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Written by Kyle Kujawa
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Wednesday, 03 February 2010 13:52 |
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Since it's a back-to-back day, I'll keep this recap in bullet-form.
- I was the only one on the podcast to call for Jimmy Howard all three games this week. I realize the other two games are important, but I just didn't see the problem with starting your best goalie against the best team in the trip. It paid off. I haven't heard yet if he's starting tonight (update: he is) but that's the reason you start him. It would be nice to take points away from Anaheim, but why lower your expectations? There isn't a team in the league we can't beat if we play like we did yesterday. Or at least the last 40 minutes of yesterday.
- Games are much easier to win when Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and Nicklas Lidstrom play like they did yesterday. This is now the standard -- Detroit can't afford for these guys to not be at that elite level.
- Tomas Holmstrom looked very good in his first time back. To me, he's not a guy who needs a lot of time to find his legs. Just stand in front of the net and take your abuse.
- Since people like pointing out when Brad Stuart had a bad game, I'd like to point out that he's been back to his mistake-free self over the past few games.
- Valtteri Filppula needs some finish, desperately, but how quick and creative has he looked since coming back? He looks like he's due for a big game.
- FSN acted like it was some big mystery, but watching the replay of Detroit's first goal will shed some light on this "lower body/ankle/leg" injury that's going to keep Niklas Kronwall out of today's game. Maybe a bit of a slew-foot after all.
- Evgeni Nabokov just is not a big game goaltender against Detroit.
- I barely noticed Brett Lebda at all, but Derek Meech made a case for himself pretty efficiently. Hopefully the goal will lead to some much needed confidence.
- The fourth line apparently played 8, 9, and 10 minutes. This was news to me.
- Patrick Eaves and Danger Helm, ladies and gentlemen. That is how you finish a game.
That's about it. Six and a half hours until the Ducks... hopefully they play Vesa Toskala.
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