02/10/12. 2011/12: 56. Ducks @ Wings. 7:30 pm NHLN, FSN-D, 1270 AM

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 05:11 PM

Don't Underestimate The Ducks - They've Picked Up 24 of 34 Available Points in 2012

Presents the following thread:

(21-24-8=50)

AT

(36-17-2=74)

This game is a presentation of:

Game 56
Location: Joe Louis Arena
Date: Friday, February 10th, 2012
Time: 7:30pm EST
Teams: Anaheim Ducks(Pucks) at Detroit Red Wings (Central)

Television Broadcast Provided by:

NHL Network

Fox Sports Net - DETROIT +

Radio Broadcast Provided by:

NHL.com Game Preview

Anaheim Ducks at Detroit Red Wings Game Preview - 02/10/2012

Last 10: Anaheim 7-2-1; Detroit 7-2-1

Season Series: This will be the third of four games between the Ducks and Red Wings, with Detroit taking the first two meetings by a combined score of 9-2. The Wings prevailed 4-2 on Nov. 20 at the Honda Center thanks to a pair of goals by defenseman Brad Stuart and won 5-0 on Nov. 5 at Joe Louis Arena keyed by two goals from defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom.

Big Story: The Red Wings are still winning at Joe Louis Arena after extending their franchise record home winning streak to 18 games with a 3-2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night. To put that into perspective, it's been more than three months since the Wings have lost a game in the Motor City - and Anaheim should know that fact better than any other team. The Ducks were the first team to be beaten in the remarkable streak, which came on the heels of an ugly six-game winless skid that had some in Motown wondering if this was the year the Wings would finally fall from grace. Instead, the Wings are now on top of the League's standings with 73 points and appear to be legitimate contenders to win the President's Trophy for most points in the NHL standings - not to mention a serious threat to win their 12th Stanley Cup - fifth of the modern era. On the other bench, the Ducks are hot and have closed the gap between themselves and the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference to eight points.

Team Scope:

Ducks: Anaheim is coming 3-2 home wins against the Calgary Flames on Monday and Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. The Ducks downed the Flames in a shootout and then earned two points against Carolina in overtime on a goal by Corey Perry just seconds after he appeared to get away with a trip behind the Hurricanes net. It was Anaheim's third straight game that went to extra time and helped send the Ducks off on a season-long eight game road trip on a high note. Anaheim is 11-2-2 in its past 15 games and hopes to claw back into the race for the final playoff spot in the West.

"They didn't blow the whistle so you keep playing," Perry said of his overtime goal against Carolina. "We've had calls against us all year, and maybe that's a turning point for us. It was huge. You look where we are in the standings. You look at what we've done the last month. Every point counts for us. It doesn't matter who it's against or what, but we needed it for the road trip. We didn't want to go on the road trip on a losing note. Eight games is a long way, and it can make or break our season here."

Red Wings: It's starting to feel like Detroit might never lose again at home. Against the Oilers on Wednesday, they coughed up a 2-0 lead on a pair of goals by Edmonton's red-hot Sam Gagner, then came back with a late flurry to earn the win in regulation - getting goals from Drew Miller and Henrik Zetterberg in the last half of the third period. Miller tapped home a loose puck in the crease after a mad scramble in the blue paint for the eventual game-winner, which was his fourth goal in the past five games. Zetterberg's goal was his first in nine games and just his second in the last 24 contests. This game against Anaheim, however, will include the storyline of forward Tomas Holmstrom playing his 1,000th game in a Red Wings uniform - making him just the sixth player in franchise history to log that many games wearing the Winged Wheel.

"Tommy's a huge part of our team emotionally with his battle level and his grit and his determination," coach Mike Babcock said. "His attitude is infectious in the room. He's a great man, so it's good to see. Fantastic for him."

Who's Hot : Teemu Selanne has 3 goals and 2 assists in Anaheim's past five games, while goalie Jonas Hiller is 8-2-2 in his last 12 starts for the Ducks. … Aside from Miller's hot streak (4 goals in the last five games), Zetterberg and Johan Franzen both have points in three straight contests - including goals against Edmonton on Wednesday - for Detroit.

Injury Report : Anaheim backup goaltender Dan Ellis has missed 13 games with a groin injury, while Patrick Eaves (injured reserve/fractured jaw), Danny Cleary (knee) and Jimmy Howard (fractured finger) are out for Detroit.

Stat Pack: The Ducks have allowed more goals than they've scored in both the second and third period this season and are just 1-15-1 when trailing after the first period. … The Red Wings have not allowed a goal in a 5-on-3 penalty kill situation all season.

Puck Drop: Just how many goals does Holmstrom think he's had taken away as a result of his constant presence in and around goalies, providing screens?

"If you ask [Nicklas Lidstrom] it's probably 50 of his goals," Holmstrom said. "I probably have lost a lot too."

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 05:14 PM

I still say the '09 quarter-finals was one of the 3 or 4 most exciting and tense series of the Wings' 20 year run:

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 07:45 PM

The Wings sure seem to get called for "too many men" a lot.

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 08:05 PM

Ducks make it 1-0, but the goal is under review. Parros may have kicked it in.

Good goal.

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 08:10 PM

Paul Woods doing radio PBP. Not sure who is the color - Kris Draper? Ken Kal nowhere to be found. And Woods just calls his first goal!

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 08:11 PM

Wings tie it up! Abdelkader got a piece of Kindl's shot.

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 08:12 PM

That was Kindl with the goal. Lidstrom rattles it off the post.

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 08:12 PM

Lidstrom hits the pipe right after.

End of the first period. Wings will be shorthanded to start the second.

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 08:13 PM

Almost as bad as giving up a last-second goal is taking a penalty as time runs out on a period.

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 08:16 PM

Holmstrom playing in his 1,000th game.

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 08:23 PM

Earlier today, this list of possible Scott Gomez drought replacements was on Yahoo. Parros was #1 on the list.

After Scott Gomez scored, other candidates for NHL goal drought obsessions - Puck Daddy - NHL*Blog - Yahoo! Sports

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 09:13 PM

Kind of a choppy game. Still tied up at 1 after the second period.

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 09:40 PM

Too many penalties on the Wings tonight. Bertuzzi just got called for interference; the Wings 6th penalty of the game. At least Anaheim's PP hasn't been good.

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 09:42 PM

Backup goaltending not really a problem.

Wings kill that thanks to MacDonald and now go on PP for 1:58.

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 09:51 PM

Cam Fowler well-named to be playing on the Ducks.

Anaheim definitely carrying the play. 5 minutes to go.

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 09:53 PM

Wings going to a powerplay with 4:52 left in the game.

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 09:53 PM

Blake charges the net, Wings going on the powerplay. 1-1. Streak on the lline.

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 09:59 PM

Don't the Ducks know that they're 10 points out of a playoff spot and should have given up?

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 10:00 PM

I like the white jerseys at home for the Wings tonight.

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 10:01 PM

The crowd's pumped. But honestly, it feels like the night that this ends.

**Motor City Sonics** · 02-10-2012, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by lordstanley

The crowd's pumped. But honestly, it feels like the night that this ends.

Why do you hate America so much?

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 10:03 PM

Going to OT

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 10:03 PM

Overtime for the 9th time in the past 16 games.

**Motor City Sonics** · 02-10-2012, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by lordstanley

Overtime for the 9th time in the past 16 games.

If they lose tonight, I swear I am gonna fly to Vancouver and pee on your lawn.......

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 10:08 PM

Ducks with a powerplay...

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 10:09 PM

Datsyuk gets a steal and forces an Anaheim penalty. 3 on 3 hockey!

**Motor City Sonics** · 02-10-2012, 10:10 PM

THREE ON THREE FOR 91 SECONDS !!!!!

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 10:11 PM

Holy crap

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 10:12 PM

Penalty on Anaheim. Wings with a 4 on 3

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 10:14 PM

Shootout. OT sure was interesting

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 10:15 PM

SHootout. 3 on 3 is wild. 4 on 2 I guess would have been too lopsided.

jz · 02-10-2012, 10:16 PM

I can't take it.

**hail2mich** · 02-10-2012, 10:22 PM

WINGS WIN!!!!!!

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 10:23 PM

This is fun! Shootout win. 19 in a row at home!

**thefunk** · 02-10-2012, 10:23 PM

streak continues!

crazy game!

jz · 02-10-2012, 10:23 PM

Yes!!!!!

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by jz

I can't take it.

It's been a long time since I cared so much about a regular season result.

**lordstanley** · 02-10-2012, 10:34 PM

So the morning of November 5, before a Ducks at Wings game, we were pretty bummed. The Wings had lost 6 in a row. Including last 3 home games. Record was only 5-5-1. Have won 19 straight at home since then, 31-12-1 overall since then.

**Kdoogie24** · 02-11-2012, 01:15 AM

heyyyooooooo 19 in a row

the Michigan native Cam Fowler hits the post on a breakaway...in overtime... with his family there watching,. How badly did he want that goal.

**hail2mich** · 02-11-2012, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by lordstanley

Holmstrom playing in his 1,000th game.

It really is amazing that he has played 1,000 games. He never was a huge playmaker, but the guy found his niche. It's always awesome to see those guys who work their *** off to become an effective player, even though they might not be as skilled as other players. Not to mention the countless cross checks the guy has taken throughout his career. I have no idea how he does it. I know he's not what he used to be, but it will be a sad day when he call it quits (I'm sure his body disagrees).

Found this article on him: Tomas Holmstrom's unlikely journey to 1,000 games - NHL - Yahoo! Sports

"Both of his knees need braces and regular injections of synthetic lubrication. One knee hasn’t had a medial collateral ligament his entire NHL career." The man is a warrior.