haroldsnepsts

If they actually awarded the Norris for all around ability anymore, Doughty should be in the conversation. Would've been worse had the Yotes won in the shootout but it's still not great there's a 3 point game.

That's misplaying the puck. that isn't "not giving a crap." And yes, Axe has flipped positions before in order to continue an argument.

Exactly. The Kings are the team I watch as much if not more than the Wings so they're my best point of reference. They've got skill guys but even with their 3rd and 4th lines, they've clearly worked on their zone breakouts time and time again so it's automatic. Everyone knows where to be. Where the outlet is. Where the option is if that's not available. It doesn't always work but even under an intense forecheck they do well and keep it pretty simple.

Isn't it better that the Yotes win? They've got 43 points to Detroit's 47. Whereas the Blues have 50. They do have a game in hand but there's still a chance St. Louis could drop out. Honestly though I can't root for either of those teams to win. Is there a way they can both lose?

Philly-Devils is not an important game from the Wings perspective, but I would trade just about anyone on Detroit for Wayne Simmonds. And the Flyers are playing like a team that's already planning their May vacations.

From the bench? That was Kindl and Kronner out there for the first one. I'm guessing you're thinking of Kindl for not tying up his man's stick. EDIT: Just realized you're talking about Jimmy's two goals. I'd say they both were to blame. Sloppy by Ericsson, total lack of awareness from Jimmy. The last one was all Jimmy. No excuses. But there's plenty of blame to go around if they don't make the playoffs other than those goals last night.

Jackets-Ducks Sabres-Bruins Canadiens-Pens In the Montreal game, Price rides the pine to start the game after getting the hook the last two starts. Budaj lets in 3 goals on 9 shots so they put Price back in. Price lets in 3 goals on 15 shots. Oops. Pens get goals from Iginla, Morrow and Murray.

Shortly after J Johnson hit the crossbar. The blue jackets just won't quit.

Ducks take the lead on a strange goal where the puck pops up high in the air,no one can find it and it bounces into the open net. 2-1 Ducks in the third.

Blue jackets tie it 1-1 on a nice redirect in front of Fasth.

Anytime a Wings player has a chance from a high scoring area like Mule just did and they pass the puck, Babcock should bench them the rest of the game. Maybe then they'd get the message to shoot the damn puck! You are not the Russian 5. When you get in a high percentage area, let er rip.

Bruins lose in the shootout but both teams come out afterwards and raise their sticks as a salute to the Boston fans. Very cool.

One of the guys, Keith Jones or Milbury or someone I generally don't give much credence to made the point that if you're trying to rest Price, you don't throw him in a game like that. You let Budaj get shelled. I actually agree. I also hope that people here who think Price walks on water is as mortal as the rest of goalies in the league. Great goalies are great most of the time. But they still let in bad goals and stink it up from time to time. What separates them is shaking it off and getting back on their game.

Ansar Khan ‏@AnsarKhanMLive 5h Babcock said Eaves in for Tootoo and Quincey in for Colaiacovo tonight. Those are only changes from last game.

As is your post below where you dismiss it as posturing. I'm guessing you don't know Datsyuk or his agent. My whole point was basically that we have no idea what Pavel is thinking. But I do know he has a daughter in Russia that he rarely gets to see. That's enough to make me think the KHL is at least a possibility.

I've never been a big fan of the guy, but I don't think it's just my predisposition talking. Tootoo is not great defensively. And when he is most effective hitting, he is often taking himself well out of the play. So it seems like an almost either/or situation. And Babcock errs on the side of not having the puck end up in the Wings net over everything else, especially with the lack of scoring (see: Cleary getting minutes over about 4 other guys). I do have to admit though when I saw the headline of the article I assumed it was Babcock calling out Mule and Franzen talking about not having any fun. Guess I should cut him a break once in a while.

Agreed. I don't think anyone has a problem with the league making money. More revenue, the cap goes up, that benefits the Wings. But from a fan's perspective, it's about maintaining integrity while also making money. Like putting advertisements on the players jerseys. That would make the league a ton more money. Is it going to change in any way how hockey in the NHL is played? Absolutely not. But I still hope they never do such a thing because even though the game is exactly the same, it cheapens it. The Winter Classic had integrity and by it's exclusivity of once a year it was a special event. The amount of promotion, build up to the game, everything keyed in this one outdoor game. Adding 5 other games certainly isn't the end of the world, but it took an incredibly unique event and basically turned it into 6 hockey games that are played outside.

That may be your decision on the matter, which is nice, but I'm more interested in Datsyuk's.

If we're making hybrids I'd rather Franzen's size with Zetterberg's drive and desire. But I guess that's basically Anze Kopitar.

Of the 5 additional games, 4 of the teams have already played in a winter classic. And the Rangers play two outdoor games in three days. Talk about making it less special. The Rangers will play their 2nd and 3rd time. The pens will play for their 3rd time. The Wings and Blackhawks will both play for their 2nd time. Considering how many teams in the Winter Classics (?) next year have already played in the Winter Classic, spreading the games around the league doesn't seem like it was much of a priority.

Or just spend a few days hanging out with Marc Savard.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 5m NHL suspends MTL's Ryan White for 5 games.

Exactly. I don't expect everyone to agree, but it's not exactly a radical viewpoint to think that taking a one time event and adding 5 more events to it makes it less unique. What makes it the Winter Classic is that it was one game played outside at or around the new year. All the promotion went to and led up to that one big event. When you have 6 games, you're just playing hockey outside. Still interesting, but a lot less special.

I agree. I was just saying I don't think it's that he insists on being an enforcer. It's just that no one else on the team really stands up for themselves or their teammates. As much as I'm not a fan, now at least there's Tootoo.

I don't think Bert insists on being an enforcer. I'd bet because of his age and back problems he'd be happy to let someone else drop the gloves. But when Weber smashed Z's face into the glass, who on the Wings could even hold their own with Weber in some sort of retribution fight? More then Bert insisting on being the enforcer, it's sad the old guy had to be the one to step up.