VM1138

I'm not so sure about the Wings being complacent. At the end of the game as they were walking down the hall, Datsyuk hacks his stick against the wall or the floor I'm pretty sure. It was kind of hard to see but I noticed it.

Me, too. This place tends to panic. I'm concerned and definitely frustrated, but I won't be panicking unless we have to play a Game 7. And even then the panic won't be because I think we'll lose, just that the uncertainty will be nearly unbearable, heh. So, no, no panic. Just concern and hope.

I noticed it, too. T here was no consistent pressure in front of the net. For the most part they would take shots from the blue line or go into the corners and cough up the puck. The most disturbing trend is their sudden inability to force the play in the offensive zone and their inability to hold onto the puck when it hits the boards. They'll get their crap together. For certain Babcock is telling them to risk the interference calls and no-goals, just to get back some form.

The Wings are in trouble. Yes. But I still think they will pull this off. But the one thing that concerns me more than the lack of scoring or the defensive breakdowns...and please, someone tell me if they noticed this too. They are taking more cheap shots, playing scared hockey. They don't know if they're coming or going. Draper's cross-check to..Ribs I think it was? was unnecessary. Homers hit on the bench was stupid and unnecessary. I haven't seen them act this bizarre in a long time. Not this season for sure. They better knock it off and get back to playing hockey.

Turco wasn't amazing. He didn't exactly face stellar shots. Hard to challenge him with soft shots from the point through six bodies. They need for sustained pressure at the net.

Cleary has been gold defensively. Maybe that's the problem though. A little too much defense and not enough offense? I'm not panicking. The Wings have what it takes and will get it together. But I do think something does need to change, just to mix things up. We do need secondary scoring. I think it comes down to giving certain players different amounts of ice time. We won't alter Sammy's playing time, but that's the biggest necessary change.

Yeah, well, I think this series especially, past stats are irrelevent or canceled out.

Here we go guys. Send your positive thoughts!

It'll come. I was pretty frustrated myself but I've hit some level of patient zen...at least for now. All it takes is one more goal to even it up and change the game entirely. One shot. One opportunity. One faceoff. Can happen at anytime and will happen early I think.

I don't think they owe is anything. They screwed up. We can't use that as a crutch. I want us to blitz Turco and win on our own terms, without the refs help.

I think the key to the 3rd will be to come out strong immediately and forecheck the crap out of Dallas. Throw them off and take advantage.

Bad reffing or not, it doesn't change the outcome of the game andi n the end only the final score matters. Wings will win this series, and probably this game. I have faith in their skill and experience. Expect the unexpected to happen. i.e. a fluke goal sparking the Wings or some other crazy play.

We've b een in this situation before, guys. All it takes is one goal to change the game. We've seen how this team transforms when given the chance. It's just that with all the blocked shots, they don't know what to expect or what to do. I predict a goal early in the 3rd that rallies the Wings back to playing their game. It's going to be tough, but they just need to take the wind out of Dallas a little. Break Turco down. Of course we're concerned, but let's not panic, plenty of time, plenty of skill, the Wings can and will deliver.

Never fear folks. I changed out of my Chelios jersey and am now wearing the 1992 vintage jersey. Last time I did this was Game 5 in the Nasvhille series. This jersey is good luck! If we win I fully expect to get the credit.

Wow, so in the early days of WW2 a hockey lost. It's not like it was this year's Wings, or even close to it. Hardly realistic to say it'll happen again. The Wings will win this series, but they have to want it. Right now they're hardly trying. We've seen this story before, expect a totally dominating 3rd period by the Wings.

ENOUGH WITH THE ******* TURNOVERS AND NEAR TURNOVERS. Seriously, what happened to our puck possession? Dallas is breaking us ever every which way from Sunday.

It's hardly realistic to say that a team will come back after being down 0-3. It's possible, but I'd hardly call that realistic.

Don't blame the reffing. They wouldn't have the opportunity to make stupid calls if the defense didn't break down so often... I repeat: I Feel a Wings goal coming very soon.

Enough with the breakdowns. And the Wings don't look nearly hungry enough. There's no hustle in their game. We just need to tie it up. I feel a goal coming very soon!

Eventually it'll click. We just really want Detroit to win it NOW instead of stretching out the series.

I have faith we can come backa nd win this game, but damn. Don't they look slow? And Ozzie has to be better. And hey, setting up a play that doesn't get blocked might be nice.

Wait a minute....Vernon didn't win the Cup in '98... I hate it when sports writers are...well...dumb. Osgood has been solid, even in his Islander days. He's not a shoe-in for the HOF, but his stats would say he should certainly be considered.

I don't think Sammy plays sloppy. He just has terrible timing. If he has the puck there's pretty much a guarantee he shoots it into an obviously flopping defenseman or straight into the chest protector.

I noticed there's a little less cockiness thsi time around on these boards. I know it really doesn't affect anything, but call me superstitious. Tough, tough game. D allas is playing better, they are confident, but in the long run, I think the Wings secondary scoring will step it up. I mean, heck, even without them the last game could've been a 3-3 tie. Anyways, I feel good about the game, but also nervous. Anything can happen, but I think the Wings are sufficiently awake now.

You know the weirdest thing? I've been a Wings fan since '97 and follow them religiously, yet I can't seem to remember how Sammy even ended up on this team. It's like...one day he was just here and we can't seem to get rid of him. He seems to become more important the worse he plays. When Nick retires Sammy will be captain. Mark my words.