haroldsnepsts

Wow. Great play by Dats and Kronwall.

Washington?

Ouch. Looks like he got it in the back or side of the head?

Honestly that was my concern before this recent losing skid. The Wings have been relying on the PP a lot this season. In the playoffs the refs are going to swallow their whistles more. That doesn't bode well for Detroit.

Welcome to the boards! It's always fun to have perspective from fans around the league and hear opinions on their own teams since they know them best.

Though it's effective in sucking all energy and momentum out of this game.

So the Caps strategy is to trap with 4 guys back and keep icing the puck? You'd think this was an offensively limited team who needs to hang on to any lead they get.

Wasn't he just back on the ice with Tatar? Or am I on drugs?

Dats back on the ice.

I think Trotz is a great coach but I'm just surprised he's using a 1-4 trap at the start of the 3rd. Especially given the firepower of the Caps.

At first I thought it was just a fluke formation as they were changing guys or something. But it's been a lot of one forechecker with the other four back in a box. I guess they're content to try and counterattack.

Caps are playing a 1-4 with 17 minutes left in the period. good lord.

I have a feeling Holtby will miraculously recover here.

Stupid play by Brower. He could've at least tried to make that less obvious. This is must score for Detroit.

Nice pass by Datsyuk. Knowing to give it to Helm rather than try and blast it through bodies.

So Wilson hits Zidlicky in the head, no penalty. Zidlicky answers with a hip check and they call that?

Someone needs to crosscheck him in the teeth. It seems like every hard hit he throws there's a healthy swing with his elbow and butt end of his stick.

yup. Though I'd like to see a replay of this one. The last games were idiotic penalties. This time the puck got fired right by the Wings bench and someone played it as they were about to head off. I'd be curious how tight the refs called it or if they should've let it go.

deflected off Miller maybe? Otherwise that's a shot from the top of the faceoff circle you need your goalie to stop.

That looked like a set play. Z shoots it wide, Sheahan with a backhand pass to Weiss who's sitting at the other post.

It's not like I expect him to shut down Sidney Crosby. I'm talking about his inability to win battles along the boards and maintain puck possession in the offensive zone. When he has space he's good. In traffic he's usually brutal. He doesn't deserve top 6 minutes. I guess if he was a total sniper then his floating game would be acceptable because he wouldn't have the puck on his stick very long, but that's certainly not the case.

Absolutely agree. I wish I saw the guy play in Florida so I'd have a better idea if something's changed or if he just was never that sort of player. It's baffling he was a first or second line center. I'm guessing part of the reason he's playing on the wing is to reduce his defensive responsibility.

If memory serves the Columbus crew is pretty awful as well. Especially their color guy, (and former Red Wings captain) Danny Gare. I don't think he announces for them anymore though.

Agreed. I know Mrazek plays an aggressive style, but he's being a little too aggressive here.

That must be why Babcock keeps Nyquist and Tatar glued to the bench. Babs had said Hudler could be a 70 point player. http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2010/05/babcock_addresses_hudlers_retu.html He's talking about Hudler's return from the KHL, which is another big factor in his time in Detroit. Don't forget that Huds left the Wings for more money in the KHL. I don't know that it permanently soured things with anyone, but I think it changed his relationship with the team and possibly his longevity here. The last couple seasons I felt like he was working hard and being aggressive defensively, he was just soooo slow so it only could do so much. Still, I always liked Hudler. Talented and funny dude.