Hockey Convert

I'll say this, he is at least playing hard tonight. I can't completely forget all the horrible plays I've seen this year, but I give him some credit tonight.

That is the sad, sad truth of the matter.

At this point, just the roster spot is enough for me. He's the most blatant example of treating the puck like it's radioactive and covered with scorpions. I don't know how anyone can watch games like this and say we don't need some big, legitimate checkers on this team.

The Wings all look like they're more worried about getting hit each time they touch the puck than making plays. This is exactly what San Jose did to them the last two playoffs.

Tim Thomas was hit by Pens players twice tonight. No penalties called on the plays.

I haven't seen a replay, and it was a little hard to tell. Not penalty worthy as far as I could see; McNabb came from the front. What I'm not sure of is whether he caught Abby in the head, or it was an awkward shoulder hit. I think the main problem was that Abdelkader either didn't see it coming, or was off balance. It irritated me because just before that, McNabb took a pretty good shot at Datsyuk too. It would have been nice if someone had at least put a body on McNabb to tell him to tone it down.

If Abby's hurt, we'll get to have both.

I think a better question is, what if the same thing happened to Jimmy? The Wings don't even have a Gaustad. Would everyone here be OK with just shrugging it off?

Went up 3 early, then got very lazy and played that way for the next one and a half periods. Jimmy was great and should have had a shutout; Buffalo scored on a total defensive breakdown. Abdelkader got run by McNabb and left the game. No word on his condition, absolutely no response by the other Wings.

Not on the bench now, though; hope it's just a precaution. Don't like that Dats and then Abby got run. Ericsson got a little chippy with Kassian, but I'd like to see SOME response; even just throw some of our own hits.

See there, you're all missing the point. This entire "concussion" episode was really a ploy to get people to actually watch the Islanders.

Perhaps. I don't think he'd be the answer to the Wings shortcomings next year either, so I guess that's a similarity.

Yep, says all that needs to be said about tonight's effort. That and "season low in shots on goal". See you all for next game.

For sure. Not sure why, they've had much more jump the last couple games than tonight. Let's hope they get something going for the third.

Just my opinion, and it has nothing to do with him being "a force" against the Wings; there are plenty of other players that have crushed it against the Wings whom I have no problem with. Doan, every game I've seen him play, I see him throwing cheap shots. Your experience may vary, but until I see something to change my mind, that is mine.

Yep, exactly right. Games like this are why I just can't agree with the "fighting is icky!" crowd. Somebody, show some emotion, FFS.

It may just be me, but I really don't like Doan, and would not want him as a Wing. Frankly, I think he's a cheapshotting scum bag. I am intrigued by Glencross. If he were going to be available, I'd want to take a serious look.

I thought, from the replay, that Kindl actually initiated it because Benn cross-checked him. Maybe I saw it wrong?

Thanks, that's good to know; I haven't had a chance to see the Griffins play this year. I guess now, we wait!

As others said, the Oil took a beating last night in Boston, but they saved their red-hot keeper for tonight. I think it's going to come down to whether the Wings can crack 'Bulin early because if they do, even the young Oilers team may not have the legs left to rally and play from behind. Let's Go WINGS!

Here's a serious related question: do you guys think Callahan will get a legitimate shot with the Wings? Actually, I guess a better way to state it is, what will he have to do? From my perspective, and I'm sure people on here will disagree, it seems like Holland really doesn't like physical, scrapper type players. So I'm wondering; if Callahan establishes himself as a fantastic 4th line type player on the Griffins, would that be enough to get him a look on the Wings roster? Or alternatively, how many goals do you think he'd have to put up to show he can be "well rounded" enough to get a shot? I wish I knew the answer. I think the Wings could use a little of the attitude Callahan seems to bring, but it remains to be seen how he can adapt to the pro level. My suspicion is that Babcock would like having more physical players, but that Holland doesn't value it as much. I'm not claiming to know that for sure, but it's certainly the sense I get from watching the way the team has shaped up the last few years.

I would vote for you; but probably because I like the cut of your jib. And ok, even though I don't usually agree with Doc Holliday; it's not time to give up. Calm down. Instead, maybe show them that you still believe. Even if you don't at the moment, instill confidence anyway; trust me, sometimes the form is the thing in these cases.

I thought Commodore actually looked pretty decent tonight, especially considering he hasn't played in a while. Would watch again. The D-men are not the problem here.

I won't say the Bruins were in the right last night, but you should have watched the entire game or at least incident. Chara jumped into that and took an instigator because he didn't want them going after Horton, who is still recovering from a concussion. Then, when Chara had relented and was going to head to the penalty box, Cam Ward jumped in front of him and started running his mouth. During the rest of the game the Bruins did some stupid things, but absolutely the most disgraceful thing I saw in that game was Ward getting involved when he had absolutely no business doing so. Maybe he would have killed Rask, but if he's such a tough guy let's see it; Rask was offering. Maybe fighting "isn't part of the game", as some state. Regardless of how you feel, though, how can you tell me taunting and poking a prodding at a frustrated team until the give you a shove and then looking a the ref and yelling, "Teacher! Teacher! HE SHOVED MEEEEE!" should have any place on the ice? That crap was just as sickening as the Bruins losing their cool and acting like petulant children.

Maybe. Isn't that one of the arguments being levied for Brunnstrom? An option to change the top-six? Mock all you want, but something wasn't working in those series the last two years. I love our players, and will support them no matter what, but sometimes sentiment isn't enough to win a cup. That's the reality of it.