Who's Got My Prileys?

By Adam W Parks

Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Round 1, Game 7
Red Wings 6 @ Coyotes 1

How is everybody feeling today? This time yesterday I was popping prilosecs like they were Pringles. I don't want to analyze last night's game too much (the Wings kicked ass), rather I will reflect on the myriad and range of emotions that it put me, and most of you, through.

Tony, a valued follower of Lamp The Light, commented on a Facebook post yesterday prior to the game: "For my blood pressure's sake, let's hope this goes like the Game 7 vs. Colorado in 2002, and the Wings just come out and lay a beat-down."

Game 7.

Joe, another great and appreciated follower, wrote this on the same post: "Scared to death about tonight's game...no joke."

Game 7.

Al, a close friend and phellow Phish Head, also commented on the post: "Stomach ulcer on the way for tonight."

Game 7.

After the first period ended at 0-0 and the Wings had outshot the Coyotes 17-6, I sent a text message to Brett, another good friend, and I wrote: "I'm glad I have Left For Dead and the sequel for the Xbox 360. Killing zombies after the game tonight might dissuade me from killing humans."

Now honestly, was I going to kill my poor neighbors if the Wings lost last night? Probably not all of them. Most likely just the guy from Wisconsin who roots against the Wings, Spartans, Tigers, and all my other beloved Michigan-based sports teams. (Hey Tim, sorry about your Badgers' recent 0-5 thrashing from Boston College in the NCAA Championships. At least you'll be able to watch their best player, Brendan Smith, play in Grand Rapids next season.)

Seriously though, I'm not a murderer, but I did share the same sentiments and disagreeable feelings prior to the puck drop that Tony and Joe and Al did. Watching the pregame interviews and analysis on Fox Sports Detroit and Versus was excruciating. "Just drop the damn puck!" My stomach was tossing. My skin was crawling. My bottle of Scotch whiskey was calling.

It does not matter what round or who we're playing against, when it comes down to the final game of the series and we fans are staring at a potentially dismal summer without anymore Red Wings hockey, we get a little sick. Erratic. Nervous. Crazy. But not quite murderous...

Game 7.

Detroit's last two playoff series, and three of the last four, have gone the full distance. Are they trying to kill us? Strokes run in my family. Fortunately, Tony got his wish and the game resulted in a blow-out...though those 30 minutes were a little too intense.

Dave Tippett said his team got "thumped" and they "had no answer."

Ilya Bryzgalov, who looked like he was unbeatable in Game 6, said, "They were unbelievable. The way the played, no team would have beat them."

Mike Babcock gave credit where credit's deserved, "Our big guys were fantastic today. They really came to play."

Certainly guys like Henrik Zetterberg (3 assists, +3), Pavel Datsyuk (2 goals), and Nicklas Lidstrom (2 goals, 1 assist) warrant their respective accolades, but let us (and Babs) not forget the Brad Stuarts, Darren Helms, Drew Millers, and Patrick Eaveseses.

How great were all of those guys attacking the puck and playing physical against the boards in the 'Yotes' zone? Killing it on the penalty kill? On breakaways stepping out of the penalty box? In a game where key faceoffs were the only blemish on Detroit's game, Justin Abdelkader won seven of his nine puck drops.

Everybody played great last night. They played the way we know they can. They looked like the team that we know they are. Bryzgalov is right, nobody can beat the Wings when they play like that.

And that right there might be why we were so nervous last night. Which Wings team was going to show up? The one that looked old? Or the one that looked experienced?

For the first time in the series, that lovely little intangible that we call experience was the deciding factor in the outcome of the game. Game 7 started out a lot like Game 6--the Wings dominated the puck but could not capitalize and get it past Bryzgalov. Unlike Game 6, Detroit did not let up an ounce, did not give up an inch, and completely overwhelmed the Coyotes.

Jimmy Howard said Phoenix got "lucky" in Game 6. Cocky. I like it. He backed it up in Game 7, and the Coyotes' only bright moment was a lucky one off a faceoff. He did not have to work too hard last night, facing 33 shots to Bryzgalov's 50, but he stopped the ones he needed to. His glove was quick, his positioning square, and his confidence strong.

I spoke with my buddy Brent early this day as I was driving around downtown Grand Rapids. We discussed the game last night and he said I had some pep in my conversation, or something like that. Damn straight I do! The Wings are moving on!

The sun always shines a little brighter on the morn after a Wings win, and today is freaking beautiful! I'm breathing easier, my stomach is settled, and my heart has slowed to its typical pace.

Am I too dramatic? Too emotional? Perhaps, but I'm okay with that. That's why I started writing this blog!

GO WINGS!!!

Peace

Belive in Howard! It Feels Gooooooood!

By Adam W Parks

Damn, Game 4 seems so long ago. Remember when Jimmy Howard stopped 29 shots in his first career playoff shutout? That was awesome!

Facing a potential 3-1 series deficit in front of the home crowd, and In the midst of criticism, doubt, and pressure to be benched from the fans, Howard became a real postseason goaltender right before our eyes. The scrutiny was nothing new for a Red Wings goalie, but it was a fresh experience for Howard, and he handled it with style.

I wrote a full article about the pressure-packed position between the pipes in Hockeytown on Wednesday. I scrapped it because it was too long. I rewrote it on Thursday to focus more on Howard, but lost all focus with the swirling hype surrounding the first round of the NFL draft--Suh! Best!--so I scrapped that one too.

I wanted to get something done before tonight's Game 5. Great timing, late on a Friday afternoon, I know. But Hell, it's always a good time to think, talk, and read about the Wings, so here I am, on my couch, with my dog next to me begging for attention, typing a brand new article just for you.


In my first draft I dissected the perspective that you, me, and all the fans in Hockeytown share on goaltending in Detroit. You know what I'm talking about, win a Cup or get the @#$% out attitude. I went back as far as I can remember, Tim Cheveldae, and ran the gamut all the way to our present netminder, Howard. It was exhausting, but interesting.

My whole point, and please leave feedback and comments below, was that in my lifetime there has never been a goalie that wore the Winged Wheel who has been fully embraced by the majority of the fanbase. Mike Vernon might be the closest, but he was under heavy scrutiny before what he was able to do in the 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs, and to Patrick Roy's face! Chris Osgood certainly won over many long-time doubters in 2008, but before that he was probably the most maligned Stanley Cup winning goalie ever, and I don't feel he is beloved today as much as he probably should be.

Dominik Hasek wore out his welcome. Curtis Joseph got a bad rap. Manny Legace's era was shortened and overshadowed by the returns of both Osgood and Hasek. Bill Ranford, Kevin Hodson, Ken Wregget, Norm Maracle, Bob Essensa...

Instead of going into an insane amount of detail about each of these guys like I did with my previous attempts, I'd like to know which goalie, in the last 20 years, is held in highest regard. I always go back to Vernon because that season is untoppable to me, though Osgood did eventually win me over.

The reason why I have been obsessed with this topic is that I have become a BIG Jimmy Howard fan this season. From following him in Grand Rapids, to doubting his potential as an NHL goalie, to seeing him become a Calder Trophy finalist, to watching his Game 4 heroics under intense pressure, The Deal has become one of my favorites of all the Wings goalies. When he lost his mask in that game on Tuesday he didn't flinch, he kept his focus, and he covered the puck in the middle of a crowd. I could see the playoff fire in his eyes.

Whether or not the Wings win tonight, or the series, Howard has done something that no other goalie has in Detroit: made me a true believer. Am I a Homer? Perhaps, but I doubted the guy just as much as everybody else when Ken Holland let Ty Conklin go and gave Howard the role as Ozzy's backup. The guy has shown the brass, the sandpaper, and the balls all season long to earn and deserve my respect and admiration. I can forgive him for his follies.

It bothered me when people called for Osgood after Game 3, but that is what we do, what we've always done with our goalies...isn't it? The attitude of the fans may never change in Detroit when it comes to the goaltending position--it is the toughest job in all of Michigan sports--but Howard has successfully altered my perceptions, and the feeling is euphoric.





Peace

Bert Talks Wings With HUGE

By Adam W Parks

Much-maligned amongst fans around the NHL, Todd Bertuzzi has made a career out of, well, pissing off his opponents.

He is in his 15th season in the NHL, and though he was once one of the league's best players and most dominant forces, he is still searching for his first Stanley Cup ring.

Bert played three seasons with the New York Islanders before spending the bulk of his career with the Canucks, but he has bounced around the room since leaving Vancouver, splitting the last four seasons between the Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, and the Wings. This season is his second stint in Detroit.

On Wednesday, April 21, 2010, Bertuzzi chatted with Bill Simonson of The HUGE Show and discussed the series with Phoenix and Tuesday's big Game 4 win. Brett Muller, the talented producer of The HUGE Show and all-around good guy, got me the audio of the interview and I put together this slideshow for your viewing and listening pleasure. Enjoy!



Peace

Don't Blame Howard, Not Yet

By Adam W Parks

Sunday, April 18, 2010
Round 1, Game 3
Coyotes 4 @ Red Wings 2

I've been reading the comments and listening to the mutters. "It's time to put Chris Osgood in."

Starting goalie for the Red Wings truly is the toughest job in Detroit. The guy mopping the floors at Popeye's Chicken on Woodward Ave wouldn't trade positions--at least he doesn't get blamed when someone else burns the biscuits.

What is the reasoning behind the lack of faith for goalies in Hockeytown? What is with the love/hate schizophrenic relationship we fans have with that position? Why does the spotlight of negativity shine brightest on the dude in net over all the 12 forwards and six defensemen in front? How about complaining about how the Wings were unable to take advantage of a team that had lost its best player and captain for the last half of the game? The half of the game that Detroit played its worst!

In Game 1 Howard kept the score within reach by making 19 saves in the third period but the rest of the team got out-worked and out-played. In Game 2 he out-dueled Ilya Bryzgalov in an absolute shooting spree. In Game 3 his team played flat the entire game, got out-shot (14-9) in the third period for the second time when trailing in the game, and at times left him completely vulnerable.

Okay, so Howard's @#$% was weak on that fourth goal, but that was the first goal of the series that I put on his head. Here is a breakdown of the Wings' breakdowns on Phoenix's first three goals.

Goal #1 went to Sami Lepisto who scored just 30 seconds into the game. Nicklas Lidstrom and Johan Franzen played hot potato with the puck in the neutral zone and the Coyotes, as always, pressured the puck and forced it deep into the zone. Petr Prucha got a couple of shots on goal and put the puck in front from behind the net. Martin Hanzal should have scored directly in front, but Pavel Datsyuk made a great play to get the puck out of the crease. The puck squirted out and Lepisto hustled and beat out two Wings to it and found the open net. When the play collapses down low around the goalie and sticks and skates are flashing everywhere, guys have to come to the aid of their goaltender and sniff out and clear those pucks. Howard was left scrambling around the crease because his team was too busy watching the play.

Goal #2 was a rebound put in by Wijtek Wolski, who won a battle for the puck in the neutral zone (again) and moved the puck into the Wings' zone. Matthew Lombardi picked up the puck and got a bad angle shot on Howard, but Howard gave up a bad angle rebound. In these situations the trailing defenders must pick up and neutralize those crashing in on the net. The culprit in this play was Justin Abdelkader as Wolski followed his forward momentum in towards the rebound. Abby was late picking him up and Phoenix got another goal on another open look at the net. Howard directed the shot into play on his left, but he had plenty of teammates around in front of him that could have/should have nullified the rebounded puck.

Goal #3 was Sportscenter's #1 Top Play this morning. Can you really fault a goalie when an NHL goal beats out all other plays from all other games in all other sports on a Sunday? Prucha dropped the puck off the boards to Radim Vrbata who made a quick pass back to put Prucha into a position to skate by Lidstrom and get horizontal with speed in front of Howard. This is a situation where, as a defender, you never want to leave your goalie in. Moving side-to-side following a pass is difficult enough, but to track a player at full speed moving across the top of the crease might be the toughest play for a goalie to defend against. The shooter has an array of options from slipping the puck through the five-hole to elevating an easy wristshot over the goalie's glove/stick when he's down low to take away the ice surface. Prucha had Howard frozen on the near post and with that speed he easily moved got in front and was able to slide it in on the far side.

Even on goal #4, the Wings made a bad turnover in the Coyotes' zone and Jonathan Ericsson and Lidstrom were caught in a change. Phoenix brought the puck up so fast that Lidstrom did not have a chance to get set in his position and left the shooter with an open look. Howard has to stop that shot, and he has stopped those shots all series, but that one bad goal happened to be the the nail in the Game 3 coffin and was the one most remembered immediately after the game.

Notice how I mentioned Lidstrom's name in three of those four goals. Nick is the man, my Wing, has been since I first saw him skate. Barry Melrose said that the Coyotes made him look "average" in Game 3, and he was. He was also slow. He also had a minus-three rating. Yet the game hangs on Howard's head in the eyes of many fans. Nobody would dare say "Bench Lidstrom!" and this writer is nowhere near those words. But I will stand up for Howard and say that Lidstrom played a bad game, and when your best defenseman played like Nick did yesterday, your goalie is going to look like the jerk.

So, to those who are calling "Ozzy! Ozzy!", I now give you three reasons why the Wings must stick with Howard (even though he doesn't deserve to be benched anyway).

1. Chris Osgood is as cold as a Foreigner concert is cool.

In 2008 when Chris Osgood replaced Dominik Hasek in the first round of the playoffs, Ozzy started the same amount of games (40) and appeared in two more than the Dominator in the regular season. He had a better goals-against average and save percentage too. Hasek was on a short leash and Mike Babcock yanked him quickly. Howard took over the starting job in Detroit because he lead Osgood in every single statistical category. In 2010 Ozzy has only appeared in five games and was defeated all of his three starts, averaging four goals allowed per game in those losses. Detroit's problem is not Howard, and Osgood is not Detroit's answer. Not this season anyway.

2. Bryzgalov is better than Howard. The Coyotes have played better than the Wings

I'm not going to show a bunch of statistics for this point, I already did that before the series started. Both goalies had surprisingly great regular seasons. Howard is deserving of the Calder Trophy and maybe is in the discussion for the Vezina. Bryzgalov is deserving of the Vezina and is surely discussed for the Hart Trophy. Bryzgalov has more playoff experience and a Stanley Cup ring. Neither goalie has played exceptional so far in this series. The real difference so far between these two in the series is Bryz's team has played cleaner and tighter than Howard's.

3. History says, "Wings lost two games? No big deal!".

What does this series have in common with Detroit's opening rounds in the Stanley Cup seasons of 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008? Each of those teams lost two games in the first round. In '97 the Wings were tied 2-2 with St. Louis before winning in six. In 1998 they went down 2-1 to...guess who...Phoenix, and won the series in six. The Hall of Fame team went down 0-2 in '02 to Vancouver before ripping up four straight against the Canucks to win in six. Nashville snagged two of the first three games against the Wings in 2008 before the Wings three in a row to wrap up that series in six. Four first rounds all pushed to six-games all resulting in Stanley Cup Championships.

Sit tight everybody. The Wings aren't done, and neither is Jimmy.

Peace.

Mr. Abdelkader Goes To Phoenix, Mr. Zetterberg Goes To Arby's

By Adam W Parks

Mike Babcock is a hockey genius, but I think every fan in Hockeytown knew how much the Wings need Justin Abdelkader in the lineup to add energy and physicality for the playoffs.

Now I'm not saying that Abby is the sole reason why Detroit flipped the physical play on Phoenix (Wings-38/Coyotes 31 in Game 2 compared to Wings-20/Coyotes 43 in Game 1), but he did register five hits in just 8:27.

WHAT CAN YOU DO IN 8 AND 1/2 MINUTES?

Not only did Abdelkader tie for second most hits for Detroit (Brad Stuart-7) with the second least amount of ice time, but he also had two shots on goal, earned a plus-one rating, and had one tremendous takeaway that led to an even more tremendous goal:



“We worked them down low, I came off the bench late, the third guy, they passed up to Wolski," Abdelkader said. “I just came behind him and took the puck away and saw I had a lot of open ice, was able to make a move and get a shot."

The goal gave the Wings their first lead of the game and was a spark that his team desperately needed.

WINGS' PHYSICAL PLAY LEADS TO A SHOWCASE OF SKILLS

By throwing the bodies back at the Coyotes, Detroit was finally able to open up some ice for their snipers, and guess which one tied Abdelkader in hits? #40, Henrik Zetterberg, racked up two more hits than the three goals he scored.

Who's got my curly fries? Z picked up his (and Detroit's) second hat trick of the season and showed the grit and attitude that a team leader needs to demonstrate in the postseason, and everyone else seemed to follow suit.

Hank, Pavel Datsyuk, and Valtteri Filppula all got lost in Game 1, but in Game 2 the trio combined for six goals on 18 shots on goal (six apiece). Zetterberg shot with 50% accuracy and posted a plus-two rating. Filpps scored twice, added an assist, and was also a plus-two. With an Adrian Aucoin blanket draped around him, Datsyuk took a cross ice pass from Johan Franzen and placed a perfect shot just under the cross bar.



Todd Bertuzzi had two assists: one on Filppula's first and the other on Zetterberg's game-winning second goal. That line collaborated for eight points on the night.

“We just knew our line had to step up and put the puck in the net," Bertuzzi said. “We had tons of opportunities to score, it was just a matter of time. Henrik played terrific. Fil did a really good job shooting."

The Wings figured out what they had to do last night. If they can continue to keep Shane Doan, Martin Hanzal (It's that damn Hanzal! He's so hot right now!) and the rest of the Coyotes from owning the boards and controlling the tempo of the game, Ilya Bryzgalov won't stand a chance against all their fire power.

Peace

Video Collage of Bob McNamara's Appearance On The HUGE Show

By Adam W Parks

Bob McNamara, the general manager of the Grand Rapids Griffins, sat down with Bill Simonson of The HUGE Show for a remote broadcast at Huntington Bank on 28th St. in Grand Rapids on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

Bob and Bill discussed Detroit's Game 1 loss to Phoenix; what went wrong, and what needs to be done to win Game 2. McNamara also provided insight on everything from Ken Holland's juggling act, to Steve Yzerman's young career in hockey management, to the development of Justin Abdelkader and what role he will play in the 2010 playoffs and in the future for the Red Wings.

As always Bill provided a light, relaxed, conversational atmosphere for his guest, and McNamara's knowledge of Hockeytown, the NHL, and hockey in general shines through brilliantly.

The interview below is edited from over an hour's worth of audio, so it is a little choppy transitioning from commercial breaks, but the content is top-notch! I added the still photos to the interview to provide a slide-show, visiual narration.

Enjoy!



Peace

People From Phoenix Are Phonecians

By Adam W Parks

Wednesday, April 15, 2010
Round 1, Game 1: Red Wings 2 @ Coyotes 3

What does playoff season mean to me? It means a couple extra beers and a few less hours of sleep. 7:00 AM came very quick this morning--and grogginess and headaches are always worse to deal with the morning after a Wings playoff loss.

PHONECIANS PLAY PHYSICAL

Detroit did not play a bad game last night, but they did lack playoff intensity and were continuously roughed up, especially late in the game. The Coyotes beat the snot out of the Wings to the tune of 43 hits to 20. 43 is a very high number, though nobody should have been surprised by the discrepancy in that category.

The Wings rarely out-hit their opposition and the prototypical game plan against Detroit in the playoffs is to play as physical as possible. Phoenix is a physical team. They're that type of team. They're not the type of team that will go out and score three powerplay goals to beat you...

HOW THE HELL DID THE COYOTES SCORE 3 POWERPLAY GOALS?

Detroit had the tenth best penalty killing unit in the NHL this regular season at 83.9% and gave up only four powerplay goals in the previous 53 shorthanded situations (93%).

The Coyotes ranked 28th (that's third-worst) in the league with their 14.7% power play efficiency and had scored just twice in their last 32 man-advantage opportunities (6%).

"Our PK kind of let us down tonight, which is disappointing because we've been so good lately,'' Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart said. "They won some faceoffs and were putting the puck on net.''

They were also putting the puck in net. Shane Doan screened Jimmy Howard on Keith Yandle's shot from the point for the first goal. Wojtek Wolski got a wide-open one-timer for the second. Derek Morris had a clean look off a clean face-off win and got the game-winning slapshot.

Three powerplay goals is the surprising result of Phoenix just grinding, hustling, and taking advantage of opportunities. Three powerplay goals is an anomaly.

So was Tomas Holmstrom's wristshot against Ilya Bryzgalov.

BRYZZY'S GIMME

Chances are Holmstrom, or any other Red Wing for that matter, will never score another goal against Ilya Bryzgalov quite like this:



Bryzgalov saw the shot. He reacted to it. His glove tried to close on it. He just missed it.

What was Holmer doing shooting a wrister from the blue line anyway? Kids, this is why you always put the puck on the net...you never know what'll happen.

We better believe that Bryz was embarrassed by that goal. His focus will be sharper from here on out because of that goal. The Phoenicians proved how dangerous they can be when they're down by one, and how difficult they can be when they're up by one. Down by a goal for nearly the entire third period, Detroit got out-shot 20-10 and Bryzgalov swallowed everything up with ease. Detroit will have to be more aggressive in order to create more shots against the Coyotes in Game 2.

The Wings lost Game 1 on the road, at least they didn't lose Game 1 at home. San Jose. New Jersey. Pittsburgh.

Peace

Should Babcock and Tippett Fight To the Death for Jack Adams?

By Adam W Parks

As intriguing as the Jimmy Howard V Ilya Bryzgalov matchup looks, the battle of brains between Mike Babcock and Dave Tippett could be even more compelling.

Both coached their respective teams to surprising finishes in the regular season. Tipps lifted the Coyotes out of the NHL gutters and led them to the fourth-best record in the NHL. Babs held together a proud but injury-plagued roster through one of the Red Wings' more memorable regular seasons in the last 10, 20, 30, maybe 40 years.

Both men are deserving of coach of the year honors, though it appears as if Tippett has the edge (according to media sources outside of Detroit). Babcock has never won the award despite being considered (also by most media outside of Detroit) as the best coach in the league, and he might be most deserving of it now more than ever.

Maybe they could share it? Split the trophy in half. The hockey media could come up with one of those spliced names for them like the tabloids did with BrAngelina. How about CockTipp?

Okay, let's get serious, we're in the playoffs now!

HOW DO YOU REPLACE THE 'GREAT ONE'?

Tippet will probably win the Jack Adams Trophy over Babcock in his first season at Phoenix after supplanting Wayne Gretzky. Does he deserve it? Absolutely, regardless of which team advances to the Western Conference Semifinals.

Tippett's first NHL coaching job was in Dallas where he spent the previous six seasons and took the Stars to the playoffs in every one except his last. The Stars won the Pacific Division twice and once made it to the Western Conference Finals in 2008 under his watch. (Who did they lose to? Damn right!)

In any other situation where someone might be asked to takeover a job that Wayne Gretzky left behind, the expectations would be too high to attain. Not in this case. Gretzky was the "Subpar One" as head coach in Phoenix. His Coyotes missed the playoffs in each of his four seasons, and they peaked at 38 wins and 83 points in 2007-08. They rolled around in the muck of the division, never finished higher than fourth, and in Wayne's final season in the desert they went 36-39-7 and declared bankruptcy. No wonder his head looked like a ripened tomato. He's lucky he didn't have a heart attack or blow a blood vessel in his brain. Don't people normally migrate to Arizona to relax when they get on in age?

Here is a picture gallery of Wayne Gretzky coaching the Phoenix Coyotes...










...wow...that's like a photographic timeline of his coaching demise. Here is one picture of Wayne Gretzky immediately after he resigned...



Tippet stepped into a disaster of a franchise and immediately got focus from his players and attention from the fans. He seamlessly transitioned a young, upstart team from a place of uncertainty and controversy to a very confident and talented fourth seed in the West.

Veteran players like Shane Doan and Ed Jovanovski helped that metamorphosis--as did the Vezina Trophy candidate between the pipes--but Tippett deserves the credit. That's some great coaching.

BUT WHAT ABOUT BABS?

"We've had a great run. In saying that, the most remarkable stretch for me is when we had eight guys missing (due to injuries) and the guys hung in there and battled and chipped away and found ways to win games. To me, that's more remarkable than what we've done since the Olympic break."

That was Babcock after the win over Chicago last Sunday. Does he want the Jack Adams Trophy? Probably. Does he care if he doesn't get it? Probably not.

Babcock is the epitome of a hockey coach. Sly, sarcastic, intense, and most importantly: he's successful. Twist what he said and forget what he did with a healthy team in the last 21 games of the season. Rather take a look at what he did with the first 61 games with a tattered roster. It really was incredible that the Wings were even in a position to make a run for the playoffs.

I was a little concerned coming out of the Olympics break. A season in somewhat disarray, and he had just coached a win-gold-or-else team in the biggest hockey tournament in the world (which happened to be held on his home soil).

How does a guy focus on Team Canada when Team Detroit is sitting in ninth place in the West? How does a guy refocus on Team Detroit after winning gold with Team Canada? How does one man balance the highest hockey expectations in the world and in the NHL all in one year?

Babs has juggled more crap this season than any other coach, and he has come out smelling like a winner. Tippett may have the edge on the Jack Adams Trophy, but Babcock has the edge on Tippett in experience and results. Check out his resume:

2002-03 (40-27-9-6): Took Anaheim to the franchise's first Stanley Cup Finals in his first season as a head coach in the NHL.
2005-06 (58-16-8): Coached the Red Wings to a franchise second-best 58 wins in his first season in Detroit.
2006-07 (50-19-13): Led Detroit into its first season without the team's heart and soul (Steve Yzerman) for the first time in 25 seasons...won the Central Division and reached the Western Conference Finals.
2007-08 (54-21-7): Proved that somebody other than Scotty Bowman could bring a Stanley Cup to Hockeytown in the modern era.
2008-09 (51-21-10): Became the first coach in NHL history to win at least 50 games in four-straight seasons...then he coached in the Stanley Cup Finals in back-to-back seasons and his third in six seasons.

Babcock is a coaching/winning machine. It is either tragedy or dumb luck that he has never taken home the hardware for best coach. It looks like it will be because of the latter this time around. Too bad, because this might be his most deserving season.

But whatever, he has his eyes on a bigger prize.

Peace