The Setup: Red Wings @ Oilers – 10/29/09

Before we get into the preview of tonight’s game, let me take a second and go through a couple of housekeeping items:

Movin’ On Up

I’m going to be a bit slow getting the usual content up (BtN, CSSI) starting tonight, as I have to prepare for a move this weekend. No, not a digital move. An actual move. To a new physical living space. Where I won’t have Internet until Monday. So please, bear with me as I work to get settled into my new digs while trying to balance your need for my opinion that you probably don’t really care all that much about anyways. Besides, there’s plenty of great Red Wings content in that nifty toolbar on the right.

I’m guessing that the preview posts will be short and sweet, and may  just be a “Behind Enemy Lines” interview. I really don’t know yet. I don’t think the “By the Numbers” posts will suffer that much, but I can all but guarantee you that CSSI will take a hit. Which reminds me…

Life or No Life?

I’ve gotten some good feedback on the CSSI, but one of the things that I am still trying to figure out is how everyone consumes the information in each post. Is it a “I watch the video and then look for who Hollis says lost points” or is it more along the lines of “I treat Hollis’ analysis of each play like gospel and don’t need to see the videos.”

I ask because I want to put out content that you, the reader, wants to see and if the CSSI format is something that you enjoy, then I won’t mess with it. The downside is that it takes time to break down all of those goals, which limits my time on other areas of Red Wings coverage (opinion pieces, etc.). I do believe the CSSI provides a fun way to generate discussion and opinions, and it’s something I enjoy doing and will continue doing. However, if we can streamline it at all and not lose any of the goodness (as well as score me some extra free time), I’m all for it. Just let me know what you think.

OK, I think that covers it. On to the preview…

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The Setup: Red Wings @ Oilers – 10/29/09

After finally getting that first road win under their belts, the Red Wings head to the flu-ridden Rexall Center to battle the Oilers tonight. The Wings come in looking to build on their big win in Vancouver and to get a winning streak going, while the Oilers are looking to stop the bleeding of a three game losing streak. However, Edmonton has another hurdle to clear, as the flu bug is going around the team. Even with that in mind, I still geta bit nervous about this game. Teams on losing streaks at or over three games tend to play with more fire and  intensity, and Detroit should be ready for Edmonton’s best shot. Could be a close one tonight…

On a happier note, the Wings have Pavel Datsyuk in the lineup tonight after he sat out practice yesterday due to a bruised foot. Dangle says he’s good to go, so here’s to another Tuesday-like performance. Meanwhile, The Jimmah Howard Experiment is back between the pipes tonight, looking to prove that Tuesday’s effort wasn’t just a flash in the pan.

The lines shake out like this:

Forwards

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Zetterberg

Cleary-Filppula-Bertuzzi

Leino-Draper-Williams

May-Helm-Eaves

Defense

Lidstrom-Kronwall

Rafalski-Stuart

Ericsson-Lebda (GUH…)

Goalie

JIMMAH!

Maltby and Abdelkader are your scratches tonight.

Other Miscellanea

• No “Behind Enemy Lines” tonight, but you can head over to  Blogging for Oil and The Copper & Blue for anything you want to know about the Oilers.
• However, if you do want some instant Oilers entertainment, I do suggest you check out this video in which the team discusses their Halloween costumes. FTR, I’m glad I dropped Tom Gilbert from my fantasy team after hearing about his costume. NASTY.
• ESPN is doing some sort of “Game of the Week” promotion for hockey on Thursday nights, and tonight is the Wings-Oilers matchup. Along with a preview from E.J. Hradek and Barry Melrose, there will be a live blog of the game with Pierre LeBrun, Melrose, Scott Burnside and Matthew Barnaby. FTR, Melrose picked Detroit to win tonight (oh boy…).

That’s it from here. Don’t forget to post your comments and feedback about the CSSI.

See you after the game for your numbers breakdown! GO WINGS!

Tags: Edmonton Oilers