puckloo39

I think you're right that the effort thus far has looked sporadic and not on point, by the usual Red Wings' standard. That will probably turn around. In the meanwhile, the goals for are offsetting the GAA at the moment, so that's perhaps all we can ask. The D is still off on a given night, which is a problem. I have some concern that the offense might not continue to be able to compensate. Let's just say we're in no danger of collecting another Jennings this season.

I guess as long as the offense continues to generate at one more goal that the opponent, most here seem OK with the 'tending this season. Playoffs will be here before you know it! The D is taking the brunt of the blame for the team GAA. Perhaps that's really the case, and if so they'd better get their acts together. Should the current offensive effort revert to the de rigueur 2-goals-per-game situation we had last season, that W total might not look so good.

Not so much pissed off as resigned to them being the way they are. TPBM is enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee.

good on ya, Huddie!! He's the shootout king!! Yeah, Ozzie says no!

LOL @ Mule's face, when Bryz made that save.

that's lovely. Dats zilch. Yoties = 1 Nice, Ozzie!!!

Dang Bryz... Shoot out time. I don't have a good feeling about this. Surprise me, Wings.

twice. So long as they continue to miss the back of our net, that's a good thing!

yes! re: Mule's goal. McClellan is a good coach, as evidenced by the way the Sharks have responded to him. That said, I think they will fade as the season goes on. I think the work ethic is lagging in Detroit, and players need to step up and be responsible. I haven't really seen that from some of them this season.

freakin' Mule.... Run up the score, boyz!!

could someone please get Hossa some new sticks? Sturdier ones?

Or four. And I agree. Intangibles sometimes make a winner. Was that one Kronner's fault, too? Just asking...

I missed what Sammy did to get sent to the box.

not exactly.

right you are.

I also understand your frustration, OP. I don't lay the lapses at Babs' feet, however, even though I tend to agree with you about Cleary. Love him, just the same. We have the same team as last season, minus Dom and Drake. Dom (according to some here) didn't contribute that much aside from half the wins in the season, and Drake chipped in some goals in the playoffs, but not much else during the season. No knock, just true. We are dealing with the season here, not the playoffs, before the slappies start yapping about the playoffs. We have to get to the finals to worry about that. Adding Hossa shouldn't have upset any chemistry. By all rights, his arrival just added more firepower to an already embarrassing array of richness in Detroit. While Babs is no Scotty Bowman - who managed the 2002 HHOF on Ice with skill and savvy - Babs is no novice. If anything, the players need to look in the mirror and decide whose "problem" it is that they've only managed to accumulate a 19-5-4 record. /sarcasm There have been key injuries (Lidstrom, Cheli, Homer) and shaky goaltending. There is plenty of responsibility on the parts of everyone in the room. Intangibles sometimes win championships and that spark seems to be missing so far this season, IMO. I'd stop short of calling it a Cup hangover. That happens to first time winners and novices, not this locker room. Here is what bothers me: the reason the W record is as good as it is has to do with the fact that the offense - Hossa, notably, early on - has managed to pot one more goal than the goalies have let in. I am not convinced that we can continue winning all season in that fashion. They will sort it out, I believe, but some soul searching may be in order. One of my fan-friends from another team mentioned that he thought the Wings in general and some in particular might be believing their own press from last season. I can't disagree with that.

each and every one, even all four wisdom teeth! TPBM gets to go to more than one Wings game per season.

and badly, at that. Glad I didn't spend money I don't have to go to Dallas for this one.

buh-bye. Of course, that snake Ribiero had to get the EN. Blah...

Datsyuk needs to embarrass Turco again... at least the Stars fans are happy.

I thought Turco looked surprised when he found it in his glove.

there seem to be piles of people in the Wings net every time I look up.

I think perhaps the Wings might want to act a little more like they care now. Right now. Conks is getting left out there...

classic Ribiero... he reverts to form when he's pissed. Too bad, too.

there was the D and goaltending I've been looking for. Excellent finish to the period, no last minute goal. Can't ask for more than that....