That's a Wrap!

Now that's more like it. The Red Wings team that we have been waiting for finally showed up. Amazing, isn't it? When this team really wants it, they are unstoppable.

There was nothing they did wrong last night. They skated with purpose and determination; they hit when they needed to, but were not too aggressive; they won puck battles and races; they were smart and disciplined, both in terms of handling the puck and penalties; and their special teams were un-fucking-believeable.

I won't lie; after the first period, flashes of goalie names like "Giguere", "Roloson", "Irbe" and "Potvin" flashed through my mind. I thought that Bryzgalov was going to steal this game, and I was convinced that the Wings were going to come out flat in the 2nd period, as they have done in many other games. But, they kept at it. The desperation was evident from the puck drop.

A couple of shoutouts:

• Pavel Datsyuk - Pasha, you were amazing tonight. Not just for the goals (although that 2nd one was a thing of beauty). But you made every single Coyotes player within 10 feet of you look like that shit kid you find on every houseleague team.
• Valtteri Filppula - This was your coming out party, and you showed why you are going to be a force on this team. What you and Zetterberg have is special (not "are-they-or-aren't-they special), but the chemistry is there. Besides Zetterberg you were the most consistent Red Wing forward in this series, and if everyone showed up like you did in Game 6, we wouldn't have needed Game 7.
• Henrik Zetterberg - *standing ovation* Another phenomenal performance in a postseason series. Do you ever get tired of being awesome? You led all scorers, and once again showed up in a pivotal game. And I loved seeing you out on that 5-on-3. Reminded me of 2008 all over again.
• Nicklas Lidstrom - You certainly raised a giant middle finger at your critics, eh? 40 is the new 30. I marvel at your greatness. Fuck Ray Bourque. Fuck Scott Stevens. Fuck Larry Robinson. You are the 2nd greatest defenseman to ever play the game (sorry, from what I've been told, no one was better than Bobby Orr). Your leadership was evident as you came out and played your game, not giving a shit what the Coyotes did.
• Jimmy Howard - Jimmah, a nice bounceback game. Obviously when your team pumps 6 past a Vezina candidate, there's not a lot for you to do. You were great in this series, especially for a rookie. A couple of things: first, do not say that the other team was "lucky" when they win. Second, always be ready for anything. I do not want to see another goal like Fiddler on the Roof's last night.

So, now it's on to the Sharks. I will do a preview of the series tomorrow. For today, I am going to wear all Red Wings garb (including my underwear) and revel in the victory.

LGRW!!!