Red Wings win 50th game this season
For a third straight season, the Detroit Red Wings under head coach Mike Babcock have won at least 50 games in Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Columbus. Babcock also set an NHL record by becoming the first head coach to win 50 games in each of his first three seasons with a team.
And what makes this even more impressive is that Detroit did all this after cutting their payroll in half following the NHL lockout.
“After the lockout we had to buy out some players (Derian Hatcher, Darren McCarty and Ray Whitney). We were all on a level playing field (in terms of salaries) with other teams, but the organization has found a way to find players and still be competitive out there,” Lidstrom said. “We’re still able to win games. It shows a lot about the coaching staff and players here.”
Babcock had a few interesting quotes in today’s Detroit Free Press article, including one where he says this season’s squad is the best he has had the opportunity to coach in the NHL.
“Not even close,” Babcock said when asked if this was his best team. “Didn’t have as much points as the team a few years ago, (but) best team I’ve ever coached.
“More depth, faster, harder, the will to win. Yeah, best team I ever coached.” …
“If you prepare hard and you get lucky, and I’ve said this before — lucky means healthy — we got a shot,” Babcock said. “And all you can ask for is a shot.” …
“Since the start of February we’ve been grinding,” Babcock said. “It’s not like we go out, the puck’s dropped and we have the puck for 60 minutes like we normally do and the other team doesn’t get to touch it. The other team gets to touch it right now.
“It’s been great for us. We’ve had to work, work, work — compete like crazy.”
I would have to agree that this year’s team is the best version since the lockout when healthy. If the team can find a way to get healthy come playoff time and then stay relatively healthy, I like our team’s chances. If we can’t get healthy or a key player gets injured, I can’t say I’d have that same confidence. But I do like our team’s work ethic and their grit and hustle this year. Last year, we showed that we can be a physical team and that attitude has stayed with the squad this season. Sure we’re not the most physical team in the league, but I think we’re physical enough to be successful.
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