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I want to screenshot all the people begging for Howard to return so I can post them obnoxiously the second Howard comes back and people start bitching JIMMY SAVE US JIMMY SAVE JIMMY S JIMMY SUCKS WTF IS THIS CRAP

It's annoying as hell to me that Mrazek is going through this, but as I've said before, long-run, this is a good thing. Like many others, I believe Mrazek has a ton of potential to be a great NHL goalie, but as I've said time and time again about young prospects, your ability to be successful in this league will boil down to your ability to continue growing and continue pushing yourself to work harder and harder, even if you're already playing in the NHL. Mrazek is young and clearly still has some issues to sort out in his game, but the sooner he sees how hard he's going to have to work and how good he is going to have to be on a consistent basis to be an NHL regular, the better. Mrazek is a confident guy who loves to play, so I believe he'll do what it takes to elevate his game. This is the kind of opportunity and test that's likely to inspire him to work harder than he would've otherwise this offseason to come into training camp an NHL-level goalie. Rough as it is to watch, I think this is a blessing in disguise for Mrazek. And thankfully, we've found ways to win despite his struggles. This game's not over yet...

Gotta love when the doom and gloomers are shown up. Does this mean the wheels are on the tank?

I agree, even with success at the AHL level, it's difficult and unlikely to have immediate NHL success. He needs to play and this is the perfect situation for him.

He's struggling a little but we're not losing games are we? It's great that he's getting the experience he is getting. How is he going to get "NHL experience" if he doesn't play in the NHL?

Tampa Bay can go eff their own butts

More heart than Franzen? Get outta here.

You might want to invoke Blueberry Muffin as well.

So. We're just going to leave Mraz out there to die alone. Great.

the difference between marazek and jimmy is jimmy is a starting NHL goalie and lets in softies and gives up, and marazek lets in more softies and is a AHL goalie. also, 2 on 1 is a soft goal? short side snipe is a soft goal? the only goal that i think was soft was the one timer by stamkos..even then "one timer by stamkos on the power play"

WHERE IS NORM MARACLE WHEN YOU NEED HIM THIS IS AN OUTRAGE

Thank you very much.Here's hoping the boys get the Wheelz on da bus for the second and hit the JUCK F***ING POTT to light it up and rack up enough PP goals for BoS's bunghole that it's like a kick to the yambag for TB. (Did I force in enough retro LGW memes there?)

It would be good if you had put tha wheelz on tha bus

Can we all agree Helm has been awesome? So good along the boards with his lightning quick directional changes.

Why is Quincey in the box? He made a hit and got wrestled down

Sheahan hooked, no call, leads to a goal. Tampa bay hookers

The smart move is somewhere in the middle though right? I mean, I get that it's good to be patient and build a contender. But at some point, you've got to decide now's the time, and try to win. Always looking toward the future obscures the fact that (pardon this goofy description) the present was the future at one point. What's all this saving, and developing, and patience working toward if not to make a Cup run? And as far as I know, no team (in the modern era) has done that with 100% homegrown pieces. Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston...all had significant help from outside. If you're not willing to move pieces for guys like Yandle, or O'Reilly, or Spezza, or Kesler, etc. when they become available, exactly what are you willing to move them for? And if the answer is "nothing", you're in trouble. Because, as I said, nobody has ever managed to win that way yet.

Just throw Jimmy in there, he's our saviour tonight.

This stretch of games has pretty much proven Mrazek is not ready. They were winning despite him. Looks like a rookie. Hopefully in the long run this struggle makes him stronger. Soft goals and when he is making a save the rebound always seems to be kicked out into a prime scoring spot.

Dont agree with that call at all.

Petr Mrazek is not ready to be an NHL starter yet. He has great potential, but his softie a night is hurting the team. What's the time table on Howie?

He was in the box for roughing Huh? By roughing they mean him getting roughed up by being tackled to the ice haha

It would be nice to get a win tonight (and Saturday) but in reality, its only Jan/Feb and I am more looking forward to seeing how they play against these two tops teams. I would love wins, but as long as the Wings compete hard and show they are capable of beating these teams, I will come away feeling very good. I don't think "messages" need to be sent now by winning or losing, but by playing best against best. The Wings are good enough to be here and hopefully Tampa (and Isles) are thinking the same thing, that this is a great measuring cup game, win or lose. That said, Go Wings! Too bad Pulk's isn't up....

Myth 1: Franzen is less productive now than he has ever been. Wrong. His points per game are right around his career average. Myth 2: Franzen is streakier, and disappears more than in the past. Wrong. He's played 33 games. He's got a point in 18 of them. 14 single point games and 4 multi point games. Again, right in line with his career trends. I don't care if he's on the team or not. We can clearly win without him, which is reason enough to want him gone. But can we stop making up crap to make him seem worse than he is? It's the same old Mule, much to the chagrin (or consternation) of the fans.

What are our chances at McDavid? I think we still have a shot.