Casey

True. Is it frustrating they lost? Yes, yes it is. Can it be fixed? Yes, yes it can. Get Lidstrom checked out since his shot/clearing ability seems a touch off, and start working protection/defense drills. They'll be fine. They're on pace for 52-11-19, or 123 points. That's a near-certain President's Trophy, #1 seed. Give them a few days to drill and condition, and things will work out. It's a letdown, sure. Not the worst I've ever seen. That would be my beloved Toledo Rockets. MAC champs '01, '04, and now finishing out 3 straight losing seasons after firing their coach. Tonight's just a game, with problems that can be fixed.

That's the problem, though. 14 games in, and the defense is just as shaky as it was in game 1. I was saying the same then- let things shake out. It's the Cup hangover, Lidstrom's got a visor, Cheli's missing, but that's starting to get hollow. They had a good shot at the win, but they simply got outworked in the 3rd and OT. I'm fine with getting outplayed. That happened. However, no one should accept getting outworked. EVER.

It can make a difference, that's for sure. Still, my God... having a 5-2 lead in the 3rd, and losing? There needs to be something changed, and NOW. Lidstrom's just been off a bit, Lilja makes me cringe, and while Rafalski and Kronwall have both been playing decently, the team defensive play has been simply sad.

My way of looking at it is this. Cut the Ford oval in half, and stick half on something. What's your first thought as to what that logo is?

Hell, Red Wing Shoes even plays it cool- they never refer to a pair of the shoes as Red Wings, they're Red Wing shoes. They don't have to, since they had the name before the Cougars were even founded. As for this, though, the Wings better have a talk with this sock company. The key to keeping a copyright is defending it, and they have to do so.

Still the lead. Let's finish this.

Bring on the 4rd!

Dammit.

I'd say so. Right color, right placement, even down to the feathers. They can't even argue prior use like Red Wing boots can.

That explains why Cleary's been a bit off. Hope it's not conjunctivitis or something else similarly unpleasant.

Nope. The way they're playing, I know they won't. TPBM has been up for 24 hours before.

Accuscore is saying Detroit, 3.4-2.8. I'll break it and say 4-2. Hank, Hossa, Homer, Pavel Malkin, Satan.

GOOD choice. Awesome book, and it's being made into a movie, I believe. I'm working my way through the Ian Fleming 007 novels in order. I'm currently hitting On Her Majesty's Secret Service- not the strongest book of the series (Looking at you, Live And Let Die), but presentable.

*crushed under workload* I've reached the point where I eat to not starve to death, sleep only out of habit, and if I had an hour in which to do whatever I wanted, I'd probably lose my mind. Not even a good caffeine buzz, either. Help.

Cold? Me? I laugh at colds. Haven't missed a day at school/work for illness in about 5 years. TPBM would like to help me study for Immunology exam on Friday.

Considering Ozzie still has some time left, Conkblock is still young, and there's Howard/McCollum/Larsson in the pipeline, there's way too much talent. I'd say goaltending is one area Detroit has absolutely no concerns.

If it prevents head injuries, I'm all for. Otherwise, the classic CCM is enough. I was thisclose to picking up a Kronwall helmet last time i was at the Joe.

Really? Where? I was there, and he was not.

He's playing like an '02-era Fedorov. I'm debating if this is good or not.

I'd put a significant amount of money on McCarty staying clean. With the recovered addicts I've known, the ones who had the possibility of relapse had a certain look in the eyes, a certain mannerism that is hard to describe. Get that look, and the most dangerous times are the highs and lows. Considering I didn't see it during the Cup celebration- a time when no one would have blamed him for a drink or two- I'd say he's on the wagon for good.

Not a chance. Given his behaviors over the post-season with wavering over even playing, it's not the mentality that the Wings want or need.

Same city, but yeah. TPBM has a pocketknife handy.

Nope, I was a tank even in grade school. TPBM has been punched in the face.

Damn straight I did. TPBM wishes it were Friday.

Zetts-Dats-Homer Hossa-Mule-Cleary/Hudler Cleary/Hudler-Filppula-Shinguard Assassin Helm-Draper-Kopecky/Abdelkader/Maltby/McCarty, depending on need. I'm still not wholly on board with splitting Pavel and Hank. While the Hossa-Homer-Datsyuk line is going well, Pavel's play has been a bit off. I still think it would be better for all involved to shift Hossa to the second line and surround him with not-quite-stars.