RedWingsFanatic

Very good tip. Thanks, man.

Thanks! I'm new to the blogging universe, so I'm learning as I go. I appreciate the support.

This has been a fantastic game to watch. I wish the league had, like, half the teams that it does so we could get more match-ups like this.

Very well put. We're on the same page. I think it's totally fair to be critical of Holland. I echo many of the points you make. It just seems to me that, when tough times like these happen, he's the first guy people throw under the bus. I think it was very unfortunate we lost everybody in the off-season, but there was also no way anybody could have foreseen the injuries that have plagued the Wings all season. Combining the two was the real catalyst for ineptitude. Still, it'd be awfully nice to have Hudler or Samuelsson (I never thought I'd say that).

I have absolutely no idea what any of this means.

It may be intriguing, but I'd never do that in a million years. I get where you're coming from and it's hard not to want the team to do something drastic, but I don't think it makes sense. It isn't to say that we just need to continue plugging along and stick to what we've been doing, though. Obviously somebody needs to step up. In my opinion, an impassioned, powerful speech from Nick Lidstrom might do more than any trade. I said I wanted the Wings in the top 8 at the Olympic Break, which is obviously still feasible. We'll need Calgary and Nashville to stumble a bit and help us out, but it can happen. Hopefully we get healthy (and our guys STAY healthy in Vancouver) and we come back from the break with a new energy and purpose. This is me back to Mr. Optimism again, which is so outside my character. I'm not sure what's happening to me.

I'd assume this is in reference to Osgood? In which case I'd totally disagree with you. There is no way that you can think Ozzie should have been starting over Howard considering the way both were playing. Jimmy Howard is the reason the Wings aren't completely out of this race.

The Nashville and Calgary games are especially huge tonight. If both teams win, or even earn points, I'm going to be awfully nervous.

Couple other things: 1) I know this season has sucked, guys, but it still amazes me how quickly people can turn on Ken Holland. It's ridiculous. The guy has built a total empire in Detroit and has been the mastermind in keeping guys here for so long and maintaining the excellence of the team. If you complain about Holland, you must complain about everything. I just don't get it. 2). I think it's going to be interesting to see what Babcock does with Osgood. If there was a time to go to him, it might be now. It would certainly shake things up a bit.

Yeah, I just don't agree with this. You don't trade a star player to send a message to the rest of the team. The only message that would send is something along the lines of "well, we're screwed." I think there has to be enough faith in guys like Lidstrom and Draper and pressure put on guys like Z and Datsyuk to STEP UP TO THE PLATE. I thought Datsyuk was pretty phenomenal with the puck this afternoon. I'm as impatient as the next guy, but making a spontaneous, brash decision wouldn't be my game plan, either.

First of all, yelling at Ken Holland to do something is just stupid. Anybody saying that doesn't have a grasp on reality or the Wings current situation. Secondly, I've been the most optimistic person around about the Wings this season. All along, I've been kind of enjoying the stubbornness of the regular season and thought the adversity would only make them more dangerous if they were healthy entering the playoffs. There are a couple of problems with that now. (1) This is TOO MUCH ADVERSITY and there is no apparent desire from our core players to turn it around. (2) We aren't getting healthy. Having Franzen back is going to be huge, but of course it will come at the expense of three other forwards. I'm hoping Homer, Eaves and Miller are alright, but it just figures. The Wings are in a very precarious spot right now and the schedule before the break isn't exactly full of sunshine. Playing on the road against a desperate St. Louis team, at home to a San Jose team that the Wings have played very well against all season but still are very scary and then finishing off against one of the hottest teams in the league, Ottawa. Long story short, the Wings need points in these final three games. 6 points would be superb, but 4 or 5 will keep them close. I'm hoping this loss to the Kings doesn't turn into anything more than it should.

This might be the lowest moment in a season filled of low moments. It's the first time that I legitimately believe this team may fail to make the playoffs. You cannot blow three-goal leads. You just can't. There are teams that want it much more than the Wings do right now, and that's really hard to see. Losing three forwards to injury is unfortunate and more bad luck, but the roster that was left is good enough to win games like this. There isn't much more you can say. It's unbelievable, really. This feels like total s***.

This.

Because he was.

I like to play a drinking game in which I drink every time Ken or Mickey references it.

Does anybody have a link to a stream? I'm stuck in class.

With this being our home opener, I'm expecting we'll face the Pens for their home opener.

What the HELL is going on in this thread?

Agreed, but they fared better without him the year previous. I'm not saying they wouldn't have won with Hossa in '08, but he's some magic potion that is necessary for success.

This is one of the most ludicrous things I've ever heard. Honestly, if the guy is taking this long to decide, I don't want him back. Everybody asking "do you really expect him to take a a pay cut of a couple million dollars?" The answer is yes. Yes, I do. If he wants to win, he can stay here for an extended period of time making below market value. But he'll win. If that's not what he's interested in, he can go elsewhere and make more money while drifting away into obscurity. I'm not going to blame him if he goes elsewhere for more money, but that's not a Red Wing. So, good riddance.

I'll be there. I think we're getting there around 5:30 or 6:00 and I really have no idea what to expect. As long as I'm in front of a TV at 8:00, I'll be good.

I know that for Game 2, it actually wasn't very crowded at all. I know this is totally different with it being a potential clinching game on the road, but don't be discouraged if you can't get there super early. I'd still give it a shot. I'm going and planning on getting there around 5:30 or 6:00.

It was unbelievable to be there. Absolutely, totally amazing. I've been to a lot of games at The Joe and elsewhere and last night was probably the most fun I've ever had. The camaraderie and togetherness of everybody in attendance was really something to behold. It was an awesome experience.

I mean, I actually didn't think we were AWFUL tonight, either. We certainly weren't very good and we made a lot of mistakes, but we were able to sustain pressure for some fairly long stretches during the third period. It was pretty clear that our fatigue caught up with us, which is very worrisome as we move forward. I wouldn't be adverse to a huge line-up change for Game 5, to be honest. If Datsyuk is ready, put him back in along with Abdelakder and take out Draper and either Leino or Maltby. Young, fresh legs are going to be key as this thing drags on, and I just don't think you can muster the justification for Draper to play. I love the guy, but Abdelkader just seems far more reasonable.

What...?