Jan. 20 :: Between the Sheets
IN OTHER NEWS…
Make sure you continue to follow along with our Nabokov post as we post the latest news as it becomes available…
WHAT’S ALL THIS THEN?
Wings and Blues. 8pm Thursday. St. Louis, I’ll be deep in the cold, cold ground ‘fore I recognize Missoura.
WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?
Jimmy Howard returns to the net tonight after missing some time thanks to taking a puck off of the patella. Which is not to be confused with the Petrella. Which is never swollen.
NOW WHERE WERE WE?
The last time the Wings and Blues played was a few days before Christmas, when on December 23rd the Blues beat Osgood (SHOCKER) and the Wings 4-3.
OH, HI AGAIN / MEMBA ME?! / BEST NAME NOMINEE
We’ve done this several times, so a recap: Conklin and Osgood have been in each others’ shoes, and Nikita Nikitin is as dope a hockey name as you’ll find.
THEIR LAST GAMES
:: Detroit lost an uninspired game to the Penguins 4-1 on Tuesday.
:: St. Louis beat LA 2-1 on Tuesday.
EXPECTED LINEUP
By special request, the TPL Glossary is ready to jailsex your eyes.
Mulo — Zetterberg — Eaves
Scuttles — Filppula — Thunderchief
Draper — Helm — Miller
Tatar — Abdelkader — Mursak
Lidstrom — Kronwall
Rafalski — Ericsson
Cirque — Kindl
Tiberius
McGillicutty
Injuries
Mike “Behind a Painted Smile” EModano [wrist]
Dan “Take Me to the Next Phase” Cleary [ankle]
Pavel “It’s Your Thing, Do Whatchu Wanna Do” Datsyuk [hand]
Brad “Pop That Thang” Stuart [jaw]
Chris “Love the One You’re With'” Osgood [groin]
Tomas “Put Yourself in My Place” Holmstrom [hand]
Honorable Mentions
Todd “Twist and Shout” Bertuzzi
Todd “Fight the Power (Part 1)” Bertuzzi
Jiri “Whoooo’s That Lady” Hudler
Jiri “Don’t Say Goodnight, It’s Time for Love” Hudler
Chris “This Old Heart of Mine” Chelios
*If there are any that you think I missed, throw them in the comments — the best one will be shared for all to enjoy on the TPL Facebook Page*
THE FIVE THREE HOLE [Quick Version]
1. Jimmah Returns: MacDonald played well, but not great. Jimmy hadn’t been playing great, either. Maybe the breather did him good. We need someone to show they care.
2. Defense vs. St. Louis: In the last two games against the Blues, the Wings have scored 8 goals. 5 were by defensemen, and 4 were Nick Lidstrom (Kronwall had the other). TAKE SHOTS FROM THE BLUELINE.
3. Nabokov in Net?: Even if the reports are correct and Evgeni Nabokov will be joining the Red Wings, there’s no guarantee he’d make it to Detroit. He’ll need to be subjected to waivers, allowing the other 29 teams to put in a claim. If any of those teams need a goaltender (and like the deal he agreed to with Ken Holland), he could be property of Team X before he even sets foot in Michigan. If, however, he clears waivers and makes his way to Detroit… the Wings will have acquired a very competent goaltender to back up Jimmy Howard. Whether it’s just as long as Chris Osgood is incapable of playing or for the rest of the season — essentially usurping Ozzie’s spot on the team — remains to be seen. Stay tuned.
WHAT WE LEARNED AGAINST THE PENGUINS
Henrik Zetterberg can’t do it alone. Like, I mean… totally alone.