wings_fanatic

I want Ericson benched I cannot stand him anymore. I don't know if Babcock needs to be hit in the head with a brick or something, but PLAY RAFALSKI WITH LIDSTROM it works best for the entire team! D pairings should be Lidstrom- Rafi, Kronners- Stu , Salai- Kindl Also I thought Modano had a really good period and was the best forward out there for the Wings, which was nice to see. He created some good chances, did not give up on plays and was good on the D side, and scored a goal. On the other hand, I thought Hank and Cleary were BRUTAL that period so hopefully that changes for the rest of the game. Simply put, this better be the last game we have to watch without Pavs because the Wings suck ass without him; they are literally a completely diffferent team without him in the line-up so here is to Pavs return on Saturday.

To the poster above, the Wings would beat the Hawks night and day in a 7 game series in the playoffs. Listen to yourself here... first of all, the refs were HORRIBLE in this game. Second of all, the Wings were playing without their best player in Datsyuk. Look at it this way... had Toews not been in the game tonight, the Wings won this game easily. To make it worse, Bert got kicked out of the game which made it difficult for our lines to roll. With Pavs in the line-up, I don't think the Hawks can keep up with the Wings. Keith Jones said it best after the game... the Wings have absolutely nothing to worry about because they are still getting points without Pavs and Pavs will be back either Wednesday or Saturday and he truly is the difference maker for this team. Here is to the damn playoffs to start already... I am tired of playing these desperate teams while we are resting players. On a side note, Brad Watson is a piece of s***.

That was a horrible officiating period imo. There was honestly like 20 total seconds of 5 on 5 because of all those weak calls. I love getting key PP's but when you get that many in a single period it takes away from the game. Hopefully the refs put those whistles away and let the boys play, because I know the Wings will destroy this Hawks team 5 on 5. I thought both goalies played great. Also, Rafi looks TERRIBLE I think he needs a game off... he is a great player and we need him to be healthy for the playoffs and he does not look healthy right now. Hopefully the refs eff off in the 2nd and the boys can come back and get a W

It will most likely be Doc and Olzchyk calling the game. From what I have seen this year, most of the games on Monday's on Versus, those 2 are the commentators, which I do not mind. I actually find Doc gets into the games and I like that. I was forced to watch a game earlier in the year with the s***sburg commentators and let me tell you, NOTHING is worse than that... so lets be happy we don't have that lmao

I went to the game tonight and I thought the Wings played a really good game considering they were missing Pavs and Mule and Bert. I thought they had a lapse in the 2nd period, but for most the game they played well and gave themselves a chance to win it but Lunogo played great. My only concern tonight was Ericson... I thought he was TERRIBLE and I would like to see Kindl take his place for the time being at least. Another thing I noticed was that when Babs finally put Nick and Rafi together in the 3rd period, the team seemed to pick it up so i truly think they need to stay together. Also, some of you have been talking about how great the Wings were in October in Novemeber when they were healthy... so I was thinking that that tells us that Babs should go back to those lines that he was using since they worked so well. The lines should be then: Zettberg- Datsyuk- Homer Franzen- Filpulla- Bertuzzi Hudler- Modano- Cleary Eaves- Helm- Abs/Miller/Draper Lidstrom- Rafi Kronwall- Stu Salai- Kindl

How about : Hudler- Datsyuk- Cleary Franzen- Hank- Bertuzzi Homer- Filpulla- Modano Eaves- Helm- Abs/ Miller/ Draper Lidstrom- Rafalski Kronwall- Stuart Ericson- Salai Osgood Howard

No there is a bad game and then there is that. There are the 4 lousy goals, the two posts they hit AND the goal they scored should not have been waived off imo as I would have been ticked off if that was the Wings. Also take into account the two WIDE open nets where s***sburg missed the net that Howard was COMPLETELY down and out for. So basically, they could have had 8 or 9 gimme goals against Howard that is how bad he was. So no I do not expect Ozzie to be great in his first game back, but anything is better than Howard. It is time Wings fans come to realize that Howard will only fail the Wings in the playoffs... he lets in WAY too many bad goals and more and more people are beginning to realize this... it is time for Ozzie to be given a chance.

I refute on my suggested lines I just re-thought them and I think Babs should stack the lines: Zetterbert- Datsyuk- Modano Bert- Filpulla- Franzen Cleary- Helm- Hudler Homer- Draper- Eaves IMO I think that top line would work magic in the playoffs; Pavs and Hank would dominate and that would get the most out of Modano, who I think will be a big part of our Cup chances. That is a solid 2nd line as Fil and Mule are always good with one another, solid 3rd line that can provide offense and be responsible in our own end, and a solid 4th line. Those lines would work well for the Wings. Also to the poster above, no I think Ozzie should start Wednesday and if he looks good, start him again Saturday because if he can get going, Babs would be wrong to not start him in the playoffs because Howard is not the answer for this team.

I was thinking: Modano- Datsyuk- Franzen Cleary- Zetterberg- Bertuzzi Homer- Filpulla- Hudler Abs- Helm- Eaves/Draper/Miller

Great comeback by the Wings... to think they would have won this game if it wasn't for Howard. IDC if they were not playing well enough the first two periods, they did not play bad enough to be down 4-0 that was ALL on Howard. I am very happy with the point. Modano had a GREAT game... he was a force every single shift and showed how useful he will be for us in the playoffs. I was thinking I would like to see Modano paired with Pavs because I think Modano still has a lot of potential and could really stand out on a line with Pavs. Modano- Pavs- Hudler would be a solid line I think. Anyways, I am going to the game on Wednesday and Howard better NOT BE PLAYING. Ideally Ozzie will be able to play, but if not than play Macdonald. I do not want to see Howard in net after his terrible performance tonight. Also, I expect that Pavs , Franzen and Hudler will be back in the line up/

The best goalie in the league, IMO is Henrik Lunquvist. He simply stands on his head night in and night out and is the ONLY reason that the Rangers are in the playoff spot. Another thing that tells me he is the best is that he has CONSISTENTLY been good for multiple seasons in a row. If I had an ability to replace Howard with 1 goalie in the league, it would be King Henrik. Anyways, since we do not have that option, this game is a last straw for Howard and I think Ozzie should be given a chance; if he plays good upon his return, which should be wednesday or saturday, thn he should keep playing and into the playoffs. This is not timbit leagues, this is the NHL and Jimmy Howard does not cut it. Ozzie in net for any playoff success

While the Wings arent playing good, they are DEFS not playing bad enough to be down 2-0. Howard was TERRIBLe that period, both goals were his fault. I have said it before, and I will say it again, this team will go nowhere with him in net because he simply lets in too many bad goals at bad times. I for one cannot WAIT for Ozzie to come back because with so few games left if Babs can get him going he is our only hope because Howard is simply a joke.

Umm actually I thought Modano had a great game tonight... he was flying out there and made some good plays and had some good chances. You can think what you want, but I bet Modano comes up big for us in the playoffs helping our depth... Great effort by the boys while short on the bench, and putting up with the piss poor officiating... I think Babs or Kenny should call the NHL out about this officiating tonight because it was beyond pathetic. Another goal called off, all those elbows to the heads against the wings, and above all else that hit on Nick was disgusting... and yet the Wings only had 3 PP's!?

Great effort by the Wings thus far. IMO this is how I predicted this game being like with missing Pavs, Mule and Hudler... Combine Nashville playing dirty and the refs doing a TERRIBLE job, the Wings are hanging in there and that is all we can ask for. I think Modano and Fil have been GREAT tonight; I am really liking that line with Homer... and I think Modano is gonna score the GW tongiht, even though he hit that crossbar. However, win or lose, this effort is all we can ask for from the boys while they are missing 3 key players.

I think this shows that the NHL is not taking the proper steps to prevent injuries to its key players. Nicklas Lidstrom is the best dman to play hockey, and he gets run like that, with no puck... ref right there, and NO CALL?!?! That was pathetic and we are very lucky Nick is okay. IMO there should be a suspension on that hit to set an example because that is just trying to hurt him.

Personally I want to see Pavs and Rafi sit out tonights game. There is no need to risk their well- being for a game against Nashville. Quite frankly, I don't want to risk them getting hit with one of Weber's shots either... I mean it looks like Pavs hurt his ankle or knee, and Rafi hurt his knee, so all we would need is for them to play tonight and get hit in that area by one of those shots. IMO even if they can both go tonight, Babs should let them rest until Monday at home.

in the interview after the game Babs said Rafi should be fine and Pavs has a little bit of a lower body injury... thats all he said...

Well, they played a hard fought game last night, so I can understand that they do not have their legs tonight. BUT, just like last night, I continue to NOT like these lines. I HATE Franzen playing with Pavs; I swear every time they are on the same line Pavs doesnt seem like himself. I prefer Hank and Pavs together, but since Babs insists on not having that line together he should still go back to Cleary- Pavs- Hudler that line was awesome. Overall solid effort by the boys to grind out this game, and with one period to go, hopefully they can get another W

Just got back from the game. It was a GREAT all around game by the Wings: - Hank was AWESOME tonight... you could tell from the drop of the puck that he was on tonight - Bert and Cleary looked good also - Franzen continues to look bad no matter where he is, and that was beginning to impact Pavs and make him try too much... I HATE Franzen with Pavs so Babs needs to change that up ASAP - I thought Filps and Modano had a much better game - Hudler on the 4th line is a waste of time; he needs to be with Pavs! - Nick had another solid game - Kronwall had a GREAT game... I have not checked TOI sheet yet but it seemed he was ALWAYS on the ice, and in a good way. He was just great all around tonight - Rafi was great, welcome back. - Howard was ALRIGHT... the first goal none of us were happy with as he should have easily controlled the rebound from that first shot...2nd goal he had NO CHANCE on... but in the final minute Semin shot the puck and hit the post and Howard had NO REACTION... to me that shows that he isn't the go to guy imo - Overall, great game, but Babs needs to change the lines because Franzen with Pavs is a waste of time and imo, until franzen can prove himself, he should be on the 3rd line with Modano: Cleary- Datsyuk- Hudler Homer- Hank- Bert Franzen- Modano- Filpulla 4th line

u missed bert. I would like to see : Zetterberg- Datsyuk- Homer Cleary- Filpulla- Hudler Franzen- Modano- Bertuzzi Abs- Helm- Draper Lidstrom- Rafalski Kronwall- Stuart Kindl- Ericson (with limited ice time until Salai is back) - Hank needs Pavs to get him scoring goals again, and they are the best line in hockey when together anyways - Franzen is useless and until he can get his ass moving deserves to be on the 3rd line, and to top that I think that would be a pretty good 3rd line if those 3 get moving... - I think the 2nd line would work as they all work for the puck and they always seem to work well togther - Nick and Rafi have always been the best D combo in the league since Rafi came here, if Babs is smart he will put them back together - Kronners and Stu are awesome together

you dont want Howard to get cold?! I hate to break it to you, but he isnt exactly hot... look at his stats... he is still letting in 3 goals a game... IMO he has not yet earned the starter job for the playoffs... that is why the goalies should split games until the playoffs and whoever is playing better gets to play. That is how it should be.

aww too bad Howard is playing I was rly hoping Babs would start Ozzie at home for his return and because its my bday and I am going to the game and wanted to see Ozzie play instead. Hopefully the Wings kick butt; Pavs with the game winner again. Wings win 5-4 (Nick, Hank, Bert, Pavs X2)

And so here it is, finally the moment we have all been waiting for. But really, the debates never stopped because there have continued to be debates about the 2 goalies even with Ozzie being injured. BUT, if Ozzie outplays Howard in throughout these last 13 games, there is no doubt in my mind that he should be starter come playoff time because we all remember 2009 when Ozzie got going... he was the only reason we made it to the game 7 of the finals. Side note, my bday is Wednesday and I am going to the game against the Caps so I would like Babs to give me a present... PLAY OZZIE !

Oh come on, how can you hate on Hank? First of all, been on decline since 08?! 09 playoffs? He was incredible, last year's playoffs he wasn't too bad either. When Pavs went down for 20 games, Hank helped carry this team thru it and did a hell of a job in the process (if it wasnt for Hank we could be a in a scary spot right now). Also, he has close to 70 points already, sure he only has 18 goals but cut the guy some slack he is just in a little rut the past 20 or so games... it happens. Aside from not scoring many goals, Hank typically works his ass off shift in, and shift out and we are very lucky to have him on the Wings roster so show some respect where credit is due.

Great overall road game by the Wings; there were a lot of goods that I noticed, and some bads. - Pavel Datsyuk is the man... IMO he is the best hockey player in the world (yes better then Crosby because Pavs has better dekes, tries more, and is a hell of a better back- checker)and the guy shows up night in and night out... gotta love that about Pavs - Great game by Kronners!! Its no coincidence that I have thought Kronners has really stood out last night and tonight and it is because Babs finally put him and Stu together. I love this pairing and I feel very comfortable when they are on the ice as a unit to defend; another great game by both and they better stay together - another solid game by the Captain; no shock there - Franzen was a bit better tonight, but he needs to learn how to handle some passes better - Solid game by Howard which was nice to see 2 nights in a row Now the bad: - Zetterberg was TERRIBLE. Not just this game either, but he has been "off" the past couple weeks. To make it worse, Babs makes that line which was HORRIBLE I have always, and still do, hate that line. Hank looked tired all night, Cleary looked lazy and Bert seemed a little too slow. - the Filpulla/ Modano/ Hudler line was way too quiet for my liking all night - what does this tell us? Babs has some line changes to make. I read he wants to have home lines and road lines, which I like the idea of so I think the road lines should be: Hudler- Datsyuk- Homer Filpulla- Zetterberg- Franzen Cleary- Modano- Bertuzzi Miller- Draper- Helm/Eaves/Abdelkator Hudler plays so well with Pavs and seems to not be productive enough without him so why not keep him with Pavs. I think this is the best lines if babs doesnt wanna play Pavs and Hank together on the road. Overall, great weekend by the Wings, led by the Datsyukian Great and the Captain. I am going to the game Wednesday on my bday, so hopefully the magician and his Wings can keep the magic going