Gm # 28: Wild @ Red Wings (1/4)

In case you haven't noticed, the Detroit Red Wings are very, very, very good. I think it's safe to say the Wild are firm believers now, having largely gotten out of the way of the big red machine in their 5-0 whitewashing Friday night.

Simply, the Wild mailed this one in.

There was no concerted effort at all. Granted it wouldn't have mattered if Christ and the Angels were playing the Wings Friday night, as good as they were. But I like my teams to put up at least token resistance. The Wild have been too easily brushed aside at times this season and that has to stop.

This new gritter, tougher Wild team (read: Sean Hill, Todd Fedoruk and Aaron Voros) might still be assimilating to itself, but there is still no obvious leadership. By all accounts, Walz was the leader, but the fact of the matter is that he's gone now. It's time for someone else to step into that void or, if no one is able/willing to do so, it's time to bring in someone who can/will.

The Hasek hit on Gaborik at the end of the game has been the topic of much discussion over at Russo's Rants. Essentially everyone else thinks it was dirty and I don't. To me, Hasek made a save on a breakaway and that's it. Gaby having his head down was part of it, sure. If Hasek's known to come out on guys with their head down then Gaby should have known that. Hasek got the puck first, and we're lucky Gaby didn't get hurt. End of story.

CHICKEN LITTLE SAYS: Hard to tell if this was a case of reversion to the mean, or just getting your teeth kicked in by a far superior team.

POLLYANNA SAYS: At least Farber thinks WE'RE the real Hockeytown!

BOTTOM LINE: Everyone takes a whipping every once in a while. Still, lack of willingness to push back is distressing.

STUD: uhh...Fedoruk got in his first real fight as a member of the Wild. So we know ONE guy has some sack.

DUD: uhh...how do you pick just one? You don't. After a game that bad they deserve to have multiple duds. Demitra, Gaborik, Johnsson and Burns were all -3.

NiNY