CBC-Sports

'Supposedly soft' Wings physically punishing Columbus

April 18, 2009 02:29 PM | Posted by   CBC Sports Staff  

The Columbus Blue Jackets didn't just lose the battle on the scoreboard, a 4-1 drubbing in Thursday’s series opener against the Detroit Red Wings.

As they prepared for Game 2 Saturday at Joe Louis Arena, the visitors were also lamenting the butt-kicking they took in the physical department.

The supposedly soft Detroit out-hit Columbus 37-26 in Game 1 and held a definite physical edge.

“Big team. Big defenceman. Big forwards,” said Red Wing forward Pavel Datsyuk of his squad, who led all Red Wings in Game 1 with six hits.

“But we probably hit more. I don’t think we just out-hit them, but I think we played with more strength. It’s playoff time. Everybody hits. Everybody plays hard.”

Columbus captain Rick Nash admitted the Wings held the physical edge in Game 1.

“We got pushed around a bit and we can’t have that tonight,” Nash said.

Defenceman Mike Commodore, who led the Blue Jackets with six hits in Game 1, agreed with Nash’s analysis.

“If they start turning up the heat -- which they are going to do -- and hitting us and coming at us, we need to respond and take it back to them,” Commodore said. “If we do that, we’ll be in better shape.”

'They're a little more dialed in'

Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock felt his team faced a much different Red Wings club than they’d skated against during the regular season.

“I think they’re a little more dialed in then they have been most of the year,” Hitchcock said. “It’s really our turn to respond. We have to play more good minutes than we did that last game.”

Hitchcock hinted again that he’d shuffle his deck for Game 2, but refused to lay his cards on the table.

“Possibly,” he said of lineup shuffling. “I’ll let you know. If you want to come down to the bench and ask me at 6:00 [game time], I’ll let you know.”

Hitchcock insists the Wings are jumping the gun in the faceoff circle to gain an advantage, after getting some inside tips from Blue Jackets forward Jason Williams, an ex-Wing.

“I don’t think Detroit would do anything in drag racing, because they would never pass the Christmas tree test,” Hitchcock said. “They would be red-lighted every time because their wingers cheat. So we’re going to do the same thing. It’ll be interesting to see who gets kicked out first."

Draper close to return?

Detroit centre Kris Draper, out for the first two games with an undisclosed upper-body injury, will see team doctors early next week to update his availability for Game 3.

“I’ll know more on Monday,” Draper said. “Everything feels good. I’ll get the news on Monday and go from there.”

A four-time Cup winner with Detroit, Draper admits it’s been a challenge to watch his team play playoff hockey.

“This is the time of year that everybody loves,” he said. “For me, I’m coming down here and doing what I normally do on game days. I get down here early, warm up, play soccer with the guys. Try to be in the dressing room with the guys as much as I can."

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