Wings 2, Edmonton 1
After a 2-1 Wings victory in Edmonton - 1) The Wings hardly dominated this game. But in the waning seconds they still found themselves in a tie game, and with the real possiblity of leaving a point on the table to a young, undermanned Edmonton team. But the Wings found a way, Filppula's goal being the game-winner, taking advantage of an Oilers slip-up. I'm getting the feeling this particular Wings team thrives on these types of game, almost expecting to win. You definitely got that sense in this one. The young Oilers were going to screw up eventually, and they did. 2) Still, give the Oilers credit for hanging on as long as they did - namely G Dwayne Roloson. Is there a goalie out there who gives the Wings more trouble than this guy? A lot of the Wings chances were from the outside, but Roloson did a fine job. 3) Consecutive points in 13 games now for Zetterberg, who continues to play like the best player in the league (through one month). 4) Babcock said there was a noticeable difference having Franzen back in the line up, too. Franzen only played 11 minutes but he did make his presence felt on several occasions. 5) I believe I mentioned this in the previous Wings/Oilers blog, but brother, the Oilers are probably praying they'll get more out of RW Dustin Penner for the load of money they paid him last summer than this. Penner has been largely average (at best) this season, he only had 2 shots on goal against the Wings, and Anaheim has to be smirking (and not entirely disappointed to have lost him as a restricted free agent). 6) The Wings have won their first 6 games against the Northwest Division this season. A lot of people felt the Northwest the best division in hockey before the season began. 7) I had several e-mails asking about Peter Forsberg. The Wings will kick the tires and ask about Forsberg (who will play for Sweden in an international tournament, testing his body to see how healthy he is). They've had interest before when he's been available, and they'll do so now as he's an unrestricted free agent. But I still say they'll ultimately go in another direction. I've never gotten the sense the Wings have been very high on Forsberg's lists of places of come to (remember all those bitter rivalry games against Colorado) and if his asking price is anything close to what's being reported ($5 million per year, mulitple years) that's probably not going to work here. 8) Hasek skated for 20 minutes after the Wings finished their morning skate here in Edmonton. It sounds as if the team will be surprised if Hasek isn't ready to play next Wednesday at home vs. Nashville. 9) One player who is looking better each game is D Brian Rafalski. He is smooth offensively. 10) Thursday's game in Calgary should be a GREAT regular season game. I would advise hockey fans to catch that one on the television, given the chance.
