VM1138

You proved my point. We have to rely on Calgary losing. What happens if they put together a 3 game winning streak? Reasonable. The Wings can't do that at this point. We would need a four game winning streak to break into the playoffs, which hasn't happened yet this year. At this rate the Wings are more likely to go 1-3 and Calgary to go something like 2-2. Guess what, perfectly reasonable for both teams, and the Wings would still be outside of the playoffs. It's fun to think 30 games is a lot of time, but it disappears quickly. The other teams don't just stop playing games.

Once again, did you miss how hard it was to get into 8th place when we were only 1 point out? It's not as easy as people think. Even if the team does get into the playoffs again (which I think they will eventually) what have we seen to make us think they can stay in it? Again, other teams are stringing wins together, the Wings ahven't had more than a 3 game winning streak all season I don't think. It's not just about the Wings. They have to rely on all the other teams to struggle now.

Remember when a breakaway, power play, two on one and wide open nets were exciting? Now it's pretty much a guarantee for a weak shot to go high and wide.

God. Of all the players to have a on a breakaway. Brad May? Jesus. Now another penalty to the Wings. The Wings must've really pissed off the hockey gods to deserve this comical season.

Exactly what have you seen this ENTIRE SEASON that makes you think this team can put together an extensive winning streak needed to stay in the playoff race easily? I think they'll make playoffs, but this attitude that "there's still plenty of time left in the season" is naive. It's not as easy as winning a few games. This team winning means nothing if the teams ahead of them keep winning. Let's say we go on a 10 game win streak. Well, if the other teams just keep playing the way they have, the Wings still will not have a substantial lead on any of the other teams, and would still be dangerously in the middle of things. So there may be 30 games left, but this team has not shown the ability to win more than what, 3 games in a row?

The other team scores on crazy bounces, straight-on shots, yet our team can't score on wide open freaking nets. What a brutal season. These past few weeks have been awful. It's like the team is getting worse each and every game while getting healthier.

Sorry, fighting can't make this team suddenly score 3 goals and also try and make a save. So tired of nothing going right with this team... But I'll still watch, fan to the end, let's go Wings!

NHL announcers always seem to make really borderline comments. If there's a way to give something awkward male on male sexual innuendo, they do it.

Osgood hasn't b een playing bad, but for some reason these type of goals are getting past him but not Howard. Bizarre. I agree though, I think he should be given the next start, just to see if he can get in a rhythm. What a brutal game so far. The only good thing is that Datsyuk and Lidstrom are on freaking fire! (Finally!)

What the hell? Does ATT not carry FSD anymore? The game isn't coming up on TV at all. The only one I can find are the reruns tomorrow. Nothing is listed for today. No channels, not in the search feature. Where is my game?! EDIT: Nevermind, not used to the uverse layout, somehow it got unselected in the channels allowed menu.

Williams was brought in because we couldn't afford anyone better and needed someone to fill a roster spot. Yes, they hoped he would score, but at least very few of the fans expected much from him. It was a low-risk chance Holland took. Being that Bertuzzi has worked out, Williams becomes a bit redundant (again, barring a great performance for the rest of the season and playoffs). Given the cap situation, I'd say Williams, Eaves, May and Bertuzzi were all roster fillers, not people we actively sought out as "the final pieces" to our team. The off-season gave the impression assembling the team was a bit hodgepodge (by necessity). And obviously Miller came along a bit later but was in the same vein. I'd say Eaves, Bertuzzi and May have worked out. Williams hasn't had much of an opportunity but there isn't much time left for him to make a mark.

It's time for Osgood for several reasons, none of which have to do with Howard's play: 1) Howard needs a break sometime, and a back to back after a brutal loss is a good time to give him one. 2) Osgood needs to start sometime, might as well be now, when the Wings are doing a lot of things right but need some sort of change to alter their hockey luck.

I don't know what to think. I certainly feel better about this team now than I did a month or two ago. I'm seeing the old Wings team from the last three seasons, I think. But for some reason, it's just not clicking. I held off posting until I cooled off, but I'm still baffled. How can four consecutive games (and five of the last six) end up with blown leads, almost all 2 goal leads? When it was 4-2 it seemed all but locked up, and then all of a sudden, it's over and the Wings lost. I can't explain it. I know at least the last goal came from the Wings yet again not covering their man, but other than that I'm not sure what to say. The only real flaws I see with this team right now are the brutal powerplay and occasionally not covering a man. Certainly the team is better off than it was, but why aren't the wins following the improved play? It's almost a waste of time to watch the games now, because no matter how good the game is going, it's almost inevitable (it seems) that they will lose (or scrape a shootout win). I can't really fault anyone in this game, except for Ericsson blatantly letting Doan slip in front of the net for the final goal. But maybe it's time for Osgood. Not a judgement on Howard, who played huge, but if Osgood doesn't work out, the Wings will just have to play from behind which might give them better odds of winning at this point. Howard needs a break at some point, might as well do it now. But at least the Wings got a point. It's enough to cling to 8th for now, but they need to be getting 2 point games soon to prevent from missing playoffs by a point.

I'd rather keep Meech as well. Since we won't be doing any trades, I imagine Lebda and/or May (if we need to clear more space, I haven't crunched the numbers) will be let go. I feel bad letting May go, he's been good for us, but we've got to make room somehow and Miller has just proven too valuable.

Win it for Kronwall.

Barring a record breaking playoffs, Williams and Leino will be gone. I guess I agree with what you've said here. Both Leino and Williams are essentially useless. Williams was just cheap roster filler.

I'm not so sure on all of them. Williams, for instance. I know people think because he's right handed he'll make our PP better, but I'm hard pressed to believe that he'll be more effective than say, Eaves or Miller has been. He may rack up a few more points, but his work ethic will be about half as much as anyone we lose to bring him back.

I'd hate to see Yzerman anywhere else, but if he wants to be a GM (he's earned it, or is in the process of earning it) he pretty much has to go elsewhere. Holland has been doing amazing and if Yzerman feels he's ready to go out on his own before Holland is ready to step down, he'll go elsewhere. I guess the next best thing is to hope he doesn't go to a craphole like Tampa, but that he doesn't go to a team that's so good they could beat the Wings for the Cup. EDIT: And to those of you who doubt Yzerman's skills, I guess he's been heavily involved (not just watching) in major decisions and development since he joined the front office. THat's not to say he'd be an amazing GM, but he COULD be.

How do you figure he wouldn't? The Wings had so many close calls that Franzen would have scored on. They need to work on keeping teams down, but I still have a good feeling about this team. Unbelievable loss, but at least we're still in 8th...for now. No more losses, though, okay Wings?

Didn't he also say that Lilja would be practicing, not just skating? Implication is that he'd be practicing more than he already has been, and was aiming to return next week.

You guys, Redmond isn't a blogger, he's not going to say something because he read it on a fansite somewhere. He talks to the players every day. I thought he was going to say that Lilja aimed to be back before playoffs or something, which was cool, but instead he said next week. Amazing!

I'm all for the support of Howard, I myself have been singing his praises. But let's not forget an important fact: Howard is a goalie. Every single year there are hot young goalies who everyone predicts will be the next great goalie. And then they disappaer and at best end up mediocre. So let's enjoy Howard's play while it lasts, and hope it always does, but let's not get our hopes up.

The nice thing about finally being in 8th is that the Wings control their destiny. They don't have to count on other teams losing in order to make playoffs (as long as they're in 8th or higher anyway), they just have to win to stay there. I think this is much better than trying to fight their way into 8th. And yes, we put together a good streak and any other team hits a rough patch we could rise quickly. Downside is we could fall quickly, too. But I see the Wings improving and I think they will be one of those teams that surge late in the season. I absolutely think 4th is within reach.

Riiiight...

You can't play Stuart and Rafalski so low, we need them to go up against the big guys. A lot of Big E's mistakes come beacuse Lebda was out of position or were flukes. He's played well for a rookie overall. Our D is just a little out of balance, which could be corrected by bringing Janik up. Which is why I think we'll see Janik up next year and Lebda and/or Meech will be gone. Lidstrom (Hopefully)-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Janik/Kindl And if Lidstrom retires: Kronwall-Stuart/Defensive D-man Defensive D-Man/Stuart-Rafalski Ericsson-Janik/Kindl