DETROIT, Michigan -- The Red Wings get a rare look at Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals tonight as the defending Southeast Division Champions visit Joe Louis Arena.
It will be the first match of many this season where Detroit will be without Johan Franzen, who suffered a torn ACL during Thursday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks. To compensate, coach Mike Babcock has shuffled the forward lines.
Henrik Zetterberg will be moved up to the first line, at least temporarily.
"I wouldn't count on it staying like that," Babcock said following today's morning skate.
Valtteri Filppula and Ville Leino will move up to the second line, joining Dan Cleary. Todd Bertuzzi shifts down to the third line along with Jason Williams and the recently-recalled Justin Abdelkader. Kris Draper continues to center the fourth line with Brad May. Kirk Maltby and Patrick Eaves will rotate in and out on that line, with Eaves getting the nod tonight for his Detroit debut.
Game time is 7:00 with television coverage by Fox Sports Detroit.
I better get to see Ken and Mickey.... If not, I am going to fire it off on DirecTV
I'll be stuck listening to Ken and Mickey. I'm painting a bathroom tonight so I'm gonna crank the volume up and try to run in and catch replays when I can.
As much as it sucks to lose Franzen for awhile, I'm excited to see Dr. Fil and Leino get more time. Let's just hope they do something with it!
I don't want the Caps to win, but I wouldn't mind seeing a crazy Ovechkin goal celebration.
Caps get the first goal. Not good.
Oh dear Osgood.
That was sorta crazy in front of the net but Leino scores!
That was all because of Cleary.
Cleary is badass tonight!
Williams on the powerplay! 2-1.
Jesus Christ.
I could swear Ovechkin left his feet before checking Stuart.
No kidding, tonight catmandu asked "What's Williams done?" at the start of the game. This is like the third or fourth time in the last couple seasons she's asked about a player only for him to score an important goal shortly afterward.
From earlier:
That first power play is one of the worst I have seen in a long time. You can tell that we are missing the mule.
Third period, let's go boys! Get that first third period goal this season!
What the hell was that?? f*ck!!!!!
I'm gonna have to look up that rule about the net. I didn't know it was a judgement call.
And Ovechkin totally hauled down Datsyuk on that shorthanded rush.
And he wasn't even standing in front of the net!
Holmstrom makes it 3-2. Awesome 
Pinpoint pass, pinpoint shot. Oh yeah.
30 seconds to go.....
Those last 15 seconds scared me. Red Wings win! Awesome
I also must say I like the way Bertuzzi is playing now - he's actually doing stuff!
Phew.
I also must say I like the way Bertuzzi is playing now - he's actually doing stuff!
I was saying the same thing at the end there. He's really, really picked up his defensive play. From the sound of things he's exactly the kind of person (not player) who would realize his game had slipped and come to Detroit to learn the Wings' system and reinvent himself. That's why I was cool with signing him last summer.
With about 15 seconds left the puck is sitting in the Detroit crease. I thought I was gonna scream. Solid, solid defense. Looks like it was that way all night. I'll rewatch what I missed before giving any opinions.
I agree that Bertuzzi has picked up his game. As I have said before, players find themselves in Detroit. The only complaint I have is that first goal Ozzie let in. Any thoughts as to when Nick will pick up his 1000th point?
We saw both games last week...10/08 and 10/10...picking and choosing this year.
During the game with Chicago, the Joe resounded with organ music...I am old enough to remember when organ music was the media of choice in hockey arenas, but I swear the crowd hardly knew what to make of it!! Kinda funny...I also thought maybe some were still suffering from the aftershock of the Tigers' defeat....
Anyway, my observation from both games is that what the Wings may be lacking in firepower they are overcoming (in those games, anyway) with pure grit. Much as I admire Ovechkin, seeing him go without a goal was sterling!
It's a different Wings team, but a highly entertaining one, nevertheless. They deserve better crowds than they are drawing. I'd like to see the organization do something to sell those empty seats.
I'd like to see the organization do something to sell those empty seats.
They think schedule magnets will draw fans better than lowering ticket prices will.
Henrik Zetterberg takes a faceoff
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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