Red Wings – Blackhawks Exhibition Postgame Notes

Quick thoughts on the Red Wings’ 3-2 win over the Blackhawks tonight, without the benefit of replay…

I’m sure Tomas Holmstrom was in the crease on the goal that was called back. Someone tell me why that matters. He didn’t interfere with Corey Crawford and the crease rule hasn’t existed since Brett Hull, yet the Wings lose goals to it all the time. When is someone going to explain that?

The goal that did count for Holmstrom was a very nice tip out of the air. Seems like he’s in midseason form.

Early on, Crawford had no lateral movement and the Wings used it to burn him. He got better as the game went on.

Both Detroit goalies had trouble with rebound control. The lone goal Jimmy Howard allowed was because he couldn’t cover up a rebound and Joey MacDonald seemed to be fighting the puck as well. Not a bad night for either but they weren’t tested that much.

Brendan Smith looks a bit out of his league. I think he got caught flat-footed a couple times where it looked like he didn’t know where he needed to be. He also had a giveaway when he tried too hard to make a play. Not a horrible debut, though.

Horrible? Jonathan Ericsson. He was in full-on pylon mode several times. Highly disappointing.

Also a little disappointing… Mike Modano. We’ve heard he’s been doing this all camp but it was tough to see the chances he gave up to make another pass. Mike Babcock seems to think that’ll fix itself once he gets comfortable and I don’t doubt it but right now it jumps out at you.

Detroit’s other free agent signing, Ruslan Salei, looked pretty solid out there. Nothing amazing, nothing horrible, about perfect for a #5 defenseman.

Jordan Owens stood out most to me. He was all over the place, getting into the corners, moving the puck. I fully expected to see him and Brandon Bollig fight by the end of the night but that didn’t come to pass.

In all, I’d call the game as a whole a little disappointing because the roster that Detroit dressed should have beaten the roster that Chicago dressed a bit more handily. That said, if not for a couple close calls I might be calling it an easy win. If Howard controls that rebound and Detroit’s final goal isn’t called back, it’s 4-1 and looks a lot different. That didn’t happen, though, so what I’ll call it is something to build on.