Wow! What a game! The Wings were desperate for a solid morale building win and they finally got one. And it was against one of the best in the entire league. My quick thoughts on the match up.
The Wings actually lived up to playing physical the entire game. Too many times this season I've seen them try to come out with a strong fore check and it just doesn't pan out. The Wings looked like they had a little extra spark in their step last night. I wish they could come out and do that every game.
Much like in the play off series last year, I saw some glimpses of Chicago really not handling the physicality of the game well. Early on, they were dominating, then the Wings got 1 goal, and after that they really turned up the hitting, and scrapping for the puck in the neutral zone. IMO the Wings convincingly controlled the majority of the second and third periods. Not sure where the shot count fell, but Crawford made some great saves in the third period.
Lastly, I HATE BRENDAN SMITH!!!!! The kid is such and enormous liability back there. The Wings would have won in regulation, if that moron didn't fukin try to clear the puck from the zone by sending it straight down the middle of the ice!!!!!!! I just don't get why we didn't cut him loose last year...... His ass is so lucky the Hawks choked in the shoot out. And for the record, I honestly thought there was no way the Wings would win in the shootout last night. The just don't win games like that, AND they didn't have Datsyuk, Franzen, or Alfredsson available to shoot. Then you look at the Hawks line up for the shoot out and your just like HOlY sHIT. They have way too much consistent shooting skill. You even felt that during the game. They would get into the offensive zone and they just had this confidence about them that you don't see their defense have. Anyways..... great game last night. Cant wait to see if the Wings can string together some wins here before the Olympic break.
GO WINGS!!!