RedWingsFanatic

Well, folks, s*** is about to go down. And I couldn't be more excited. The way Nashville played in that second period was completely inexcusable and ridiculous. They're just a bunch of dirty, scummy players. I hate to generalize an entire team, but I think the adjectives work to describe just about every player in their line-up. The incessant harrassment of Red Wings players after every single whistle is childish and stupid. I want Aaron Downey on the ice as much as possible in the third period, to prevent those assholes from taking runs at Zetterberg and Datsyuk. We just need to be careful that nobody gets hurt. I'm worried that Tootoo or Hamhuis will do something completely uncalled for and injure one of our guys for no apparent reason, just to keep up appearances. This is when the Wings will be tested, and this is when they can prove to people that they aren't a push-over team. Let's go.

I don't understand why Babcock continues to reward Samuelsson, either. He just isn't a very good player. I used to try to figure it out. Like, 'why isn't he better?' or 'what is he doing wrong?' But I've just come to the conclusion that he isn't good. He adds nothing to the Zetterberg/Datsyuk tandem. I like having Franzen on the second line, so put a guy like Kopecky or even Maltby with them and see what happens. Samuelsson ain't gonna do much.

Two things: 1. That goal was not stoppable. Stop being dumb. 2. I hate penalties.

Good Lord. Granted, he has been much better these last couple of games. But, still, just... Maybe he just doesn't have much to aspire to?

I don't think there's much chance of McCarty being in there tonight.

Does anybody know is Sopcast is just completely incompatible with a Mac?

It's incredible that the Griffins were able to get a SHUTOUT tonight with all of their defensemen, Mark Hartigan and Jimmy Howard gone. It was all Darren McCarty, surely.

Looking at that defensive corps is humorous. Well, again, I don't expect a win tonight but I'm more encouraged after last night's effort. Honestly, I just don't wany more injuries. That's it. I'm looking at these games as exhibition-like, just to save myself the frustration.

This should be...interesting. I'll actually be missing this one tonight (I feel like that might be a good thing) because I'll be working the Michigan State/Michigan hockey game this evening. I would be very surprised, and impressed, with a win tonight. With a defensive corps like that, I just don't see how we'll be able to pull it off. But stranger things have happened. Enjoy the game everybody and Go Wings.

Thanks for the help, everybody. I'm still having some trouble, though. Is it because I'm on a Mac? When I try those Sopcast links, they don't work.

It doesn't seem like that channelsurfing.net site is working for me. Does anybody know of any other places to view the game online? I've used Sopcast before, but I'm not sure how to get there.

First off, any links to watch the game online would be greatly appreciated. Secondly, I really feel like the skid ends tonight. The Wings always seem to play pretty well in Denver, and I think they're going to come out hard tonight. This is big, because I do not want to be headed up to western Canada on a seven (!!) game losing streak.

You really don't think McCarty will be with the Wings by the end of the season, Matt?

I have never been more confused and angry than when I saw Mikael Samuelsson out there at the end of the game. He plays terribly for 59 minutes, and they stick him out there for the last one. I just, man. I have no words for the bewilderment of that decision. And, of course, he makes himself look even more useless with the way he performs. He can't make a pass, he can't keep the puck in at the point. It just infuriates me that he is given a free pass and, really, rewarded for playing like such a jackass. Un-*******-real. Other than that, I thought the Wings played pretty well today. This six-game losing streak, the first since '91, is not fun, though. And, unfortunately, it doesn't really get much easier from here. I'm normally very optimistic about this team, but I do think they are in trouble right now. There is obviously something that hasn't been clicking over these past few weeks. Hopefully getting Rafalski and Kronwall back will ease the pain a bit, and then whoever we decide to pick up at the deadline. Right now, though, this team worries me. I also want to point out my disgust with the NBC broadcast team today. I am normally a huge supporter of NBC and I typically think they do a top-notch job, but their constant bashing of the Wings today was unncessary and annoying. Pierre McGuire, who I had been able to put up with until today, was just brutal. I miss the days of Thorne and Clement. Anyway, the team moves on. This losing streak sucks, but we can end it tomorrow.

Pierre McGuire lost whatever credibility he had left when he said that the Wings had found their starter in Howard. What a complete moron. With that being said, Howard has played incredibly. This is a 2-0 or 3-0 game if it isn't for him. Still, the Wings are playing well. They just need a break or a bounce or a deflection someplace, and hopefully two very big points will be coming our way. I will feel very uneasy if we lose this game, give Dallas two points, and then embark on four more on the road. A huge third period upcoming.

The longer this game stays this way, the bigger it becomes for both teams. The Red Wings need to prove that they can win games like this, with guys injured and facing adversity. This is huge. Jimmy Howard is playing incredibly well right now. If I'm in charge, he gets the start in Denver tomorrow if he keeps this up. I'm not quite sure where all this NBC negativity is coming from? The Wings are playing a very, very solid road game. It's perplexing. Mikael Samulesson sucks.

I hate to rag on the referees, but man there is some terrible officiating going on right now. I think I just saw three obvious penalties on Dallas that all went un-noticed or un-called. Brutal. The Wings are playing very well, though.

EDIT: Double post.

That was, obviously, the Wings' best period of hockey in a while. Lots of jump from most of the guys, outside of Samuelsson (more on him later). Howard has looked very calm and comfortable, albeit with not a ton of work. But I think a period like that was key to get him feeling good. The power play is still a cause for concern, though. There were certainly some chances, but it's been a while since we've had the chance to set it up and get some chances from the point. I can't remember the last time Lidstrom slapped one from up top. Alright, Mikael Samuelsson. Somebody please explain to me why he has a permanent roster spot. It makes absolutely no sense to me. His play in that first period, and for most of the season, was brutal. He takes terrible shots, makes ridiculous passes and really just skates around looking for ways to make himself as useless as possible. Please get him out of the line-up, Mike Babcock. Please. Downey, Drake, Ellis, Kopecky, Maltby, Draper, Hudler, McCarty, Cory Cross > Samuelsson. Oh, and Kyle Quincey looked very good with some limited ice time. All in all, a much better effort from the Wings than we have seen lately. Hopefully it translates into points.

It's also worth noting that the Wings haven't had a six-game losing streak since 1991.

This is a pretty big game for both teams, and both squads come in on completely opposite trajectories. With a Dallas win, the Stars are only eight points back of us in the conference and, with a western Canada trip looming, that number is a little too close for comfort. The Wings always play well against Turco and the Stars, so this should be a good one. I'm excited to see what Jimmy Howard can do with a full 60 minutes. Go Wings.

Kronwall for Fedorov is a ridiculous idea.

I would trade him for a cardboard box.

Here's the thing, though. We're all Red Wings fans. We all love both goalies. We all hate when either one of them plays poorly. It's just really sort of annoying when people come on here and post every 15 seconds about why Osgood sucks or why Hasek is awesome, or vice versa. It gets really old after a while. You're just adding fuel to the fire by posting stuff like that. I don't mean to jump down your throat, and I'm sorry if you get mad, but it brings intelligent conversation about the game to a screeching halt. Go Wings. Go Osgood. Go Hasek. That's all.

I was just about to post that. The team is spending too much time worrying about Mickey, and it's becoming evident.