DET 3, STL 0...and Happy Thanksgiving
First off, Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I have much to be thankful for, including you readers out there. Thanks so much for your comments, criticisms, praise...all of it. You people make each day enjoyable, fascinating, and even thought-provoking. Some observations from tonight's 3-0 victory over STL: 1) Osgood only made 12 saves but I specifically remember two or three of them that were big-time saves that, if he didn't stop them, may have changed the complexion of the game. I believe I've said it before here, but he's playing about as well as I can ever remember. 2) For those who wondered about Dan Cleary early in the season, and I was one, he's much better now, and he says it's mainly because he's in better shape. Remember, he missed most of training camp. That was a major factor early on. 3) Kopecky injured his shoulder and won't play in Nashville. Babcock said it's only day to day, though. 4) Kris Draper was another one who was underrated good tonight. Won 10-of-14 faceoffs and was good defensively. 5) I remember early in his career, when Eric Brewer was still in Edmonton, he looked like a potential Norris winner down the line. It never happened and probably never will. He's a good player, but not a franchise d-man. 6) I don't think Manny Legace deserves all the blame for that playoff loss in Edmonton two seasons ago, but he obviously got outplayed by Roloson that spring. Two years later, the feeling is still the same about Legace. He's a real good regular season goalie, and I wouldn't be shocked to see him be a key reason the Blues make the post-season. But come playoff time, Legace is a legitimate question mark. 7) Cleary has gotten out of his funk. Is Mikael Samuelsson next? Once again, Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
