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Red Wings remain the team to beat
Source: Agencies |
January 4, 2009, Sunday
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INDOORS or outdoors, the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings confirmed they are again the team to beat with a 6-4 New Year's Day comeback win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Despite owning the NHL's third best record (25-7-5), the Red Wings' season has been plagued by inconsistency but when the games have come with more significance attached they have flashed their championship pedigree.
That is what they did on Thursday, storming back from a 1-3 first period deficit to shock the Blackhawks and nearly 41,000 chilly hockey fans at Wrigley Field in the outdoor 'Winter Classic.'
"It's unfortunate that the game ended the way it did, but they're defending Stanley Cup champions for a reason," Blackhawks centre Patrick Sharp told reporters. "There's a reason why they won that game.
"So it's a lesson that we can easily learn from the way the game went out there and we've got to keep getting better for the future."
Riding a franchise best nine-game winning streak, the Blackhawks had looked poised to take over top spot in the Central division from Detroit with the help of a home-and-home series that featured games on either side of the new year.
The Red Wings responded to the threat in devastating style, shutting out the Blackhawks 4-0 on Tuesday and then further deflated Chicago's Stanley Cup ambitions with a 6-4 new year's victory.
"Last year we talked about the wins and the way we played against Detroit and how we kind of snuck up on them a few times," said Chicago centre Jonathan Toews. "I don't think we can do that anymore.
"They definitely sent a message, a couple of nights ago. They stepped up and played the same pace and the same type of game.
"It's tough that we came out with the lead and they just kept coming at us ... you've got to give them credit."
The Blackhawks are not the only team this season to spark the best from the Stanley Cup champions.
Last month the San Jose Sharks roared into Joe Louis Arena as the league's top team having set an NHL record for the best start through the first 30 games of the season.
Once again, the Red Wings responded in ruthless fashion, slamming the Sharks 6-0.
"The thing that was very apparent for me, and we've seen it when we played San Jose and a couple other times this year, is the opposition helped us get ready two nights in a row here," said Red Wings coach Mike Babcock.
"When you have good opposition, I think it helps on your team.
"We haven't been emotionally engaged every night all year."
Despite owning the NHL's third best record (25-7-5), the Red Wings' season has been plagued by inconsistency but when the games have come with more significance attached they have flashed their championship pedigree.
That is what they did on Thursday, storming back from a 1-3 first period deficit to shock the Blackhawks and nearly 41,000 chilly hockey fans at Wrigley Field in the outdoor 'Winter Classic.'
"It's unfortunate that the game ended the way it did, but they're defending Stanley Cup champions for a reason," Blackhawks centre Patrick Sharp told reporters. "There's a reason why they won that game.
"So it's a lesson that we can easily learn from the way the game went out there and we've got to keep getting better for the future."
Riding a franchise best nine-game winning streak, the Blackhawks had looked poised to take over top spot in the Central division from Detroit with the help of a home-and-home series that featured games on either side of the new year.
The Red Wings responded to the threat in devastating style, shutting out the Blackhawks 4-0 on Tuesday and then further deflated Chicago's Stanley Cup ambitions with a 6-4 new year's victory.
"Last year we talked about the wins and the way we played against Detroit and how we kind of snuck up on them a few times," said Chicago centre Jonathan Toews. "I don't think we can do that anymore.
"They definitely sent a message, a couple of nights ago. They stepped up and played the same pace and the same type of game.
"It's tough that we came out with the lead and they just kept coming at us ... you've got to give them credit."
The Blackhawks are not the only team this season to spark the best from the Stanley Cup champions.
Last month the San Jose Sharks roared into Joe Louis Arena as the league's top team having set an NHL record for the best start through the first 30 games of the season.
Once again, the Red Wings responded in ruthless fashion, slamming the Sharks 6-0.
"The thing that was very apparent for me, and we've seen it when we played San Jose and a couple other times this year, is the opposition helped us get ready two nights in a row here," said Red Wings coach Mike Babcock.
"When you have good opposition, I think it helps on your team.
"We haven't been emotionally engaged every night all year."
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