No Olympic Hangover For Detroit

It's long been suspected that sending players to participate in international competitions can have a negative effect on the players' domestic teams. There are studies and opinions that suggest the Winter Olympics does more harm than good to the National Hockey League. 

Whatever side of the fence you sit on, the Detroit Red Wings have restarted the season with pace and gusto not often seen at the Joe Louis.   

Detroit restarted the season with a two game Canadian road-trip, starting with the Montreal Canadiens. Olympic gold hero goalie Carey Price wasn't played however PK Subban was on the ice. Despite Detroit leading for most of the game thanks to an early Todd Bertuzzi powerplay goal, it took an overtime goal from Wings regular Gustav Nyquist to take the two points after the Brian Gionta scored in the third period to give the Habs a chance at the two points. Final score 2-1.

The following day, the Red Wings were hosted by the Ottawa Senators. The Sens sent just two players to Sochi, compared to Detroit's ten, although the Sens never really turned up. Johan Franzen scored his sixth career hat-trick. Tomas Jurco and Tomas Tatar, who both represented Slovakia also scored. The only players absent from Sochi to get on the scoresheet were Detroit's Riley Sheahan and the Sens' Bobby Ryan. Detroit comfortably won the game 6-1. 

Maybe Detroit's skaters are still on an Olympic high, and the hangover is lurking around the corner, but to play two road games in two days is tough. To score eight and concede two suggests that the Wings have a solid chance of securing the Eastern Conference's second wildcard spot.       

Detroit now has a short break before the next game against the Devils on Tuesday, this time will be important, especially for the Olympic members who've not had much chance to sit down recently. It will be also be useful for Mike Babcock who has to rebuild his Red Wings without captain Henrik Zetterberg. 

The loss of Zetterberg may be the deciding factor in the Wings' season. There's few players in the league who can control the game as well as Zetterberg. Still, Franzen has stepped up to the plate and is producing when required. 

Positive signs for us Detroit fans.