Kukla's Korner

Abel to Yzerman

Joe Carroll In For Wings

We've got a killer on the road.  Todd Bertuzzi, loved around the league for his philanthropy, will join the Wing lineup tonite according to Teddy Kulfan.

Coach Mike Babcock said Bertuzzi would replace Jordin Tootoo on the fourth line, playing alongside Cory Emmerton and Patrick Eaves, as the Red Wings took on Anaheim in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.

For Bertuzzi, who struggled as his pinched nerve in his back affected the strength in his leg, delaying his return to the lineup, the chance to play again was long time coming.

"I'm really looking forward to it," said Bertuzzi after the morning skate. "It's been a long three months and I'm looking forward to just getting in and being able to help the guys, be part of it again.

No word yet as to whether the NHL will black out all of Southern California (millions of viewers, Gary) for this one.  More to follow in the Live Blog. 

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GDT - WCQF Game 2: Red Wings (0-1) at Ducks (1-0) 10:00

Tuesdays game was pretty damn ugly.  One goal, on the powerplay, and just 22 measley SOG.  Of course, you can't shoot if you don't have the puck to begin with. Damn near the whole game was spent in the Wings end.

When the Ducks did not have the puck in the DET end, their aggressive forecheck caused DET turnovers or puck dumps to neutral ice - - so ANA could gather the puck and attack again.  DET had very limited sustained attack in the Ducks end;  the Wings were one and done - if they coiuld get through the neutral zone at all.  It seemed to me that ANA won the majority of the 50-50 puck battles - they were almost always coming off the wall with the puck.

Said Uncle Mike:  “We didn’t execute very well coming out of our own zone. We didn’t have a lot of speed, therefore we didn’t have attack time. I thought we forechecked real poorly. I didn’t think we had much energy on our forecheck. When you get a chance to go back for the puck you want to execute the first time and get moving. And if you don’t, you spend too much time in your own zone and when it’s time to forecheck you’re changing your line. You never spend any time in their zone.''

Only 2 GA (discounting the EN), so there is that.  Coulda been a case of the jitters for the young "D".  But the #1 line were out-played.  Gotta show up tonight.  LGRW.

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Blacked Out: COMPLETELY

So the Hawks/Wild started at 8 and the Wings/Ducks at 10:30.  Naturally there's no way, even in regulation, that game would have been over to see the start. I'm cool with that. Used to it. The NHL hasn't been able to crack that code...ever.  Not since the USA Network...PRE-BETTMAN.

I listen to the first on the radio, on my phone. Got it. I'm ok. I know I'll have the game on NBCSN when OT ends in Chicago.

Over. Wild lose.  I like that.

Wings/Ducks. First ten seconds of the second period then...poof.  "Blacked out in your area."  Fine. Switch to Fox Sports SW: "Blacked out in your area."  Fine. Switch to Game Center Live: "Blacked out in your area."

Is this what you envisioned, Commissioner? Really?

This league is a joke.

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Underdogs? More Like Maidens With Wrought Iron Souls

Oh yes.  Yes, I did.  For the first time ever, since this blog was created back in 1978, we've welcomed Jim Morrison to a Live Blog.

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Ready. Set. Vomit.

Back in 2007, so long ago that I can't even find the links to those posts, the Wings were on the verge of horrific defeat to Anaheim.  

The game before, a puck stayed in the air.  It floated and weaved like a Chuck Long 7 yard out. All over the place. No direction.  But momentum took it, carried it until Lucifer gave it a final push with some hot evil breath and sent it over our Czech Miracle of Insanity's shoulder.  That game, that moment, is etched in Stress Train history, along with 34.7, Max Talbot, deficits to garbage teams like St. Louis and Phoenix, extra men on the ice, stolen goals, Al MacInnis and Jamie Langenbrunner, Deadmarsh, Yzerman hitting the crossbar, and big Swedish asses.

That goal that beat Hasek sealed the series for Anaheim in 2007.  It didn't settle the series. It sealed it.  The next game the Wings were down three goals after two periods.

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GDT - WCQF Game 1: Red Wings (0-0) at Ducks (0-0) 10:30

22 straight seemed like a long-shot back in mid-March when DET headed out to the West coast for a four game swing, beginning with a ridiculous back-to-back at ANA (thanks Gary, ass).   At the time, DET were 5-6-2 on the road, and ANA were13-1 at home.  Those two wins at ANA (5-1, and 2-1) were big at the time - - they are huge now.

DET can do this.  Jimmy is a freaking wall right now (4-0, 0.75, .969 in last 4 GP), and Mule is not useless. The 3 and 4 line are playing big, and they'll have to continue to do so.

LGRW 

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What Streak?  The Captain Says ‘Screw Your Streak’

Apparently, it wasn't even a consideration...not for them anyway.  For us? Oh yes.  We'll get to that, but to the 19 the streak was huge because it was so critical to the rest of you...the fans of every other team in this crack house of a pretend professional sports league.  

Henrik Zetterberg let it slip last night, though, that the number 22 has little meaning other than a damaged wrist and maybe a quote from decades ago about shaking hands.

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Welcome To The Night Of The Living Dead

Updated below with Voox' annual DC contest.

As predicted...

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In A Perfect World…

Uh oh.

Leipold was pacing. When he spotted me looking at him, he just looked at me and shook his head in disgust.

Leipold has one of the highest payrolls in the NHL. He just spent $196 million on long-term contracts on two players. How will he respond if the Wild misses?

That's Michael Russo, lead digger for the Minnesota Wild. And that is poetry.

Oh, I know. The main thing is still the main thing: get in.

But man, man, man.  

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GDT - Game 48: Red Wings (23-16-8) at Stars (22-21-4) 7:00

7  DET 54 PTS,  21 ROW
8  MIN  53 PTS,  21 ROW
9  CBJ  53 PTS, 18 ROW

One stinking point guarantees 22.  Just one point.  A win gives DET seventh place.

I overheard Eeyore saying DET has not had a winning streak longer than 3 games this season.

The Rolling Stones are providing the music today.

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About Abel to Yzerman

Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977.  No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y.  Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation.  There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature.  Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: wphoulihan@gmail.com

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