Bearded Ice – April 13

In case you missed the memo yesterday, there’s a temporary name change for the blog in honor of the playoffs. Hope you all enjoy how I was able to grow an impressively thick beard, and take the same exact photo for the updated graphics.

Quick hits

Wings. Predators. Game 2, tonight. Here’s what happened in Game 1 if you need a refresher. If you would prefer the cliff notes, then here we go:

  • The Wings controlled the special-teams play in a penalty-filled affair. Both of their goals came on the power play, while they stopped all of Nashville’s six man-advantage chances.
  • Two of Nashville’s three goals were those that could be described as ‘puck-luck’ – strange bounces that somehow got through to the back of the Wings’ goal. Though Jimmy Howard still pointed out that he had to be better moving forward.
  • Henrik Zetterberg said his helmet was cracked after his closing-moments altercation with Shea Weber, where the Predators captain punched him in the back of the head, then drove Zetterberg’s face into the glass. The league assessed Weber a $2,500 fine for his actions.

I saved that one for last, because clearly it will be a focus point of tonight’s game. However, the Red Wings need to be careful that they don’t get carried away looking for retribution for their assistant captain. Nashville would love an angry, overly aggressive Detroit team tonight, because that would take them off their puck-possession style of play. Not to mention the fact that it’s harder to win hockey games if you’re in the penalty box for lengthy periods of time.

There might be one or two plays tonight where tempers flare, but I expect that for the most part, the Wings’ veteran leadership will keep this thing in check, and keep the team focused on scoring goals – always the best form of payback.

Highlight reel

Here’s video of Zetterberg talking after practice yesterday, courtesy of our friends at the Red Wings’ official site.

Outside the Mitten

Tim Thomas is off to a good start for his 2012 playoff campaign. A strong Game 1 showing makes him our Michi-gamer…follow the link to find out why.

Three of the four playoff games went to overtime last night. Thomas and the Bruins beat the Capitals 1-0, the Sharks upset the Blues 3-2, and the Coyotes topped the Blackhawks 3-2.

The one game that didn’t need overtime was New York’s 4-2 win over Ottawa.

The NHL did prove that they are capable of suspending players in the playoffs, as they gave Canucks forward Byron Bitz two games for a dangerous check on Los Angeles’ Kyle Clifford.

Check it out

Check out our article about the Hockey For Hope tournament, that’s going to be played in just a few weeks.

Next up

We’ll be talking Red Wings hockey all day, and all night, as they try to even the series.