The above youtube video was an interview posted this morning out of the UK with a guitarist from the Finnish band “Lordi”. Not my style, first I’d ever heard of the player or the band. The interview is uncomfortable to watch (as is a guitarist playing rhythm guitar to a vocal track) and for 40 minutes you find the bizarre downside of 20 years of touring dressed as a mummy. The whole thing apexes a bit when the guitarist has to drink coffee through a straw (as with all beverages while in makeup). As uncomfortable and awkward as this is to watch, it was still an easier watch that Detroit’s past 3 games. I mean, a zombie should at least LOOK like a zombie, right?
In all seriousness, with 21 games left Detroit has 14 wins. Meaning, if they win 100% of their games they finish the season with 35 wins. Not likely, to be sure. I was expecting Boston to atone for 5 straight losses, and the Penguins are in the hunt with new energy. (Incredibly happy for Zucker’s relocation. Love seeing a guy like that have fun playing again). As bad as this east coast swing was, even worse is seeing 2/3 of total goals in 3 games come from Helm, with the other lone tally from Filppula. Hronek took a nasty shot to the head and if it’s serious that could shut him down for 5 - 10 games. It’s grim and gruesome.
If you’ve watched the NHL network at all, you know that the movie “Miracle” is getting a lot of play right now, and players telling their stories about Herb Brooks. The past week or so has been that movie in reverse for Detroit. The “upset” victory in Boston followed by 3 rounds of college kids playing the Soviet Army (or equivalent). It wouldn’t do to bag skate the team, the kids are killing themselves. Maybe bag skate the staff? Let Larkin be Herb Brooks and Bertuzzi can blow the whistle. It’s all backward anyway...
The good news, we are 3/4 of the way done with “this”. Staring at the television like a Cubs fan for 100 years before they broke through. Or, like a Lions fan. However, even in the worst Lion’s season you only have to watch them lose 16 times. One more loss and Detroit will have TRIPLED that number. Three straight seasons of the Lion’s worst record all wrapped up in one lead balloon to the bottom of the league. Detroit now holds a 15 point cushion on Los Angelos (who has two games in hand). But don’t worry. The next 21 games look like this: MTL, NYI, CAL, NJD, MN, OTT, COL, CHI, Tampa Bay 3 times, Carolina, Washington twice, Florida, AZ, VGK, Boston, Philly, STL and Toronto.
The dogs in this final stretch are New Jersey (who beat us), Ottawa (who routinely beats us), Minnesota. The rest of the teams are fighting for or holding a playoff spot at this point. The team could fail to crack 20 wins, quite easily at this point. That’s not a guarantee, just a very real possibility.
At least the barn door is open and trading is in full effect. New Jersey just got a hefty price for Blake Coleman (a first AND a Foote). Pitt shipped out their first for Zucker. Teams that are waiting on Kreider may be shocked if NYR re signs him. The prices have been set and the desperation moves should be coming soon. Unfortunately, Detroit won’t garner a first rounder in any deal at this point.
It’s almost over. The bumpy ride that guarantees a 4th overall pick. And, depending on what moves the team makes, next year could be slightly better. A 30 win season perhaps? It’s impossible to tell.
All this is to say, it’s not lost on me or anyone writing about this team that things are brutal. Rock bottom hurts a lot more when you actually hit it. It was much more of a free fall than even a rapid descent. I assume Wile E. Coyote’s biography will be on the recommended reading list this summer. Aptly titled, “so you’re a hole in a canyon floor, now what?” Is there an Acme rocket and roller skate setup available? Much more fun to crash into a faux train tunnel painted on the rocks. At least it’s fast and you feel like you’re getting somewhere.
At this point, almost any change organizationally will be a breath of fresh air. Bring up Seider for a few. Svechnikov is on a bit of a hot streak right now, bring him up too. Something, anything, to change the energy and flow of what is currently happening. We’ll see if that happens soon enough.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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