Oh What a Difference a Datsyuk Makes

Not that anybody noticed, but I sort of took a sabbatical over the last few weeks.  Why?  Because I'm working on a new and improved positive outlook for life, and frankly, the Wings had me dumpster-diving for expired Prozac pills ever since Pavel Datsyuk had his surgery. 

Wow!  What a tough tumble that was from the top of the Western Conference!  That home-winning streak seems so distant and inconsequential now, doesn't it?  That was fun for a bit, wasn't it?  Now it's just a reminder that a regular season achievement in the NHL is like buying a Ford Festiva--sure, it's a cheap thrill and and the spoiler is super sweet--but is it really something you're going to brag about all summer long?

Seriously, prior to the infectious rash of injuries (Howard, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Ericsson, Kindl, Bertuzzi, Franzen, Helm, MacDonald...missing anyone?) the Wings perched atop the West peering down at a juicy home-ice matchup with an eighth seed.  That painful tailspin left them watching the Blues soar by, glancing over their shoulders at the Blackhawks, and engaged in a vicious cock-fight with the Predators.  It wasn't until Monday's 7-2 blowout against the Blue Jackets that I saw a glimmer of hope that they could hold onto the fourth seed and secure that sought after first round home ice advantage.

That glimmer was Pavel Datsyuk.  The Dangler looked as if he was back to mid-season form, worth all the MVP chatter of just a month or so ago.  Of all the injuries, even Howard and Lidstrom, it was the lack of Datsyuk that made this team look horribly average, and the slide in the standings shows that.

What made the slide more salty was the return of Cindy Crosby, not so much because I hate the guy, but because I hate the media black hole he creates when he's on the ice.  A few days ago I watched an ESPN top play of Cindy Crosby making a behind-the-back no-look pass to an open winger for a goal.  A great play, yes, but relatively routine for any star in the NHL.  The no-knowledge commentators playfully talked up the play:

ESPN Moron #1: "How many people can do that?"
ESPN Moron #2: "Just one."
ESPN Moron #1 and #2: "Crosby!"

Apologies for the anti-Crosby/ tangent, but for real, Pavel pulls those passes every game--did you see his assist on Gustav Nyquist's first career goal?--and now that the Princess's headaches are better it's back to the same-ol' Penguins-or-bust Sportscenter highlights.  AAHHHH digression!

Anyway, with Datsyuk back the team's confidence seems to have rebounded along with my confidence in them still being the best in the West.  However, that was the Bluejackets they played on Monday night.  Not exactly the best ruler to measure by.

Friday night against Nashville will be good cheese.  A preview to a potential first-round bout at Joe Louis Arena.  A sort of play-in game that could decide home-ice advantage.  Both teams will be looking to make a statement and gain some leverage.  Nashville improved via the trade deadline and by weasling Alexander Radulov out of Russia, but the Wings are getting healthy and finding their championship chemistry.

Expect to see a March playoff game on Friday!

Peace. AWP