Postgame: Maple Leafs @ Red Wings – 3/18

Postgame thoughts are going to be quick ’cause I’m sick…

Jonathan Ericsson lost for “some time” according to Mike Babcock due to a broken finger. That’s the sixth injury in six games. This nonsense just will not end. It looks like that just means Jakub Kindl gets to stay in the lineup but with Alexey Marchenko lost for the season in Grand Rapids, I have no idea who would even be the next call-up for the Wings. Adam Almquist and Xavier Ouellet have seen time with the big club this year and Ryan Sproul got a call-up for practice purposes at the end of the Olympic break.

Jimmy Howard, as they said on the FSD postgame, could have been the first star easily. Very solid game punctuated by some big stops, especially on Phil Kessel in the second period.

The actual first star was Gustav Nyquist, who had one of the better games of his career. His first goal was a bit of a fluke (though still a great play) but that second goal was amazing. Absolutely fantastic shot off the far post and in.

Landon Ferraro… Aside from the early giveaway, pretty invisible, which is good for a player like him. Being out on the PK late was clearly a sign of faith in him.