Ram

Since we need him to steal us a game...

Ding! Ding! Round 1!!

I disagree with the naysayers. Besides the obvious highlights that they might show (including that atrocious decision making from the bench), Smith has played a decent season. He has shown many flashes of his Badger self, creating scoring chances on the rush (the reason we drafted him) and has played well defensively, doing the intangibles that don't show up on the score sheet, but its ludicrous to think he would just slide into the NHL and keep playing the same way he did in college. I'd hate for him to go, I think his upside potential is great. Have we become SO impatient with players that we want them moved after a single season? Sounds a lot like Tank Nation 4 hours North of Detroit.
As per what happens in this playoff run to the cup, I think Smith sitting out of the lineup pairings during practice should help him to refocus on the severity of his actions at this level, especially that late in a season and in the playoffs. Trust in Babs and Kenny, they have gotten us this far, haven't they?
(First time poster, long time lurker BTW)

And remember who let him borrow their ID?

Heres hoping its the Red Wings turn to have one of those goalies that emerges in the playoffs and steals the show like so many oposing goalies that got red hot when we had to play them over the years.

I think this kid can be that red hot kinda guy.

It could also mean that he wanted to give Howard, his starter, extra rest before the playoffs started or that much less chance of getting injured. Or that he wanted to get one last look at Mrazek to help decide.
It's going to be Howard though, there is no doubt. Mrazek getting a shut on in the last game of the regular season against one of the worst teams really doesn't mean all that much.

I am very happy and relieved and proud of DRW for making the playoffs for 24 straight seasons. It's an amazing accomplishment.
I also can do without the extreme negativity, never fun.
But I disagree with a sentiment of, "Hey let's be happy we're in, this team is still great!" Yes they are, but they have faltered after looking extremely promising at several points during this season. Further, expectations are reasonably high for this franchise. I believe it is understandable to be disappointed with this team. We invest so much as fans and sure, these runs to the playoffs are great, but it is not baseless to be somewhat disappointed.
All being said, love this team til I die and here's to an improbable playoff run. Cheers!

Awesome that Helm is rocking the A

Let's go Wings! Seems as though this game is being played as a final practice/rest up before the playoffs. Not a bad idea, IMO.
Hockeytown and all other GDTers...thanks so much for another great regular season's worth of graphics, lineup updates, etc.

I am very happy and relieved and proud of DRW for making the playoffs for 24 straight seasons. It's an amazing accomplishment.
I also can do without the extreme negativity, never fun.
But I disagree with a sentiment of, "Hey let's be happy we're in, this team is still great!" Yes they are, but they have faltered after looking extremely promising at several points during this season. Further, expectations are reasonably high for this franchise. I believe it is understandable to be disappointed with this team. We invest so much as fans and sure, these runs to the playoffs are great, but it is not baseless to be somewhat disappointed.
All being said, love this team til I die and here's to an improbable playoff run. Cheers!

I am very happy and relieved and proud of DRW for making the playoffs for 24 straight seasons. It's an amazing accomplishment.
I also can do without the extreme negativity, never fun.
But I disagree with a sentiment of, "Hey let's be happy we're in, this team is still great!" Yes they are, but they have faltered after looking extremely promising at several points during this season. Further, expectations are reasonably high for this franchise. I believe it is understandable to be disappointed with this team. We invest so much as fans and sure, these runs to the playoffs are great, but it is not baseless to be somewhat disappointed.
All being said, love this team til I die and here's to an improbable playoff run. Cheers!

Relieved. We have that going for us, which is nice.
Still envisioning a first round exit with the potential matchups, but hey, that's why they play the games.
LGW.

I am very happy and relieved and proud of DRW for making the playoffs for 24 straight seasons. It's an amazing accomplishment.
I also can do without the extreme negativity, never fun.
But I disagree with a sentiment of, "Hey let's be happy we're in, this team is still great!" Yes they are, but they have faltered after looking extremely promising at several points during this season. Further, expectations are reasonably high for this franchise. I believe it is understandable to be disappointed with this team. We invest so much as fans and sure, these runs to the playoffs are great, but it is not baseless to be somewhat disappointed.
All being said, love this team til I die and here's to an improbable playoff run. Cheers!

I am very happy and relieved and proud of DRW for making the playoffs for 24 straight seasons. It's an amazing accomplishment.
I also can do without the extreme negativity, never fun.
But I disagree with a sentiment of, "Hey let's be happy we're in, this team is still great!" Yes they are, but they have faltered after looking extremely promising at several points during this season. Further, expectations are reasonably high for this franchise. I believe it is understandable to be disappointed with this team. We invest so much as fans and sure, these runs to the playoffs are great, but it is not baseless to be somewhat disappointed.
All being said, love this team til I die and here's to an improbable playoff run. Cheers!

I am very happy and relieved and proud of DRW for making the playoffs for 24 straight seasons. It's an amazing accomplishment.
I also can do without the extreme negativity, never fun.
But I disagree with a sentiment of, "Hey let's be happy we're in, this team is still great!" Yes they are, but they have faltered after looking extremely promising at several points during this season. Further, expectations are reasonably high for this franchise. I believe it is understandable to be disappointed with this team. We invest so much as fans and sure, these runs to the playoffs are great, but it is not baseless to be somewhat disappointed.
All being said, love this team til I die and here's to an improbable playoff run. Cheers!

I am very happy and relieved and proud of DRW for making the playoffs for 24 straight seasons. It's an amazing accomplishment.
I also can do without the extreme negativity, never fun.
But I disagree with a sentiment of, "Hey let's be happy we're in, this team is still great!" Yes they are, but they have faltered after looking extremely promising at several points during this season. Further, expectations are reasonably high for this franchise. I believe it is understandable to be disappointed with this team. We invest so much as fans and sure, these runs to the playoffs are great, but it is not baseless to be somewhat disappointed.
All being said, love this team til I die and here's to an improbable playoff run. Cheers!

I am very happy and relieved and proud of DRW for making the playoffs for 24 straight seasons. It's an amazing accomplishment.
I also can do without the extreme negativity, never fun.
But I disagree with a sentiment of, "Hey let's be happy we're in, this team is still great!" Yes they are, but they have faltered after looking extremely promising at several points during this season. Further, expectations are reasonably high for this franchise. I believe it is understandable to be disappointed with this team. We invest so much as fans and sure, these runs to the playoffs are great, but it is not baseless to be somewhat disappointed.
All being said, love this team til I die and here's to an improbable playoff run. Cheers!

I am very happy and relieved and proud of DRW for making the playoffs for 24 straight seasons. It's an amazing accomplishment.
I also can do without the extreme negativity, never fun.
But I disagree with a sentiment of, "Hey let's be happy we're in, this team is still great!" Yes they are, but they have faltered after looking extremely promising at several points during this season. Further, expectations are reasonably high for this franchise. I believe it is understandable to be disappointed with this team. We invest so much as fans and sure, these runs to the playoffs are great, but it is not baseless to be somewhat disappointed.
All being said, love this team til I die and here's to an improbable playoff run. Cheers!

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

Well that is a bummer. Hope he is okay long term.

Things that should stay:
Matter of Trust Billy Joel after 4 goals scored.
Piano Man Bilyl Joel "9 o'clock on a Saturday" on Saturday night games.
Goal horn.
Things that can go:
Muse Uprising after the other team scores.
Don't Stop Believin' Journey (song needs to die, further..South Detroit is Windsor, Ontario)
Things that shouldn't happen:
Individual goal song
All being said, I'll miss the Joe when it goes. I envsion they will have some sort of rebranding with the new arena, but keep some things the same.