On the Tenth Day of Christmas, the Red Wings Gave to Me

As kids (and maybe some adults, I'm not trying to crush any dreams here) eagerly await the gifts provided by a jolly fat guy in a red-and-white suit, I thought of another group of guys in red and white who could make my Christmas especially joyous.

From Dec. 14 to Dec. 25, I will mimic the pattern of the "12 Days of Christmas" song by asking for one thing on the first day, two things on the next day, and so on until Christmas.

But, as this is the season of giving, I'd love for all of you to give me your thoughts on what you'd like from the Red Wings for Christmas, so please, post away!

Of all that I've asked for to this point, this one is probably the most modest request of the bunch.

As ordinary as this may be, it's something the Wings haven't delivered enough of this season and something they must give tonight, if only to keep it close against the visiting Blackhawks.

Ten Ferocious Minutes of Play in the First Period

Preferably, these would come in the first ten minutes of play.

"Getting started on time," or rather the inability to, is something coach Mike Babcock has consistently lamented going all the way back to last season.

The difference between now and then, however, is that the Wings don't have the talent to recover from a lackadaisical start.

If the Red Wings don't come out guns blazing, any effort they muster later in the game, typically, comes too late.

Tonight, the Wings will be hosting the hated Blackhawks for the second game of a home-and-home series.

Like the Wings on Sunday, the Hawks are coming off a loss from the night before.

Hopefully, that will have softened them up a bit.

But even a tired Blackhawks team will be no picnic for the injury-riddled Red Wings.

From the opening faceoff, the Wings must empty their tanks and take the play to the young and dangerous Chicago team.

Finish every check, win every foot race, take every shot, win every board battle; if they don't do these things, they're giving the game away.

Guys, this is a gift fully within your power to give.

It's a modest request.  I'm not asking for 10 goals, just 10 solid, ferocious, dominating minutes to start the game.

...nine Red Wings resting (during the Olympics), eight seed position in the West, seven points for Ville Leino, six straight games without an injury, five players clicking on the power play, four wins in a row, three solid periods of hockey every game, two defensemen scoring, and a dominating performance by Pavel Datsyuk!