dat's sick

aw crap. will the wings be able to score another one?

AND THERE IT IS!! RAFFY REDEMPTION TOTAL

PP coming up. We really, really need to score here.

GDT's are always a lot slower when the Wings are winning. The exceptions are games against San Jose or Pittsburgh. But this might be a bit extra slow because of both the lack of streams and the lack of action on the ice.

Well, the Wings have only let in one goal so far. If the 'yotes score a couple we'll be at 30 pages in no time.

Or suck it up and pay for either Center Ice or hockeystreams.com . So-so first period. 2nd line looked good, Datsyuk had a couple of good shots, but defense on the PHX goal was terrible. San Jose has 1-0 in Minnesota after about 10 minutes played btw.

Makes sense to me. Well, atleast the instigator bit.

But Mason has been the definition of insanity against the Wings this season. I don't know if we've scored more than 2 goals against him in one game this season. And Columbus style of play doesn't seem to fit the Wings, as previous posters has noted they clog up the middle and force the Wings to play dump & chase which isn't their strong suit. I don't think a series against Nashville would be easy, it wasn't last year and this year the Wings are fighting even bigger goaltending troubles than they were doing then, along with defensive issues. But the Preds play a style of hockey that makes for more fun games (CBJ's are booooring) and I think in the end they wouldn't be able to shut down Detroit's offense.

I would say Datsyuk has kept up what he started last playoffs with his physical game. But other than that, you're right. What I really hope is that Kronwall starts dealing out the open-ice hits like he did last year.. he seems to be trying more and more to do it, but his timing isn't quite there yet. A guy like Drake would be awesome to have, but I hope Helm can shoulder his role a little bit atleast.

The team that scores by far the most goals in the league (and lets in the 9th most) is boring? The same team that has Hossa, Datsyuk, Franzen, Hudler and Zetterberg?

I don't dare make any predictions today. This team is too unpredictable right now. It's not a saturday atleast, so that makes me hopeful for a decent/good performance. Hopefully Babcock has whipped the team into shape.. if they don't come out looking like they have something to prove, I don't know what to think. Just try to play some defense, mm'kay? And I want to see more of Hank and Pav than we have last couple of games.

I like the idea of facing the Oilers. Roloson is hot right now but other than him I don't find that team very intimidating. Actually, out of the 4 teams in the bottom half this moment, Columbus is the only one who I think would give the Wings serious trouble. It would be very surprising if atleast one of Dallas, Anaheim and Minnesota don't manage to squeeze in there though. Hawks vs. Canucks would be a fun series btw. Very much up in the air who would win out of those two. As for the East I kinda hope the Pens finish 7th, so they'll get the Caps in the 1st round. Those two teams probably have the most fun rivalry in the league right now.

You should become a coach. Imagine how good the Wings would be if Babcock only understood that they need to work on DEFENSE and GOALTENDING and OFFENSE. *massive rolleyes*

You just solved the problem of fitting Downey into the playoff lineup without him bumping Leino, Helm or anyone else who is good.

Holland.

With all that has happened for them this season, it's amazing that the low-point is still the game they played in those horrible classic jerseys. I wonder if that game wasn't when their unfortunate series of events started.

Ýeah, well it would be a sad world if only the teams who were winning Cups or Championships had any fans. In the case of soccer, the teams who aren't able to compete for 1st place still have other goals to play for. Such as getting champions-league spots or avoiding demotion. Still, I'm sure pretty much everyone would think it was more fun if more teams were competing for 1st.

How do we explain this? The Habs didn't open the season in Europe did they? Seriously though, I'm not surprised. I don't think it's a good move, but ít's not very surprising.

You like the idea of possibly playing 70 minutes+shootout and still getting 0 points? I like the idea of having 10 minute OT, since that would mean less shootouts (which are fun to watch but often feels like a coin-toss), but I still think you should get 1 point for losing in OT. I don't understand why so many people dislike the 3-point game. Is it because we happen to be in a battle for 1st against SJ right now and they are the masters of picking up atleast 1 point? As for Holland's idea, doesn't sound too bad. How is it decided now?

Right now I'd rather face San Jose, Chicago or Calgary in the 1st round than Columbus. The Wings seem to only play their best against the big teams. Hopefully their motivation will be there against the "lesser" teams once it's in the playoffs though. I don't think they should worry too much about finishing 1st or 2nd. The most important thing is fixing their problems, and as long as they do that before the playoffs start they should be able to beat any team with or without home-ice advantage.

I love the salary cap and wish they would have something like it in other sports as well.. Look at the English Premier League in soccer. You have the same 4 teams that have been in the top 4 positions every season for god knows how many straight years. It's still fun to see the top teams play and fight amongst eachother for the top position, because they are so stacked with talent, but it'd be fun if there was atleast the possibility of any other team getting involved in the fight. I'm sure the salary cap has problems, but it has made the NHL so much more interesting than it used to be. As much as I hate it that the Wings can't bring up the Grand Rapids kids at will and couldn't afford a goalie at the deadline etc., I still think that overall the salary cap does more good than it does bad and it sure has made the NHL more fun to watch. I mean, who isn't excited about the battle for the playoff spots that is really starting to heat up right about now?

I hope Babcock stops juggling the lines so damn much.. give the players a chance to create some chemistry with eachother, and don't split up the two players who have proved time and time again that they have among the best chemistry in the league. Stop playing Sammy on the PP, he's terrible on the point. Give Ericsson a chance why don't you? That said, no one got up to their normal level tonight. Even Z and Pav looked bad, apart from the one nice goal. Actually they have both looked a bit off last couple of games. I would have wanted them to start to really get going with the playoffs on the way, but I'm not seeing it yet. Mason is a beast.. I would say part of his success is due to CBJ's great defense, but he came up with some amazing saves all throughout the game. I've said it before, a playoff series against him would not be much fun. Btw, I really, really miss Hossa, Homer, Lilja, Leino and Helm.

Hey, almost!

That was too easy. I usually don't give up this early, but this game is over. Sadly.

"Hmm.. I think I'll split up these two guys who were clearly born to play together.. yeah, that seems like a good idea."