Hot Wings: Detroit Beats Up on the Canadiens, 4-1

Bleacher ReportDec 5, 2007

Update (11:34 AM): I meant to mention that the Eurotwins were in fact split up last night, but not at the beginning. They actually started the game on the same line and were only separated later, with periodic reunions on the power play. With Pavel playing so well and Hank not more than a couple steps behind, the split wasn’t such a bad idea. - Matt

The Wings won their first game in Montreal since 2003 and put on one of their better performances of the season in the process. They weathered an early push by the Habs and soon established a dominance that extended most of the rest of the game.

… The big story of the game was Dominik Hasek. Although he only faced 16 shots, Dom demonstrated that he’s still “got it,” as more than a few of his 15 saves were very tough. He obviously had a lot to prove given his slow start and last night he went a long way in re-establishing himself. He was caught a little flat-footed on the Habs’ one goal, but I can’t really blame him for that.

If he can that up in his next start, Mike Babcock will need to find a way to get both of his goalies the games necessary to keep them sharp. That will make the Wings that much tougher to play against.

… The other story of the game was Pavel Datsyuk, who had yet another dominating performance, finishing with two goals and one assist. Both of his goals came off intercepted Canadien passes and were basically unstoppable. His assist on Henrik Zetterberg’s power play goal was pretty conventional, but you can see the Habs respecting him as a threat as he carries the puck into the zone. Pavel’s turned his slow start around with 7 goals in his last 5 games, making him the player with the hottest stick on the team.

… Andreas Lilja got away with a pretty nasty hit early in the first period. With the Habs clearing their zone, Lilja stepped up and shoved Steve Begin into the boards from 4-5 feet out. Begin went flying sideways into the boards, hitting first with his head, and lay there for some time before getting up. Despite the fact that he struggled to get to the bench, the officials were slow to whistle the play dead.

Begin got some revenge later in the game when he and Lilja had a jersey-pulling contest disguised as a fight, but that doesn’t make it right. That’s not Red Wings hockey, Andreas.

… I normally think of Saku Koivu as a mild-mannered guy, but he was an ornery punk last night. He and Tomas Holmstrom nearly had a fight later in the first period and in the third, a tussle with Mikael Samuelsson resulted in former Red Wings Mathieu Dandenault executing a flying tackle on his captain’s antagonizer (and getting a game misconduct for his trouble). While I can appreciate Dandy wanting to come to the defense of his captain, the whole flying tackle thing was dangerous and unnecessary. I’m glad he got booted.

All that unfriendliness had me wishing the Wings didn’t have to wait until next year to play Montreal again. A home-and-home series would have been great, but because they’re not in the Central, a rivalry with the Habs is not officially sanctioned.

… I thought Casey Price looked quite solid, until Pavel started to wear him down with his two goals. Price didn’t have a chance on Kronwall’s goal, which was tipped, but he should have had Zetterberg’s and by that point, he looked a bit shaken. He’s a 20-year-old rookie playing in a high-pressure town, but did a good job over all. His teammates owe him better support than they gave him. I think Guy Carbonneau is pretty out of line to call out the goaltending when his skaters underperformed so badly.

… The fans in Montreal are merciless. You make a good play and you might get a so-so response. But you make a bad play and the boos rain down. One example: in the third period, the Habs basically passed Datsyuk the puck and the crowd got furious. I thought it was hilarious.

… Every time I watch Versus, I’m embarrassed by the amateurism of the broadcast. At one point, the color guy was praising the linesman for making a routine off-sides call. Why? When Koivu and Holmstrom got into it during the first period, they knew a penalty was called, but didn’t know who it was on and so they just stopped talking for 20-30 seconds. The FSN crew would have been on that immediately. I don’t want to make this a Versus-bash, so just one more thing: Brian Engblom needs a make-over, badly. His hair hit a new low last night.

A couple positives: they at least showed the ceremonial puck drop before the game and interviewed Gordie Howe in the crowd. The interview with Chris Osgood was also a highlight. The interview with Claude Lemieux? Not so much. If I never have to hear his voice or see his face again, I’ll be happy.

… Overall, a very good game for the Wings, who seem to get a kick out of playing Eastern Conference teams, as this and their game against the Lightning were two of their best all season. That they went without allowing a power play goal on seven chances despite being down their two best penalty killers is as good a sign as there is that the team is on a roll.

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