No doubt the star of the Wings Coyotes game was Marian Hossa, who was also featured on the flags the fans attending the game got. His stick handling abilities were incredible and he used the to his full advantage.
His first goal of the evening was with the help of Pavel Datsyk who is back on the ice along with Zetterberg. Hossas second goal was an absolute beauty, as he tricked Kevin Porter into following him and slammed on the brakes at an opportune moment, leaving Porter to sail on by, and letting Hossa get on wit the business of scoring a goal.
Hossa contribution to the game was bigger than his 2 goals, he also Drew the penalty that gave the Wings the man advantage and eventual win.

Other news - the Ottawa Senators fired coach Craig Hartsburg, surprisingly (maybe) Jeremy milks wrote along post about that. worth a read.

The wings have certainly seen better times than this as last nights game against the Capitals was yet again a loss, at 2-4, for the forth time running.
With some of the lead players still out with injuries - Zetterberg out for the second straight game, Holmstrom missed this trip to Washington and Hudler with a swollen foot was in questionable condition for the game. However, this gave Leino and Abdelkader a chance to get into the line up, both of them stepping up and pretty much shinning under the circumstances.

On another note Bruce Macleod wrote about the situation at the press conference announcing the finalization of Zetterbergs contract, as apposed to Hossa, who the negotiations are only starting out for.

In my short time writing about the wings, there has never been a game Hossa didn’t contribute to in a very active manner. Macleod has an interesting view of these events, and I can’t help but feeling a bit sad, that Hossa might not get his due in money or recognition of his efforts and contribution.

The Red Wings Loose once again, for the 3rd consecutive game to the Blue Jackets last night.
In all fairness, it would have been really surprising had the Wings won with all that was stacked against them.
For starters - Nicklas Lidstrom Pavel Datsyuk were both suspended from the game for not appearing in the all star game over the weekend due to injuries.

Brad Stuart has broken ribs, from the last game, so he wasn’t around either, and if all that wasn’t handicap enough Zetterberg quite after the fist period (in which he played well) due to back spasms…

Its actually quite surprising to me that the Wings lost only by a point under the circumstances.
Truly, I am more worried about moral than anything else. a 3 game loosing streak is enough to influence any teams moral.

Interesting read - Kevin, from Hitting the post posted a list of What To Watch for in the Second half

its sees as if the Wings recent loosing streak is running havoc in their reputation.

Just passed mid season, and the exhaustion is starting to show on the DRW players as well as on the rest of the players in the league.
DRW’s Game against the Coyotes was the second consecutive loss (3-6) coming right on the heels of the loss to the Sharks (5-6).

The Game against the Sharks was an excellent game, the kind of game that even with a loss you enjoy immensely, just because of the display of great hockey.

The game against the Coyotes was less impressive, Mick Babcock had to do a lot of juggling with Johan Frazen already out, Losing Brad Stuart who took a nasty fall, and with Datsyuk not able to play he had to rotate a lot and it was hard to fill in the gaps.
The All Star game, which will give the team a whole 7 days break till their next game couldn’t have come a second to soon, as some serious recuperating is needed.
Apparently Lidstrom and Datsyuk will not play in 2009 All-Star Game. For full story click here.

Pavel Dastyuk who has been having a fabulous season to date, Had arguably his most impressive penalty shot goal this game, completely confusing the Wilds young goaltender Josh Harding by going backhand then forehand and then doing a backhanded toe drag finally pulling it to the right and roofing the puck over the goalies leg.

This was quite a momentous game for Goaltender Chris Osgood, Who hadn’t started in eight games, and according to him it was the first time this season that he was feeling perfectly healthy, and it showed. in the first 2 periods he managed to turn away 24 shots, thought Due to a dubious whistle and penalty he took one and then another quickly after that, but still managing to block the rest of the shots letting the Wings win 3-2.
Henrik Zetterberg carried on his great playing from the Winter Classic which Bruce MacLeod wrote an interesting article.