Flames 1, Wings 0
Thoughts after a 1-0 Flames victory over the Wings. 1) The Wings deserved at least a point out of this one. They carried the play most of the final two periods. Kiprusoff wasn't at his absolute best, but came up with some big saves in the third period. Losses in seven of eight games out of this Wings team...that's rather startling. 2) Babcock said after the game Chelios' leg contusion was a "pain tolerance" thing and the Wings will know more about Chelios' status for Saturday vs. Vancouver, well, Saturday. You know the pain was quite intense if Chelios couldn't return to the game. He couldn't skate, that's for sure. 3) The young D, all of them (Lebda, Meech, Quincey, Ericsson) were impressive. That's a good situation to be in for the future with all this talent on the back end. 4) Chris Osgood appears to be back on track after that personal slump. The only goal allowed was a fluky bounce and Osgood was excellent in the second period with the Flames pressing. Looks like Jimmy Howard in Vancouver, though. 5) Oh, by the way, Darren McCarty didn't score, but had a fight, and was minus-2 in a 4-1 Griffins loss to Manitoba. 6) I didn't include this in the Wings' notes in the newspaper earlier, but Ken Holland said he'll begin talks with Babcock about an extension after the trade deadline. Babcock has an option after this season, but everyone expects the two sides to come an agreement. Babcock isn't going anywhere. 7) Dominik Hasek was back on the ice, but until he goes through a full practice and then a game, it seems many fans won't feel safe. The Wings probably feel the same away deep down inside. 8) And to debunk a rumor on a popular hockey website, Babcock said Nicklas Lidstrom could be back within the three weeks originally estimated. Babcock's thinking it'll be two weeks. A popular hockey blogger is saying Lidstrom is out for two months.
