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Wings shut down Edmonton Power Play, Nedeljkovic and Namestnikov stand tall
It’s funny how much can change in a week. A week ago, the frustration was boiling over regarding Suter. After the past 3 games, he’s really come alive. Namestnikov is getting a lot of praise, and the team’s play is the best we’ve seen in a long time.
It’s easy to forget that we’re only 14 games in. The criticism that comes isn’t about these 14 games. It’s about 10 seasons and 14 games. The post Lidstrom era was just a steady decline and the flatline rebuild has been brutal. This iteration of Detroit’s roster has generated more buzz than I can remember. The rookies aren’t just playing well “as rookies”, they’re among the best players on the team. Seider’s creativity and ability to keep the puck in on a power play literally had fans cheering and going crazy. The “pop” was so loud it felt like he’d just scored. Raymond, my goodness what a breath of fresh air. He loves the game, his smile just lights up the team. Yzerman has given the city a lot to like.
As Washington comes to town, Ovechkin is tied for 4th all time in goal scoring at 741 with former Wing Brett Hull. If he scores 37 goals this season (his average in an 82 game season is around 48) he’ll pass Jagr for 3rd all time. The Great 8 could break 800 goals next season and pass Gordie Howe. Ovi has played 60 fewer games than Hull did to get to 471, and 524 fewer games than Jagr at this point. (If Jagr hadn’t left the NHL, I really think he could have been right there near Gretzky). What we’re seeing is living history.
It won’t be a heartbreak if Ovechkin passes Hull in Detroit. In fact, it may be a very special moment. He’s sitting in the top 4, the Mt. Rushmore of goal scoring. At 35 he as a .613 goals per game average. To get to those numbers is special, to maintain that type of goal scoring over 15 years in the era of the “sumo goalie” is incredible. And, inevitably, someone will tell me again why he’s overrated. it used to irritate me, now it’s just hilarious.
Some of you may wonder why I love this chase so much. A big part of it is that I just didn’t think we’d be at this point. About 10 years ago, I looked at the all time scorers and figured no one would break 700. Ovi isn’t a small framed guy. He’s big, and plays a physical game. I thought he’d break down. I was very, very wrong. As he climbed the charts, I paid more attention. And now records that seemed to be carved in granite are potentially up for grabs. Just the fact that he’s 59 goals away from 800 is huge. To me, this is just fun.
I want Detroit to come out and play hard. I love what this team is doing right now. I smiled when McDavid scored. It’s a pleasure to watch him do his thing. I’ll do the same if Ovi surpasses Hull. The ability to watch the best in the game and still see a rebuilding Detroit team play well is the best of both worlds.
Some of my previous posts:
Previous Post:
Wings shut down Edmonton Power Play, Nedeljkovic and Namestnikov stand tall
Wings vs Oilers pregame
Previous post:
Soderblom’s value is climbing
Previous Post:
Confidence carries over, Captain comes back as Wings beat VGK
Bertuzzi, Suter and Raymond come up big, Seider gets OT winner 
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