GMRwings1983

Here's the problem. Those teams that upset us in 2003, 2004 and 2006 didn't just do it with hot goaltending. They did it with tight checking, physical defense and hard work. They also limited their mistakes. This team doesn't do any of those other things well, even if Mrazek plays amazing.

We need Ottawa to win, because we'll never beat Carey Price. Of course, we'll have a tough enough time against Tampa. Should be an interesting series with so much pressure (as usual) on Montreal with that fanbase.

So wait, who's playing the 8 seed? I'm confused Bettman.

The number 2 seed versus the 6 seed? What a stupid system.

Don't remind me. Everytime I think of this, I remember 2009 and what could have been.

That's what I was going to say. Good thing there's still the postseason left to change everyone's minds (hopefully).

Good choice. I'll never forget Smiths 2013 playoffs, where it looked like he was playing for the other team every night.

Here's the scary thing. Espn currently shows them last in powerplay percentage and penalty killing percentage. I believe that hasn't been done since the infamous 1975 Capitals team.

Any chance we can call up Robin Big Snake just for this irrelevant game?

I think most people here who complain do stick with the team through think and thin. Otherwise, they'd stop posting, because they'd have stopped watching this mediocre team by now. The fact that they post means they still watch and care. Then again, the two greatest philosophers in history were both pessimists, so I'm all for it.

Even Brett Lebda must have been shaking his head yesterday at Smith's play. He has been a disappointment, but so have many of our defensemen. Ericsson has regressed, Quincey is still Quincey, Dekeyser's can't score goals to save his life and Kindl is benched. There are times when I wonder whether Kronwall is shooting at the net, or shooting at that other net...............you know, the one hanging above the boards and behind the goal. We might have some promising prospects, but they haven't played that much. Zidlicky has been good, but he's not the future. Overall, this defensive corps is weak. They don't score a lot of goals, they don't move the puck well out of the zone and they make a lot of foolish mistakes. Smith is just part of the problem. Yes, he was supposed to be our greatest prospect years ago, but those things don't always pan out. Maybe that's where everyone's greatest frustration about him stems from.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

We? Please don't drag me into this.

Can we just agree that none of the mods here are "real fans"? I mean, Harold is a Kings fan/slappy and the rest of the mods never post anymore. Obviously, they couldn't handle the mediocrity of this team.

Not surprising really. They weren't a high seed the last few years even when they got in. Maybe they'll take the regular season seriously for a change.

A real fan is someone who wants the team to win and is at least somewhat annoyed when they don't. That's it. That's the bare minimum of being a fan. Anything extra doesn't make someone less of a fan. I wish some of the numbskulls who have argued otherwise over the years would understand that.

I figured you were hiding because the goaltending was too poor to defend.

We're basically an 8 seed that doesn't check and doesn't have hot goaltending. Where were these teams back when we were top seeds in 2003, 2004 and 2006?

You're more than welcome to join your buddy Crymson if you hate it here so much. Just enjoy the negativity. The positive posters are boring anyway.

I feel like Howard is playing 1980's style goaltending in an era where everyone else is great and has low GAA.

It feels better than not making it, but Howard just s***s on everyone's parade. Smith can be easily replaced, but we don't have any goalies right now who can help us in the playoffs with this defense.

The Wings need to check Smith's bank account to see if any large deposits came in recently (not from the organization)

Babcock and Smith were just seen in the locker room by the press.

Oh look, our resident goalie that doesn't fault goalies for anything.

You're only about two months too late.