight games with a power-play for Detroit, the longest active streak in the NHL.

Third period rolls along and it's a 1-1 tie. Detroit appears to be the better team this period. Maybe it was because Calgary had lost last night, but maybe it's because Detroit's just the better team. Four minutes into the period and disaster strikes for the Winged Wheel. Brain Rafalski's stick clipped the eye of I believe Conroy, while Rafalski was finishing a check. ITwas a fluke, but it was also a 4-minute double minor. But that didn't phase Detroit, as they successfully killed it off, which was a huge momentum boost. No score for a long time in the period, until Johan Franzen just throws a slap shot towards the net from the blue line that none other than Thomas Holmstrom tipped into the net, his 20th goal this season. Detroit was in the midst of a change; Franzen and Homer were the only two Red Wings in the Flames zone, they just so happened to be in perfect position. The Wings held on to win 2-1.

Detroit is red hot at the right time. They have a power-play goal in 10 consecutive games and have successfully killed 46 of their 49 penalties in a span of 16 games. Add those two factors with some good defense and healthy players, and what you got is a playoff team, and a dangerous one at that. Like I predicted earlier, Wings will get up to 7, but trailing now by 3 points, it won't be easy, but they will be in the playoffs for the 19th straight season. If I were the Sharks or Blackhawks, I would be worried about a first round matchup with Detroit.