"Last night illustrated the frustration we feel as Red Wings fans. I have little faith they'll keep up the effort in Game 5.

They have a hard enough time stringing two periods together, let alone two games."

- WDFN's Sean Baligian, reading a Red Wing fan's email this morning

I guess we should enjoy it while we can, because that fan is right. The Wings have obvious motivation issues. When their pride is at stake, they seem to rise to the occasion. When they simply need to win the game, they're maddeningly inconsistent.

Make no mistake, though, I did truly enjoy last night. For the first time in a year, I donned my Yzerman jersey prior to the game. Win or lose, I was going to pay my respects to the team that has offered so many hours of entertainment the past few decades.

Lidstrom's potential retirement added a bizarre subplot to the series as well. Lidstrom hasn't hinted one way or the other on what he'll do. Yet, when he coughs the puck up like he did in Games 2 and 3, I wonder if he's starting to believe his skills are diminishing. Would he want to hang on as a less-than Lidstrom? I doubt it. Having watched the dude most of this season, I don't see much of a dropoff. It's true that he's not Norris-caliber anymore, but he's still the team's top defenseman.

As for last night's game, the Wings made damn sure they would not get swept. They completely overwhelmed the Sharks, thanks to a world-class performance from Johan Franzen. Four goals in a playoff game? That's elite-level ability. The dude is special. And the Sharks looked frazzled. It was a wonderful sight. I commented to Mrs. Nofrownmotown, "I don't care if they blow their wad in just one game... this is awesome."

I'm a firm believer that momentum does not carry between games. Who can forget the '97 playoff series against the Avs? The Wings demolished the Avs 6-0 in Game 4, only to watch the Avs turn the tables with an exact 6-0 win of their own in Game 5. So, yes, expect to see a different Sharks team in Game 5. They'll be angry, bitter, determined. About the only thing the Wings have is the "nothing to lose" mentality. Sometimes, albeit rarely, that's enough.

Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Wings still managed to take their fair share of stupid penalties. I'd feel a bit better heading into Game 5 if they curtailed the stupid penalties by at least 33%. I do understand that the players are helpless with the arbitrary "goalie interference" and "holding" calls. But the Wings need to avoid any retaliation and/or roughing penalties. Don't get baited. Don't give the refs an opportunity to put you in the box. I imagine Babcock's been saying this all series long. With zero margin for error, let's hope the words stick this time.

Not much cheer over the Holidays

As I watched the Red Wings methodically dismantle the surging Phoenix Coyotes Saturday night, I couldn't help but savor the moment. Both the NHL and NBA seasons are roughly halfway over, and the Detroit teams have struggled. If the seasons ended today, neither the Wings nor the Pistons would make the playoffs. Imagine that... spring is in the air and the only Detroit sports news is Tiger spring training and the Lions draft. It would be enough to make me a golf fan.

Yet, the victory over the Coyotes was reason for optimism. It was the first time this season that the Red Wings looked like their old selves. The Coyotes are currently the 3rd best team in the West, and they had not lost in regulation at home since mid-November. The game was very even at the outset. The Coyotes earned a number of fine scoring opportunities but surprisingly steady Jimmy Howard thwarted every attempt. The Wings were the first to break through late in the 1st. With the top players on the ice (Datsyuk, Bertuzzi, Holmstrom, Lidstrom, Rafalski), the Wings controlled the puck in the Coyotes zone. They cycled the puck around and eventually earned an open shot for Lidstrom. Now, Lidstrom hasn't scored since the Reagan Administration. He has ONE goal on the year! To say he's a bit overdue is like saying China has a bit of a population problem. But Lidstrom still confidently whipped the puck at the net, and Homer redirected it home.

In the 2nd period, the Coyotes equalized thanks to a 2-man advantage. The refs awarded the 2nd penalty after Darren Helm retaliated after a hard check into the boards. Helm took a swing at the player and promptly got whistled. I understand refereeing an NHL game is a difficult job, but I've seen players retaliate millions of times without getting whistled. Why would Helm get a penalty in that situation with his team already down a man? It's like gifting the opposition a goal. We're five years into the "New NHL" and the league still doesn't know what it wants to be. I digress.

With less than a minute to go in the 2nd period, the Wings top line scored again, in similar fashion. Lidstrom send a low, hard shot toward net and Homer redirected it past the goalie. The goal was fine consolation for a hard-working period. Phoenix took a ton of shots, but the scoring chances were starting to pile up in Detroit's favor.

In the 3rd, the Wings took control. The passes were tape-to-tape, and the defense did not take a foolish penalty. A power play afforded the Wings the crucial insurance goal. Bertuzzi - playing better than he has in years - calmly worked the puck around ice. His big body and skilled hands make it extremely tough to push him off the puck. He received a pass from Rafalski and then found an open Datsyuk on the other side of the net. Datsyuk's one-timer beat the goalie for the commanding 3-1 lead. Helm scored an empty-netter for the 4-1 win.

It was truly like old times, and it was hard to believe the Wings played so well with all the injuries. This game was the first of a long road trip, so tougher games loom ahead, but it was an impressive start.

Cold Stones Creamery
Not so impressive was the pathetic Holiday display by the men on the hardcourt. On December 12th, the Pistons beat Golden State at home. Let's take a look at some of the numbers since that win:

Piston's Record: 0-9
Opponent's Win Percentage: 52%
Average margin of loss: 14 points
Average half-time deficit: 9 points
Charlie V's ppg: 8.7
Charlie V's ppg in previous five (all wins): 18
Charlie V's FG%: 31.5
Rip's FG%: 30
Kwame Brown's average minutes: 6
Kwame's average in the previous five games: 14.5

A few days ago, I postulated that the slide was due to fatigue by Stuckey and Big Ben. After watching the debacle against the Bulls - in which both Stuckey and Ben suffered painful ankle sprains - I now believe the problem is much deeper. Both Ben and Stuckey aren't at full strength, and they can't carry the team. Yet, looking at their numbers, they're actually playing at an impressive clip. Defensively, they've dropped off, but, otherwise, Stuckey and Big Ben are part of the solution. It's everyone else that needs to raise their play.

Patrick Hayes postulated two days ago that the Pistons are getting killed by "hustle guys" like David Lee and Joakim Noah. That's a clear indication that the aggressiveness from earlier in the season is no longer there. The Pistons began the year as an exciting, mistake-prone team. They could compete with anybody and played with heart and determination. Big Ben was in line for another All-star game. Somewhere along the way, the team lost heart. They regularly get beat up on the boards and lose loose balls. They're lazy on defense, so they pick up a ton of fouls, and can't consistently run any offensive set. Kuester seemed like a savvy tactician but now his decisions and personnel choices seem odd. Chris Wilcox plays while Kwame sits? Wilcox brings energy, yes, but only on the offensive end. Kwame at least rebounds well and showed solid chemistry with Big Ben.

The team is finally healthy, and they need to right the ship. Tanking the season for a high lottery pick is not the answer.