Red Wing's News
Thursday, April 8, 2004
That's More Like It!
There is alone, there is lonesome, and there is the loneliest man in sports. Manny Legace, the Red Wings' goaltender, went through all three phases Wednesday night -- and it took him only two minutes.
First, he was alone. After all, he was making his first playoff start at age 31. He'd gone from "second backup" to "first backup" to "only healthy option." Eleven years in professional hockey, and finally, the net is yours? You face such moments by yourself, alone, and alone he was, to start the game.
Then came lonesome. This was 16 seconds into the contest, when a big young Predator named Adam Hall -- out of Michigan State, of all places -- fired the first shot off Legace, who lost track of the puck as it scooted underneath him, and he inadvertently offered the rebound right back to Hall, a marshmallow on a stick. The kid took a second swing. Goal? Sixteen seconds in? People weren't even in their seats yet!
"It was not," Legace would say, "the start I was hoping for."
Lonesome was the word.
Then, less than 90 seconds later, Nashville's Steve Sullivan was awarded a penalty shot, a free and unencumbered run at the goalie. And suddenly Legace was staring down a one-on-one challenge, the loneliest man in sports.
Make no mistake. That moment was a turning point. "Huge," coach Dave Lewis would call it. For had Legace succumbed, as many goalies do, had he dropped his lance and surrendered a 2-0 lead, every old ghost in the Joe Louis Arena rafters would be swirling around the Red Wings bench. The already tense Wings would be facing a hangover-sized deja vu, and Lewis would be faced with an important goaltending decision before his nerves even had time to get jangled.
Instead, this is what happened: Legace pounded his gloves together like a prizefighter bouncing out of his corner, and he came up as Sullivan came bearing down. He forced a quick shot that went wide. The crowd exhaled, then fell into a relieved chant of "MAN-NY! MAN-NY!"
And this much was clear: If the Wings were going to blow another playoff opener, it wasn't going to be because the goaltending fell apart.
Leg up.
"I guess I would rather give one up in the first 16 seconds than in the last 16," Legace said, after stopping 23 shots and winning Game 1 of this Western Conference quarterfinal by a 3-1 score. "I was hoping for an easy couple of minutes to start it out. But it was like 'Shot, rebound, goal.' Welcome to the playoffs."
No Hasek, no Joseph
Do you realize this was the first time in three seasons that the Wings have won their playoff opener? And even this one wasn't assured until the final period, when Kris Draper put the first puck past Nashville's Tomas Vokoun, and then Tomas Holmstrom redirected a second puck past him, and then, the icing on the cake, Robert Lang scored as he fell to his knees, a nifty "here it is, no, here it is, no, there it is behind you" move that shook off any chance of a Nashville comeback.
But while those goals represented the digits on this night, the story of the game was in the Red Wings' net -- and was always going to be. There is really no way to put into perspective the weirdness of Legace starting this game. From a team that began the season with two super-rich goaltenders, Dominik Hasek and Curtis Joseph, the Wings, before the season ended, had become a depleted and desperate club, needing to call up a reserve from the minors just to fill the net.
Legace, the original fill-in man, had said all along that he wasn't entitled to anything, that Hasek and Joseph had earned every stripe. But as the games added up and his numbers surpassed those of his more famous teammates, perceptions began to change.
"Manny earned this start," Lewis said just before the game. "We're going to go with him and hope for the best."
And after that first goal by Hall, they got it. Legace was as good as he needed to be, and great the handful of times it was demanded. The first period, when the Wings' defense seemed to still be dressing in the locker room. Legace made strong stops on Martin Erat and Jeremy Stevenson. He held his own in traffic and on breakaways. Mostly, when you're going with a fresh guy in the playoffs, you just don't want him to lose it for you.
Legace made sure he didn't.
"My nerves really didn't stop until the final horn," Legace admitted. But when asked about his accomplishment -- his first NHL playoff victory in net -- he shrugged.
"I haven't really done anything. We won one game. We have to be ready for Saturday."
The burden of being No. 1
I have an idea. Instead of the No. 1 seed having to play the No. 8, how about the reward for the best record is you get to play, I don't know, the 4 seed or the 5? That way, we get rid of this "Cup or bust" attitude pitted against the "Just happy to be here" attitude. It's almost a burden for the team with the best record to play the playoff team with the worst. The Red Wings knew all season that a Stanley Cup was a realistic goal. The Predators didn't even know they'd be IN the playoffs until last Saturday night.
You could feel it all night in the building. After last year's sweep by Anaheim and the previous year's 0-2 start against Vancouver, getting started is as much a nightmare for Wings fans as it is for an old car on a cold morning.
The truth is, the Red Wings, a perennially great team with the collective experience of Methuselah, approach the playoffs like parents starting a long road trip, checking the luggage, easing into the car seats, buckling the belts. Meanwhile, their coltish first-round opponents act like kids who just discovered a sprinkler on a summer lawn -- hey, let's jump in and live it up!
Sometimes, as with any long road trip, the kids take control. On Wednesday night, that didn't happen, because Legace took control instead. It was a terrific moment for a good guy who has waited a long time for a moment like this.
"I'm just here to stop the puck," he said. "I'm not a savior or anything."
He paused.
"I was hoping for an easier first couple of minutes."
He grinned, and we've seen that grin before. It is the grin of a survivor. And the grin of a man who knows he should be starting the next game as well. The playoffs, for Wings fans, just got a little less scary, and for Legace, a little less lonely.
Leg up.
Cujo healthy enough to play, if necessary
Before Curtis Joseph backed up Manny Legace in the playoff opener Wednesday night against Nashville, he and coach Dave Lewis discussed the latest episode in the Red Wings' goaltending soap opera. "We had a good conversation, and that's all I'm going to tell you about it," Lewis said. "We're taking it one day at a time. The goaltender that's not in has to be ready to play."
Early flurry shows Preds' edge in speed
Now playing at Joe Louis Arena: A presentation of the fast and the furious that may not be suitable for some Red Wings.
Game 1 Notes
Give it up for Manny Legace, who survived a shaky start and made 23 saves for his first playoff victory. THE DROUGHT HAS ENDED
MICHAEL ROSENBERG: Red light slogan hooks fans' green
The Red Wings started the playoffs Wednesday night, and that means it's time to "Turn On The Red Light." Or so we're told. That is the Wings' playoff slogan this year. As playoff slogans go, it's not too bad. (And it actually has something to do with hockey: Whenever a goal is scored, the red light goes on behind the net.)
MITCH ALBOM: That's more like it!
There is alone, there is lonesome, and there is the loneliest man in sports. Manny Legace, the Red Wings' goaltender, went through all three phases Wednesday night -- and it took him only two minutes.
Red Wings secure Game 1 with three third-period goals
It looked like it was happening again. The star-studded Red Wings had lost their playoff opener to an underdog at home two years in a row -- and had seen it snowball into a sweep last year. And here they were, after a bizarre first 91 seconds, after an anxious first 40 minutes, behind, 1-0.
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
Anatomy of an upset
What's the main difference between the Red Wings who enter the playoffs tonight from the ones who entered the playoffs last year?
Lang becomes Red Wings' big acquisition
Legace's the one, for now
It's official: Manny Legace will start in goal tonight as the Red Wings open the playoffs against Nashville. Curtis Joseph will back him up. But from there . . . "Anything goes," Legace said. "You've got to win. If we aren't winning, I'm sure they'll change. Hopefully we don't have to change."
Legwand's playoff debut becomes family event
Nashville Predators center David Legwand has been dreaming about this day since he laced up his skates as a 6-year-old. Legwand, now 23, will make his debut tonight in the NHL playoffs when the eighth-seeded Predators play the top-seeded Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.
WINGS CORNER: Draper talks on hold for playoffs
The Red Wings and center Kris Draper have tabled contract talks for the playoffs. "Nothing got resolved," Draper said Tuesday. "There were some good talks. I think everyone just kind of wants to concentrate on a good playoff run here, and then we'll just pick up talks afterward." The Wings still want Draper back; Draper still wants to stay.
Free Press playoff picks
Quarterfinals Detroit over Nashville San Jose over St. Louis Calgary over Vancouver Dallas over Colorado Semifinals Detroit over Calgary Dallas over San Jose Finals Detroit over Dallas Quarterfinals Tampa Bay over New York Islanders Montreal over Boston New Jersey over Philadelphia
No match to Wings' '54 Cup winner
There have been flukier goals and more dramatic goals, but nothing has combined those qualities like the goal Tony Leswick scored for the Red Wings 50 years ago this month. Fluky? The smallest man on the ice, with one of the weakest shots in the league, flipped a 50-footer that one of the greatest defensemen of all time redirected into his own net.
Wings-Predators scouting report
Sports writer Nicholas J. Cotsonika analyzes the key matchups in the Red Wings-Predators series:
PLAYOFF PUCK: Every day during the playoffs
TO OUR READERS: What's better than The Puck every week? The Playoff Puck every day during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Today's issue of The Puck is the 25th -- and final -- magazine-style issue of our second season. We'll be on hiatus until the start of the 2004-05 NHL season.
RED WINGS 2003-04: A LOOK BACK
The NHL schedule comes out in the summer, and you look at it, and wonder: How interesting can things be for 82 games?
Steve Schrader's Octopus garden
We know the power of the octopi. And remember a few years ago, when Florida fans adopted the rat as their talisman after then-Panther Scott Mellanby slew one in the dressing room? Well, the Nashville Predators might have found a lucky pet, too: the pigeon.
Tuesday, April 6, 2004
MOTOR CITY VS. MUSIC CITY
GAME DAY SITE TIME 1 Wednesday Detroit 7:00 2 Saturday Detroit 3:00 3 Sunday Nashville 4:00 4 Tuesday Nashville 7:30 If necessary 5 April 15 Detroit 7:30 6 April 17 Nashville 3:00 7 April 19 Detroit 7:30
THE MAKING OF CAPTAIN COOL
The artist had just lowered himself 18 stories through single-digit air on the backside of the skyscraper when the critic arrived. "Hey," a man protested. "His face is too pretty." Steve Yzerman had never looked so good. His chin was smooth and shaven. His lips weren't swollen. His forehead had no stitches. He had all his teeth.
WINGS CORNER: More experienced Zetterberg is eager for long playoff run
For a brief part of Monday's practice, Henrik Zetterberg was back playing left wing with Pavel Datsyuk and Brett Hull, his old linemates from last season.
Wings' defensive depth reassures coach, goalies
Manny Legace sat at his stall at Joe Louis Arena, preparing to face his first round of questions as the Red Wings' playoff goaltender (or maybe not). He needed a hat, though, because his hair was all mussed from Monday's practice, so he shouted at teammate Chris Chelios.
Monday, April 5, 2004
Let us prey: Wings face Nashville
As coach Dave Lewis walked out of Joe Louis Arena about 10:30 on Saturday night, he updated people on the score. No, not the score of the Red Wings' 4-1 loss to Columbus. That was meaningless, because the Wings had already wrapped up the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top regular-season team.
Losing Lidstrom would be too costly
Why did the Red Wings agree to continue paying Nicklas Lidstrom a $10-million salary -- still the highest ever for a defenseman -- when the NHL is bracing for a lockout because the owners want to control player costs?
Saturday, April 3, 2004
Legace's playoff start all but certain
The decision is all but official: Manny Legace will start in goal for the Red Wings in the playoffs.
Some veterans get weekend off
The Red Wings have nothing to do this weekend except wait to find out if they play Edmonton, Nashville or St. Louis next week when the Stanley Cup playoffs begin.
Friday, April 2, 2004
Three-year deal ready for Homer
ST. LOUIS -- Forward Tomas Holmstrom is expected to sign a three-year contract extension with the Red Wings today. Agent Howard Gourwitz said Thursday night he had concluded talks with general manager Ken Holland and had gone over the deal with Holmstrom on the phone. "I think when he comes in tomorrow, he'll be very happy with it and sign," Gourwitz said.
Wings preside atop the NHL
ST. LOUIS -- With a 3-2 victory over the Blues on Thursday night, the Red Wings clinched the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top regular-season team for the second time in three years and the fourth time in a decade. It gives the Wings home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. They're 30-6-4 at Joe Louis Arena and only 18-14-7-2 on the road.
Thursday, April 1, 2004
Draper, Homer hope to sign soon
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Center Kris Draper and forward Tomas Holmstrom hope to re-sign with the Red Wings before general manager Ken Holland halts contract talks for the playoffs today or Friday. "There's talks going on right now," Draper said Wednesday morning. "Hopefully something can come about over the next couple days."
Joseph doesn't expect to start playoff opener
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Goaltender Curtis Joseph doesn't think he will play in the Red Wings' final two regular-season games. He expects to be ready when the playoffs open next week, and he wants to start Game 1. But he wouldn't expect the Wings to go with him, since he will have sat out seven straight games because of an injured right ankle.
WEST IS WON: Wings clinch conference in victory over Jackets
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It was an eventful night. Centers Kris Draper and Robert Lang came back from in
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