Jimmy Howard

Where Are They Now? Joey MacDonald

February 29, 2012

Former New York Islanders goaltender Joey MacDonald had to make a difficult career decision. At 31 years old, should he continue in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Detroit Red Wings as, essentially a career backup to Jimmy Howard, or take an offer to play in Russia?

On July 11, 2011, MacDonald chose to re-sign with the Red Wings and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.

On September 7, 2011 a plane carrying the Russian hockey team; Lokomtiv Yaroslavi crashed just after take-off. The crash killed nearly the entire roster (only four players survived, all not on the plane) and the entire coaching staff.

The team that MacDonald decided not to sign with?

Lokomtiv Yaroslavi.

(Photo Credit: French Kheldar/Flickr)

Red Wings Link Checks: 02/24/2012

February 24, 2012

Rachel Bellono

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The Detroit Red Wings home streak finally ended this week at 23 consecutive home game wins, the NHL's best. While many Wings fans where let down, we still can be proud of the amazing accomplishment our team has made this season. The ending winning streak is not the only big news the Wings had come to them this week, they also signed a two year contract with a current player and had a new player join the team.

Check out the recent articles on The Checking Line to check up with the Wings!

The Checking Line:

One wouldn't think the home winning streak coming to an end is a good thing. But, Kyle Busch explains to us why it actually is a good thing and tells us of the...

Wings look to continue home win streak against Vancouver

February 23, 2012

Eric Huffman

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It's a showdown between the top two teams in the Western Conference, and right now the Red Wings lead the season series 2-1.

But a lot has changed since the last meeting between these two. The Red Wings have made history and now hold a 23 game consecutive win streak at the Joe. The Canucks are now only two points behind the Wings. And the Wings also happen to be without their star forward Pavel Datsyuk.

The 33 year-old is expected to miss a month after having surgery on his knee. Datsyuk 16 goals and 43 assists this season, so it is to no surprise that fans may be a bit nervous about his absence.

"Pav's been out before and he's a huge part of our team bu...

Wings Lose Critical Match Up Vs Chicago

February 22, 2012

Rachel Bellono

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Well, Jimmy Howard was the only star for the Wings in the loss against the Chicago Blackhawks. The original six rivalry between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings continued tonight, but Chicago took the win.

The day started action packed already; Pavel Datsyuk out for two weeks due to knee surgery, Jonathan Toews out with an upper body injury, Kyle Quincey traded to the Wings but not in time to play against Chicago, MacDonald officially the back-up goalie for Detroit, and lastly Jimmy Howard and Danny Cleary back on ice for the Wings. It was safe to say Wings fans were just a little nervous coming into tonight’s game. The Wings ...

Ericsson: The Luckiest Player in the NHL

February 7, 2012

Eric Huffman

4 Comments

It comes to nobody's surprise that even with some serious injuries this season, the Detroit Red Wings are still sitting pretty high in the NHL.

Even without their star goalie Jimmy Howard (finger), the Wings are not only on top of the Central Division, five points ahead of the St. Louis Blues, but also the Western Conference. The Wings have some star power in Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen, and contributions from Filppula, Zetterberg and Hudler have given the team some great options in every game.

Is it safe to say that there are some players who need work? Of course.

Zetterberg's production may have gotten a slow start, but what the left winger lacks in goals t...

Tussle At the Top

February 2, 2012

A.K. Bennett

2 Comments

The Red Wings will attempt to rise above .500 on the road and be the first to win a road game in their season series with Vancouver tonight. The teams have split the season series with both teams winning at home, Detroit 2-0 and Vancouver 4-2. Both teams are playing well, Detroit has won eight of nine and Vancouver was 7-2-2 in January. The Red Wings hold a 3 point lead over the Canucks for the top seed in the West.

A win can put Detroit five points ahead of #2 Vancouver in the West and #4 Nashville for the Central lead. The Red Wings have also won three of their last five games at Rogers Arena.

Todd Bertuzzi is the only Red Wing with multiple points against Vancou...

Wings Put Out The Flames With A Win In Calgary

February 1, 2012

Rachel Bellono

2 Comments

Yes, the title was an intended, unoriginal, funny pun. The Detroit Red Wings did "put out" the Flames and got back on track with their victory over Calgary!

First Period: The first period seemed to contain more physical play by Calgary. Jackman and Commodore both received a five minute penalty for fighting with four minutes left in the first. The fight was started because of a hip hit from Commodore to Jackman. But that wasn’t the beginning of the physical hits between the two teams, especially on Calgary’s part. It definitely was a good first period for the team, which is not always the best away. It took about six minutes f...

Winning Streak Finally Comes to a Halt Against Montréal

January 25, 2012

Rachel Bellono

7 Comments

Detroit’s winning streak ends at 7 tonight when the Wings fall short in a 7 to 2 loss against the Montréal Canadiens. Was it because the Wings were lacking their trusty captain Nicklas Lidstrӧm? You decide.

First Period: It took about five minutes for a point to get on the scoreboard and that point was not a Red Wings point as hoped for. Montréal had the first point with a goal by Bourque. Five minutes later, Emelin scores his first goal and gives Montréal a 2 to 0 lead over the Wings. Within the last ten minutes of the first period, Montréal’s Desharnais and Plekanec both scored. Detroit had a couple power play chances, but could ...

The Long Road Trip Starts in Montreal

January 25, 2012

Eric Huffman

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Two of the most storied franchises in NHL history. A match up between Original Six teams. The final game before the All-Star break. All of these factors culminate in what might be one of the more underrated games in the season.

As the first half of the season has shown, these teams certainly don't have much in common at this point.

The Red Wings (8-2-0) are sitting on top of the NHL with a seven-game win streak, and 17 consecutive victories at home, a franchise record. They haven't been the strongest team on the road, but the momentum they have right now can only be easing that pain.

The Canadiens (4-4-2) are 12th in the Eastern conference and are trying to get o...

Shootout Success Supplies Sixteenth Straight At Home

January 22, 2012

A.K. Bennett

2 Comments

The Red Wings are now riding a six game winning streak thanks in no small part to their new found success in the shootout. Detroit was able to secure their sixteenth straight win at Joe Louis by beating the NHL-worst Blue Jackets 3-2.

Detroit didn’t show much life at the start of the game and Ryan Russell of Columbus struck first at 8:51 off a rebound. The Red Wings tied it at 1 off a wicked wrister by Kronwall at 11:34 of the first. The only penalty in the first was a hooking call on Tomas Holmstrom. The Blue Jackets outshot Detroit 7-5.

The Red Wings came out stronger in the second and carried much of the p...