20 games down, 62 to go.

Might as well jump right into the player-by-player, eh?
Henrik Zetterberg – 40 – LW: 20 GP – 7 G – 20 P – +4
20 Game Analysis: Z-berg is up to his old tricks from 07-08 in which he was Conn Smythe winner for the Red Wings, he has a point per game, and has shown that he is still an elite player. Some shifts he has me worried because he seems pretty sluggish, but he can still make great defensive plays. If I could critique anything so far, it would be that he really needs to get into better shooting lanes. It almost feels like he can’t see the back of the net sometimes. Especially on the Power play. Grade: A-
Pavel Datsyuk – 13 – C: 20 GP – 7 G – 22 P – +3
20 Game Analysis: Houdini is off to a stellar start, and if he keeps it up he could still break into the Hart debate. He is the hottest scorer in the Leading team in both the Division and Conference. He can make some absolutely dazzling plays and make you wonder if he is really just toying with the enemies. He has made some serious mistakes trying to be a little too pretty though. Grade: A
Tomas Holmstrom – 96 – RW: 20 GP – 6 G – 10 P – -2
20 Game Analysis: Good ol’ Holmer is off to a typical Holmer season. Stand in front of net, piss off everyone, somehow see through defenders and tip in great goals. I know it’s not expected of him, but tightening up a little defensively would be huge for him. It hurts sometimes seeing him crossing the red line while the other team is already set up with 5 men in our zone. He is still one of the best in the game at getting pucks in corners though. Grade: B
Todd Bertuzzi – 44 – LW: 20 GP – 4 G – 17 P – +11
20 Game Analysis: Todd Bertuzzi has gone above and beyond what most thought possible when he was signed by the Red Wings last year, he carried our team offensively for an injury plagued stretch last year, and has picked up to an amazing start. He blends in with any line he plays on, and can make some pretty amazing passes. The reputation penalties that come with him really do hurt though. Grade: A
Valtteri Filppula – 51 – C: 20 GP – 5 G – 11 P – +4
20 Game Analysis: Pretty Filly started off with the hottest line in Hockey for about 5 games, then he disappeared. He has been excellent defensively, but he needs to start shooting more. I truly believe he has the skillset to touch 70 points a season, but he needs to get above a 2 shot-per-game stat for that to happen. Grade: B-
Johan Franzen – 93 – RW: 19 GP – 10 G – 14 P – +1
20 Game Analysis: Mule is currently the leading goal-scorer for the Wings, and is on pace for a 40 goal campaign. “Is he going to?” I hear you ask, probably not. The skewed stat is terrible for Mule, because as modest as it is, 9 of those goals have been scored at home. He needs to start playing better on the road, and more importantly, more aggressive with his body. The guy is 6’3”, 222. That’s a power forward body that need to hit in order to be fueled. Sometimes he just dances around it feels like. Grade: B+
Jiri Hudler – 26 – LW: 17 GP – 1 G – 6 P – -5
20 Game Analysis: The fanfare for Cluck’s return was very overhyped, according to his play thus far, especially considering the arbitration he was awarded two years ago. He’s not playing the way he needs to, and is definitely the worst forward on the team so far. He can turn it around, and has proven he can be a solid player in all offensive roles before. Step it up Hudler, you’re not worth starting in front of Eaves and Miller. Grade: D-
Mike Modano – 90 – C: 20 GP – 2 G – 8 P – -3
20 Game Analysis: If I had written this two nights ago, I would’ve probably been pretty content. I think I had a little too high of expectations for Mo coming in this year. “Yes! Our new reclamation project is the leading American home-town-boy scorer in the NHL?!” Ah, I expected 40 goals and 120 points. Not really, but I did expect a modest 20-30 goals, and he could’ve still done that. He hit a massive cold streak after scoring on his first shift in a Wings sweater, but now that he’s out indefinitely with a cut tendon after taking an accidental skate under his glove, along with nerve damage, including rehab, it looks grim. Rest up for the playoffs Mo. Grade: C+
Danny Cleary – 11- RW: 20 GP – 9 G – 14 P – +1
20 Game Analysis: Danny, as he likes to be called damnit, decied he was sick of being called washed up and useless. He went on a huge tear in the past ten games, scoring goals in six games straight (with two multiple goal games), although cooling off the past couple, he was unstoppable. He is still sporting an impressive 18.4 shooting percentage. He’s also been strong when called upon in the PK and backchecking. Grade: A
Justin Abdelkader – 8 – LW: 12 GP – 3 G – 7 P – +8
20 Game Analysis: Abby was held out of the game for the beginning of the season with bruised ribs, but he has come back with a vengeance. Once Hudler sat and gave up his role, Abdelkader came on the scene and scored in back to back games. He is a big presence on the ice, and will bring energy to the lineup every night. He’s proven he loves to throw his frame around, and has so far been a joy to watch. He shows a lot of Maltby in him by getting under the skin of the opposition. Grade: B+
Andrew Miller – 20 – LW: 15 GP – 1 G – 3 P – -3
20 Game Analysis: Miller has proven to be a hell of a waiver pick up. He’s someone who again, can fit into any role of the lineup and play without worry. He’s a solid PKer, and can even fill in on the powerplay. I don’t expect another huge season like last year, but he definitely deserves merit in the lineup. Grade: B
Darren Helm – 43 – C: 20 GP – 1 G – 5 P – +3
20 Game Analysis: Helm has grown into his own rather well. He still plays the same game he did when we brought him up, and has slowly grown more and more confident, especially in killing penalties and more importantly, Faceoffs. His speed is a threat at any time in the defensive zone, and he is incredibly strong on the puck. If he could just get a little bit stronger with his shot, he’d be a coveted asset for any team. Grade: B+
Patrick Eaves – 17 – RW: 16 GP – 3 G – 5 P – +1
20 Game Analysis: Eaves is another guy where you get more than you’d expect. He has a freaking cannon of a wrist shot, and is one of the few righties on the team, and is freaking fearless. I don’t know how he does it. He can almost be attributed to solely having rejuvenated our penalty kill last year, with his tireless ethic and the courage to step in front of any shot. Grade: A-
Kris Draper – 33 – C: 0 GP – 0 G – 0 P – +/- 0
20 Game Analysis: Come on, how am I seriously supposed to judge someone who hasn’t been on the ice for a single minute? I do miss Draper, and I hate to say it, but I’d rather not see him played in front of Miller or Eaves. Grade: –
Nicklas Lidstrom – 5 – D: 20 GP – 3 G – 20 P – +3
20 Game Analysis: The Perfect Human hasn’t missed a single step. 40 is a number that means nothing to someone who plays so perfectly in terms of vision and location, rather than size. He sees the entire ice as if watching from the press box, and can still make incredible outlet passes, and strike fear into any goaltender on the PK. He is the leading candidate for a 7th Norris Trophy. Grade: A+
Brian Rafalski – 28 – D: 10 GP – 0 G – 10 P – +4
20 Game Analysis: Rafi has been a great player when he’s played. He was sidelined for a month with a minor surgery, and when he stepped back in, showed that even with a talented defensive corp, he is a top 2 defenseman. The perfect compliment to Liddy, he loves being larger than his size on the ice. Captain America is still going strong. Grade: A-
Niklas Kronwall – 55 – D: 20 GP – 4 G – 10 P – +4
20 Game Analysis: Kronner is a streaky ass player. He is known for being one of the hardest hitting mothers in the game, and it seems like when he plays physical, he feeds off of his own energy like some psychotic sun. He has had a great year statistically, but I want him to step up more defensively and get some more hits. Grade: B+
Brad Stuart – 23 – D: 20 GP – 2 G – 10 P – +9
20 Game Analysis: Brad Stuart is possibly one of my favorite Wings. He gets overlooked a lot by fans because he’s not very flashy. But I wouldn’t hesistate to have him as a player on my team. He is an all around good defenseman, can lay out huge hits, make good offensive plays, and better yet, he never stops following the puck, as evident in the times he has literally played goalie for the team. He seemed to have left the scapegoat from game 7 act behind him. Grade: A
Ruslan Salei – 24 – D: 20 GP – 0 G – 5 P – +2
20 Game Analysis: I was actually against the signing of Ruslan Salei. Not because I wanted Andreas Lilja back, but because I wanted Jakub Kindl and Jonny Ericsson to play full time. Yet, he has been a good babysitter for Ericsson and Kindl. He hasn’t been stellar, but he’s a solid stay at home defenseman and is actually pretty good on the PK. Grade: C+
Jonathan Ericsson – 52 – D: 12 GP – 1 G – 1P – +2
20 Game Analysis: Big Easy had a big of a rough year last year. And this year he struggled out of the gate with injuries. But he stepped back in and has been actually impressive. Not incredible, but he’s eased my mind about actually having him on the ice. He seems to be throwing his weight around a bit more, and I actually love that he’s standing up for his teammates with his size. Grade: B-
Jakub Kindl – 46 – D: 11 GP – 0 G – 0 P – -3
20 Game Analysis: Kindl I expected a lot more from. I read into a lot of hype about the kid off minor league scouting, and honestly can say I saw the next coming of Lidstrom. I’ve officially recanted that. I still see promise from the kid, and I think he definitely has improved upon what a lot of scouts said he needed to, the defensive aspect, but I wanted to see him offensively, and he disappointed. Grade: C-
Jimmy Howard – 35 – G: 16 GP – 12 W – 2 L – 2 OTL – .913 SV% – 2.52 GAA – 1 SO
20 Game Analysis: Tiberius has been stellar, and so far has shaken off the sophmore slump, despite a back spasm attack that thrust him out of the lineup. But almost every game he gives the guys in front of him a solid chance to win every game. Sure, he could be better, but who isn’t? The thing with Jimmy is he has a lot of confidence, and he is making huge saves when the team needs it. I wish his rebound control would get a bit better, but a lot of his goals were defensive mistakes, and not positioning reads. Grade: A+
Chris Osgood – 30 – G: 4 GP – 2 W – 2 L – 0 OTL – .893 SV% – 2.76 GAA – 0 SO
20 Game Analysis: Ozzie is, well, Ozzie. He seemed to come out strong and won his first game beautifully. And then he fizzled to the Ozzie I remember from last year. Not that he’s bad, but he’s degrading in terms of skill, and he’s your standard back up. This isn’t a 1A, 1B system like we thought it might be. Love ya Oz, but you’re the mentor now. Grade: C+
Joey MacDonald – 31 – G: 1 GP – 0 W – 0 L – 0 OTL – .875 SV% – 3.00 GAA – 0 SO
20 Game Analysis: I felt the need to include two players at the end of this for shits and giggles. J-Mac is not a great player, and really hasn’t been. He bounced around from team to team, and finally ended up with us again. I wasn’t surprised to see him in the one game he played, but was actually shocked he made a few decent saves. Maybe I’m too harsh, but, well, he’s really not a good player. Grade: D
Doug Janik – 37 – D: 7 GP – 0 G – 0 P – -2
20 Game Analysis: And, we finally come to good old Dougie. He is, with out a doubt, the worst player to wear the Wheel this year. He had decent stats last year, and kind of tried to fill in with the same role he had before, but he looked like a fool half the time and made really, really bad plays. Thank god we got Salei instead of playing him. Grade: F
Special Teams:
Power Play – 22.5% – 7th – Detroit has been pretty good on the powerplay, not great, but top 10 can’t be denied. I really would like to see the first unit pick it up a bit more, Pav, Hank, Homer, Lidstrom and Modano really should’ve scored more. Modano I wish would’ve cranked more shots, but now that he’s out, I think Rafi might come back in and we’ll be cruising again. As for the second unit, Mule, Fil and Bert/Huds have been good. I’d like Filppula to really get on the shooting bandwagon here, him and Mule have good chemistry and are capable of so much more. Kronwall has been impressive as well. Grade: A-
Penalty Kill – 83.3% – 13th – The boys started out incredibly, leading the league in percentage at well above 90 for awhile. It has faltered a bit, and it definitely has room to improve. Moreso than anything, I’ve noticed them try to be a little fancy instead of just grinding it out by clearing it out. They are most potent when they get a quick clear and get fresh legs on the ice, and are still playing very well. Eaves and Miller are the heroes of that PK, with Helm nudged in. Helm shows brilliance at griding time off the clock on Kills. Grade: B
Impressive statistics:
Detroit is second in % of games won when scoring first, at .917%.
Detroit is 8th in the league at win % when trailing after the first with .317. Washington is first with .617, almost a full percentage point ahead of Atlanta at #2.
Detroit is one of three teams that is perfect in win percentage when leading after the first period. Columbus and Boston are with them.
Detroit as a 1.26 goals for/against ration while 5-on-5. They are at 3.45 goals per game to lead the league. They are 11th in Goals against per game, at 2.65.
Detroit averages 33.4 shots per game, and allows 28.6 against them.
The Wings win ¾ games when they outshoot their opponent.
Detroit is tied for fourth in the league in faceoff percentage, with 52.5.
Surprising stats around the league:
Edmonton, Minnesota and the Islanders have not one a game when outshooting their opponents.
Boston hasn’t lost a game when they’ve scored first.
Flint MI native Tim Thomas is fucking crazy. He’s what Dominik Hasek was 10 years ago, a crazy flailing, butt saving goaltender who has 11 wins and 4 shutouts. Suck it Tuuka.
After almost two months of games, there have been 28 hat tricks this season. Double that of last year. The Coyotes have had four different players score them.
Duncan Keith actually sucks apparently. He is on pace for 111 giveaways.
The New Jersey Devils have officially killed everyone who predicted anything in the East.
Only 26 games this year have gone to a shootout (Through last Sunday).
Jarslov Halak is the real deal.
Alexander Semin of the Washington Capitals has 2 hat tricks.
11 out of 18 penalty shots have been successful. Last year, only 16 were scored out of 55.
19 Goals have been scored by the Islanders in 20 games during even strength.
Unsurprising Stats:
Steven Stamkos has two hat tricks and is making opposing goaltenders look silly. He has 20 goals.
Sidney Crosby is annoying and douchy in his new reebok commercials. Faaaaake.
We’ve still got 62 games to go, starting tomorrow