Aethernum

Preach! This team is mentally fragile right now. For better or worse, it's the makeup of the group and it's what we have to work with for the rest of the season. How do you think calling out specific players or dumping on their performance would go in the locker room? Trust our coach to coach. He's not your d*** therapist. Babcock was dead on: We played a poor first period. Then we played a good second and third period. But their goalie stood on his head one too many times and we took some bad bounces and so we lost by a goal in a game that we probably deserved to win. That's how this league goes sometimes. And no amount of coaching or "brutal honesty" is going to change that. Look, this team is fighting, and they look a LOT better now than they did two weeks ago. We have, by far, the easiest path to the playoffs of the remaining teams in the East who are battling, and the most talent. We've been pretty badly bitten by the injury bug, and our core guys are gassed after a long 82 game season. This is what happens in the NHL. And yet, despite all of that, this rebuilding squad is going to make the playoffs. Again. The sky is not falling. The world will spin on. And Detroit will be in the big dance once again. Will we win? Probably not. But give it a few years and look out, because we'll be on top of the world. Again. And I'll be d***ed if we don't shock a few people in the meantime. So let's all calm down, take a deep breath, and just appreciate that we have three intense, meaningful games left to close out a nail-biting and incredible regular season. If you can't be happy about that, then just stop watching. We'll be here when you get back.

Rebuilding teams don't generally make the playoffs, no. That might be shocking news to Detroit fans, but it's true. But it's that exact kind of knee-jerk "we're having a bad month LET'S FIRE EVERYONE!!!" mentality that Holland has managed to avoid for 24 years, thereby keeping this team relevant. If you don't want Babcock, someone else will take him. And I bet you anything that the team that picks him up gets a heck of a lot better real quick. Babcock is the best coach in the NHL. Period. We're just so d*** spoiled. A generation of Wings fans don't know what it is like to miss the playoffs. Maybe it would be good for us.

This team has regressed because its core has gotten old. That's what happens to every hockey team on the planet - Detroit fans are just too spoiled to recognize that it has to happen to them eventually, too. The best player on our team is on the wrong side of 35 and dealing with nagging injuries. Our captain is getting there and has even worse back problems. We're also down Franzen, as well as our two big guys (Cole/Abby). What part of "this team is in the middle of a rebuild" don't you understand? This team isn't supposed to make the playoffs, let alone contend for the Cup. It's only because of Babcock and our incredible farm system that we're even in the race at all. If you feel fine throwing that away, then fine. But there's a reason that Babcock would be the biggest FA in the NHL this off-season, and a reason you're not a GM. And thank god for that.

Five weeks ago we were one of the best teams in hockey. If you let five weeks out of a thirty week season dictate your off-season moves, I'd hate to have you as my GM.

No shortage of chances tonight. Just nothing went in. Seems like the standard these days... We need to steal one from Montreal, and not let down against what should be two easy Carolina wins. Nothing but winning out at this point should be acceptable, if we want to keep our playoff fate in our own hands.

This. Good to see Datsyuk back.

Still down a goal, but I loved the look of the team all period long. If they can keep the momentum going when the third starts, we'll get at least a point tonight.

That hit by Zids, the ensuing penalty kill and PP goal have completely re-energized this building. Huge shift.

DATSYUK with the FEEEEEEED. Beautiful pass.

Ahahahaha, I don't even care that he took the penalty. That was perfect. Between plays like that and his wonderful between the legs deke the other day...I'm really liking Zidlicky this year.

For whatever reason Holtby hasn't been on my radar this season as a shutdown, borderline-elite goalie. But what Mickey just said about him and rebounds is very true, and I might be reassessing. Also, our puck luck is the worst lately. Damn...

From here on out, Detroit plays: Minnesota Washington Carolina Montreal Carolina While the Senators play: Washington Toronto Pittsburgh NY Rangers Philadelphia They have a harder schedule. We have the weight of 24 years of history motivating us to step up. And we have three points in hand. Detroit will make the playoffs.

Babcock said this is how it would work. Mrazek had a bad night, now Jimmy gets a shot. It's time for someone to step up.

Five games to stay three points ahead. Who wins the tiebreaker between us and Ottawa right now?

We need to forget about Boston and direct all our focus towards Ottawa. Four points out (with a chance to get an extra in OT right now against Tampa) with five to go. Two against Carolina, which would ordinarily be a relief, but nothing's a sure thing with how the team is playing right now. Time to pray that Tampa gets a timely OT goal right now.

Zidlicky has had more than a few excellent plays tonight. Also, the NBCSN announcers need to calm down about the hits in the Boston end. The one by Tatar wasn't even a hit - the guy just fell.

It seems real empty in the lower seats. Is that normal?

Rask isn't the ONLY goaltender who can stand on his head tonight!

Is it me or does it look particularly empty in the lower seats tonight? I was hoping the home-ice advantage would mean something in a game of this magnitude.

Babcock rocking the vest tonight. Much approval. Also Chara's a goon.

Nothing doing so far, but if our PP keeps looking like that I think tonight will be a very good night.

You can't move Howard (no move clause), and even if you could, why trade an asset when its worth has bottomed out? That's an illogical panic move; Holland has kept this franchise in the playoffs for two+ decades specifically by avoiding panic moves. Mrazek isn't ready for full-time, every night starts.

We didn't deserve any points out of this game. Mrazek stole us one. Thursday is everything.

I don't blame DeKeyser for that one at all. Ottawa player had his stick all up in DeKeyser's business. If that one ends up in the net that's 100% on the referees. That said, Howard wouldn't have managed that poke check. Sorry to say it, but it's true.

Just now, some Ottawa player made a diving pass from his knees in front of the Detroit net, desperately keeping a play alive so they could get another shot off. That's the kind of heart that Detroit needs right now. Edit: Hey, Z finally decided to show up! Good individual effort.