dat's sick

It's easy to blame Howard, and yes that 4th goal was really bad and killed any hope we had of a comeback, but the Wings have to make Bryzgalov work more. How many quality chances have we had this game? 2? 3? That's including the goals. No offense whatsoever this game. Also the defense hasn't helped Howie much.

I'm dying here.

Babs really needs to do something to shake the team up. Put Hank and Pav together or something.

Still waiting for the Wings to string 2 passes together. Hopefully we see it before the end of the game.

I'm usually pretty optimistic but I don't recognize this team right now. Don't have a good feeling. Hope I'm wrong.

Datsyuk is playing really great imo, but he's not getting any help. If we haven't scored when there's 10 minutes left I say Babs should go ZDH.

Wings to-do list for the 3rd period: 1: Wake up 2: Get heads out of asses 3: String 2+ passes together 4: Get a quality scoring chance 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 and WIN THE GAME.

Can the Wings string two passes together?? Stay tuned!

It makes it easier to accomplish his #1 objective: to give the puck to the other team. Wings looking sloppy right now. Luckily Phoenix aren't doing much either.

What are these passes Rafalski and Bert!?!?!

Wings got going in the 2nd half of that period. Phoenix didn't really have any chances after their goal. Only thing I need to complain about is how Bertuzzi and Franzen are handling the puck. Or rather, how they're not handling it. Bert had 2 opportunities to get a breakaway but fumbled the puck both times. Franzen was very much responsible for the phoenix goal, and has just looked bad. Come on. Z and Fil look great though. Pav looks good but gotta start playing a bit simpler imo. Too many high-risk passes and moves, it doesn't work in the playoffs.

YES! Fil is red-hot!

Wings aren't controlling the puck well. Lots of giveaways and missed passes.

Don't like how easily Phoenix establishes pressure in our zone, while we're just one-and-done all the time. Gotta get the cycle going and make them play defense.

He hit the wall big time. Looked so amazing the first 10 games after returning from his injury.

I blame the goal on Franzen's lazy play on the blueline, he better make up for it.

^^ this.

Not too sure about that, 10-0 Wings sounds good to me! Would like to see Franzen get a goal, Howard to have a solid performance and someone to knock Doan the f*** out. Loving the early start time. These 4AM games have been killing me. LET'S GO WINGS

Detroit Holmstrom Lidstrom Zetterberg Phoenix Stempniak

I agree, we need Ericsson size out there. Besides I don't think he has been that bad. Kronwall, Lilja and Rafalski have all made bigger mistakes than him in this series. OP has a good point though, I think coaches are too afraid to make changes to a winning lineup. I wonder if Babs would have let Williams stay in there if we had pulled out a win in Game 1?

Zetterberg was the 1st star tonight, his beard the 2nd.

He's in the trunk of Claude Lemiuex's car right now most likely.

His 2nd goal was CLUTCH. That was the game-winner for sure. He is always great in the playoffs, just another reason why I don't want him traded.

2nd period was... well, I don't have words. This has been a very, very good playoff series so far. I don't expect the 2 games in Detroit to be worse. Playoffs, I love it!

That "1" looks good up there