It wasn’t a horrible performance by the Red Wings Thursday night. Not by a longshot. It certainly wasn’t a bad effort. They definitely worked hard.
The Red Wings are usually a smarter team than that, though. Everything they did well during their 5-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks was negated by mistakes.
Take Todd Bertuzzi, for example. That was the best game he has played as a Red Wing. He finally got his big butt in front of the net and caused all kinds of problems. He had a goal. The goal, however, only made up for a mistake he made early in the game - a horrible giveaway that directly resulted in an Anaheim goal. Another Ducks goal was set up by a too many men on the ice penalty against the Red Wings. The go-ahead goal, by Ryan Getzlaf, came with Daniel Cleary off the ice because of a tripping penalty. It was a bad penalty. It wasn’t with the Red Wings deep in their own and in deep trouble. It was at the other end of the ice, in an area where they was no imminent danger. He also took a roughing penalty earlier that wasn’t necessary. Yet, Cleary had two goals.
It’s those little things that matter so much in the playoffs. The details. The Red Wings didn’t take care of them Thursday. It’s a shame, too, because with Chris Pronger suspended for the game, and Chris Kunitz still ailing, the Duck were particularly vulnerable. The Red Wings carried play for the most part, pounding Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere with 39 shots. The Red Wings rallied from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game. They just weren’t precise enough, that’s all.
It’s apparent neither one of these teams is going to roll over because of adversity. I have a feeling it is going to go seven games. That’s not the worse scenario for the Red Wings, who have home ice advantage.
(You can read my column on the Pistons-Bulls Game 6 at theoaklandpress.com. Click on "sports columns")

Random Thoughts

- Fenway Park. The likes of Zach Miner, Tim Byrdak and Chad Durbin pitching for the Tigers. The Red Sox ultra-potent lineup. Well, you get the idea. I am not surprised the Tigers were swept in a day-night doubleheader Thursday by the Red Sox. I am, however, surprised how they lost. Their pitching was actually decent, but they didn’t hit a lick. Considering the injury problems to the pitching staff, the last thing the Tigers need at this point is a collective hitting slump.

- If Paris Lenon is the best the Lions can do for a middle linebacker, they are in serious trouble this coming season. They should have taken Michigan’s David Harris in the draft. That’s the bottom line.

- I am all for pushing the gifted players to the major leagues as soon as possible. Andrew Miller is gifted. It wouldn’t surprise me if he pitches well - right out of the shoot.