Nightfall

Where is our D on that? Guy right in the crease and everyone watched it happen.

Lids has never had a hat trick? I think the Versus announcers are on crack. He HAS to have had a hat trick at least once in his career.

There is no way Howard saw that shot that resulted in that goal. 2 guys in front of him.

I think that they are attending the Red Berenson school of diving and this is their homework assignment.

With Forsberg on the shelf for the Sweeds, I bet that they are waiting to see if Franzen will be ok. Personally, I would like him to take a 2 day conditioning stint during the olympic break. Still, if he comes back sooner I will be happy.

Lilja will probably never come back. Lebda is a great 3rd line defenseman. I have no problem with him on the team thats for sure.

The penalty call on Bert was crap.

The replay of the penalty was on NBC. Eaves with a high stick. Very apparent.

Considering that the Wings are playing sloppy, Howard is doing very well at keeping the Wings in the game.

A goalie is no more a make or break than the defense, offense, bounces, and pure luck. You can have the best goalie in the world, but if your offense can't score, you are SOL. If your defense lets through a lot of breakaways, you will lose the game. If the puck doesn't bounce your way, you lose. Of course we don't win the cup without Ozzie in 08, just like the Bolts don't win the cup without Nikolai or the Hurricanes don't win without Cam Ward. The rest of the team has a huge part to play in it though. No one part is more important than the others. There are some people who say that goaltending is the make or break of the team as a whole. If you think about it, every part of the team is a make or break. Thats why its a team effort. I guess thats a better way of saying what I wanted.

Playoff goalies are a rare breed thats for sure. The ones that are money in the playoffs on a consistent basis are definite treasures. Look at Cam Ward who won a Stanley cup after ousting Gerber and then taking his team to the conference finals a couple years later. Brodeur and Roy were also true playoff performers. Not every playoff performer wins every game so a lot of it has to do with defense in front of them as well. As a goaltender, it doesn't all come down to one factor (defense, rebounds, confidence, skill, etc.) but everything. Howard will get experience in the playoffs hopefully, and you have to hope he rises to the occassion. Like Ward did his first playoff series. Like Roy did. Like Hiller did. You don't want them to pull a Legacy and falter in the first round, but wait, the team didn't play hungry enough to beat Edmonton either though. Not entirely his fault, but he still should have played better. You can't say you aren't going to start someone because they don't have experience. You get experience by starting the game. I say we wait until the end of the season to see what happens. There is still 4 months of hockey left. I would be comfortable with either goalie starting at this stage. The goalie isn't going to be the make or break in the playoffs. There are many make or break pieces to consider such as the team, the health of the team, hunger of the team, etc.

Nope, but everyone remembers how bad he sucked regular season. I would take Howard dominating all season and Ozzy dominating in playoffs.

He won't be able to play in the olympics unless there is an injury to the Sweedish team. The IIHF has dictated that rosters are locked and unless an injury or "extraordinary circumstances" occur, the rosters submitted are the ones that will be honored in February. I wouldn't worry about this. I would worry more about him pushing himself too hard.

I agree here. I wish we got something for this guy. He is a solid defensemen that will put up 30+ assists a season for many years to come.

He is 9-5 in his last 14 games. Two of the losses he is shouldered with are 1-0 losses. Thats just insane. I say ride the guy. He is giving the team a chance to win every night. He should be playing as much as possible.

He won't be back until February. Thats my bet. His knee must really be hurting.

Watch the replay. The puck went off Zetterberg's leg from the point. I suppose the top goalies in the NHL would have no rebounds on a deflected or screened shot.

Bah, can't score on a breakaway. Maybe thats the goalie's fault too.

This poster knows nothing of the game of hockey.

The replay says it all. It looked like the initial shot deflected off of Zetterberg's leg. Either that or he was partially screened. I can't say that Howard should have had that rebound.

That was a hell of a couple saves that Howard had there. Defense really didn't help him there. I know some people like to harp on the goalie for not controlling the rebound, but every goalie gives them up every now and then.

Yea, just like the Wings were in 2002 when their top guys went to the Olympics. We all know how that season ended.

The caps are paying his full salary while he is with the Griffins. That has to hurt I am sure. The Wings do need him with all the injuries, but can't take the 4.8 million dollar cap hit to take him on. This is a great move for everyone involved. Nylander gets to play and for a team that needs him and in a city with fans that will respect and adore him. Nylander gets his full salary. The Caps get a player off their books and get to bring up other players to fill his spot since it didn't work out. The Griffins get a top caliber player with NHL experience and leadership qualities to boot. Nylander is a great player both on and off the ice. I met him about 8 years ago and my opinion about him hasn't changed ever since.

I agree 100%. The Red Wings only need to get a ticket to the big dance. Then anything can happen. They will be getting healthy by February. Right now they are only 2 points out of a playoff spot. I know the Red Wings are going to make playoffs this season. I also know that the Red Wings are going to have a good playoff run because they will be healthy by playoff time.

A classy player hired by the NHL. I thought he would have went to work for the players association though. Still, the NHL brass would be wise to listen to his ideas and recommendations.