Game Thread: Flames at Red Wings – 4/12

Kicking this off a day early with the news that Todd Bertuzzi is not expected to play in the first game of the playoffs. I’d say the Wings are deep enough that they don’t need to rush him back but his size was expected to cancel out some of Calgary’s big defense. Mikael Samuelsson and Valtteri Filppula won’t do that.

Clark Rasmussen April 11, 2007 6:59 AM

Hope the Bertuzzi situation is only precautionary, and not connected with a more serious concern. I do believe the Wings are deeper than the Flame. Looking at their respective team stats, Calgary seems to be much more physical than the Wings. An indicator of this is penalty minutes. Calgary is in the box more than the Wings. Hopefully, the Wings can capitalize on this, however, a problem all season has been the Wing’s power play. Also, the Wings are a puck possession team, taking a lot of shots at the net. I don’t think this is going to work against Calgary,, however. Most teams have been able to tie-up the Wing offense with an aggressive trap, and the Flames know this. Bottom line the Wings are going to have to play more physical against the Flames or I’m afraid its going to be another upset. A big piece of this type of game is Bertuzzi, and with him not 100% I have some concerns. We really didn’t see him play alot yet.

skyguy52 April 11, 2007 10:09 AM

Series : Tied 0-0

Previous playoff meetings :
2004 – Calgary 4, Detroit 2
1978 – Detroit 2, Atlanta 0

Posted Image
Record: 50-19-13 | Home: 29-4-8 | Road: 21-15-5 | GF: 254 | GA: 199 | PP: 17% | PK: 85% | OT Record: 3-5
Goals: H. Zetterberg [33], T. Holmstrom [30], P. Datsyuk [27]
Assists: P. Datsyuk [60], N. Lidstrom [49], M. Schneider [41]
Pts: P. Datsyuk [87], H. Zetterberg [68], N. Lidstrom [62]

Scouting report: Even without Brendan Shanahan and Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings haven’t missed a beat in their competitiveness. The team played some of its best hockey in the final stretch, led by one of the league’s highest-scoring blueline squads. Nicklas Lidstrom makes all the big and little plays necessary to keep the Wings strong at puck control, while Mathieu Schneider enjoyed his fourth straight season of 45 or more points. Chris Chelios seems to get better as he gets older, leading a more than stable corps that includes Danny Markov, Brett Lebda and Andreas Lilja. With a strong blueline contributing offence and limiting scoring chances, it’s no wonder that Dominik Hasek’s numbers have been so good this season. But when the pressure’s on, the Dominator can still make that game-saving stop. If Hasek is out for any reason, Chris Osgood, who backstopped Detroit to a Cup in 1998, can fill in without missing a beat. If you can find one Achilles Heel with the Wings, it might be up front. Henrik Zetterberg missed most of the stretch run with a back injury, and the point totals from forwards take quite a dip after scoring leader Pavel Datsyuk. But at playoff time, every goal scored is a big one. And the Wings had plenty of clutch performances from Tomas Holmstrom, Dan Cleary, Mikael Samuelsson and Jiri Hudler. Kyle Calder found his offensive game after arriving from the Flyers, and the team will obviously look to Todd Bertuzzi to create space and scoring opportunities for his new teammates.

Cups: 10 [1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002]
Playoff record: 258-239 [Home 150-107, Road 108-132]
Playoff series record: 56-46
Playoff OT Record: 35-44
Players with Cup rings: K. Maltby [3], K. Draper [3], T. Holmstrom [3], N. Lidstrom [3], C. Chelios [2], M. Schneider [2], C. Osgood [2] and D. Hasek [1]

Hot :
M. Samuelsson [2G,3A], R. Lang [1G,2A], J. Franzen [2A], J. Hudler [2A] and D. Markov [1G,1A] the last 2 games; T. Holmstrom [4G] the last 4 games.
Cold :
None.
Injuries :
Day-to-day: T. Bertuzzi [Concussion]
Indefinite: N. Kronwall [Sacrum] and T. Kopecky [Collarbone]

Posted Image
Record: 43-29-10 | Home: 30-9-2 | Road: 13-20-8 | GF: 258 | GA: 226 | PP: 18% | PK: 80% | OT Record: 2-5
Goals: J. Iginla [39], K. Huselius [34], D. Langkow [33]
Assists: A. Tanguay [59], J. Iginla [55], D. Langkow [44]
Pts: J. Iginla [94], A. Tanguay [81], K. Huselius and D. Langkow [77]

Scouting report: The biggest issue going into this season for the Flames was scoring goals, and the team addressed it well throughout their campaign. Alex Tanguay was a great addition up front, joining Jarome Iginla, Kristian Huselius and Daymond Langkow as the team’s top four scorers with at least 70 points each. That’s a huge improvement from last year, when no players hit the 70-point plateau at all. Strengthening the offence down the middle are centres Matthew Lombardi – who set career highs in goals and points – and Craig Conroy – who re-discovered his offensive touch after being re-acquired from the Kings in February. Team defence is something that hasn’t been lost, with Wayne Primeau, Stephane Yelle and Marcus Nilson making up an effective checking line that can hold off the opposition at both ends of the ice. Dion Phaneuf is the cornerstone of the Flames’ blueline, and leads the defence on the ice and the scoreboard. Roman Hamrlik has also enjoyed a fine season, putting up points on the power play and sitting among the team leaders in plus-minus. Robyn Regehr, Rhett Warrener, Mark Giordano and Brad Stuart all excel at keeping opposing forwards out of the Calgary zone. In goal, Miikka Kiprusoff is as good as any other money goalie out there.

Cups: 1 [1989]
Playoff record: 87-102 [Home 49-47, Road 38-55]
Playoff series record: 15-22
Playoff OT Record: 17-22
Players with Cup rings: D. McCarty [3], A. Tanguay [1] and S. Yelle [1]

Hot :
S. Yelle [1G,3A], T. Amonte [1G,2A] and M. Nilson [2G] the last 2 games; B. Stuart [2A] the last 3 games; J. Iginla [5G,4A] and D. Langkow [3G,4A] the last 5 games.
Cold :
W. Primeau has no points the last 7 games.
Injuries :
Day-to-day: Robin Regehr [Knee]
Indefinite: Richie Regehr [Concussion]

motorcitykid April 12, 2007 2:17 AM

The Wings will need to play the defensive style of game they played at the start of the season and against Anaheim a couple weeks ago to get through this one, I think.

I’m not sure how they can do it but I think it’s really key for Detroit to get the first two wins. The way Calgary played at home this season, the Wings need to take care of things at the Joe and have the advantage going into the Saddledome.

Clark Rasmussen April 12, 2007 2:45 AM

:unsure:

That from NHL.com? I think it’s the only one I’ve seen that doesn’t say “The Red Wings are ripe for an upset and the Flames should be able to do that.”

Clark Rasmussen April 12, 2007 6:40 AM

Hate to pick on Lang again, but I see he has the third MOST GIVE-AWAYS in the NHL (DATSYK happens to have the most TAKE-AWAYS). LANG had a pretty good series last year against EDMONTON, one of the few Wings who produced. I have faith, but not blind faith. He’s one forward who will have to repeat that against Calgary, or I’m afraid its going to be a short playoff run for the DETROIT this year.

skyguy52 April 12, 2007 8:20 AM

That from NHL.com? I think it’s the only one I’ve seen that doesn’t say “The Red Wings are ripe for an upset and the Flames should be able to do that.”

Thanks. And no. :unsure: They are stats from all over the place. I do some GDT for various sites, and why not this one?

GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

motorcitykid April 12, 2007 10:46 AM

Ahh, I shouldn’t have expected NHL.com to have something that good. :unsure:

Game on! Let’s Go Red Wings!

Clark Rasmussen April 12, 2007 11:11 AM

Valtteri Filppula pwnz you! Wings on the board first.

Clark Rasmussen April 12, 2007 11:21 AM

Nick with the PPG puts the Wings up by two but Calgary gets the man-advantage coming up.

Very telling, Ken Daniels’ quote about Mick McGeough: “I don’t think he knew who had the puck.” How can a guy call a game if he can’t tell who had the puck?

Clark Rasmussen April 12, 2007 11:32 AM

And we’re 2-0 after the first. Solid period for Detroit. Neither team was spectacular, neither team sucked. Gotta keep the defense up, don’t give them any chances.

Clark Rasmussen April 12, 2007 11:48 AM

Anyone else kind of suprised this game isn’t closer?

We’re letting it rain on the flames. If we keep playing like this, the fire will be out in 4-5 games! :unsure:

drwmike33 April 13, 2007 1:09 AM

I can only hope so.

Wow, Iginla goes after Zetterberg, what a tough guy he is.

Too bad they couldn’t do anything on the 5-on-3, not that the Wings need the goal right now.

Clark Rasmussen April 13, 2007 1:12 AM

What’s everyone’s thoughts on game 2?

MY Thoughts:

Game 2 will be much more physical coming from the Flames… Watch for Phaneuf, Iginla, Warrner, Stuart… they’re all going to go after the Europeans like Zetts and Dats. They’re angry and so they may be inclined to make mistakes early. They’re going to come out swinging like a kid who didn’t take his ridilin…arms going like a windmill. It should be fun to see us duck around them and win another.

Keys for game 2: Continue to keep the Flames on their heals… Get Bertuzzi back to counter the physical onslaught that is sure to come. Get goals throughout the lines… Tire out the Flames 1st 2 lines.

What I like to see: Dom is looking good… Zetts looks healthy… People who aren’t as likely to throw the body are laying people out.

drwmike33 April 13, 2007 1:52 AM

Crazy finish. Flames get chippy. I say Kipper dove. We’ll see if it got Calgary any momentum for Game Two.

Clark Rasmussen April 13, 2007 1:52 AM

Datsyuk! First playoff goal in about 400 years! 3-0 and the Wings go to the power play.

Clark Rasmussen April 13, 2007 12:19 PM

Wings still look good with the 4-0 lead after two. Flames keep trying to hit but Detroit doesn’t seem to be backing down. Wings can’t let Calgary get any momentum here in the third.

Clark Rasmussen April 13, 2007 12:51 PM