WHAT’S ALL THIS THEN
After surviving a hairy couple of days with random exotic (and lethal) animals running around Ohio, the Columbus BJ’s have safely made their way to Detroit for tonight’s tilt against the Wings. Puck drops at 7:30 Eastern. This is the first of six meetings this season between the Central Division rivals. The Wings went 4-1-1 against Columbus last year.
NOW, WHERE WERE WE
The Wings haven’t played in six days, but bring a 4-0-0 record in to the Joe tonight. Columbus is looking to get of the schneid after starting the season 0-5-1.
BEST NAME NOMINEE
The 16 year-old boy in me wants to go with Grant Clitsome, but we’ll give the nod to Fedor Tyutin in honor of Ken Daniels using his full name at least 20 times during the broadcast tonight. Remember, it’s not “Tyutin plays the puck,” it’s “FedorTyutin plays the puck.” Don’t believe me? Just watch.
THEIR LAST GAMES
:: We’ll have to hop in our time machine and go back to last Saturday for the Wings’ last action, where they picked up a 3-2 (or 4-3 if you’re Disch) OT win over the Minnesota Wild.
:: The BJ’s were on the wrong side of a 3-2 final to the Stars on Tuesday night.
:: The Wings and Jackets last played one another on March 17th last season. Detroit blanked the BJ’s by a score of 2-0 to finish up the season series. Joey Mac was in net, and goals were scored by Drew Miller and Valtteri Filppula. Scratches that night were as follows: Draper (healthy), Hudler (flu), Osgood (groin) and the late Ruslan Salei, who was celebrating the birth of his child. Still hurts to type that.
LITTLE HISTORY LESSON
The win on March 17th was Mike Babcock’s 300th career win behind the Red Wings bench.
MEMBA ME?
Mike Commodore used to be Scott Arniel’s favorite player in Columbus.
OH, HI AGAIN
No former Wings on the BJ’s roster, although James Wisniewski originally hails from Canton, Michigan.
WE’RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD
Henrik Zetterberg :: Pavel Datsyuk :: Buckets Cleary
Jiri Scuttles :: Valtteri Filppula :: Johan Franzen
Justin Abdelkader :: Danger Helm :: Todd Thunderchief
Tomas Holmstrom :: Cory Emmerton :: Salt N Pepper Miller
Nicklas Lidstrom :: Ian White
Brad Stuart :: Niklas Kaboom
Jakub Kindl :: Johnny Shitbox
Jimmy Howard
Ty Conkblock
IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN/HEART/NERVE
Jan Mursak [left ankle]
Mike and The Commodores [knee]
Fabian Brunnstrom
Patrick Eaves
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 “Where Do You Want To Be Oiled First?” Hudler
DISCH: Jiri “Then This Is A Day Of Independence For All The Munchkins And Their Descendants!” Hudler
HOLLIS: Jiri “Then The Next Time She Squawks, Walk Right Up To Her And Spit In Her Eye. That’s What I’d Do” Hudler
SUPER PETRELLA BONUS: Mark “If I Were King Of” LaForest
HOW BOUT A LITTLE FIRE, SCARECROW?
:: The biggest question of the night will be which Red Wings team shows up. All week long the guys have talked about their desire to get back on the ice and play against a real opponent, but such a long layoff between games is an open invitation for the rust to show. Columbus is going to bring it all night long, desperately searching for that first win of the year.
:: Can the Wings keep spreading the scoring wealth? 10 different players already have a goal and 17 of the guys have registered a point. Guys yet to tally a point? Eaves, Stuart, Commodore, Brunnstrom and Jimmy Howard (Laugh all you want. Ty Conklin has an assist.)
:: Sure would be nice to get the power play going. The Wings have converted a dismal 5.26% with the extra man this year, putting them 13th in the conference. Yikes.
:: Speaking of some not-so-great numbers, the Wings haven’t been overwhelmingly impressive in terms of winning faceoffs either. 45.8% success on the dot is less than inspiring, especially when Columbus comes in to the Joe winning over 50% of their draws.
:: Somebody cover Rick Nash. 6 points in six games makes him public enemy number one tonight.
I wish I knew how to insert a picture into this here webpage…..This one is our version of the hudlunchkins….
http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/270432_244225315589891_100000072741128_1040169_4577203_n.jpg
Hell, it looks like I am a bit more computer savvy than I thought!
Jonathan “Are you a good witch, or a bad witch” Ericsson
Jonathan “A whopper, to speak in the vernacular of the peasantry” Ericsson
Fabian “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain” Brunnstrom
Mike “I’m all but lame from the bite on my leg!” Commodore
Mike “My! People come and go so quickly here!” Commodore
Todd “Child, you’re talking to a man who’s laughed in the face of death, sneered at doom, and chuckled at catastrophe” Bertuzzi
Jonathan “Imposerous!” Ericsson
J.J. “Now I… I know we’re not in Kansas!” from Kansas
For nostalgia:Chris “Do not arouse the wrath of the great and powerful Oz” Osgood
Jiri “Of course, some people go both ways” Hudler
Pavel “Professor Marvel never guesses, he knows!” Datsyuk
Todd “Why I’d thrash him from top to bottomus!” Bertuzzi
Jonathan “You, my friend, are the victim of disorganized thinking” Ericsson
Jonathan “Help us out today and find yourself a place where you won’t get into any trouble!” Ericsson
Nik “Just try and stay out of my way. Just try! I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!” Kronwall
Mike “You people should consider yourselves lucky that I’m granting you an audience tomorrow instead of 20 years from now.” Babcock
Jonathan ” What would you do with a brain if you had one?” Ericsson
Gary “We represent the Lolipop Guild” Bettman
For shits and giggles
Alexandre ” You go away or I – I’ll bite you myself!” Burrows
Jonathan “If I only had the noive” Ericsson.
Christopher “NOBODY SEES THE WIZARD! NO WAY NO HOW!” Osgood
Johan “Horse of a Different Color” Franzen.
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