More photos » by Matt Slocum - AP

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Continuing the "how many different names" contest the Wings are currently holding, Mattias Ritola got the call to join the Wings for the next game. This means Kris Newbury, who scored a goal in his first game up, will be sent back to Grand Rapids for now.

Ritola, a 6'0 192 lb center from Sweden has more of a scoring touch than Newbury does and could help pick up an offense that looked very flat against Chicago last time out. Ritola spent two games with the Wings in 2007-2008 and had an assist. This year with the Griffins, he has 7 goals and 7 assists and the previous year he had 15 goals and 27 assists.

Look for him to fill the same spot in the line-up that Newbury played, centering Brad May and Kirk Maltby. Ken Holland said this of the two players:

"Newbury plays with energy, a physical edge to him. Ritola not quite as much energy but is better at protecting the puck.’’

That's exactly what the Wings need too, better puck possession and passing.

Another note: Valterri Filppula is scheduled to return against Columbus on Saturday...me likey.

More photos » by Paul Sancya - AP

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The last time Detroit came to Chicago for a regular season, the line-up was DRASTICALLY different. Let's take a quick, meaningless look at the difference between the line-up from April 12 and December 20th.

I don't exactly remember the lines for that game but they probably looked something like this:

April 12, Blackhawks 3-Red Wings 0

Starters: Chelios, Cleary, Datsyuk, Ericsson, Filppula, Franzen, Holmstrom, Hudler, Kopecky, Kronwall, Lebda, Maltby, Meech, Rafalski, Samuelsson, Stuart, Zetterberg, Osgood

Out: Lidstrom, Draper, Hossa, Lilja

Players that started on April 12 and will start today: Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Lebda, Maltby, Meech, Rafalski, Stuart, and Osgood. Total of 8 including the starting goalie. Holy crap. 

December 20th

Starters that didn't play last year's game: Lidstrom (scratched), Bertuzzi (in Calgary), Helm (AHL), Abdelkader (AHL), Leino (AHL), Kris Newbury (AHL), May (Toronto), Eaves (Carolina), Janik (AHL), Draper (Groin), Miller (Anaheim). Total of 11, 5 in AHL last year.

Players not in lineup today from April 12: Chelios (AHL), Cleary (Shoulder), Ericsson (Knee), Filppula (Wrist), Franzen (Knee), Hudler (KHL, comrade), Kopecky (Chicago), Kronwall (Knee), Samuelsson (Vancouver), Zetterberg (Shoulder), Lilja (Concussion). Total of 11, 7 from injury.

Out: Cleary, Ericsson, Filppula, Franzen, Kronwall, Lilja, Williams, Zetterberg. Total of 8. 

Oddly enough, Detroit has as many starters out today as they had left from the last regular season game in Chicago. That's pretty ridiculous.

So pretty much the line-up, if it were built on the players that player in last year's game in Chicago (which, thankfully it is not), would look like this:

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Maltby
Stuart-Rafalski
Extras: Lebda-Meech
Osgood

More photos » by Paul Sancya - AP

4 days ago: Detroit Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg, of Sweden, grimmaces after being checked by Tampa Bay Lightning defenesman Mattias Ohlund in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009. Zetterberg did not return to the game. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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From early reports, Henrik Zetterberg will be out two weeks at the least with a slightly separated shoulder. Zetterberg was absolutely rocked on clean hit from Mattias Ohlund and left the game last night.

Zetterberg leads Detroit in scoring with 32 points (10 G, 22 A) and has been a vital part of the success despite the other injuries this year. The loss for two weeks will be huge as the Wings have numerous games against Central Division opponents. Zetterberg would have been a big help in making up ground but the Wings will have to do without him.

Filling his spot? If Darren Helm can return from his injury he's likely to fill the starting spot (not on Z's line probably, but just the vacancy). However, if Helm is unable to return, the Wings may need to call up another Grand Rapids player to fill the spot. We'll keep you posted on the injury and replacement process as it happens.

Chime in with your thoughts though. If the Wings were to call up a Griffin who would you want to see? Note: Tatar is playing for Slovakia right now.

More photos » by Paul Sancya - AP

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Jimmy Howard earned his first career shutout as the Red Wings defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0 on Thursday night. But the win came after a huge loss as Henrik Zetterberg was injured on a collision with Swedish teammate Mattias Ohlund. Zetterberg's long term status is unknown as of now and leaves the Red Wings without 9 regulars...9 I said.

Zetterberg was injured in the first period while reaching for a stray pass from Ville Leino. Zetterberg was outstretched and the much larger Ohlund put his shoulder into Zetterberg--a clean hit by all means--and dropped him to the ice. Patrick Eaves took immediate exception to the play (finally, someone standing up) and was shoving Ohlund along the boards.

The Wings scored at 8:24 of the first as Drew Miller and Brian Rafalski combined for a great goal. Miller came off the bench and Rafalski spotted him from deep in the defensive zone and chucked a puck up ice that Miller knocked down to have a breakaway against Tampa Bay's goalie Mike Smith. Smith went for the poke check and Miller flipped it up over just before the attempt to score his 4th of the year, also coming against his former team. Take that TB front office!

Todd Bertuzzi continued his recent hot streak by scoring his 9th goal of the year during the 3rd period. The play started with a Pavel Datsyuk trademarked offensive zone takeaway. Datsyuk got it to Tomas Holmstrom and Holmstrom's pass was tipped in by Bertuzzi for a 2-0 Detroit lead at 6:48 of the third. Patrick Eaves tapped a Nick Lidstrom pass in behind Mike Smith for a 3-0 lead with 9:10 remaining; more than enough with the way the Howard was playing.

The Detroit win was also head coach Mike Babcock's 300th career win. Along with Howard's first career shutout, the two accomplishments were overshadowed by yet another injury. More on the injury to Zetterberg as it is made known. Howard's shutout marked his 11th win of the year as he stopped all 30 Tampa Bay shots. His GAA is creeping down with his great performances lately and he has won 6 of the last 8 games he started.

MrNorrisTrophy's Wing of the Game: Jimmy Howard. Howie played great in net tonight, stopping every single Tampa Bay shot. He stonewalled excellent scorers like Vinny Lecavlier and Alex Tanguay. The confidence train is a-rollin' for Jimmy.

Jimmy Howard

#35 / Goalie / Detroit Red Wings

Height: 6-0

Weight: 210

Born: Mar 26, 1984

by Paul Sancya - AP

7 days ago: Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard blocks a Phoenix Coyotes shot in the third period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. Detroit won 3-2. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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The Tampa Bay Lightning come to town as the Red Wings hope to continue recent success. Jimmy Howard is expected to start in net for the Red Wings tonight and will have to be on top of his game as the Wings are without Jonathan Ericsson following his knee injury. Grand Rapids' D Doug Janik was called up and will fill the spot of Ericsson.

The Lightning are powered by Vinny Lecavlier, Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman and a host of other young stars. Detroit should have a tough test at hand against a talented offense.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to comment in the thread because of prior commitments but feel free to join in. Raw Charge is the Lightning affiliate. 

Check out the back and forth between The Chief at A2Y and a member of the Wild's SBN page, Hockey Wilderness.

Frankly, I'm not taking sides on this really but it sure is entertaining.

The Chief's original post--nothing Wild related: Instead of whining...

Hockey Wilderness opening jabs: Anyone else a little bored?

The Chief's response: Aww...SBN gave me a birthday present

Hockey Wilderness response (followed by Detroit comments): In defense of the caveman

More photos » by Henry DiRocco - AP

wee!(AP Photo/Henry DiRocco)

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The word across Twitter and the blogosphere is that Darren Helm is out of tonight's game with a wrist injury. Supposedly it isn't all that serious but it will be enough to keep him out of the line-up. The Wings have called up Kris Newbury from Grand Rapids for tonight's game. 

Do the Red Wings really need another injury? It's starting to get ridiculous.

Other note: I won't be able to post much in the next two days as I have finals and related stuff but will be back on the figurative horse soon after. Joe will be the game thread host for tonight and I may be able to get an analysis piece up tomorrow.

Woops moment of the day: I called for no injuries this week in The Obstructed View's first podcast. Woops.

More photos » by Carlos Osorio - AP

Bert's name comes up quite a bit in the initial podcast. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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Well, the majority of you asked for it and by way of the fine Red Wings blogging community, we've made it happen. Former Winging It In Motown author and headman at Motown Wings Chris Hollis leads the podcast panel of discussion as Snipe Snipe Dangle Dangle's Kris, The Production Line and Winging It's Michael Petrella, Brian Kiernicki, and yours truly were the first week's group. 

The Obstructed View is the name of the podcast and you can find it on iTunes--under podcasts search for The Obstructed View if the link doesn't work.  

Please, please please please leave some comments if you take a listen comment below and let us know what you think. Other members of the Wings blogging community will rotate in each week (with the exception of Hollis and Kiernicki) but we will continue to post the link to the site--especially since Kyle, Michael, Drew and myself are members.

More photos » by Kate Humphrey - AP

9 days ago: Detroit Red Wings right wing Todd Bertuzzi (44) backhands a shot past Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, of Finland, for the winning goal in the overtime period of an NHL hockey game on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. The Red Wings won 3-2. At right is Predators defenseman Kevin Klein (8). (AP Photo/Kate Humphrey)

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• Todd Bertuzzi wins it again in overtime. Yes you read that right, Todd Bertuzzi won it AGAIN. If he keeps this type of production up then we will be in good shape. Do I expect it to stay like this? No, not really but I'll take it for now. Detroit needs secondary scoring and he's starting to get the confidence needed to do so.
• Chris Osgood had some pretty sick saves last night. To quote Winston Churchill (sort of), Osgood is "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." There are nights when he can't stop the easiest of shots but then there are nights when he looks like he should have about 8 Vezinas on the mantle. He wasn't really either last night (why he's an enigma) but he was solid and kept the game within reach for the Wings with some incredible saves.
• Remember the time when the Red Wings were absolutely dominant in the circle? I miss those days. We did better last night--winning 29 to Nashville's 28--but I sure miss the days of winning about 75% of the draws taken. Can't wait for Fil to get back in the circle that's for sure.
• Drew Miller, you were a quality find. Out shadowed by Bert's 4 in 2, Miller had a goal and an assist last night in 12 minutes of play. Sure, he only has 4 points on the season but he brings more than just points. He has been great on the forecheck, PK, and in the corners. Unfortunately, I don't know if there's room for him when Filppula, Franzen, Williams and Cleary come back.
• I'm glad I didn't play a drinking game last night for everytime I heard the word "Smashville" used. I was forced to watch the Nashville broadcast (thanks Center Ice) and every commercial break there was someone saying something or other about Smashville. Yeah, I get it. It's a cool nickname but you can't over do it. If I had played a drinking game for that, I surely would be in the ICU or morgue right now.
• Bertuzzi's second goal was a thing of beauty. The play started with Datsyuk forcing a turnover and giving Bertuzzi a great outlet pass. He was neck and neck with Nashville defender Klein and protected the puck on his stick before sliding it past Rinne's poke check attempt and then a backhand into the net for the second straight win for Detroit. Highlights of the goal below.