Nightfall

I really can't fault the refs on calls that look bad but we have the benefit of instant replay. As someone who officiates hockey, a lot of these calls are made in the moment. Mistakes are made in the course of every game. The issue here is that if the call goes for the Wings, everyone says we will take it. If a call goes against the Wings, everyone berates the refs no matter what the call it. It could be a clear cut and dry obstruction or interference call, and it would still be called "weak" or "horrible" by some people. The only way to make the system better is by changing the system. There isn't a single referee out there that is going to call a perfect game on a consistent basis. So changing the system is the only option, and one the NHL has experimented with. Such as putting one ref on a chair in the scorers table that is elevated above the boards to watch the play. From that birdseye view, referee calls were much more consistent, but the NHL didn't make the change. Even through all that, the fans will still be the most critical of the refs, especially for calls against their team.

Hollands answer is the best one he can give so far. Everyone knows what he probably is going to do. Option 1: Keep the team as is, make changes in the off season. He won't pursue any deadline deals for first round draft picks. He may try to trade away some assets, but nothing substantial. Option 2: Start trading away major portions of the team and rebuild for 2-3 years later. This is less likely, but still possible.

Yup, and the Wings were outplaying them but there is this thing in hockey called bounces and a hot goalie. The Wings only scored one goal. I suppose the refs should step in and give the Wings automatic goals because they were outplaying the Kings after all. Sometimes, in a one game playoff, the team that is outplayed can pull out a win. That is what happened here. Wings went 0-3 on the power play while the Kings went 1-5. I don't see a huge disparity there.

Watched the 2nd and 3rd periods this morning, and all I have to say is that the Wings couldn't capitalize on their power plays while the Kings were able to in the 3rd. ***** all you want about the reffing, but the Wings had their chances to score and couldn't bury them. The calls against the Wings in the 3rd were on the mark, but I see how some calls could have went the Wings way but didn't. The hit on Brendan Smith should have been penalized. Its hard to win a game when you only score one goal.

I wouldn't have a problem with it. The problem is that Wings fans are not that patient. We have been spoiled with 20+ years of success.

That powerplay didn't result in a goal, but man it was good. So many chances.

I was talking about someone waiting in the minors or a guy on a 3rd or 4th line. Right now, Brunner is on the top line, but Franzen is our second line player. You really can't say that Dats' production replaces Franzen's. So far, we don't have anyone that is able to take over for Franzen's production. Even on the 3rd and 4th lines.

Who replaces Franzen's output? Being as that he led the Wings in goals last season and has 12 points before being injured, I really don't see someone stepping up to replace his output.

Gary and Bill were awesome. Some people gave them crap, but man they were really good. I miss hearing them together as well. They were on in an interview together on NHL Home Ice Radio last year and Gary said the main reason he isn't doing hockey is his contract with ESPN. He gets paid very well there and the NBC Sports Network (or Versus) could never match it. Still, he missed calling hockey, especially the playoffs which he believes is the best postseason of any professional sport.

Who gives a f***. Its his opinion. Everyone already knows that Ed is not the best color commentator.

I wouldn't have a problem with this either, but there is a cost to doing so. How would Red Wings fans feel if they did this and they missed the playoffs for 2-3 seasons in a row? Would they tolerate that kind of rebuilding? That is how long it would take to rebuild. Talk about wasting the talents of Dats and Z.

Would that be me? I was at that game last night and I was hoping my cell phone would ring and it was the Griffins asking me to play.

Shush! Its much more fun to blame Howard.

At one point, it was 5 goals on 13 shots.

Its amazing how little people respect the opinion of Ken and Mick. It really was a perfect shot.

If you talk to the LGW pessimists, it was. I thought he played a solid game. Stopped a couple breakways and such.

You did say to bench Franzen permanently, a player that has 9 points in 12 games. In the last 5 games, without Franzen, they didn't win until last night. Just saying that your Franzen logic makes no sense. I will agree with you on your Quincey logic though. Has has been horrible.

Yea, Franzen being out of the lineup really has resulted in a hot streak. Oh wait, this is their first win since he has been out of the lineup and they broke a 5 game losing streak. Quincey, I do agree with you. He hasn't played well.

The simple fact of the matter is that we don't know what will happen come free agency. We can go off the past, and see many high profile free agents coming to Detroit to sign and play. We can also go off what happened last year where we made plays for the big names and couldn't land them. To say we can or cannot get those free agents is really just a gut feeling. To get "upset" about it is really a waste of emotion. You really have no idea other than your glass half empty gut that is telling you we will fail. So, if it upsets you that someone points out that "player A" is coming up for free agency, just let it go and talk about something else. I have to agree with this. The Wings have one of the top 10 farm systems in the NHL for a good reason. Blashill really has turned things around in Grand Rapids and the kids are developing much better than they were in the past.

I am sure Howard knows this as well. The contract negotiation is going to be very easy. If Howard was stealing the show in net and stealing games for the Wings, but then in the playoffs the team falters, how many here would be happy about paying Howard big bucks for 4-5 years? I know I wouldn't.

Thats why I said that Washington was the worst team in the league. I agree with your assessment. Tatar and Nyquist should be up here and getting top line minutes. I think that Holland has earned some time to rebuild this team, and trust me we are in for some rebuilding. Dats and Zetterberg are exiting their prime. The old guard is retired. New blood is coming into the system. We were due for a rebuilding that is for sure. To expect a Stanley Cup every year is a luxury we have had, and now that isn't a reality. Holland's past success should earn him the right to rebuild, which will take years, not months or days. This problem will not be solved by making desperate trades and sacrificing our future by trading away our prospects. I feel that 4 Stanley cups in the last 15 years is a great run. Not many teams have accomplished that feat. I know many Wings fans are impatient and reactionary, and they can't give the leadership that time to rebuild. This is why I am glad that the fans are not in charge of their contracts.

You should just watch all the forum chatter here and its just like Criminal Minds. Seriously though, when the season is lost, then I agree. The Wings should play their best players right now, and when they become mathematically eliminated, then play the kids.

Yup, play with what we have and let the chips fall where they may. Let the fairweather fans leave and join the Blackhawks fan club. Holland and company would benefit from making good decisions, draft, and sign new players. The fans are going to be upset for barely making the playoffs or not making it at all. Big freaking deal.

The Wings haven't had many 1st round picks because they trade them all. Brendan Smith was the last one they had I believe. Thanks for the clarification. I pulled the 65% out of my ass.

I hear what you are saying, and at this stage, the season isn't lost yet. Still over 65% of the games have yet to be played and the Wings are not far out of a playoff spot. At this stage, it looks more like an 8th seed unless we batten down the hatches, stop turning the puck over, get healthy, and play a full 60 minute game as a team.