Matt

Let's Go RED WINGS! *clap* *clap* *clap-clap-clap*

This game has turned my losing battle against my receding hairline into a full-on retreat...

Interesting: Zetterberg has yet to record a shot on goal in this game.

Through 80 minutes: Getzlaf - 30:33 Perry - 30:12 Pronger - 37:04 Niedermayer is just south of 30 and Ryan is a little ove 26. Detroit: Stuart - 35:26 Lidstrom - 34:12 Ericsson - 34:01 Kronwall - 30:18 Wings are leaning heavily on their top 4 D. Zetterberg leads the forwards with 25:58

After a rocky start that was a very strong OT push. Really close on some plays and the Wings need to keep firing that puck on net from all angles. There are some NICE juicy rebounds out there that Detroit can capitalize on. Keep the shifts short, get the puck deep before you change and stay hard on that forecheck!

Agreed. That was a bit lame.

3 I think. Game 1 was one over time, Game 2 was two and Game 4 was three. Totally drawing completely from memory. I know Lapointe and Shanahan had GWGs.... Kozlov with the other? That was a matinee game, too.

Shanahan to Lapointe for the OT GWG just :59 seconds in!

If the Ducks are going to stand three up at the blueline and force you to dump it in then that's what they're going to have to do. You've got to forecheck HARD HARD HARD and force the referee to make a call if they're going to continue to interfere with you as you race in on the dump-in. I'd like to think that the Wings will get a call or two if they get their feet moving and show some intensity. As Babcock says, they need to "engage" in the third period because they clearly haven't at this stage.

^ This.

Datsyuk's been brutal in this game. Stickhandling himself into turnovers, hasn't created much of anything. That 2nd period overall was brutal. No huste, no energy, no sense of urgency in their play, no forecheck... I could go on and on. Also, apparently the Ducks have turned into saints in this game. One power play? Seriously? (I won't continue on about the obstruction from the first period...)

Good to see them maintaining that. Helm was fantastic in that first period.

Wings actually lost the faceoff battle in the first period, 13-10 -- another testament to getting outworked on the post puck drop scrums. Much room for improvement.

Obviously the obstruction calls aren't being made. Pronger had a classic case on Franzen right near the end of the period and then followed it up with a cross check. I thought you weren't allowed to interfere with the forechecker? Did the rules somehow change? Oh, and nice phantom call on Stuart that led to a goal and no-call on Perry flopping onto Osgood. Fantastic. Wings looked VERY sloppy in the first 20 minutes and were getting outworked. Bad linechange and Chelios was brutal. One horrible giveaway that nearly ended up a goal and a bad linechange that did. Transition game isn't nearly as good as it should be -- some if it a credit to Anaheim's team defense, for sure -- but we desperately need Rafalski back there. It's not just the special teams, it's the breakout passes, etc.. Wings need to stop reaching with their sticks and stay strong positionally -- they're getting way off their assignments on occasion. Here's to a better final 40 minutes.

Are you sure? Of course they would. Hence my speculation it's a back thing. They also have Draper out with a lower body injury and everyone else has called it an upper body issue. Considering that Draper is fine to do everything except take contact I'd call shenanigans on CBS's accuracy here.

Obligatory...

Back issue? Totally speculating here. I doubt they'd say Rafalski had an upper body injury if his groin issues that have plagued him off and on this year returned.

Of course not. He wasn't throwing gloved punches until he had a linesman between him and thought he was safe. LOVED that Ericsson tossed the little fairy around and even moreso because it sat his ass in the penalty box for seven minutes in the middle of the game.

A better second, a couple of defensive lapses where the Ducks' lower lines were out-working Detroit's, but the Wings seemed to carry the play. Some bad penalties late, obviously. Is it just me or has Filppula been one of our most consistent forwards every game? He may not always end up on the scoresheet but his two-way play has been very impressive. STILL need more shots. Just start getting it on net.

Wasn't really impressed with the first period overall. Wings seemed to come on a bit late but there is some obvious rust out there. Need to bring the body more (was much better late in the period) and stay on their assignments. Anaheim should've made it 2-0 if it weren't for that goalmouth whiff. Osgood really looked to be fighting the puck early. The Wings need more shots, less cute stuff (looking at you Datsyuk and Hossa). Get those pucks on net, etc., etc.. I think they'll get their legs back and get better as the game wears on here. No mistakes!

He'll get five, at least. Hopefully Hudler wasn't concussed and it's just a stitches issue.

The Conference Semifinals Desktop Bracket Wallpaper is now available! The wallpaper comes in seven different screen resolutions and features a quote attributed to the Carthaginian military commander and tactician Hannibal: "We will either find a way, or make one." Click Here to Go to the Download Page Enjoy!

The Conference Semifinals Desktop Bracket Wallpaper is now available! The wallpaper comes in seven different screen resolutions and features a quote attributed to the Carthaginian military commander and tactician Hannibal: "We will either find a way, or make one." Click Here to Go to the Download Page Enjoy!

To reaffirm what Jedi stated, this forum has absolutely NO SAY in what forums you join. You do whatever you want. But, if you do join other forums just to troll and it leads back to here your account will be removed. Myself and the mods don't have the desire to clean up the mess when the opposing forum decides to launch a return salvo.

Round One.... Fight!