Answering the Bell: Red Wings 4, Sharks 2

“How many has Lebda scored lately, Ken?”

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I’ll admit that when I turned on the game just over halfway through the first period last night, I almost just as quickly turned it off. Down 2-0 in San Jose on the first stop in a three game Western trip did not sit well with me at all. Add to it that the better half wanted to tune in to the season premiere of Lost, and I almost caved.

But then something amazing happened.

Danny Cleary scored. Then the 5-on-3 appeared. 18 seconds later, Henrik Zetterberg tallied. Jimmah held it down in the second and Patrick Eaves and Derek Meech sealed it up.

Don’t call it a comeback.

Quite frankly, this one was much more than a comeback. This was the Wings finally picking themselves up off of the mat and bringing it. The intensity level soared for the Wings and the pressure came in waves. It was a beautiful sight, and one that has been sorely missed during this season of injuries, goaltending controversies and general complacency. For some reason though, San Jose just seems to bring out the best in the Wings.

If you’re a Sharks fan, it’s safe to say you’re rooting for the Wings to win their last 26 games. Sure, you sport the best record in the NHL and are going to make a strong push for your second President’s trophy in a row, but that doesn’t mean jack when it’s four losses and you’re out. Nobody in San Jose wants to see the Red Wings in the first round, and if for some reason you do, you need to check your bravado at the door and understand that Detroit’s the worst possible reward for being the best team in the West.

Let me stop right there. There is a ton of hockey to be played and I’m not crowning either the Sharks or the Wings on any front until the last 26 are in the books. The Wings have so much work still to do to even MAKE the playoffs that it would be foolish to start lobbing insults at a team that has all but secured a top three seed. For the Wings, the next game on the schedule is the most important one for the rest of the season. Tonight is the epitome of that statement. Back-to-backs have gone poorly for Detroit all season, and it’s guaranteed to be a tough one in Anaheim for sure. It always is.

That said, it’s hard not to feel good about another win over the Sharks. They are the best team in the league for a reason and it’s tough not to see the silver lining in going 3-0 against them so far this season. But all of those good feelings can come crashing down with a loss in Anaheim tonight, so let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. The Wings need to keep spreading the scoring wealth all through the lineup and need to get some guys on a roll. Personally, I’m really hoping that Tomas Holmstrom and Valtteri Filppula get a nice boost from the pair of assists they each notched against the Sharks, because those guys are crucial to easing the burden that’s been on the shoulders of the superstars all year.

60 minutes in Anaheim. Make it happen.

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Production Charts

*The season totals are updated here and here.

Line Production

Special Teams Production

Tags: Dan Cleary, Derek Meech, Henrik Zetterberg, Patrick Eaves, San Jose Sharks, The Jimmah Howard Experiment, Tomas Holmstrom, Valtteri Filppula