Oct. 8 :: Para Bailar La Bamba

COME ON, LET’S GO
So there I was, minding my business on the beach — Pacifico in hand — keeping up with the daily happenings of the Red Wingosphere, even tweeting the waivings and recalls and injuries — because I care so deeply about you. All the while, nearly having my character defamed by my closest friend in Texas? Whoo baby, it’s been a heck of a trip. For me personally, and for the Red Wings.

A six game ass-kicking skid followed on the heels of a five game season-opening winning streak. Finally, on Saturday, the dam burst and the Wings broke off a piece of Pecking Duck. All I did over the last ten days was offer my neon white body to the sun gods, zipline through a canyon, attend some Dia de los Muertos festivals, and four-bang around a desert mountain. No biggie.

Tonight, the Red Wings host the Avalanche at 7:30pm. It will be the second of four regular season meetings with the once-fierce rival. If the playoffs were to start today, neither team would be in the post-season. But fuck that analogy, pretend like I didn’t say anything.

LET’S GO, LET’S GO ONCE MORE
:: Detroit defeated Anaheim 5-0 on Saturday.
:: Colorado lost to Calgary 2-1 on Sunday.
:: The Wings and Avs’ met earlier this season, on October 8th. Ty Conklin (somehow) managed a shutout and Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and Johan Franzen were your goal scorers.

LITTLE HISTORY LESSON
Three years ago today, the Red Wings beat the Devils 3-1. Listen to this super quick recap: Chris Osgood had the win — his sixth of the season. Marian Hossa had a pair of goals — Kirk Maltby had the other. Brett Lebda was a healthy scratch. Chris Chelios was on LTIR. Turnover!

WE BELONG TOGETHER
Tommy Holmbanger :: Pavel Datsyuk :: Buckets Cleary
Valtteri Filppula :: Henrik Zetterberg :: Johan Franzen
Justin Abdelkader :: Danger Helm :: Jiri Hudler
Salt N Pepper Miller :: Cory Emmerton :: Fabian Brunnstrom

Nicklas Lidstrom :: Ian White
Brad Stuart :: Niklas Kronwall
Jakub Kindl :: Johnny Shitbox

Tiberius Howard
Ty Conkblock

ALL BY MYSELF TO WANDER AND ROAM
Jan Mursak [left ankle]
Todd Bertuzzi [ill]
Patrick Eaves [back]
Mike Commodore

The TPL Name Game “Three Stars”
Just like last season, submit your nickname suggestions (follow the theme!), and we’ll use our Facebook page to allow people to vote for the best… the winner gets a free TPL t-shirt!
PETRELLA: Jiri “Let’s Go and Do It Again and Again and Again and Again. And Again and Again and Again” Hudler
DISCH: Fabian “Listen to You, Coming In Here Like You Own the Whole Goddamn Country” Brunnstrom (2009 Edition)
HOLLIS: Nicklas “Tell Me That You’re Never Leaving” Lidstrom
STEVIE: Nicklas “Yo No Soy Marinero, So Capitan” Lidstrom

OHHH DONNA
:: Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg answered the bell on Saturday — netting three of the Wings’ five goals. While Pavel Datsyuk is only one point away from tying the team leader in points (Lidstrom and Johan Franzen each have ten), it’s been eight games since he put one into the twine. For the record, Zetterberg is sixth on the team in scoring. Behind Ian White.
:: Jimmy Howard got his second shutout of the season, so here’s hoping he keeps the hot hand. For what it’s worth, he followed up his first shutout of the season with a 3-2 overtime win in Minnesota.
:: Here’s something you’ll likely never see again: Pavel Datsyuk is a team-worst -5 on the season. He’s tied with new super millionaire Niklas Kronwall. Brad Stuart (who is also the only regular without a point) is just above them at -4. Val Filppula leads the team with +6.
:: We mentioned Brett Lebda up above, and here’s some good news: the former Red Wing has signed a professional tryout with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL, the main affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

MUSICAL INSPIRATION