We played the last two months without Datsyuk and Zetterberg, which would be like Richmond without Deledio and Cotchin or Collingwood without Pendlebury and Swan, etc etc. Our goalie, Jimmy Howard, who is an all star and US Olympic team goalie despite being questionable in front of the net this year has been in and out of the side with a groin. Then at various times we have lost a bunch of decent starters like Bertuzzi and Abdelkader through various injuries. In fact, there was a period just recently where all first choice centers from all 4 lines were out so we had to go trade big time to get Legwand in as a starting first line center. A real battler, think Matt Thomas, but we were so bloody desperate to get a mature NHL body in the guts because our kids from the GR Griffins were getting monstered. He performed above expectation and got the Wings through. Datsyuk has now been back for 2 games but Zetterberg won't be back until round 2 of playoffs if we make it that far. Last year we only just scraped in as well, but Detroit hit the 'playoff switch' and smashed the 2nd seeded Ducks in 5 games, only to go down to the eventual cup winners, Blackhawks, in a game 7 shoot out. Legwand will probably get pushed back to the 3rd line when the team is 100% fit. Might even be able to fit Dats and Zets on the same 1st line. Deadly
Red Wings have really struggled defensively since the retirements of Lidstrom and Holstrom. They were rocks. So Howard has been under too much pressure and is being exposed to way too many shots the past two seasons. We've relied on being a really offensive team and have one of the most potent PP units in the league. The silver lining to all of our injuries this season is that we got to throw a heap of young guys into the fire whether they were ready or not. A couple like Nyquist who earned a NHL 2nd Star last month, stood up and showed that they are going to be superstars. Detroit have been heavily criticised for their lack of depth over the years as they refuse to rebuild and miss playoffs and often trade prospects and draft picks for players (like pinching the over decade long Sens captain, Alfredsson last season) to stay in the hunt for another cup. But now the kids have stood up and come next year the Wings should be pretty bloody dangerous.
I completely struck out. Inherited Richmond off Dad, then liking the Pistons when I was younger because they were good then I also inadvertently inherited the Detroit Lions. Luckily the Red Wings have been an awesome team and organisation to follow.
