2\28 The Wings shut down Tampa Bay, winning 3-1. Scoring were Yzerman, Draper, and Gilchrist.
Pat Verbeek had two helpers, giving him 1001 career points.The game was Larry Murphy's 
1,541st, breaking a tie with Johnny Bucyk for third place on the NHL career list. Red Wings 
Hall of Famers Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio rank first and second with 1,767 and 1,549 
games played. Next up: 4 days off, then a 5 game road trip, starting in Washington on Friday.

2\26 After a slow start, the Wings lit up the Islanders 5-2. Scoring were Lidstrom, Kozlov, 
McCarty(2), and Verbeek. Next up: Tampa Bay at the Joe on Sunday.

2\24 Once again, 4 third period goals against tarnished an otherwise excellent game, as the 
Wings drop 2-5 to the visiting Stars. Scoring were Kozlov and Shanahan. Next up: The Isles
Friday at the Joe.

2\22 From the Free Press: "Asked by a national reporter where his team is at right now, Wings 
coach Scotty Bowman smirked and gave a sly answer. "Second," he said."

2\21 The Wings returned to the basics, playing defensive, clog up the neutral zone hockey, and 
are rewarded with a 2-0 win. Scoring were Butsayev and Holmstrom. Homer also had one called back 
because of goalie interferance. Chris Osgood got the shutout and passed Harry Lumley for second 
in all time Red Wing shutouts. From the Free Press: "Darren McCarty engaged in one of the most
one-sided fights of the season in the first period. He knocked down Islanders forward Steve Webb, 
and, when Webb got up jawing, they dropped their gloves. McCarty landed several solid punches, 
including a few uppercuts, then sent Webb hurtling into the boards." Next up: Dallas at the Joe 
on Wednesday.

2\21 The  Wings blew a second intermission lead and allowed 4 3rd period goals in a 4-6 loss in 
Chicago.Scoring were Yzerman, Shanahan, LaPointe (a beauty), and Kozlov. Ken Wregget got the 
start. Prior to this game the Wings were 18-0-4 when Verbeek has a point, that streak ended, as 
he had an assist. Quite a few guys were healthy scratches to get some rest. Next up: today at 
the Islanders.

2\19 The Kings skated harder than the Wings, and left Joe Louis with a 3-2 win. The Wings didn't 
keep up all night. Scoring were Yzerman and Kozlov. Next up: at Chicago tomarrow afternoon.

2\18 Aaron Ward had surgery yesterday to repair a tear in his shoulder that has plagued him for 
nearly two years. He is likely to be out at least until playoff time. Look for the Wings to 
find a veteran defenseman to bulk up the blue line. I knew we should have resigned Ulf 
Samuelsson. Other injury updates: The status of Doug Brown and Yan Golubovski are unknown. 
Joey Kocur should be back soon. Suddenly, the IR list is down to four.

2\17 The Wings win their 4th straight, this time over the Canucks 5-2. Scoring were Yzerman(2),
Fedorov, Gilchrist, and Shanahan. Next up: L.A. at the Joe on Friday.

2\15 This time, it was the Wings who stormed out of the gates, scoring 3 1st period power play 
goals. All they had to do after that was the left wing lock, and it was plenty to push Phoenix 
over 3-1. Brent Gilchrist made his return. Scoring were Larionov, Verbeek, and Shanahan. The 
Wings are now 17-0-4 when Pat Verbeek gets a point. What a pickup he was. Ken Wregget got the 
win, and is 5-0-1 in his last six starts. This concludes the tour of Western division leaders, 
and the Wings swept them. Next up: Vancouver at the Joe on Wednesday.
     Jimmy Devellano, the Wings' senior vice-president, and General Manager Ken Holland were in 
Las Vegas to accept an ESPY award given to the Wings as the hockey team of the decade.
 
2\14 Colorado stormed out of the gates to take a 3-0 lead, but the Wings just kept mucking 
away, and came back to win it in the 3rd 4-3. This was the 3rd time in 3 games this year that 
the Avs have blown a lead against Detroit. Prior to this game, the Wings were 0-12-1 when 
trailing after 2. Darren McCarty made his return in style, but it was Marty LaPointe who got in 
scraps all night. Scoring were Fedorov, McCarty, Verbeek, and Shanahan. I wish I could describe 
LaPointe's hit on Odgers in the 1st and Shanahan's game winner, but you had to see them yourself 
to appreciate them. Next up: at Phoenix tonight.

2\11 The left wing lock was back in effect last night in St.Louis, where the Wings smoothered 
the Blues 2-0. St. Louis only had 13 shots on goal, and only one or two good scoring chances 
thanks to Detroit's sufficating defense. Scoring were LaPointe and Lidstrom. Next up: at 
Colorado on Sunday.
     Chris Osgood got his third shutout of the season and 26th of his career. He tied Harry 
Lumley for second on the Wings' career shutout list.(The legendary Terry Sawchuck is first with 
about a million.) 
     Uwe Krupp is back in Detroit training. I'm not sure what that means, but he is "following 
Red Wing guidelines." Darren McCarty, Brent Gilchrist, and Joe Kocur all made the trip West, 
with McCarty and Kocur possibly playing next week.

2\9 Chris Osgood was full of holes and the Wings were held to like 5 shots as the Blues smoked 
the Wings 4-1. St. Louis  now leads the division by 5 points. Scoring was Murphy. Next up: at 
St.Louis on Thursday.

2\8 Former Red Wing captain and Hall of Famer Sid Abel died yesterday at the age of 81.He 
centered the famed "Production Line" with Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay.
     Darren McCarty, out since November because of a lower-abdominal injury, said he hopes to
return as early as next week -- and almost certainly by the end of the month. Two others with 
abdominal injuries -- Brent Gilchrist and Joe Kocur -- are practicing with the team. But neither 
forward has set a return date. Defenseman Aaron Ward also is practicing, despite the likelihood 
of season-ending shoulder surgery. (Thanks Detroit News.)
     The Wings are the team to beat, according to Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which lists them 
as the favorites for the Stanley Cup with 7-2 odds. Colorado and Dallas are listed at 5-1, 
followed by New Jersey, Ottawa and Philadelphia at 8-1.

2\4 The Wings allowed 4 2nd period goals while getting thumped in L.A. 3-6. Scoring were Maltby
and Fedorov (1+1sh). Next up: The All-Star game this weekend, then St.Louis on Tuesday and 
Thursday. The WIngs are currently 3 points behind the Blues, so these are huge games.

2\2 After watching the replay of the disallowed goal in Phoenix, most of the Wings, including 
Yzerman, agreed that it was a good call, although it's a call rarely made and the officials need 
to be more consistant concerning crease violations. Far be it for me to disagree with The 
Captain, but that goal should have stood. NHL Rule 78 (g)states: "If an attacking player 
establishes a significant position within the goal crease, so as to obstruct the goalkeeper's 
vision and impair his ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be 
disallowed." I'll let you make up your own mind.
    In Arizona yesterday, Dave Lewis said,"I'm going to watch some videos.", as he walked away 
from reporters sporting golf clubs.

2\1 The Wings got hosed by the officials last night and lost 3-5. With about 5 minutes left and 
the Wings down 3-4, Nick Lidstrom put a rocket past Burke. The official waived it off because 
Holmstrom 'interfeared with the keeper. Bullshit. After a replay it was clear to everyone who 
saw it that Homer didn't even touch him. In fact, just a second earlier, Holmstrom was getting 
up from the second cross check Burke gave him. So, the 'yotes ended up adding an empty netter, 
and that was that. Scoring were Draper, Shanahan, and Dandenault. Next up: at L.A. on Thursday.
    Reports say Aaron Ward is headed to the surgeon's table to repair his shoulder....Darren 
McCarty is about two weeks away.... Kocur and Gilchrist are skating, but (wisely) no word on a 
return date.