Wings RIP Ducks to keep pace in West

The Detroit Red Wings have raised their level of play as the NHL season has progressed and now find themselves in a virtual dead heat with the Western Conference leading San Jose Sharks.  On Friday night at the Joe Louis Arena the Wings ripped the Anaheim Ducks by a 5-2 score to win for the eighth time in 10 games and remain a single point back on their rivals for conference superiority. 

Much of Detroit’s success can be attributed to the stellar play of goaltender Ty Conklin.  Conklin was signed as a backup to Chris Osgood before the season started, but has become the team’s primary netminding option as the year has progressed.  Osgood has struggled at times, but Conklin has taken up the slack nicely.  Friday’s victory was his 11^th straight at home, and overall Conklin is 21-7-1 with a 2.32 goals against average.  Osgood was a healthy scratch for Friday’s game, and Wings coach Mike Babcock suggested that it was ‘tough love’ for the goalie:

"We're trying to be proactive. We're forcing the situation. We're challenging him to be the goalie he's capable of being and get himself physically and mentally to the top of his game."

Conklin said that he’s trying not to concern himself with Osgood’s struggles, but to play his best when called upon to do so:

"I can't concern myself with that. That's between Chris, the coaching staff and management. I'm behind Chris. He's my teammate.”

Henrick Zetterberg, who scored a goal along with two assists, suggested that his team was getting all of the bounces on this night:

"It was a good game for us. It seemed like the puck was bouncing our way tonight. We just have to enjoy this because we'll have some nights when it doesn't all go our way."

Following a contest with the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night, the Red Wings can turn their attention to the huge game on Wednesday night against the division leading San Jose Sharks.  The Sharks will play Monday night in Dallas, while Detroit will come into the game with three days rest giving the Red Wings an excellent opportunity to claim the Western Conference lead.   Detroit will then host Los Angeles on Friday night before traveling to Nashville on Saturday.

The Ducks will play at Columbus on Saturday night, travel to Buffalo on Tuesday and then head to Boston for a game against the Eastern Conference leading Boston Bruins on Thursday.  Anaheim is tied with Edmonton for 8^th place in the Western Conference, though if the season ended today the Oilers would hold the tiebreaker and make the playoffs with the Ducks left on the outside looking in.