Not the way to “Celebrate the Stevie”

Pavel Datsyuk said before Saturday’s game that this was a time to “Celebrate the Stevie.”  Well I feel screwed. I believed his enthusiasm and was ready to see the Wings play a game fitting for the greatest Captain…but instead they gave us, they gave the Stevie, that Saturday shit fest.

Seriously, I am absolutely convinced that the Wings are incapable of compartmentalizing and are incapable of playing a strong game after any sort of celebration or special event.  Let’s see, last year they lost the season opener to Toronto after the banner raising, this year they lost both games in Sweden which were to be a thank you to Lidstrom, and now, they lost 5-1 to Toronto on the night Yzerman was honored.  Unacceptable.

Am I concerned that this will be the downfall of the Wings. That this one loss signifies the end of their turn around and as Jimmy D so eloquently predicted the first time in 20 plus years that the Wings don’t make the playoffs.  Absolutely not.  Before they took the ice this game had the makings of a classic Wings loss.  Special event against an inferior team the Wings were sure to underestimate.  The classic loss.

Below are my random thoughts about the game:

• Prior to the game they did a fantastic job honoring past HHOF greats and this years nominees.  Happy to say that The Captain had the loudest cheers.  Amazing crowd in Toronto.
• During warm ups it was clear that “the Monster” was going to cause some issues.  Firstly the monster is perhaps one of the lamest nicknames.  Something my 3 year old niece would come up with….not to mention he is probably one of the skinniest monsters I have ever seen.  And yet he still caused issues for Detroit.
• In the first two minutes of the game Ozzie comes up with a huge save…..now I wonder why that could be, oh that’s right Ericsson and Lebda were on the ice.   The entire night Lebda and Ericsson were out for the Leafs best opportunities. I am far from impressed with Meech but at least when he is paired up with Lidstrom or Kronwall he seems to learn something and apply it to his game.  Lebda, jsut when you think he couldn’t get anyworse…he does.
• 5 minutes into the game and it was clear that Helm was going to be one of the best players of the night. Since his benching this kid has been in playoff form.  It was too bad Eaves was hurt or a healthy scratch (don’t ask both scenarios have been reported) Helm really needs someone on his line that can keep up.
• The first period had to be hockey porn for Mickey Redmond.  It was fast and there were few whistles.  Can I get a old time hockey anyone?
• Just as soon as I noted the pace it was 1-0, then 2-0 Toronto.  Pathetic.  I am sure you are all intelligent people and if you didn’t watch the game you can guess what defensive pairing took part in that score.  What is Chelios up to again?
• But if 2-0 wasn’t embarassing enough, they allowed it to become 3-0 soon after.  The only thing I could really take from that would be that Jeff Finger scored the goal so I reverted to a 15 year old boy and decided that Ozzie got Fingered. Shut up I had to laugh so I wouldn’t cry.
• In an effort not to be a total bitch, I will say the PK did look better and Cleary FINALLY got his 100th goal.  Too bad that milestone didn’t take place during a better game.
• At least “the monster” didn’t get his first career NHL shut out against the Wings. It’s the small things in life.
• For some reason, whether it was despite or maybe because of Ericsson’s shitty play, Babcock put him in on the PK and the game was soon 4-1.
• The game from hell ended at 5-1 with Lebda being responsible for the 5th goal.  The broadcast team mentioned that “Lebda had a rough night” possible an understatement if you ask me.  I wonder if Meech will get a shot against Columbus…

Now as is my habit, I saved the worst for last.  So far this season, Franzen is out for months with a torn ACL, Filppula is out for 8 week with a broken wrist and now….

Williams is out for 8 weeks with a fractured fibula.

What cliches can we pull out, when it rains it pours, bad luck comes in threes…..I don’t know this is the year of injuries.  Williams certainly isn’t my favorite player, and now Babcock will need to find someone else to miss during the shootout, but it is still hard to be down another forward.  And if you even attempt to tell me Lebda will fill in on the point on the powerplay…..

We will see how this all plays out…..