Wings' blast of Sharks means little
You want to be giddy about the Red Wings' 6-0 victory Thursday night against San Jose. You think the Red Wings made a huge statement by thrashing the Sharks all over the place at Joe Louis Arena.
Sorry to be a party pooper, but the game only meant one thing, really. It meant the Wings got two points for their efforts and the Sharks got none. That's all. That's it.
It was a night to be entertained and a night to make the home crowd feel good. Other than that, it was just another step during a long, mindless regular-season journey.
Here is why you do not put much stock into the Wings' victory: While the Wings were chilling Wednesday night, the Sharks were in Columbus playing an overtime game against the Blue Jackets. While the Wings slept, the Sharks were on a charter flight to Detroit, checking into a hotel and perhaps getting a late bite to eat. Did you see how sloppy the road team was? They were not into the game and were fatigued.
The NBA calls these league games. It is a game in which the outcome is virtually decided before the game begins.
It was like the first time the teams met. The Sharks were chilling at home while the Wings played the night before. The Sharks won. Big deal.
We already know the Wings can beat the Sharks. After all, they are the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Wings suffer from being bored at times. They can rev up their game when they want and shut it down just to survive the season. They don't need to collect a million regular-season points. This is a playoff team.
Enjoy the victory. Savor it, but simply understand that in the grand scheme of things, it does not mean a lot.
I can be reached at Terry.Foster@detnews.com or 313-222-1494.
