wings_fanatic

I was at the game tonight, and I got to say I was very disappointed with the boys' effort as a team. There seemed to be little energy in their game, they were not skating, and they kept giving the puck away all night. - Zetterberg was playing fantastic with Fil and Huds since the all star break, then because Pavs is injured Babs puts Hank on the top line... this needs to change asasp because Hank has been quiet, and Franzen has been TERRIBLE - Speaking of Franzen, he had a downright pathetic game tonight. Every single shift he was simply drifting. He gave the puck away all the time, never in position to shoot and in our end he kept leaving his defensive position at the point allowing the Nucks Dmen to take many shots. He was imo the worse player on the ice tonight and this was one of the worst games I have ever seen him play. - I thought Nick had a fantastic game, Kronners had a great game and Quincy was fantastic tonight as well. Congrats to him for his goal. - Babcock needs to fix the powerplay... regardless of not having Pavs it needs to be better than that. - Jimmy was fantastic. With all that said, the Wings managed to get a point and remain first for now, but they need to work some things out. I know it is going to be hard for them to win consistently without Pavs, but they need a better effort than these past 2 games. There are points in the season where every team deals with some adversity, and this is one of those points for hte Wings... in the long run this will help. Lets hope the Wings regroup and get going Saturday night.

Guys Babcock was referring to the powerplay units when he was talking about who Nick is going to play with. He said he has not decided if White will stay with Nick on the top Powerplay unit or if Kronners will take White's place. SO Babs said that the defense units for the powerplay units will either be: Lidstrom- White Quincy- Kronwall Lidstrom- Kronwall Quincy- White Even strength everything remains the same. Hope that clears it up.

I would like to see Jimmy start in Chicago Tuesday and give the start against the Nucks to Mac. Jimmy will likely be rusty his first couple games so, as dumb as it sounds, I don't want to jeapardize our home streak to start a rusty goalie... I would rather Mac play against the Nucks. As said, Mac should really continue to play until he loses because he simply deserves it.

Great game between 2 great teams. My only 2 problem today was the refs and the top 2 lines. I am still calling for Pavs and Hank to play together because the top 2 lines just do not have energy and are not establishing much pressure the past few games. Nonetheless another win and an outstanding performance on the D side of the puck from everyone on the Wings. Now the refs. I don't know why but it feels that anytime we play the Sharks or the Hawks we ALWAYS get the short end of calls and, more importantly, we get called for garbage, while they get away with obvious penalties consistently. For example, in the 3rd period the refs missed 2 CLEAR high sticks by the sharks which should have been penalties. The argument to that is the game is a fast paced game so it is easy to miss that, but my argument is that how did the refs manage to see that "interference" on Franzen even though it did not even happen? Simply put, I am sick and tired of the refs playing too much of a role in our games against the Sharks the past few seasons.

Bill Mcceary retired last year unfortunately...

While the Wings deserved most of their penalties, the refs are missing quite a few easy calls that should have been made against the Sharks (such as the hit from behind on Datsyuk). I cannot believe how the Sharks get favored EVERYTIME against the Wings. In saying that, the Wings need more intensity next period because Joey Mac is the only reason we are ahead still. I still am questioning these lines because they have been utter crap last game, and this game in this combo... Babcock needs to wake the hell up and PUT PAVS AND HANK TOGETHER!! That will allow us to take over the game in the 3rd!

First of all, I am not surprised by that penalty call on Bert... dont forget the refs always favor the Sharks against the Wings... remember 2010 playoffs. Anyways as for the game, the Wings played decent in the first, but I think that they can be a lot better than that. The top line did nothing for me. I do not understand why Babcock is so damn hard headed... he put Datsyuk and Zetterberg together last game and that was the only reason we won the game... but then he goes back to the same stale lines for this game. The Red Wings have been playing well in our own zone, but our problem is that we cannot get any good pressure or scoring chances because the lines are stale! Babcock needs to keep Pavs and Hank together!

I am pretty sure the game is on NBC not NBCSN. Anyways, this should be a great game. Hopefully the Wings come motivated and prepared to beat a good Sharks team that has had our number as of late. As I have said countless times, in order to be successful against the Sharks, we need more than Pavs, Nick and Hank to show up... we need a TEAM EFFORT. Hopefully Babs keeps Pavel and Hank together I loved that and they should stay that way. GO WINGS!

That was a terribly played game by the Wings imo... if they play like this on Sunday against the Sharks we will be losing to them once again. Besides Datsyuk, Lidstrom and Zetterberg this team was lazy and sluggish all night long. They were not moving their feet, their passing was way off and they were getting no offensive pressure. Then with 10 minutes to go in the 3rd period Babcock FINALLY put Pavel and Hank together and that was the game changer imo. Every shift they were out together they dominated and Pavel had about 4 really good scoring chances, along with the Kronwall chances where he missed the net. Long story short, I have been calling for them to play together for a long time and Babcock hopefully keeps them together. They simply dominate and take over games together and know where each other are at all times to make awesome plays. Some other notes: - Kindl better be sitting next game for Commie because that giveaway on the goal was unacceptable. - Joey Mac is playing amazing and deserves to stay in Detroit... the team is really confident in front of him. - Franzen needs to stop playing such a lazy overall game because it is really frustrating. Can't wait until Sunday because the Wings SHOULD be prepared for the Sharks to let them know that they will no longer fall victim to them... for that to happen we need the ENTIRE TEAM to show up, not just Pavs, Hank and Nick.

The Hawks are just lucky King Henrik took the night off tonight or this game would still be tied. Those early goals King Henrik would have had but because they all went in it killed the Rangers for the night. Kudos to the Hawks for taking advantage though, we all know what it feels like to win the first game after a long losing streak.

He fell awkwardly after Erikson hit him along the boards. This sucks for Hank, but I don't think it will keep him out too long. I don't think it will affect his production either because he is a good player in big games, always has been, and I anticipate he will come back and continue to play with confidence. I think it is very important for teams to face a little challenge throughout the season because, in the long run, it will make the team that much better. Nonetheless, I think the Wings will continue to win, Pavel will get more playing time and Pavel consistently lifts his game when Hank is not playing so I am not too worried.

I agree that Hank should have been one of the stars ... he was simply outstanding tonight! Boy that all star break really energized him and he looks wonderful out there. Nick, Pavs and Hank should have been the stars. I am thrilled with the win, but I still think they can be way better offensively and get more shots on net. Nonetheless what an honor it is for us to be able to cheer for this wonderfully skilled team. I am so proud to be a Red Wings fan. On a side note, what a game by Nick tonight. He completely shut down the Flyers every single shift... he was breaking up rushes, stick always in the right place, shooting and that beauty touch pass to Franzen. IMO this game showed again why he is STILL the best Dman in the league. Gotta love Nick- - my favorite player ever! Now... Tuesday.

screw Franzen imo Hank should still be our sniper. He was our sniper in 2008 when he played with Pavs all year and we won the Cup. Franzen playing with Pavs is a waste of time because Franzen is so freakin lazy. I want hank playing with pavs because that way he gets SET UP all the time and since the all star break, Hank looks like his old self.

I was not happy with the first period. The top 2 lines continue to have no chemestry with one another, but Babcock continues to play them together... I HATE that he takes so long to finally change things up but for the love of god take Franzen off of Datsyuk's line!! Franzen is playing pretty bad right now, giving the puck away and just kind of floating around. Other than that, I hope the lines get changed up a bit and the Wings do a better job gaining Philly zone and cycling the puck and getting chances on net. So far they gain the zone, shoot the puck and then Philly clears it... we need PRESSURE!

I am kind of disappointed by Babcock continuing to keep the top 2 lines the same because they clearly have become very stale the last couple of games. WIth that said, if things go good tonight at the start with his lines then all the power to him. But if they remain looking stale I would like to see them switched up a bit. I really want Pavs and Hank to play together, but clearly Babcock does not want to right now so maybe he should try: Filpulla- Datsyuk- Bertuzzi : I think Fil and Pavs work so well together and Bert creates space... this would also force Pavs to shoot the puck more than he has been. Franzen- Zetterberg- Hudler : Franzen and Hank work well together in the past and this line was very good in the past so could spark energy. Either way I think that some new lines are necessary and if Babs refuses to play the Eurotwins together, this may be the best bet until the trade deadline.

No if we got Selanne then it provides us with the ability to finally play Pavs and Hank together every single game. I think the lines would and should be: Zetterberg- Datsyuk- Bertuzzi (Hank is energized now and Pavel has been good most the season, and Bert has worked real well with Pavs) Selanne- Filpulla- Franzen (Fil and Selanne would be great together and Franzen would add to the line... this would be the best 2nd line in the NHL) Cleary- Helm- Hudler Mursak- Abdelkator- Miller Lidstrom- White Kronners- Stu Ericsson- Commie - I don't think it would cost as much as ppl think for Selanne because everyone knows he is going to retire after this season and if he goes to the Ducks to ask to be traded to the Wings, I dont think it will cost us too much. - I think getting Selanne will win us the Cup.

I don't know what game you watched but it was far from entertaining. The Wings sustained little to no pressure for most of the game, they apparently do not have a powerplay that can score goals and had Franzen figure skating around all night. To me an exciting game is 2 teams getting their chances, but the Wings controlling the play minimizing the other team's chances while sustaining most of the pressure. Their passing is to be crisp, and have ability to quickly go from offence to defence. This game was far from that, and thus not entertaining at all until the overtime period.

You can complain all you want about the reffing but I thought Dan Ohalloran did a good job reffing tonight. Yah he called a lot of penalties, but he was CONSISTENT with his calls. He called a strict game for both teams and I am okay with that. I would obviously prefer refs to be lenient with calls for both teams but how many times do we have games where calls are one-sided and inconsistent. As I have said many times, Dan Ohalloran is one of the most consistent refs in the league.

Great game by Joey Mac!! He is really growing on me- - he never gives up on a play. Other than that, I thought the Wings played like crap tonight. They were solid on our own zone, but offensively they were lousy and had no pressure. I think it is time for Babs to switch the top 2 lines because clearly they have NO CHEMESTRY lately. The one problem Babs has is he waits too long to switch lines... someone needs to tell him to switch things up to get new energy and flow. Specifically Franzen and White and Ericsson were all BRUTAL tonight. Franzen was lazy all night and was the worst player on the ice imo and is slowing Pavs down. Ericsson gave the puck away too much and White was fighting the puck, but I am sure White will make up for it. Also, for the love of god Babcock needs to get the freakin POWERPLAY GOING!!! OMG it is so frustrating to watch! White shoots way too much on the Powerplay so I want him on the 2nd unit and have Kronners with Nick. But the players need to get open for GOOD SHOTS. All in all they found a way to win, and that is what the best teams do. Hopefully Babs makes some improvements and keep moving forward.

Lines should be Datsyuk- Zetterberg- Bert (Paavs wrist is obviously bugging him and Hank has been playing great, pavs can help him get some goals and Bert creates open ice) Franzen- Fil- Hudler

On a side note here is something that I find kind of funny and coincidence. On February 10th, 2008 the Ducks played the Wings at the Joe and Dan Ohalloran was the ref. In the final minute of play, the Wings were down 3-2 and Nick scored a goal to tie it, but Dan O called the goal off due to goalie interference. Today is February 10th, 2012 and Dan Ohalloran is the ref for this game as well. Tonight he called a Ducks goal off due to goalie interference. Hopefully this time it means that the Wings come out on top.

Boy Hank looks good again tonight. IMO the top 2 lines have no energy together... they are having trouble sustaining offensive pressure. I would like to see them switched up to create some energy and some better shots on net. We are not getting any good chances on Hiller so maybe Babs should load up Pavs and Hank. Also, Ericsson had another crap period. Nick is due for a goal though I think he is gonna get one in the 3rd.

Yah but White did not give it to the other team. Ericsson put it along the boards to where NO ONE was! He is constantly giving the puck away and it costed us there.

Wings got lazy as the period went on imo. - Ericsson sucks. I am sorry but I hate him and think he is a big waste of money. He is the sole reason the Ducks scored by his dumb giveaway along the boards. - If this lazy play continues Id like to see Babs mix up the top 2 lines to get some chemestry going. - I agree with the refs on the 1st and 3rd penalty calls, but that call on Hank was invisible... the Ducks did way more interfering that period and got away with it. IMO we are owed a few calls in the 2nd period.

I had no doubt in my mind that Nick would come back one more year if we do not win the Cup. But now, if we win the Cup this year, I think this will be a big reason for him coming back yet again. He is still playing at an elite level and is the best dman in the game still imo, this team is still very good (and Kenny will have lots of cap space in the offseason to ADD to this team to make it even better), and of course the outdoor game next year. I think all these factors wight in on Nick coming back another year regardless. Also, he takes his family into consideration every year and I would think his family would be pretty excited for this and would want to see Nick involved as the Red Wings captain one more year.