While I do not agree with Beedub's sweeping statement, the Wings certainly played their game last night from the second half onward.
EJ Hradek of ESPN and NHL Live offers this perspective:
After a disappointing regular season, which left everyone doubting him (again), Wings goalie Chris Osgood came up with a big performance in the defending champs' 4-1 win over the upstart Blue Jackets. In the first period of their first playoff game, the Blue Jackets were buzzing all over the ice.
In the first two minutes of the period, Osgood had to come up with a huge stop on Jason Chimera after a dismal turnover by defenseman Brad Stuart. Not too long after that, Osgood stood tall as crease-crashing Blue Jackets tough guy Jared Boll tried to bang a loose puck past him. In all, Osgood had to make several big stops -- including a nice glove save on a second-chance opportunity from R.J. Umberger -- to keep his team in the game during the opening stanza. In the final 40 minutes, the Wings locked down the game, allowing just eight shots. However, if Osgood hadn't been solid in the first 20, the outcome could have been different.
Not surprisingly -- at least to me -- Columbus was very competitive in its Game 1 loss. Coach Ken Hitchcock's team was hanging with the defending champs in the first half of the game. In fact, they had the better of the play during a couple of different stretches.
They didn't get rattled when Jiri Hudler gave the Wings a 1-0 lead at the 10:48 mark of the second period. Instead, Umberger answered for the Jackets just 52 seconds later. (If you recall, the former Buckeyes star enjoyed a terrific playoff campaign for the Flyers last spring.)
But the game turned quickly just a few minutes later. Columbus' Manny Malhotra accidentally slapped a seemingly harmless Jonathan Ericsson shot past goalie Steve Mason. The strange goal gave the Wings a 2-1 lead. On the following shift, Antoine Vermette took a hooking penalty. The Wings' top-rated power play needed just eight seconds to convert the chance. That made it 3-1. Game over.
There's little room for error against Detroit. I'll be curious to see how Columbus responds in Game 2.
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PS I have been talking about Wings' young d-man Jonathan Ericsson being a possible successor to Lidstrom.
His performance last night serves as ample evidence.
This view from USA Today's Kevin Allen is a ringing endorsement:
Detroit's late-season call-up is having an impact
Posted 4/16/2009 10:32 PM EDT
Kevin Allen, USA Today
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson's strong play in the opening game of the Western Conference quarterfinal against the Columbus Blue Jackets
Thursday is another illustration of the rewards of a franchise that can afford to be patient with its draft picks.
Ericsson, who scored in the game, is a 25-year-old rookie with just 27 games of NHL experience and I believe he has a chance to become an NHL All-Star over the next three seasons. The former ninth-round pick from Sweden played three seasons in the American Hockey League, making the final adjustments from center to defense and now he looks like a veteran performer.
He's 6-5, mobile, handles the puck confidently and plays with aggression. With Nicklas Lidstrom inching toward the end of his career, the Red Wings have groomed another difference-making defenseman who will be able to eat up minutes. He's certainly not going to be the offensive force that Lidstrom was, but he is noticeable when he is on the ice.
Although he was 24 when he started the season, Ericsson has patiently waited for his turn. He said GM Ken Holland and coach Mike Babc0ck felt that starting the season in the AHL would make him more ready.
"They thought it was best for me and I thought it was best for me," Ericsson said.
That wasn't a reflection on Ericsson, just a reflection of the way the Red Wings do business. Holland always jokes that the Red Wings "red-shirt" their prospects.
"I think when you get here you just want to feel like you belong," Ericsson said.
Ericsson's late-season arrival is better than any trade acquisition the Red Wings could have made. Over the past 20 games, Ericsson has made it clear that he belongs. Even if Andreas Lilja was ready to come back, it's not likely that he could get his job back from Ericsson.
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