puckloo39

Jimmy does Dallas Babs on why Howard is starting today. No offense is high on his list. The Wings have played poorly on defense during their skid, haven't scored an even-strength goal in the past three games Ozzie is not happy (understandably): Osgood has a 2.31 goals-against average against Dallas. "I always play good against Dallas, so, yeah, I would have liked to have played, but maybe he [i assume he means Babs?] doesn't know that," Osgood said. "I've been in a lot tougher situations than this before. This happens. We're struggling but ... by no means are we panicking." Osgood is 1-4-0, including four straight losses, since starting for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game on Feb. 27. He has allowed 15 goals on 61 shots in the four losses. "I don't feel tired," Osgood said. "I feel good. I haven't lost my confidence. You still feel the same way. You just want to get back in there and play. ... You don't get playing like you want to by sitting there. But, again, I just have to work hard in practice I guess and play. It's not my decision." well, OK, then. Babs on Howard: Asked about the decision to start Howard, Babcock said: "We weren't keeping it out of our net. And so, Howie's done a good job. Now, starting is different than filling in. So, it'll be interesting to see how he does. ... He's come a long way. He's (got) three years in the organization, and he's earned a right to start."

you're welcome! You can toss Lils in there for some added mojo sometime... Marilyn won't mind, she was a cool lady!

what a face! I love it... get 'im, Andreas!!! LOL @ the guy in camo in the background, he's loving this!! Lils, ava-sized

You'd be surprised!! Those weekend games are sometimes a little sparse, but all the seats are sold out. I was at the Jan 5 game (good guys win 3-0! whoo!!) and it wasn't well attended, but that could have been due to a weird 1:00PM start and the fact that it was flat-out gorgeous that weekend outside. Anyway, I checked online last week for tickets... and there are none available. I bet the house will be rockin' in Dallas tomorrow, with this being a national telecast, as well. It's cold and rainy here, so it's good hockey weather. I expect a sell out, for real tomorrow... Stars are after some revenge!

oh, goody... Turco! I have instructed Pavel to surgically remove all traces of Turco's dignity by scoring at least one highlight reel goal, and assisting on several more. The D will remember what they are there for... no more _efensive lapses (no D) leading to backbreaking goals. I am not going to be in Dallas for this one, more's the pity. But I hope to be able to make fun of my Stars fan friends on Monday -- and not the other way around. Go, Wings!! Go, Jimmy!!!!

Good. This makes sense to me. The team better show up in front of Jimmy, since they have not done so for the other goalies lately. Surely they won't hang Junior out to dry, too?? Dallas is feeling pretty spiffy right now having managed to beat Anaheim last night. I bet Turco insists on playing tomorrow... he's got Wings in his head and usually Tippett is smart enough to play Smitty instead. Not so sure Turco's all that skeered of this current version of the Wings. So, Dats, do your thing and undress Turcs tomorrow. Ew, not literally... you know what I mean. If we can get through tomorrow and Monday, the team oughta figure things out and be back on track by the Western Canada trip. If will help if everyone is healthy again, too. Go, Jimmy!!!

I think Dom might have had a couple of those last night, yes. If you watched the last game he played vs the Wild, you might agree. When the team sucks, the goalie has to be the best player out there. We still would have lost this game because the Wings are not scoring, though. One goal per game demands a shut out from the Wings goalie, and that's not all that common, unless your goalie is LeClaire... Ozzie is not getting ripped on, that I can see, he's being excused and the team is being ripped for the losses, and for the most part, rightfully so. There is no real dispute about being pulled twice in as many games, poor team effort or not. Some of the responsibily is on the goalie, whether it's Dom or Ozzie. I am sure Ozzie feels terrible right now, and I am sorry for that. Like it or not, it's not Dom's fault (damn him for sitting out injured, what is he thinking!?!?) that the team is not winning right now, or mine.

No one in their right mind is happy that Hasek is out right now, the team is sucking pucks. As for Dom letting in that many goals on as few SOG... unless one is pyschic, there's no way to know that. No need to try and make Ozzie look better by assuming Dom would look as bad. What is pretty likely is that Hasek would have been run out of town by now by the fans, and not given any sort of pass such as that it's the team's fault -- even though it is. Lack of D and O, and not goaltending, is at the heart of the recent skid, IMO. Bring back Kronner, Raffi and Dom, and all will be well again. I do worry about the lack of depth on this team, but any top team missing some high-profile players would look about the same.

Pascal LeClaire didn't think so. He's still pissed at being snubbed... did ya notice? Should have played the goalies who were voted in by the fans, maybe? The All Star game would have "meant" more around here if Ozzie had kicked butt. Apparently, since he didn't, it became very "meaningless," very quickly. Personally, I've always thought it was meaningless... but that's just me. The ASG doesn't have anything to do with goaltending in Detroit, or the team D going AWOL (on both goalies) or the complete disappearance of the offense. <<That's the problem, as I see it. You can't win very often with only 1 or 2 goals for (or none), and that's all the team seems to be able to come up with. And you can't win when the team doesn't show up until the last ten minutes of regulation, either. The team has a problem, not the goalies.

thank you!!! I was all smiles and goosebumps watching that. Whatever happens with him this season, Mac is indeed back. Mac, you rock!

it's OK, we still have one of our goalies who is #1 in GAA for the league. <<< edit: grammar moses

I said the same thing. Hasek is more important to this team than LGW fans want to admit, and so are Raffi and Kronner. The real issue is not the goaltending -- it's the lack of scoring that concerns me more.

I agree... Dallas is waiting and Turco is on a roll. Easy pickings as we stand at the moment. I think Hasek, Rafalski and Kronner are better players and much more important to the team than some here would have you believe. If they are all back for the W. Canada swing, things will turn around.

I don't think the Blue Jax need any more help, after tonight. Certainly they may not have Kronner, in any case. Maybe we can get Feds for a dollar, like we did Draper.

nonsense. Jimmy's much taller.

are you serious? I love it when people pile on, even if the weakness is just a glitch in our case. Sad. I hate most hockey writers and announcers, anyway.

report, please. Those of us with Center Ice never get pre- or post-game. That's the only thing I like about Versus... extra coverage.

I don't see how Mac could possibly be worse than poor Sammy. Heart alone would carry Mac's play if he pulled a Wings jersey on right now. I am thrilled for him over the hat trick, but even happier at the prospect that he's saved his own life and is happy (I hope) playing the game that he loves. Call me sentimental -- I've certainly been called worse things -- but I hope he's back in Detroit before the playoffs.

it's a little hard to argue with, I must say. But it's temporary, we all know that. Right? Chelios rules.

Has anyone checked the dressing room to see if Feds accidentally got left behind by the BJ's tonight? I hope so. So, onward we go, to face the Dallas Shutouts and the Colorado Adversities. Go, Wings? And start Jimmy on Sunday. I want to see him play an entire game.

Dallas just had a seven game winning streak broken (by the Yoties), and they play Anaheim tonight. They will be gunning for the Wings on Sunday, no doubt about it. Dom and the guys shut them out last meeting (Jan 5 -- and I was there! woot!!), and the Stars are NOT happy about it.

wonder if they will play Turco. He's scared of Datsyuk. Betcha Smitty plays... and yes, it's 3:30PM start, 2:30PM Central on NBC.

it's really fun watching the Wings fire pucks at LeClaire. Too bad none of them are going in... and he's right to be miffed at the ASG snub, too. Did I mention yet that I hate Ken Hitchcock with a passion? I can't even be mad at him tonight, as the Wings are losing this one all on their own.

you sound like me... I say stuff like that. Anybody seen Fedorov yet? I am waiting!

The same team plays in front of both goalies, at least that's what I've been hearing all season.... The whole team is smelly bad right now. They will get it back, I am not worried. Maybe, like Britney, they have to hit rock bottom, before they can get better.