This was a difficult road stretch for Detroit – in Boston, Colorado, Tampa Bay, and finally Toronto tonight. We beat the Bruins, lost 1-0 (2-0 with the empty netter) to the Avs in a throwback physical battle, surrendered a two-goal lead (twice) to fall in a shootout vs. the Lightning, then took down the Maple Leafs 5-4 in OT after leading 4-1.

Mantha Don’t Give a Fuck

Tyler Bertuzzi. The Calder Cup Champion Griffin kicked some Avalanche ass, earning himself a two-game suspension. We have always had skaters (Nyquist, Larkin, Athanasiou) but besides Abdelkader and maybe Glendening, I didn’t see us defending our players from bullshit physicality enough. As soon as Colorado cheap-shotted Dylan Larkin, we responded.

Our reputation is back. We made it to the playoffs for so long, we may have been slightly spoiled. But our Grand Rapids Griffins developed a 2017 title team that is now flourishing on the big league level. As Mickey Redmond said, I can’t believe I’m even saying this so early, but we’re only one game back of the wild card. Keep it up, Red Wings!!