Classic Posts: Gritty Wings?

So, anyone watch Game One between the Red Wings and Flames a couple of nights ago? Since this is a site devoted to, and run by, some of the great fans of the NHL, I will assume the answer is yes. I recognized the team in white. They were the Flames, a team that can scare the best team in the league. But I have no clue who that was playing on the other side of the ice. Now let me explain something here: I have been watching the Wings since the lockout of the 1990’s, and have missed maybe 10 games since the lockout. But what I saw out there was a playoff team.

The three things I saw I have never seen, or at least not at the same time. First, I saw great goaltending. Second, I saw heart. And the last thing I saw, and most surprisingly, was grit.
The thing about the great goaltending that never surprises me is that Hasek is so surprising. That makes sense, right? Well in the event it did not, let me explain. Hasek has so many great moves that it is scary to think of how well he could play with a team with excellent defense. Wait, Detroit has that great defense. Well, last year Manny Legace could not find a groove in the playoffs and was given the title of Team Martyr in the playoffs. This season Hasek I determined to win one more Cup. And if game one was any indication, he will.

Heart is a hard thing to come by. I used to truly believe the only heart this team has is Zetterberg. He definitely proved he has heart, but so did most players on the ice. The guy that most surprised me was Lebda. He seemed unbothered by the fact that he was in the playoffs. Another surprise was Datsyuk. He finally ended the slump, but he also showed great chemistry with everyone.

The most important thing in the playoffs is grit. Zetterberg was first at bat for that. He was playing like a 6’5” guy. Then I saw Markov. Now he is known to be chippy, but last night showed it more than he ever has this season. The biggest surprise was Lilja. He played a great game and may finally understand his role as a Markov type player.

In the end, I question if the Wings can bring it again. If they do, the series will be short. On the other hand, if Calgary plays the same, neither team is going to have their full roster in round two.