-- Tomas Kopecky had a wonderful game, being physical, creating chances. He was the main reason why Matt Ellis scored, taking out Roberto Luongo. It didn't take long in the game for Kopecky to supplant Jiri Hudler on the second line. Kopecky wound up with 12:40 of ice time and Hudler had 5:08.
I picked the three stars in the game and really wanted to get Kopecky in there. Had the Wings won by two or three goals, I could have gone with three Wings stars and Kopecky would have been one of them.
-- Good for Matt Ellis. If he can keep contributing, then he's narrowing the decision that will have to be made in a week or so. When a roster spot needs to be freed for Johan Franzen's return from his MCL injury, it looks like either Aaron Downey or Igor Grigorenko will go. If the decision were made today, it would be Grigorenko to exit.
-- I saw Derek Meech in the locker room. I just wanted you all to know that he was still alive.
-- If the Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom line isn't the best in the NHL, I'm shocked.
-- Valtteri Filppula looked better. Same MO though ... creating opportunities and not finishing.
-- Pavel Datsyuk drew his team-high ninth power play.
-- Holmstrom scored two goals and was called for goaltender interference. Is that the new Holmstrom hat trick? UPDATE -- One reader posted a much better Homer hat trick ... one goal, one interference penalty and one goal waved off.