dat's sick

Hrmph. That 4th goal just killed us. Looked like it was reasonably likely we could come back before that. Ottawa haven't had enough chances to warrant 4 goals, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Defense has been sloppy, kind of an expected risk with new d-pairings. What's worrying is the extreme difficulty we have lately with creating any sustained offensive pressure. If our 1st line isn't pulling magic out of the bag we're not doing much.. Nyquist + Helm will help, but will it really solve things? I hope Weiss can soon become someone we see more consistently on the scoresheet, we need 40-50 points out of him..

Even if he's the best guy in the world in the locker-room Holland can't possibly extend his contract like he was talking about doing. The guy can be mildly effective for stretches, but yeah, 90% of the time he's just nothing. He's the place offense and puck possession go to die.

Bad period, but imo not as bad as the score indicates. The penalty on Kronner was awful, Turris held on to Kronner's stick more than it was hooking. 2nd penalty was legit but kind of a lucky deflected shot into the net. Howard wasn't too sharp but still 100% success for Ottawa in their scoring chances. This team should be able to come back from this, we're deep enough and considering we now need only 2 goals to tie it up it should be possible. Time for 2nd and 3rd line to produce, though I won't be surprised if it's yet again Dats or Z that put the team on their backs and scores. Just please, please fight back in this game. I couldn't stand it if Ottawa breezes to a win.

Terrible. Completely outskated.

Yeah, but they can't score.

Not too surprising he'll experience stuff like this while trying to return, as long as it's not his back acting up it's not the end of the world.

Franzen was quite possibly our best forward. Though it did seem like he was tired towards the end of the 3rd and in OT, very quick shifts and mishandled the puck a couple of times. Maybe not being used to playing C and having to skate more drained his energy. But he was good last night. Shootout winner?

On the other hand if you're a Red Wing you have a chance to play longer as a veteran. They're loyal, so once you make the team they treat you well. Even after you retire they take care of you. Honestly this situation with Nyquist is not the normal type of situation, it sucks but hopefully it'll be over soon and Gus will be a Wing for years to come.

Pretty much. I'd like to see Babs put Pav as the 2nd or 3rd shooter actually. Give him a chance to win the game, or the chance to keep the Wings alive. I think some of our other guys, maybe Tatar, could do well as the 1st shooter as there is less pressure.

I liked what I saw. He looked confident. That one play where he bounced the puck up the boards while turning around and throwing Thornton to the ice was mega-impressive.

That video of the backhand isn't really a move he's used a lot. I have no problem with him using his most effective moves most of the time. In fact, that forehand move is close to unstoppable when he executes well, so imo he should just go with that 9 times out of 10. But last season or two he's had too many lazy SO attempts, like tonight. Can't ask him to score everytime, but he's got the ability to.

I don't know why Z doesn't take more of the draws on that line. Pav is definitely struggling a bit in that regard.

We played a very good game, tactically great and very methodical and simple game. By the 3rd period it felt like we had the upper hand. The puck just didn't go in. We either missed the net, shot it right at Niemi, or tried one pass too many and it got broken. Suck losing in shootout as that is one 'free' point we lost out on. Atleast it's to a team in the other conference. Defense was great. Smith's best game of the season, maybe pairing him with Quincey is the problem. Now if he could just put the puck into the net it'd be great. Oullet looked fantastic for his first game, confident and strong. Threw the puck away a bit carelessly a couple of times but atleast not in dangerous positions. Dekeyser just gets better and handled the extra responsibility very well. He's one of those guys that never seems to disappoint.

Was that a super obvious hook on Weiss that didn't get called, or did mine eyes deceive me? Either way, how about a PP someday soon?

Great shift by the 2nd line. Wow that felt weird to type out.

Not much happening in this game eh? Well I'm glad as long as we keep it tight defensively. One thing though: we have to hit the net. Way too many missed shots in good scoring chances. Get it on net.

Our PK has been great so far. I expect more consistancy from our PP though. Should be better with Nyquist-Tatar on the 2nd unit.

There's a requirement to miss a certain number of games when you're put on LTIR. By the sounds of it he probably needs all the time he can get in practice to get up to speed.

We 'need' another veteran depth-d. Someone to throw in the #6 spot if none of Smith/Lashoff/Almqvist/Oullet prove themselves ready for it. That's really it though. . You can't build a team to be a contender without the top 2 defensemen, not in the salary cap era. You think Boston makes it far without Chara and Seidenberg? When healthy we have a good defensive group.

How should those be wins? Winnipeg and Edmonton should, the other are tough games.

No team's defense would look bad (on paper) if their top pair was injured. It could get messy or the team could overcome it. Let's see what happens. Atleast we'll get a look at what Oullet is made of.

If only he was good at offense. He shows glimpses, but if he'd produce I'd forgive some defensive errors.

Helm as 4th line C unless he can return to 100% the player he was. Alfie on the 1st line, Tatar/Nyquist on the 2nd (whoever creates the best chemistry with Weiss), Abdelkader on the 3rd, Miller on 4th. Z-D-Alfie Franzen-Weiss-Nyquist Tatar-Andersson-Abdelkader Miller-Helm-Glendening/Cleary/Tootoo I think that would give us pretty balanced lines.

Difference to me is that E had a great stretch when he first came up, then took a step back but atleast we knew he had it in him. Also I don't think he was ever quite as bad as Smith is defensively. Imagine how bad Smith would look if we still had Lids, Raffi and Stuart? E was the weakest link of a stacked defense, Smith is by far the weakest link of a much less stacked D.

I want to be patient with him. But he sucks.