The Result: Detroit skated to a 4-3 win over the Oilers last night in Edmonton. It was the second time this week the Wings have put four goals past Dwayne Rolson into the Edmonton net but the first time the Oil got on the board. They were shut out Monday night by Ty Conklin. 
The win was the Wings' fourth in a row and, despite Edmonton's third period near-comeback, it constituted another sign that the team is returning to form after a somewhat hungover start. The team's formerly lackluster defensive efforts are being replaced by much better outings, though the third period last night was less tight than it should have been.
Detroit is now 13-2-3 and, at 29 points, is just four behind Conference-leading San Jose.
The Surprise: Tomas Kopecky won the lottery last night. With Tomas Holmstrom a late scratch due to back spasms, the young Slovak was promoted from third line checker to first line winger, skating with Pavel Datsyuk and Marian Hossa.
Mike Babcock's decision to bump Kopecky up paid off as he played a role in the Wings' second and third goals. He acted as a screen for Pavel Datsyuk's 6th of the season at 8:00 of the first and made a skilled redirect on a Nick Lidstrom shot at 10:11 to score his first of the season. Both goals came on the power play.
It was easily his best game as a Red Wing and a nice reward for his hard work. He's been in and out of the lineup with season-ending injuries the past two years and is still in the process of articulating his role on the team. To see Kopecky playing such a big offensive role was a surprise as he's been a checker for the majority of his time in the NHL. The same was true for Johan Franzen, though, and look were he is now. Kopecky probably doesn't have it in him to become as clutch as #93, but if he can contribute something like he did last night, he'll have an NHL job for years.
The win was the Wings' fourth in a row and, despite Edmonton's third period near-comeback, it constituted another sign that the team is returning to form after a somewhat hungover start. The team's formerly lackluster defensive efforts are being replaced by much better outings, though the third period last night was less tight than it should have been.
Detroit is now 13-2-3 and, at 29 points, is just four behind Conference-leading San Jose.
The Surprise: Tomas Kopecky won the lottery last night. With Tomas Holmstrom a late scratch due to back spasms, the young Slovak was promoted from third line checker to first line winger, skating with Pavel Datsyuk and Marian Hossa.
Mike Babcock's decision to bump Kopecky up paid off as he played a role in the Wings' second and third goals. He acted as a screen for Pavel Datsyuk's 6th of the season at 8:00 of the first and made a skilled redirect on a Nick Lidstrom shot at 10:11 to score his first of the season. Both goals came on the power play.
It was easily his best game as a Red Wing and a nice reward for his hard work. He's been in and out of the lineup with season-ending injuries the past two years and is still in the process of articulating his role on the team. To see Kopecky playing such a big offensive role was a surprise as he's been a checker for the majority of his time in the NHL. The same was true for Johan Franzen, though, and look were he is now. Kopecky probably doesn't have it in him to become as clutch as #93, but if he can contribute something like he did last night, he'll have an NHL job for years.
You'd never have thunk it, but the Edmonton Oilers' brass was cheering heavily for the Anaheim Ducks to make the Stanley Cup Finals.
When the New York Islanders gave up prospects Ryan O'Marra and Robert Nilsson (plus a first-round pick in 2007) to get Ryan Smyth from the Edmonton Oilers, they pretty much wanted him for his ability to score in the playoffs ... and even just to get them there! It was a hefty price to pay, but the Islanders will willing to make such an expensive short-term investment. 
