Pat

Although many of you will disagree with a thought of winning this series, the Wings are the only team in the NHL that I believe can pull off a 3-0 comeback. They would be the 3rd in history to do such and hopefully this is there year. History will have to be made in order for this to occur. The reason I believe the wings can pull this off is the they have not been outplayed in any of the games in this series. All of the games were lost on late mental mistakes by both Howard and the defense. The wings HAVE to go with a 1 game at a time mentality, otherwise the series is over. What will have to happen: Babcock will have to control the emotions of the team Howard will have to make big saves all game The defense HAS to tighten up Stop the sharks pp and ignite our offense on our PP's Ref's will have to put there whistles away, no bs calls Wings HAVE to capitalize on the sharks mistakes Smart decisions when on the ice Get more pucks on net Get into Nabbies's head Star players have to play great No giving up when down Now there are plenty of other things that will have to occur, but the wings must start there. Lets Go Wings!

Wings need to send a statement that there going to battle through this series, and it's going to have to start with domination in the game tomorrow. The wings need to make the game tomorrow look easy so they can have some confidence Believe my friends, its gonna take a lot of luck and determination.

With each victory for the wings, more and more people will start to believe, it must start tomarrow!

Sick of these people saying we got outplayed, we don't score goals when we have an offensive push, then we can't keep it in (lidstroms stick breaks / other s***) and it leads to odd man rushes..

One game at a time. Time to put Ozzy in because he can steal a series and has the experience. Sit Ericcson and put lilja in the lineup. Sit draper and put eaves in the lineup. Sit williams and put May in the lineup. Babcock has to coach smarter as well... my god your team lets up a goal with 13 minutes left in the 3rd and he doesn't call a timeout?

wings have outplayed them a lot.. eventually we will start capitalizing on our opportunities. They won 2 at home, so can we, and without the refs helping (save that for game 7 when it matters)

I'm sick of the bulls*** calls around the NHL and I think it's time for a new system to be put in place. If blood is drawn somehow on a play or someone is injured, the play should be subject to review and a conference between the five(explained later) referees using the replay from above will be required. If it is determined that the player was injured illegally than a penalty shall be given to the team. If blood is drawn, the penalty will be four minutes. Also, a fifth referee will not be on the ice, and two referees will always be following the play close to the net so there are no quick whistles. Also the referee can overturn the "intent to blow" if he was able to see the puck still active. But the puck must cross the line before the whistle. Goaltender interference no goals shall be reviewed ON ALL OCCASIONS. Here are 2 of the bulls*** calls: Wings - 1:40 mark: Caps Both bulls*** and both should of been conferenced by the refs to make the right call.. //End Rant

Never left, just have come back at key points in games.

The sharks got away with a lot of penalties in this game, and they drew many also. Look for a tighter officiated game on Sunday, and an a lot stronger pp unit. Babcock no doubt will be practicing this PP as it's starting to get washed up, we had countless opportunities to tie this game.

Even though they don't got Grier anymore, it still brings back memories. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc2fL3ubd40

All I know, is after tonight game, I better see a on the forum! LETS GO WINGS!

Franzen steps up: Wings win Easily

Wings will win because they will control there emotions and make smart plays, the only way to lose this game is to give of PP goals. Babcock better coach like Herb Brooks tomarrow

I believe the wings should go after Jagr/Fedorov. They need to get 1 of these guys so they have a skilled veteran with young guys like helm/miller. When the wings signed Dallas Drake and put him in with the younger speedy guys, he was able to draw pressure off them. In my opinion Jagr would be the best choice if he is willing to sign for under 3 million. He is faster then Jason Williams, has better stick handling then Williams, and can definitely score goals.

Personally I believe that the wings need to get rid of stuart. He provides little to no offense, is a slow skater when coming back on defense, and makes bad turnovers in our zone. What I believe they should do: Send Brad Stuart + Draftpick from Ville Leino trade to Anaheim for Teemu Selanne. Selanne's Cap #: $2,625,000 Stuart's Cap #: $3,750,000 Cap Space Freed: $1,125,000 This would nearly allow Lilja to be added to the roster, and would occur if the wings waived a forward/defenseman. This is just what I think should occur, as this team needs some offense(hes great on PP). Post what you think of this and or other solutions you think are necessary to making it to the playoffs.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen saw team doctors on Tuesday and was told his surgically repaired knee is fine and he can play when he's ready. Franzen, who still needs to improve his conditioning level, estimated he's about two weeks away. "I'm good to go when I feel ready,'' Franzen said. "Maybe a couple more weeks. (The knee) doesn't hurt.'' He said he needs to strengthen his skating muscles. "I haven't used them in 3 1/2 months,'' said Franzen, who only began skating in earnest last week. "One practice I skated hard, then I was sore the rest of the week.'' He still is hoping to return before the Olympic break (Feb. 15-28), but if he can only play a couple of games before the break, he said he would consider the advantages of resting it an additional two weeks before returning. "It's going to take its time,'' Franzen said. "The way I feel now after one hard practice, I need two rest days to get back. I got to improve that.'' Other noteworthy items: -- Tomas Holmstrom got in his first real good skate today at the Xcel Energy Center -- he was out there for about an hour -- since he broke his foot on Jan. 6. He said it's doubtful that he'll return Friday against Nashville, but Sunday at Pittsburgh is a distinct possibility. -- Jason Williams (fractured fibula on Nov. 7) said he is ready and can play Friday, as long he gets the OK. -- Andreas Lilja (concussion) said he hopes to have a meeting, possibly on Thursday, with doctors, general manager Ken Holland and his agent to determine when he can be cleared to play and what's the next step to take. -- Chris Osgood will start in goal tonight against the Minnesota Wild, coach Mike Babcock said after the morning skate. The only other lineup change sees Derek Meech replacing Brett Lebda. Babcock contemplated resting Niklas Kronwall, who returned to action Tuesday after missing nearly 10 weeks with a sprained knee, but they decided he was good to go. "That was a decision we didn't make until this morning when the trainers talked to him,'' Babcock said. "He didn't have heavy minutes (Tuesday). We didn't play a lot of time in our zone last night grinding, so he's going.'' Here are the expected lines and defense pairings: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Cleary Bertuzzi-Filppula-Miller Draper-Helm-Eaves May-Abdelkader-Maltby Leino (scratched) Lidstrom-Rafalski Meech-Stuart Kronwall-Ericsson Osgood (starting) Howard

FIRE BABCOCK AND ALL OF HIS COACHING STAFF RELEASE STUART In the last 10 games how many times have we seen this? And in all of the times this has happend how many times did babcock have the balls to say he's responsible? Stuart needs to go also, hes like a damn ghost out there, completely worthless. Way to blow a great effort for the team Stuart/Coaching Staff

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100123/SP...s-ready-to-roll Detroit --The Red Wings woke up Friday above the playoff cut line for the first time since Dec. 22. Their 4-3 shootout victory over the Wild on Thursday, coupled with the Flames' sixth consecutive loss, tucked them into the eighth spot in the West. The Wings and Flames have 58 points, but the Wings have played one fewer game. "You know, I am a big believer in building a foundation and then working to get better each and every day," coach Mike Babcock said. "That's what I've been doing for 21 years of coaching and for the most part it's worked out pretty good." Advertisement The Wings have ridden out a rash of injuries, power-less power plays and long scoring droughts and suddenly, it feels like the clouds are breaking. "This is as positive as I've been about our team all year long," Babcock said, before the Wings beat the Wild. Here's why: With injured players gradually returning -- Niklas Kronwall and Tomas Holmstrom could be back next week, and Jason Williams and Johan Franzen are expected back before the Olympic break -- the Wings have been able to hit a few more gears on offense. They've averaged 35 shots the last five games, are playing faster with the puck and holding onto it for longer stretches, and playing less chip-and-chase and grinding and more of the flowing puck-possession. The puck isn't going into the net as often as they need it to, but the chances have been there. "When the guys were skating (Thursday morning, an optional pre-game skate), I was running around up top and I saw Mule (Franzen) slamming one over somebody's shoulder and I saw Willie slam one over somebody's shoulder," Babcock said. "I know Homer was back home and he and Kronwall will be back soon. "I am not worried one bit about us scoring goals." As long as the defense continues to be stout, and there's no reason to think it won't, the Wings might want to get a little greedy the next few weeks. They have a chance not only to solidify their foothold in the top eight, but should be able to take a healthy run at No. 4. The Kings, whom they play tonight, occupy the seventh spot (59 points) and play their next five games on the road. No. 6 Nashville (61) is on a four-game trip which will end in Detroit next Friday. No. 5 Vancouver (62) has an unrelenting road schedule. It plays its last eight games before the break on the road, and then stays on the road for six after the break. No. 4 Phoenix (63) plays at East-leading Washington tonight, at Detroit on Tuesday and six of its last eight on the road before the break. From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100123/SP...l#ixzz0dS3XEkaE

Maybe next time rafalski will save his smiles until the end of the game... what a dam buffoon sitting on the bench smiling... I knew as soon as I saw it we were doomed.

LOS ANGELES -- Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom will be out 3-4 weeks with a non-displaced fracture in his foot, general manager Ken Holland said today. The injury happened after Wednesday's practice at the Honda Center in Anaheim, when Holmstrom was working on deflecting pucks, like he does after virtually every practice. It's something he's been doing for 13 years. For the first time, he got hit with a puck in the wrong spot. X-rays Wednesday night revealed the fracture. The club sent Holmstrom home Thursday morning and he will be further evaluated on Friday. It's another tough break for a team that's been devastated by injuries this season. Just when the situaiton looked brighter -- forwards Henrik Zetterberg and Dan Cleary will return for tonight's game against the Kings -- the Red Wings learn they will be without their leading goal-scorer for up to month. Holmstrom has 15 goals and 21 points. "We were excited to get Cleary and Zetterberg back, now it's two in and one out,'' Holland said. "The hard part is it happened when practice was over. "It's a fluke injury.'' The Wings still have one extra healthy forward. Either Brad May or Ville Leino will be inserted into the lineup tonight. http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20..._holmstrom.html Can't even believe the luck we have...

It might be a sign that Mathieu Schneider's playing days in the NHL are nearing an end. On Tuesday, the Vancouver Canucks placed the 40-year old blueliner on waivers, where he can be claimed by any club prior to Noon et on Wednesday. If he clears waivers, the Canucks can opt to send him down to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. In 17 games this season, Schneider has two goals and three assists. He missed 10 games in October and November when he required shoulder surgery. He was signed by the Canucks as an unrestricted free agent last summer to a one-year deal worth $1.55 million. His stop in Vancouver marks his ninth club over 19 seasons in the league. He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1987, and has a long resume that includes a Stanley Cup win with the Habs in 1993, along with appearances in two Olympics and two World Cups for Team USA. ---- Should the redwings claim him? Vote

Hes old but still has talent left. Fits the redwings system perfectly and is still a scoring threat at the blueline. Also a right handed shooter which gives us 2 defenseman to use with lidstrom/kronwall/stuart

NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly is aggressively trying to land the NHL back on ESPN television in the States. NBC will hang on to the NHL through at last next season in large part because they carry the Olympics. ESPN will not take the NHL back unless they get the Stanley Cup finals as part of the deal. As of now NBC has the rights to the Cup finals. Source: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=18246 Do you think they will get this done THIS season?

10-12M in cap space next season and with franzen out that gives us some cap room. Look for a big name free agent to get traded here.

Personally, I'm sick of all the people complaining about what a terrible off season the wings have had. Clearly the wings want to stay competitive for along time, and by not locking up yet another player to a lifetime deal it gives them the room to bring it the players for the system. Vote for what you think will happen next season.