GoWings1905

Ales Hemsky is done for the season. I think the Wings have enough injuries to contend with, let alone making a trade for one.

They still are the highest scoring team regardless of what happened tonight. I do blame Babcock for choosing this game to give Ozzie a start. The outcome of the game wasn't going to influence my opinion on the matter.

They still lost all three games, whatever the spin needs to be. I am not trying to blame this on Howard. I am more upset with Babcock's timing to finally getting Ozzie back in. Why not at home against awful Carolina or in Dallas against a team he has played well against in his career? I find it hard to believe Jimmy suddenly needed rest after 12 consecutive starts and tonight was Babcock's ideal scenario to start Ozzie. You can't expect a goalie who hasn't played in exactly a month to not be rusty on the road against the highest scoring team in the league. If nothing else, Babcock should go back to Ozzie on Thursday because what the hell is the purpose of one start? Hardly an opportunity to prove anything or get timing back. Babcock is a terrific coach, but he has handled the goaltending situation this season very poorly.

Same here. AO fell down and somehow that was hooking? Talk about star treatment from the officials. That's crap the NBA pulls. The Bertuzzi call was fine to me. It was a dumb penalty to take 200 feet away from the goal. Bertuzzi has a knack for taking bad penalties at the worst times.

That's on Babcock. Don't play Ozzie for the first time in a month against the highest scoring team in the league on the road. It's not like Howard got the Wings wins this weekend against Dallas or Chicago.

That's some very thoughtful logic. Then how do you explain Howard starting against the Islanders and Carolina (two far weaker teams)?

Nothing personal, but you turn on the players and the team in a split second when something goes wrong. I love the Red Wings. There are players who frustrate the hell out of me, but as long as they are here, I want them to do well because I want the team as a whole to do well. Being a fan means supporting your team even when things aren't going well. Ozzie has done far too many good things in his career for the Red Wings to receive this type of treatment.

I wasn't directing that comment specifically at you. I never know when to take your comments serious. It was more at the people who only seem to show up here to bash Ozzie and then disappear or say they were fans all along when Ozzie dominates in the playoffs. That's frustrating because if Ozzie does well, the Red Wings do well. There are people here who undoubtely want to see Ozzie fail. I agree with you. I don't think using the media outlet was the best way for Ozzie to vent his frustration. Although, I disagree with Babcock's handling of the situation, the best way for Ozzie to "get his job back" is to play well starting tonight.

Good post. It's sad how quickly "fans" turn on a player that has meant so much to their team.

What purpose would that serve? Why even bother starting Ozzie tonight if the intention is to turn around and sit him for another month? So the plan is to throw Ozzie in against the best offensive team in the NHL so Babcock can either protect Howard or really stick it to Ozzie for his comments. Sad thing is, Babcock would probably embrace the idea.

How do you outplay someone from the bench? Yes, let's trade our MVP from the past two playoff runs. Quality idea. EDIT: Not to mention, why would any team want a goalie that "sucks"?

I agree with Ozzie. I find it somewhat strange Babcock decided tonight to go with Ozzie against the highest scoring team in the league as well. I don't like the way Babcock has handled the goaltender situation either. I hope Ozzie gets his chance now to string some starts together at least. It would be a pretty low move for Babcock to start Ozzie against the Capitals and go right back to Howard for another stretch. Ozzie needs some starts. People here are bitching about him and he hasn't even played in a month. How can he prove anything to the people always on his case when he is tracking face-offs on the bench for the past month? Jimmy Howard has been terrific for the Red Wings, but I still believe our playoff goalie (yes I know, they have to get there first) is Chris Osgood when the time comes. Go Ozzie! Prove the doubters wrong for the millionth time in your career.

The only posts Mackel ever makes are to rip Ozzie. The guy hasn't even played in a month and people still go out of their way to bash him. You would think the Ozzie haters would be thrilled that he NEVER plays. Oh well, they will all disappear in April again like always. Let's Go Red Wings! This is a huge week of games in the standings.

You are using the Islanders game as a measuring stick? Everyone looked pathetic that night. Ozzie came in cold, playing for the first time in almost a month. What did you expect?

Friday: Toronto @ Washington x2 Nashville @ Calgary Saturday: Chicago @ Columbus Detroit @ Dallas New Jersey @ Colorado Boston @ Los Angeles Edmonton @ San Jose Ottawa @ Montreal Buffalo @ NY Islanders Tampa Bay @ Florida Atlanta @ Carolina NY Rangers @ St Louis Minnesota @ Phoenix Pittsburgh @ Vancouver Sunday: Chicago @ Detroit Philadelphia @ Washington Montreal @ NY Rangers Calgary @ Anaheim

Chris Osgood.

Whatever. I don't see it as "suckering". Tough to prove anything sitting on the bench. Ozzie will be starting again when it matters most.

I like both of the new ideas Aussie. Thanks again for your effort in doing this every weekend. Friday: Tampa Bay @ New Jersey Colorado @ Carolina Toronto @ Buffalo NY Islanders @ Dallas Columbus @ Calgary Saturday: NY Rangers @ Boston Colorado @ Buffalo Pittsburgh @ Toronto New Jersey @ Montreal Florida @ Ottawa Tampa Bay @ Philadelphia Washington @ Atlanta Anaheim @ Nashville x2 Chicago @ Minnesota NY Islanders @ Phoenix Calgary @ Vancouver St Louis @ Los Angeles Detroit @ San Jose Sunday: Ottawa @ Carolina Dallas @ Columbus Anaheim @ Chicago

Friday: Atlanta @ Buffalo Saturday: Carolina @ NY Rangers Vancouver @ Dallas Pittsburgh @ Tampa Bay Washington @ Los Angeles Atlanta @ NY Islanders Colorado @ Columbus Toronto @ Calgary Chicago @ St Louis Anaheim @ Nashville New Jersey @ Minnesota Detroit @ Phoenix Edmonton @ San Jose Sunday: Philadelphia @ Ottawa Buffalo @ Montreal Pittsburgh @ Florida Anaheim @ Chicago

I hope the Tigers can get Valverde and salvage something from this disaster of an off-season. Another starter and a leadoff hitter especially would be nice too.

I don't think Leino's six points and healthy scratch status are going to warrant draft picks.

1. Chris Pronger 2. Sidney Crosby 3. Corey Perry 4. Patrick Kane 5. Barrett Jackass

I like May -- he fits nicely with the Red Wings and he plays his role very well for the team. However, I don't think May is second for the Red Wings in MVP so far this season. If he is, that is big trouble for the Red Wings. To me: 1. Stuart (easily and by far our best player) 2. Howard 3. Bertuzzi Honorable mention to Kronwall, who was very good before the injury.

Agreed on Eaves, Abdelkader and Miller too boosting the PK. However, you still have to give major credit to Nick and Stuart as well. Kronwall and Ericsson both kill penalties usually and both are out. Rafalski can be used on the PK, although more out of necessity than actual merit. That leaves Nick and Stuart to pick up the bulk of the PK minutes on the defensive end. Regarding taking less money, that doesn't matter right now because he is under contract. When the time comes, I am sure Nick and the Red Wings will agree to a fair deal provided Nick still wants to play.

Have you ever watched Nick Lidstrom? He's far too humble to make excuses, nor does he owe us anything regarding potential injuries. What does admitting that the elbow is bothering him prove? A reason for you to call him "done" and to retire or ESAD to blast into him as a captain? Would I like to see Nick score some goals? Absolutely. I would like to see any guy in red and white bury a few more right now. However, let's not forget he is still logging 25-30 minutes per game and the defense/penalty kill has been excellent thanks to Nick and Stuart. I'm more concerned that none of our forwards can score goals besides Homer and Bertuzzi.