haroldsnepsts

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/tmr/comments/evgeni_nabokov_and_islanders_continue_to_snub_and_counter-snub_as_world_cha/ Sour grapes or not, it sounds like they're also afraid letting him play in World's weakens their case to toll his contract next season. Either way, it's not a surprising move to me. A goalie you legally required by the rules of the CBA refuses to play for your team, yet you should let him go off and play in the Worlds?

Holy crap. I didn't realize Dats had missed 26 games!

I think part of it is that people use enforcer and fighting interchangeably, when they're not the same thing. I'm not opposed to having a true enforcer in the lineup for parts of the season, but I certainly don't think it's essential. The ideal is to have guys who can play and will fight, and the Wings don't really have many of those. Bert taking on O'Brien was a perfect example of how it can change the tone of a game. The previous game the Preds ran at the Wings all game. Over and over and over. Not just O'Brian, but Weber, and even a guy like Franson started cheapshotting guys. This game Bert went after O'Brien twice and made it clear he wasn't going to take crap from anyone. After that, Weber and O'Brien and the Preds in general were pretty tame, in spite of Abby out there hitting everything that moves. Because the Wings play a skill, puck possession game, I think a common tactic is to basically run at them. Sure you may take a few penalties but it'll get them off their game. Having a few guys out there who will make guys answer the bell will definitely change the willingness of other teams running at guys. It takes down the game of d-bags like Ott if they have to answer for their actions. The Kings are my second favorite team, and they have guys like Clifford, Westgarth, Simmonds, and even guys like Smyth, MItchell and Greene who will drop the gloves. The staged fights by Westgarth are lame, but overall they don't take crap from anybody. Last game against the Stars Ott started jostling with guys after the whistle, but Clifford was right there, so he ended up just hiding behind the ref and yapping. I guess that's a long way of saying the Wings don't need a ton of it, but it'd be great if they had a couple guys who could play but could also hold their own in fights. Watching the Kings has made me miss the days when the Wings could kick your ass on the scoreboard and in a fight.

That must've hurt to say. And I may make it my new signature. Well, he was basically the #1 defenseman last night, and without any major gaffes. Considering how awful people think he is, that's pretty amazing. Salei isn't making much of a case for keeping himself in the lineup. Bad turnovers, not playing physical, stupid penalties. But you're right about the experience. Kindl continues to come along, but he still struggles to get the puck out of the zone. Too many times lately he doesn't see a potential outlet pass and ends up lobbing the puck up in the air. Say what you will about E, but he has a much better first pass than Kindl and Salei, possibly from his years of playing as a forward. Last night he had several Rafalski-caliber passes from deep in the zone all the way to a player past center ice.

I know people are giving Dats a lot of votes (which is hardly a bad choice) because of how the team performed when he was out. The thing is, this team has almost never been without Lidstrom for any significant stretc, which is pretty amazing, and also why it's hard to get the impact of how they'd be without him. I think you have to go back to 2008 when he had the knee sprain.

Ericsson logged more icetime last night than any other defenseman. He played over 21 minutes and had a really solid game. Honestly one of the best he's had this season probably.

Lidstrom. 20+ minutes a night of elite defensive play. Played in every game this season. 2nd on the team with 61 points. Ice water running through his veins, off the charts hockey IQ. Lidstrom's play rarely dazzles because it's not flashy, but he is the foundation of everything good Detroit does.

Forward: Crosby. Because he's the best player in the game. And just to watch LGW explode. Toews would be good too. Defenseman: Shea Weber. Big, talented, plays with some edge. Booming slapshot. Doughty a close second. He's more talented but has still got a little growing up to do, and I like the sandpaper that Weber brings. Goalie: probably Lundqvist. Miller a close second. Vokoun if we're only talking about a season or two. He's young and very talented, so I can understand picking him. But consistency is not one of his strengths yet. Brown's fun to watch. Hits anything that moves, not afraid to go to the tough areas of the ice. My only real criticism of him would be his diving. He doesn't do it as often as some fans of other teams would make it sound, but he definitely does it.

That's the only part I don't like about that scenario, because LA is my second favorite team. Though honestly they'd be a preferable matchup against Detroit. Not particularly fast, missing their top two scorers, and not a lot of playoff experience or veteran leadership. They play a physical game, but often only in response to the opposition. If the Wings didn't come out hammering guys, the Kings often don't generate it on their own.

That's how I felt until recently, but now I think I want them to stay in 8th for a Vancouver-Chicago first round. That way no matter who wins the series, I'm happy one of the two of them lost.

I was afraid to say it for fear of jinxing him, but he's looked really good tonight. And playing a lot of minutes. Babs is clearly resting some of his guys on D. Ericsson was leading all D men in TOI before he took the puck to the face. He looks poised out there and has a great first pass.

Keep both hands on your stick Bert. His left glove must look brand new.

Garbage call. Yeah, he touched the goaltender trying to climb out of the net after getting shoved in it. Sorry Stu. Should've counted.

Mule! At least they swallowed the whistle both ways when it comes to the puck being covered around the net.

Maybe E should take a puck to the head every period. That's the most I've seen him put guys into the glass in a long time. I guess you just gotta get him mad.

Kindl and Ericsson taking a shift on the PK together. Interesting. And a little frightening.

AFter the ref whistles offsides you could hear someone yell "No ******* way!"

Homer scores from way out! (for him )

McCreary will definitely be missed. One of the best at managing a game.

Bad pinch by Lids there. I had to say it because in all the years I've watched him I think it's one of a handful of times I've ever had a criticism of his decision making.

No kidding. The puck was underneath Jimmy for several seconds. But they somehow thought it was in play or never lost sight of it?

Nope not at all what? He's not at all better than Salei or Kindl? Then why does Babcock continue to give Ericsson so many more minutes than either one of those guys? Why is it Kindl and Salei fighting for the bottom spot an not E? Tonight with Kronwall out, he moved Ericsson up to be the #4 d-man instead of Salei, a seasoned veteran who's logged 20+ minutes ATOI in his career. Is Babcock an idiot? Sure, Kindl looks pretty good for 13 minutes in a game. And Ericsson is going to have some gaffes when he plays 20 minutes. At this point guys, I'm not even just stating my opinion that Ericsson is better than these guys (I think he is, but it's not like I'm crazy about his play or think it's by a wide margin). But Babcock clearly thinks he is. If you took Ericsson out of the lineup, Kindl or Salei have to pick up a lot of those minutes. They're not going to look any better than Ericsson. Salei made a strong case for sitting out a game tonight, but on the awful penalty he took at the end of the game, it started with a terrible turnover by Kindl, but no one seems to see those. Like I said earlier, hopefully E and Kindl will improve and the Wings will have two relatively young, big, cheap defenseman on the bottom pairing.

Kings beat Dallas 3-1. with 30 seconds left Ribiero headhunts Handzus as he's bent over trying to get the puck out of his equipment. Even though he literally has the puck hung up in his jersey when Ribiero cheapshots him, the refs somehow miss it.

That I can agree with. Honestly I just don't know if Ericsson has enough between the ears to be a middle pairing defenseman. I'd like him to be, but he seems to lose focus over the course of the game. And in the past I know people had said he's supposedly fast, but he needs to take a power skating class or something. To me, most of his problems come from not moving his feet. Either way, I know bashing him has become sport here, but the reality is that right now he's still better than Salei and Kindl.

Definitely. Hopefully this will be a turning point in his development and we'll see more of this from him every game.