Matt

If someone is coming out of the lineup for Draper in a Game 7 it sure as hell won't be Maltby. Abdelkader will sit.

Playing too cute in this game. Holding onto the puck too long. Passing up shots. Not converting on beautiful cross ice feeds that have been there -- wide open -- on three seperate occasions tonight. Getting outworked. It's cliche, but they're "playing not to lose" rather than "playing to win." No killer instinct. I don't think Anaheim has been impressive in this game as Detroit has controlled the puck most of the night, but the power play has been a monstrous let down as is the stone hands and bad decision making on great scoring chances.

If they're not pulling the switcheroo on the upper/lower, I'd say Rafalski tweaked his back. No other upper body thing (outside of a concussion, and since it occured between series I doubt it's that) I can think of would really prevent some form of skating... right?

Datsyuk is so due it's silly.

I was thinking more along the lines of either a rib issue or a fractured clavicle. The clavicle specifically for its fragility. It wouldn't prevent him from skating (practice, morning, pre-game) but they definitely would not let him take contact if that bone isn't 100% healed. Depending on the severity it's usually 6-8 week rehab and he's rapidly approaching the 6 week mark. Unless I missed something the concussion issue doesn't seem likely. He's been skating non-stop since the injury occured and if he was suffering from PCS then he'd be shut down for 7-10 days (or until headaches subsided). *Then* he'd begin off-ice workouts. I'm pretty confident it's not a concussion.

Was stuck at the folks' place for the game (it is Mother's Day, after all). Had to drive back as soon as the game was over (about an hour).

I don't see anything wrong with the hit. Ovechkin cruised in, didn't stick his leg out, etc. Gonchar spun around and put himself in a vulnerable position by wildy trying to play the puck and not realizing Ovechkin was coming until the last moment. Gonchar is th one that stuck his leg out and left it where he *was*, which was why it was what Ovechkin hit. Gonchar probably would've been better off just taking the hit full-on instead of trying to sidestep out of the way.

The Red Wings fans' chants were VERY loud on the TV tonight. Music to my ears.

I feel like Ed Norton right now.

While I agree that mixing up the lines occured pretty late, I'm sure Kopecky was out there because he wasn't gassed (the last power play) and they needed a body to go to the net. FWIW, he did *almost* have a decent scoring chance.

Honestly, that's what I took out of the end of this game. If the Wings needed a chip on their shoulder and some adversity to stare down and overcome, this is it. They need that test at some point in every Cup run. Last year it was dropping two in Nashville, this year it's the half-effort and getting outworked by the Ducks and then the final nail was getting jobbed by a ridiculously premature whistle. Time to man up.

^ This. Closed.

It's pathetic that it takes 30 minutes to pass in each game before the Red Wings really start to work. 17-6 advantage in shots in that period, but at least 3/5ths of those shots were fluff. Still an improvement over an abysmal first and they finished strong late in the period. Must build on that early in the third. Sustain some momentum. I think some of you will get your wish with ZDH, at least in spot duty, in the third. Babcock was obviously mixing up the lines late.

Scratch that. FSD replay shows pretty clearly it's the shot hitting him in the chest that's the issue. Looks like it's definitely a broken rib(s) + punctured lung. He's on the way to the hospital via ambulance now. Probably pretty safe to say he's done.

^ This. That sames more along the lines of what would happen with that elbow. Wings really lucky not to get called on that. Wasn't intentional but definitely a penalty.

I honestly believe it's his groin again. I don't believe it's an "upper body" injury as it wouldn't explain why he's not skating. You'd think he'd keep up with that for conditioning purposes. He's already missed games with a groin issue (late in the season, too), so it wouldn't be surprising if he tweaked it. Doesn't really explain why the Wings wouldn't just call it lower body, however.

If the Wings decide to actually show some intensity out there instead of waiting for pucks to come to them, reaching with their sticks or waiting far too long to convert on chances.... things might be a bit different. What I'm seeing out there is a Red Wings team that's tentative and not willing to match the Ducks' determination and intensity level at the moment. If there's a loose puck it's a Duck flying in to go after it. The Detroit player waits for it to come to him. It's a shoulda-woulda-coulda, but Detroit could've easily had a 2-0 lead on Datsyuk's chance out front (before allowing Wisniewski to get back) and Samuelsson's interception. No. Killer. Instinct.

Must. Get. Rafalski. Back. Draper, too, while we're at it.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case -- hence the late adjustment to it.

Did it read like I was?

Let's hope the prognosis for Rafalski is good for him to return for Game 3. Same for Draper. I can't say I'm holding my breath on that, however.

I'm not hanging Osgood out to dry here -- he was fantastic -- but that last goal, despite the placement, wasn't exactly the stuff of legend. Marchant didn't seem to get a lot on the shot. I'll have to bust out the Tivo but it seemed that Osgood didn't get a bead on it until late.

Ah, adversity... I've been expecting your call. Had to happen at some point.

Same could be said on the game-winner... Your point?

What the hell was Kronwall thinking on jumping up like that? Moronic. Absolutely, 100% moronic.