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In Russia Referee Punches you.

Guys like Tatar, Andersson, Lashoff, Emmerton, Kindl and Smith are seizing their opportunities and showing us they can play Red Wings hockey.

Samuelsson being out

Kronwall and Ericsson form an effective top pairing. If Ericsson continues to improve, he'll be a beast next season.

Tootoo. Love that guy. Energy, fists- he's all that and a bucket of cheese. The D finally starting to gel. It took some time, especially with the injuries, but they're starting to look good- even Kindl has been pretty good lately. Kronner seems to be settling into the number one position. It can't have been easy given changes in partners, and his expanded role and responsibility, but he seems to be getting there. Brunner has been quite a find. The kids stepping up. Loving the future. The first goal of the season scored by none other than Brian Lashoff. So much for betting with the odds. Jim-my How-ard. Patty Sunshine returning from concussion. Sure, there are still some things we need to work on, but I'm not at all worried about the season or the future.

Howard has now allowed seven goals in his past six games.

The fact that they seem to win in spite of the absurd lineups Babcock seems to favor.

I think my favorite part is the development of the defense and the way the Red Wings have begun to win games lately. Babcock's lines annoy me sometimes, but he has done an unbelievable job with this group. The transformation from a team that typically overwhelmed opponents with skill to a more grind it out philosophy is a major change, but fun to watch. Injuries have played a role for certain in the approach, though I don't think it's a bad thing at all the Red Wings are playing a simpler game and focusing on attention to detail. They can't win anymore outscoring teams or relying on skill to bail them out in troubling situations. The only way they can compete at a high level is to play with effort for as close to 60 minutes as possible and avoid costly mistakes. There have been huge leaps of improvement in that regard individually and as a team since that first night in St. Louis. There are a lot of players that have been impressive too, particularly some of the youth that has gotten an opportunity. Tatar, Andersson, Smith and Kindl have all stepped up and proven to be NHL-quality players this season. Even someone like Emmerton has been far better than I ever anticipated in his role. Zetterberg and Datsyuk have been exceptional. Brunner is exceeding expectations and looks to be a piece for the future. Ericsson is the best d-man on the team and remarkably reliable. Howard is performing much stronger as the defense in front of him isn't leaving him out to dry most nights now. I don't know that we will be celebrating a championship in June, but I've had fun watching this roster kind of mold into a competitive team. Some of the major questions marks are becoming promising answers. I will admit the Red Wings are in better shape at this point than I would have guessed a few months ago. They need Helm and Filppula back because the schedule is about to get grueling. However, their play lately has inspired more confidence in me going forward.

Damnit, Holland!

Tootoo, it's great to see more fights this year! and Brunner has been good. How well they have battled through all the injuries

I'm not sure i really understand how those hits compare to a player suckering a ref........maybe that's just me.

I'm with the camp that says the more protection these guys have, the more risks they take.

"On pace for" is a really inaccurate stat. It never actually happens. Guys slow down, get in ruts, etc. I haven't watched Clarkson, but as a general rule, if a player comes out of nowhere be cautious. Remember Cheechoo?

Tatar, Tootoo, Brunner

It should be the players choice, really. I don't mind it being mandatory in the minor leagues, but grown men should be able to make that choice for themselves.

NO. I wear a full sheild but thats my choice

Those pics are awesome. Just being 20 feet away from Pasha means you have a chance to score! Even if theres no game going on. He will find a way to get you the puck.

He has a 1.50 GAA in the last four games.

I've been saying this all along, we need a goalie who is a 20+ goal scorer, how many points does Howie have? Maybe 1 assist in 20 games? Awful

Howard is terrible, dude; the guy is invisible in the offensive zone!

See if you get the same "No" Babs gave the press when he was asked Sunday if he'd ever consider playing Tatar & Andersson with Pavs. I'm sure he would looooooove that.

Quincey should sit before White, lets get that done then we can talk Ian

Let's take a look at career stats shall we. .916 SV% 2.44 Howard .916 SV% 2.31 Quick .917 SV% 2.53 Price .915 SV% 2.58 Miller .915 SV% 2.52 Bryz .913 SV% 2.46 Kiprusoff And if you want to say well right now Howard's stats aren't good and he's playing without LIdstrom for the first time, I can find 10 game segments of Brodeur, Sawchuck, Roy, Hasek having worse stats then Howard. Like I said, Howard is taken for granted here, he's not elite, but really Lundqvist, Rinne, and to an extent Luongo are the only goalies that are statistically elite for more than one year. And each of those goalies have had their struggles behind a crap defense.

I remember.. vaguely.... that he wait yes, yes he did.. that man nearly saved our asses against San Jose! The stuff that people say on this forum sometimes... my god