GoWings1905

I don't get why Babs is so stuck on these lines. Even when they have been winning lately, it has been a struggle to score goals and the defense was excellent. Try something else. The top-six especially is brutal.

Exactly. These are games you have to bank points in. The schedule is about to get very challenging.

Games with more special teams involvement aren't good for the Red Wings. Switch up the lines or something Babs. No energy or scoring chances. 1-3 against Columbus looking likely. You can't give up six points to them in a tightly contested playoff race.

I know it has gone both ways today, but delay of game is a really stupid penalty.

I'm with ya. The defense is better without him.

I think 93 games is a stretch for any team in that division to win it. Wouldn't surprise me if 90 or so was enough with how competitive all five teams should be. That being said, I like the Rays in the East.

Good point. Unfortunately, that sounds a lot like Stern's NBA.

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.

Red Wings need to accumulate 6-8 points this week with three home games and weaker opponents. Rest of the month is practically on the road. Great start against Colorado, another young and fast team tonight. I think Z has a big game. Been a little quiet offensively lately. Hopefully the defensive intensity stays intact as well. Go Wings!

You made my point largely for me. Holland said it last year at the deadline and the Red Wings won a single game with Nick Lidstrom. Now, he's already resorting to "our injured guys will be our deadline acquisitions" as if they will magically all be healthy together in April. Even if they get full health, this team is flawed in some major areas. They need a top four d-man (ideally top pairing) and it appears now another top-six forward as well. My criticism is based on the premise we have pretty much gotten the same philosophy from Holland since 2010. Not much risk taking, probably too much loyalty and a reliance on health, when in reality the Red Wings need an infusion of skill and new bodies. I probably should have elaborated more in my original post. I just think the concept of going forward with this team as is and not exploring changes is going to end with quick playoff failure.

"We like our team." Won one playoff game with Nick Lidstrom.

Not me. Hossa was badly injured during the playoffs and an easy scapegoat. He's still the better player.

Ehh Franzen is what he is at this point. Extremely streaky and a tendency to disappear for long stretches. Problem with that is Franzen does nothing else besides score, so when he's not doing that then I think that's where the floating/lazy reputation kicks in especially. Very frustrating to watch as a fan. I don't really dlslike Franzen. I hate the fact he plays for the Red Wings and Hossa doesn't though.

I think Babcock could at least give Datsyuk something by tinkering the top-six, even if he is insistent on keeping one of Cleary or Abdelkader there. Franzen - Datsyuk - Tatar Cleary (Filppula) - Z - Brunner That seems more balanced to me than putting two players with no offensive upside with Datsyuk right now. Abdelkader just doesn't belong at all.

How useless does Abdelkader have to be before Tatar gets his spot instead? Babcock is so damn stubborn. The team is playing well overall, but the top-six needs to be juggled for Tuesday.

I hate the Blackhawks as much as anyone, but what a streak. It definitely needs to end today. Red Wings are playing their best hockey, so they can do this with a strong 60 minute effort. Let's Go Red Wings!

I would lean to 100 wins for the Tigers being slightly high as well. Somewhere around 95 seems pretty realistic. Nobody is on the Tigers level in the Central, but it should be more competitive overall as a division this season. The Indians spent money and they could be dangerous if they get some starting pitching. That's a huge if, though I think Masterson will bounce back and Trevor Bauer is a bit of a wild card. Ubaldo Jimenez is done. The Royals lineup is stacked. Again, the question with them will be if the starting pitching can put them in contention. The White Sox were flukey and just hit HR's to stay with the Tigers. I think they regress to 4th in the division and the Twins are really bad.

I like this group on defense. I would maybe prefer Huskins over Kindl, but even Kindl has been better lately. Writing seems to be on the wall for Ian White.

I definitely miss Stuart personally. One of my favorites in his time with the Red Wings. Class act and really solid defenseman that played a huge role in winning the championship in 2008. Hopefully the zebras don't feel like deciding the outcome tonight. The Sharks will be diving all over the place to try and get calls like usual. Not sure I'm willing to stay up late again and risk seeing that garbage display. It will be tough for the Red Wings to match their effort from last night with travel and back-to-back games in play.

It's funny we've had two lockouts in eight years and the product itself/officiating is worse now than ever. What exactly are the fans getting out of this league?

Strong effort by the Red Wings. Costly two points taken away by the officiating. What a bitter loss. Completely screwed by two clowns trying to make themselves bigger than the game itself. Won't matter though because there's no accountability in the NHL.

Pathetic. The Red Wings have been the better team by far and deserve to win. Should have been on the powerplay there, but apparently hits to the head are overlooked. Anyone that says refs don't influence the outcome in the NHL is kidding themselves.

Are you kidding me? Elbowing, interference, something there? This is a complete joke.

How is that not a penalty? Call a harmless infraction on a faceoff and ignore that. Unbelievable officiating we have been blessed with here tonight.

Bound to happen with multiple 5-on-3's to contend with. Gotta get more goals in this joke league, so we'll make stupid rules become penalties.