VM1138

'98 rematch!

Rain during the game is like rain or snow during a football game. People love that stuff. It just adds a new, unpredictable element. I don't see why bad weather means there shouldn't be a Winter Classic.

Nobody else thinks it's kind of cool how terrible the ice is? I mean, I've never seen a professional game played in rain before. It's an experience. Sure, it's bad for the actual ongoing play, but it's kind of neat, nonetheless.

I think the '09 Classic was by far the best, and it seems most hockey fans consider it so as well. I think the reason I quit watching this game was the announcing. They're not even being overwhelmingly pro-Crosby, they're just so terrible I had to stop. At one point Pierre got all excited to explain how Washington was using hand warmers and "I haven't checked with them yet, but I'm sure Pittsburgh is, too!" Earth-shattering. I put up with them during the playoffs and on weekend games, but I really can't stand NBC's announcers and as good as the game was I have better things to do than listen to them ramble on.

Does Anaheim know they eventually have to ice a team that can actually play hockey and not just a bunch of goons?

It's fun watching the outdoors games, and I only caught the 2nd. At the beginning of the period the Caps really lacked any motivation it looked like. They were giving up on chases for the puck and not trying too hard to knock the puck out of Pittsburgh sticks. I was having fun but for some reason totally lost interest in this intermission. I don't know why. I'm done watching it I guess, it's really weird. Just sort of...stopped watching, but I didn't think it was a bad game.

Vancouver is a big game, and you want to take every game seriously, but honestly, if we lose and they tie us with a game in hand, is that the end of the world? We're not even halfway through the season quite yet. Sure, it'd be nice to be way ahead of everyone, but people act like we're suddenly mediocre if they tie us with a game in hand.

Do people make big plans on New Years Day night? I don't think that has anything to do with it. But switching a game time when it's hard enough to find an audience is probably not going to help ratings. Good, let Pittsburgh and Washington bomb.

He even turns to show the crowd the winged wheel. I don't know if we should read so deep into it and say it's a sign of "the logo on the front, not the name on the back," but it's possible. He was probably just excited and wanted to grab onto something. We've never heard of him being hard to play with, I just got really excited when he did. We could use somebody who shows emotion.

Yes, and he looked fantastic!

Tatar was amazing. Had a great first shift, and he was knocking down Islanders left and right every other shift. The kid is like a dog going after a bone when he's on the ice, always chasing down the puck. I like Mursak, too but Tatar looked great when he was out there, earned himself another game for sure.

This isn't college football. Just because the Flyers beat the Kings, a team Detroit has trouble against, doesn't mean Detroit can't beat Philly. Hockey is a game where any team can win on any given night, and it usually is a random pattern. The Wings have always had more trouble with the crappy teams than with the elite. Does that blow your mind?

Howard had a fine game. It's frustrating he can't give up fewer than 4 goals most of the time now, but that last goal wasn't his fault, he was in motion and I've seen many goalies give that goal up consistently. Still, Osgood has been playing well and I think he should get more starts so I hope they go with him.

This will be the first time ever seeing Tatar for me, I guess this probably indicates that Mursak and Tartar will be the first prospects to make the leap to the NHL in the next year or two, eh?

They'll want picks, because they'll only get sub-par players for their price range.

A brutal month, and there was a two week stretch or so where the wheels seemed to be coming off, but they've gotten things under control. As long as they don't let the Islanders surprise them I'll call December a "holding pattern." Even with a mediocre record, they are still essentially first in the league, they held off the competition, though they lost some ground.

Eaves will score 20 this season, barring injury, though. He's quick and generates activity in the offensive zone. Cleary is a special case, so I won't call him the next Cleary, but I think if given the chance he could reliably be a 20 goal guy in the future when a spot opens up.

It's like we have multiple Brett Hull's out there. I love that they're finally taking one-timers, it seems like we hardly ever see that anymore from the Wings. That's why I think we need to lock up Eaves, he does them well and has a rocket of a shot. People always talk about putting Modano or Ericsson on the point on the power play, but it never pans out. What about Eaves? He has that shot and he's defensively responsible. Also, I think Draper needs to get some attention here. The guy has been great since he came back. A little quiet some of the time, but not hurting the team at all, and lately he's been taking those wicked one-timers in front of the net.

I agree with you and the other guy who mentioned this. They asked Stuart to change his style of play a bit and he's adjusting. It makes sense that he would be out of position more frequently because of that. He'll adjust, or if he doesn't they'll put him back to his old style of play. They're auditioning for Lidstrom's replacement.

I'll take Boumeester or Iginla, Iginla for cheap and Bouwmeester for Hudler, straight up, haha.

My God Mursak has got some wheels. He may be faster than Helm. Last night he just blew right past a Colorado player to get to the puck. I like his intensity. Played well for his first NHL game and though he didn't get a point I can easily see him getting 3-4 points or so in his stint up here, which is nothing to sneeze at from a call-up. He seems perfect for a speedy energy line, and could produce with the chances they could force.

Been watching clips of Ozzie's awesomeness over the years. Despite a rough start (that second goal was terrible) Ozzie was the reason the Wings won this game. If not for him they would have been blown out. That second period was out of this world. Way to go Ozzie!

Really don't like him, but anyone in this situation deserves support. Good for him for recognizing a problem and attempting to control it. Good luck to him.

Probably going to miss this one tonight, have some family stuff. So pull out the win, Wings!

That was the year I was born. Sorry guys, I guess I caused a disturbance that unsettled them that season!