wings_fanatic

Umm your post does not make much sense because when the Wings enter the 3rd period with the lead, their record for winning those games is something like 20-1... so they are good at keeping their leads I don't know where you got that idea from...

At this rate, Babs might want to think about benching a guy like Franzen for a game because, quite frankly, it is not going to hurt the team right now... And by being benched it might allow him to get his head out of his ass... Babs has to do something to spark some players on this team

No Howard is not the team, but when he contonues to let in bad goals like that, it shows that he is not starter material for the Detroit Red Wings...

Well here we go again? Do we really need any more proof why Howard will not take this team far in the playoffs? Goals like that are pathetic, and he lets in quite a few goals like that consistently throughout the year... we need ozzie. Other than that, that was a terrible period by the Wings. Franzen is probably the most useless player on the team in the past 15 games... he is so bad lately that he is making Pavs look quiet out there! I want to see Franzen demoted to the 3rd line until he can get his s*** together. Z- Pavs- Homer Bert- Fil- Hudler Cleary- Modano-Franzen Abdelkator- Helm-Miller

I HATE these lines... Franzen just slows Pavs down every single time he is on Pavs line... imo Babs should stick with Dats/ Hank/ Homer line as the top line because they work real well together when they develop their chemestry... and to top that, if we want the Wings to have success in the playoffs, we NEED hank to score goals and the guy to get him to do that consistently is Pavs...

ACtually Ozzie only gave up 1 bad goal that game (the 2nd one) and it was his 400th win... how about you at least get the 400th part right and show him some respect. Secondly, Ozzie also made 46 saves that night and was the ONLY reason they won that game. Howard consistantly lets in weak goals at bad times (how many times have we had bad goals scored against us in say the final minute of a period this year). People are just nieve to beleive that Howard is still the answer... even in the playoffs last year, Howard was not that good and was largely inconsistent. Goaltending is NOT the only problem for this team; that would be an unfair judgement. We have lines that are not working, Rafi out of the line-up, messed up D pairings, etc. BUT, we have to ask when does Howard ever really make saves to keep us in games? Too often is he letting in weak goals, and usually 3 or 4 goals a game at that... I am not saying Ozzie is the answer, but is it not worth a try? Try to shake things up... losing 4 in a row, we got nothing to lose here especially if he is able to get going.

I find it laughable that fans would rather continue to play Howard then a guy who has over 400 career wins and, if given the chance and is ABLE to catch fire, would give us a way better chance to win games night in and night out. Simply put, Ozzie, on his game, would have gotten us at least a point out of the game tonight. No, Howard was not the sole reason the Wings lost tonight; it was a team effort. BUT, once again, Howard failed to make the necessary save to keep his team in the game (that first goal) and that was a contributing factor in the loss as you cannot expect the Wings to come out every game to score 4 goals just so they can secure themselves a win with Howard in net./.

Some of you guys are over reacting BIG time. Did we lose tonight? Yah. Did we play bad tonight? Absolutely not. The Wings played a really good game tonight and they can take quite a bit from this game; moving in the right direction. Here is what I thought: - the 4th line was FANTASTIC once again - Pavs had an off night, but I read his interview where he said his hand still bothers him so no beef there - I thought Cleary had a really bad game in my opinion; he seems to slow down Pavs and Hank and shot the puck from terrible areas - the refs were TERRIBLE beyond belief - Howard showed once again that he is not the answer for this team with that first goal he let in off that terrible rebound; the theme continues where howard is unable to keep the boys in games - I still believe that Babs has to keep Pavs and Hank together. Why? Because when they get used to each other again and they get their chemestry back they are the best line in hockey. Also, near the end of the game Babs put HOmer on their line and they were much better ... so I think that line will get going starting next game - Modano and Abby had a good game I thought; I like them together - Overall it was a great game where 2 key things costed the Wings: Howard's terrible rebound and the terrible missed call on Nick... but that is no need to panic and start calling for heads here... the Wings will be fine as always

Well, here we go again. The Wings were playing GREAT up until that dreaded Howard rebound. Once again Howard manages to let in a weak goal, and after that the team has not had as much energy. IDC what anyone says, Howard is NOT the answer if we want to watch any sort of success here this season... too many softie goals let in and goals like that hurt teams in the playoffs. It isn't even the bad rebound control on that goal, he has been giving terrible rebounds all night; cannot wait for Ozzie to get back in net:) Also, I think the refs have to do a better job in the 3rd. I understand they are human and missed the high stick on Nick, but there were MANY instances in the period where Pavs was clearly held, interfered with, Zetterberg was hit way away from the puck and hooked... but somehow LA got the only PP's... The Wings have played a solid game thus far and if it wasn't for Howard and his bad rebound, they would not be down by a goal right now. Nonetheless, here is to hoping the Wings come out strong in the 3rd.

First of all, Ozzie was not bad all year last year. He was good up until he got the flu and missed 3 or 4 weeks of action near December. During that stretch, Babcock played Howard because he had to, and then once Ozzie came back Babcock did not give him a chance to get back into it... he waiting like 3 weeks in between starts for Ozzie (and that is NOT fair for a goalie). Had Babcock managed the situation properly, Ozzie would have been able to get into a groove and feel more confident in net after his absence (goalies cannot go 3 weeks between starts). Also, I am not saying Ozzie should come back and take the starters job just because he isnt Howard. I am saying that with Ozzie coming back, Babs should be doing a goalie rotation to allow both goalies the chance to earn the starter job come playoff time because, at this rate, Howard is not cutting it with his 4 goals against almost every game. I am saying that if Ozzie comes back and is given the opportunity to get a rotation in, and gets on his game, then he should be the starter come playoff time because, simply put, when Ozzie is on his game he is far better then Howard when he is on his game. Like I said, we shall see what happens, but I just have a feeling that Ozzie has something to prove to people when he comes back and he could very well catch fire. Also, I think the team plays better and more confident in front of Ozzie (less scrambling in front of the net and stuff like that and they are better at recognizing what he is going to do moving the puck).

lol is this not true though? How many times this year do the Wings win if they score less than 4 goals? Not many because Howard lets in 3 or 4 goals a game... its pathetic. You can only blame defense so much. Go back to the playoffs last year... even the games that the Wings won Howard managed to let in a ton of goals (some of them being RLY bad like game 3 against the Sharks). The guy defs has potential, but simply put, he is not getting the job done consistently enough right now. If Ozzie gets going and gives the Wings a more consistent chance at winning games 2-1, or 3-2 then the starters job should be his. Only time will tell.

See you talk about how Howard has "no chance" on any of the goals he lets in (the many times he lets in 4 goals a game) because of the bad D mistakes. Well, here is game 6 against Dallas from 2008 and you look at all of those saves Ozzie manages to make on "no- chance" shots to keep his team in the game. I find it halarious that certain Wings fans find it impossible to see that Howard is not going to win it all for the Wings when he lets in 4 goals a game practically; it seems this year the Wings are only guaranteed to win if they score at least 4 or 5 goals! That tells me that Howard is not doing his job as goal keeper because goalies should be able to provide saves for his team so they can win 2-1, 3-2 on a consistent basis. If we go into the playoffs with Howard, we are doomed it is as simple as that because, in the playoffs, teams are not able to score 4 or 5 goals a game. Oh, and if you like, later I can pull some videos from Howard in the playoffs from last year and how he blew it for the Wings in game 6 against Phoenix, and REALLY blew it in game 3 against the Sharks. Simply put, if Ozzie can get going when he comes back, our best bet for success is with him.

no i am not saying Howard is "bad" he is just not consistant. His last game against the ducks he was great, but like I said he does not play at that consistent level to keep his team in games. Please though, tell me his stats. Besides wins (which can be largely attributed to the Wings potent offense) his stats are not very good at all. I am not saying Ozzie is the "savior" but I want to see a split among the 2 goalies. If Ozzie is on his game then why not go with him, we have all seen in history when he is on his game he is hard to beat. We simply do not know how Ozzie will be when he comes back, I am saying there is a chance he gets in a groove and catches fire and if that is the case why continue going with the guy that lets in 4 goals a game>?

Is it really? Think about it; all the games with all those 4 goals against. How is it that guys like Lunquist, Crawfard, Niemi, Price all manage to play games and make those KEY SAVES to keep their teams in the game (all teams that do not have the D that the wings do). Those teams get, for the most part, quite a few more quality scoring chances against them then the wings do, but their goalies make the timely saves to keep the team in the game. Yes our D has been questionable, but so too has our goaltending. If you do not see that then you are blind and just cant accept the fact that if Ozzie comes back and is able to get going, t hen he is a better choice then Howard.

No I watched it... Yah, 3 out of the 4 goals were not his fault per say (the 3rd one he should have had) but we cannot afford to watch him let in 4 goals every game and have ppl say "But he had no chance". The job of a goalie is to MAKE SAVES to keep his team in the game, and you arent doing that if you let in 4 goals in as many games as he does. That is my ultimate point here... he has not been consistently fulfilling his job of being a goalkeeper

Go back to Decemeber tho .. the very beginning of that month. Look at how many games Howard has let in 3 or more goals, and then go down memory lane and remember some of the bad goals he let in. Sure, the guy has the odd game where he stands on his head and plays out of his mind and everyone starts talking about how he is getting his game together, and then he always goes right back to letting in 4 goals... I am sorry but you just cant do that in the playoffs. When ozzie comes back I babcock better split the starts between the 2 and if ozzie is on his game he better be the one to get the nod.

Well I think that this game showed us something very important.... we NEED goaltending that can keep us in games. idc what anyone says, Howard can make the nicest saves there are, but he continues to let in bad goals at bad times... Yes the wings played lazy tonight, but i do not think they played bad enough to lose a 4-1 lead. I hope Ozzie comes back Wednesday because I am getting tired of watching Howard let in 4 goals almsot every game, then he will have a good game, then let in 4 goals again. I have said it before, and will say it again, if we want playoff success it will be with #30 in between the pipes.

I think the Wings were playing fine up until that terrible Phoenix goal that should not have been a goal according to all the Wings goals that get called off... imo the officiating has kinda taken the wings off of their game with that noncall and all these stupid holding calls they kept giving the wings... hopefully they can get going here

I think Ozzie comes back, Babs probs wont play him right away probably the 2nd or 3rd game he is back, but after that I see Babs doing some sort of split between Ozzie and Howard. At the end of the season, last 4-5 games, Babs will go with the goalie playing better and quite frankly, if Ozzie is going (even if him and Howard play at the same level going down the remaining few games) I want to see Ozzie start in the playoffs because he will give them the best chance to go all the way if he is on his game imo.

IMO Nick's plus minus took a toll this season because Howard lets in quite a few soft goals where most goalies would have them as easy saves. On plays like that, there is nothing more Nick could do to defend, as they are routine saves for most goalies. Nick is still the best Dman in the world despite that and will win his 7th norris this year

well I have to say I am getting TIRED of Babcock and his hard headedness... these lines SUCK! There is absolutely no chemestry here... the Hank has been way too quiet the past few weeks, regardless of his line, and Franzen is wasting the ice for Pavs now (I have never liked Franzen with Dats). I dunno why Babs is so damn hard headed... put together D-Z-H!!!

Here is what I think after this game: - Howard is not cutting it... Babs needs to get Ozzie going March 9th when he returns and if Ozzie feels good and plays good then he needs to be our guy - tonite showed me again why I HATE babcock's D pairings... the team plays best with Lidstrom and Rafi together he needs to get that in his head - Franzen continues to be useless... with Fil and Modano back on Saturday I would like to see Franzen sit the game out. - with the guys back these are the lines I want Babs to use: Zetterberg- Datsyuk- Homer Cleary- Filpulla- Hudler Bertuzzi- Modano- Franzen Miller- Draper- Eaves Lidstrom- Rafalski Kronwall- Stu Salai- Ericson - I know the 3rd pariing sucks but at least we can maximize our first 2 pairings (we won the Cup doing that did we not) - Pavs and Z are the best line in hockey when they get their chemestry and I want them on the same line as Pavs can feed Hank

I think we are seeing a lot of what we have seen this season... the other team's goalie making great saves to keep his team in the game while ours is not. Every time Howard lets in a goal ppl say "oh but he had no chance" well it is the job of a goalie to make saves to keep his team in it... Leighton is doing that very well right now... impo when ozzie comes back Babs should get him going and if ozzie can get into ggear he is our best bet to win

guys what is with the hate for the Z line? Sure, they are not having a great game today but how about all these games prior?? No line is good game in and game out so relax. I will say 3 things: 1) That was a bad goal for Howard to let in, especially in the dying minute of the period; it resulted from his bad rebound, doing the splits for no reason and then got completely beat to the other side. While he is not to blame at all, it is goals like that that make me question if we can depend on him in the playoffs. 2) Howard is amazing with shootouts this year... but it seems that anytime a team has a breakaway during play with Howard in net it goes in every single time.. and every time all he does is fall to his stomach and slide back and the opposing player just raises it (tho we cannot blame a goalie for allowing a break away goal)it is simply an observation. 3) I love the officiating this game. Aside from the 2 calls that had to be made and that terrible call on Hudler, I would say the refs have done a fine job with this game and this game reminds me of several reasons why I, along with the NHL is going to really miss Bill McCeary. Hopefully the boys can get going in the 3rd and come back.

Well it seems just like last year;s playoffs, only the first 2 penalties the Wings took were completely legit calls... you cannot high stick like that, but it happens to the best. Overall it has been a solid effort by the Wings, but they lost their momemtum after those PKs. Also, that holding call on Hudler was pathetic, especially considering 2 minutes prior homer was decked near center ice with no puck near him. Anyways, I would like to see Pavs line more in the 2nd because they seem to be the most consistent