After their 5 game skid the Detroit Red Wings have rebounded with a 6 game winning streak to put them right on track for another President's trophy for the league's best regular season record. They'll try to extend it to 7 against a Jackets team that is on a 2 game winning streak of their own.
For the Jackets these games always come down to one thing:
STAY OUT OF THE BOX
Obviously they need to score more than the other team, stick to their game plan and get strong goaltending but they can't get careless or lazy against this Wings squad b/c unlike the Jackets PP, theirs makes you pay. There is certainly a reason why its first in the league converting at a whopping 27.7 percent.
KEYS TO LIGHTING EM UP
* Keep this game at even strength. Five on five I think they Jackets can play with..and beat!... any team in this league including the Wings.
* Need to outwork, not outskill, the Wings.
* Stay disciplined. Don't give that PP any unnecessary opportunities.
* High energy. The Wings played last night to a 4-2 win over the Wild. No excuse not to be ready for a full 60.
* Lots of key players for the wings but if you can slow Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Lidstrom down then your creating a good opportunity to win.
* Hits these guys!!... and hit em often!!
* Mason absolutely must outplay Conklin/Osgood. He must also be our best penalty killer.
* The Jackets best players must be there best tonight. Nash, Huselius, Umberger, Voracek, Mason.. those guys need to be strong in all 3 zone..
* Take advantage of the Wings' biggest weakness which is their goaltending. Although they can pump in goals like BP they also give up their fair share... get pucks on net, bodies in front and go after those rebounds. I don't need any fancy schmancy Datsyuk dangler.. just get it over the line.
* Commodore/Hejda have their work cut out for em. Need to stand tall tonight.
* I think an early goal would do wonders for this squad.
* Don't let the Wings dictate the pace of this one.. don't get caught watching the Wings w/ their puck-possession game. Suffocate the neutral zone... give them low quality shots from the outside and watch those cross ices passes, fill those lanes.
GAME SPOTLIGHT
Its Mason's crease but if he has an off game every Monday morning qb out there (myself included) will question sitting a hot LaCosta.
The Jackets have their work cut out for them. They always do against this Wings' team. They know how they have to compete to win a game like this. This is also a game they can afford to give a point as the Wings are out of reach -- but they need to take the two and continue to roll themselves.
This game will probably be a sellout so lets drown out those turncoats Jacket fans!!
Puck drops at 7 EST!
GO JACKETS!!
-LTL
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2 comments:
Osgood in net for the Wings. Pucks on net should be the name of the game. I don't care to see any "cute" passes trying to thread the needle. Shoot, Shoot, Shoot!!!
Mase needs to be our strongest player tonight & hopefully with him in goal the rest of the team steps up their game to get 2 points.
For anyone not going to the game and are not getting it on tv, I'll be live blogging the game on
http://gasascheapasthrills.blogspot.com
Novotny will be going for us tonight, so he will undoubtedly bring some energy, with a "something to prove" feeling.
Lebda is out for Detroit -- 27th in the league on the PK, so even our PP should score against them.
Osgood can be had, and Detroit gives up goals -- 15th in GA this year, despite being 6th in fewest shots allowed (CBJ is 4th). So we need to cash our chances.
At least no Holmstrom to stick his big rear in Mason's face on the PP.
--JAL
A Shot From The Point
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