VM1138

Let's give props to one of the heroes of this game: Brendan Smith has gone from goat to freaking anchor. Superior mobility, speed, puck handling...he's finally emerged as someone we can count on. Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

I love how playoff series shift all the time. Now, Boston is going to play with even more of an edge in Game 2. Another Wings can't let up. So many moving parts and possibilities. One thing is for sure: its always better to be the team with the lead Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Holy crap. My God. Holy jumpin'. Best played game of the year by far. It was perfect. Magnificent. Terrifying. Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Put Alfredsson with Datsyuk. Also, I'm worried about makeup calls. If Boston starts getting some even-up calls it'll be late in the game with little time to catch up if they score. Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Longer this goes scoreless the more nervous I get. They're playing great, but we've seen them lose games on flukey bounces late before. We need one of these bounces to go in. Franzen is the only player I think didn't show up. Everyone else is playing great defensive hockey. Datsyuk and Alfredsson need more chances, but the ones they've had have been good. Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Disagree. Best way is to dodge out of the way of the hits. Get them out of position. Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Look pretty good. Puck is bouncing like crazy. Rask giving up juicy rebounds, but we have to crash the net. This is where Jurco and Sheahan can shine. They're being cute and I'm not sure its working. They need someone crashing to scoop up the rebounds. Both teams look strong. Detroit weathered the storm really well. Great team defense and man coverage. Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

That's hysterical and spot-on. There should've been more thinly veiled erotic language, though. I've never heard anyone talk about big bodies, big sticks, squirting, or generally obsess over the physique of athletes he talks to. Also, should have tried to molest the guy he's talking to, haha.

I think if we win any game it'll be tonight. Everyone Is rested, the Bruins have problems starting series, and our kids must be so amped up. My only concern is something a player said about their strategy being "weather the storm" at first. Bad idea. Our defense is too weak to let Boston set the pace. I want to see us start the kid line and set Boston on their heels. Better to play with the advantage than sit back and hope an opening presents itself.

Looking at the point leaders, I'm surprised at how evenly matched the two teams are. Adjusting for games missed due to injury, they're about equal.

Yup. Holland will say "better the devil we know" and throw cash at him. Scary thought. With the free agent pool so weak I don't see a way Holland doesnt overpay, thus hurting us doubly. Our only hope is for Quincey to walk away to a team in a sunnu climate with no pressure. Or to go back to the Avs. He liked it there.

I didn't see the dates on the post, it took me a few before I figured out. I thought there was some new kid named Staal that I had just somehow missed, and I couldn't figure out how so many would be willing to trade Datsyuk. Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Sheesh, now I know odds are Boston beats Detroit, but a sweep? It's almost like these people haven't watched the Wings since October.

So mixed...on the one hand it's good that he tried to lock down a good defenseman to address that hole. But how did Holland plan on replacing the holes in scoring depth?

I think these two teams are more evenly matched than people realize. It's hard to tell because the Wings have been in a constant state of flux. Between injuries and player's improvements, it's hard to know what we are looking at. We all agree our weak link is defense, but really Quincey and Smith have improved. As long as that continues, the only weak spot is our third pairing. Limit their minutes or try Sproul or Oullet. Babcock's coaching will be key to keeping them off of dangerous ice. They better practice quick lone changes. And then Howard. Who knows which one will show up. We only need to grab a couple early in the series. Win Game 1 and 3 (2 is an afternoon NBC game so It's a loss) and then hang on until Z returns. Once you break it all down it's not so scary. I know thay Boston has a playoff mode, but we do, too. Also, a lot of our "ifs" are likely. Howard can play good, as can Smith. Plus, this series is ripe for someone like Tatar to break out. His style of play can really help us and makes us more dynamic. And Sheahan could have a Cleary/Helm kind of series.

Honestly what's the harm in letting them play in playoffs? They wouldnt be the first black aces to play in the playoffs before getting much regular season time. And even with rookie Inexperience they're better than Kindl. Might not hurt to rotate one In for a game and see how they do. I don't think it would crush their confidence if they had a bad game.

Don't forget our X-Factor: Johan Franzen. If he shows up for even two or three games, the Wings can win. Way I see it is the Wings just have to hang at .500 until Z gets back. Even if he's still not 100% Boston will have to match against him, freeing up Nyquist or the kids. We know the Wings can hang in there. They've done it all season long. Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Neither will see playoffs. This is purely to rest players.

I'm not worried about Boston's size or physically. It's conventional to worry about that, but this team is rarely defeated due to being outhit or outmuscled. I do worry about Ask. The Wings are easy to shut down because they're not overly creative with their shots. Their offense is very predictable. Fleury could be amazing, or he could suck. We could rattle him and have a history against him. At least we have a 50/50 chance there. But playing the Pens is always painful because of the Crosby love, and the fact that if anything lucky or miraculous happens it's usually on their side. Nothing I can prove, things just often work out for them. Then again, they haven't been good in the playoffs since 2009. Whereas we always give our opponents a run for their money. I'm just worried about our very straightforward style of offense. Lob a shot into the offensive zone, reset, do it again, take a bad angle shot from the boards with a soft and slow shot, repeat. If we set up, pass to the point, cycle, weak shot wide of the net, pass back to the point, maybe throw in a weak shot from the boards, repeat. When I with other teams I'm always surprised with how much faster and harder those players shoot than the Wings.

All I know is that if we do end up losing, I'd rather lose to the Bruins. I just hate seeing Pittsburgh succeed with their diving, whining and knowing smirks. But if we win, I'd much rather the Wings beat the Pens into the ice.

I don't think they need rest, but I'm terrified of more injuries to close the season.

Why the Leafs, Shanny? That just feels wrong.

Just to back up what Harold said, the other Tennessee thread was closed because it was political. Politics don't belong on this particular forum. But this IS a General Discussion forum and any hockey topic is welcome provided there isn't another forum already (like Trade Rumors, Prospects, etc.). In fact, the wider we cast our net for discussions the more interesting we become.

I would argue Malkin has been more dangerous to the Wings than Crosby. I don't know their point totals vs the Wings but Crosby always seems to struggle against us. Malkin doesn't as much. I do worry about him.

They played like it, too. I hope it was just that they were playing Buffalo and didn't take them seriously, and that the pressure to win is lessening now that we're so close to the playoffs. Every player looked slow and uninterested. Even Datsyuk looked like he didn't care. The lines had no chemistry.I hope it was just a fluke off game. That's how I feel. If we lose the first round, I'd rather lose to Boston. But I think Pittsburgh might be a better match for the Wings. But losing to the Pens would be far more humiliating given our past rivalry.