clutchngrab

6 mil next year too. Ouch. Right now who's better Stuart at 3 mil or Rafalski?

OK - never mind. I'll look it up.

When's Rafalskis contract up?

to be fair that was the same bulls*** call that anaheim got.

You do realize both were under performing before their injuries - especially Cleary. I think a lot of fans are delusional about the offense this team can produce until Kronwall and Mule can come back. Seriously, no one predicted the decline in offense from our 1 and 2 defensemen. In a nutshell, if those two can't turn it around we will not be dancing in April - especially when it comes to the PP.

I really, really would have expected a big effort tonight. I think this is the game we will all look at if they miss the playoffs.

luck? You make your own luck and its called the power play. Mark my words - if this PP crap continues we will not get the points we need for the playoffs.

So much for the wings playing hockey in front of him.

Maybe cause Mike, for all his other faults, is a performance based coach. Osgood spent all of last season crapping the bed, and this season, while not exactly crapping, has laid a few wet farts in the sheets.

wow. Way to add value.

Hey it's tough dealing with manic depressives when they are on the "up". I gave up posts ago. You are the mother teresa of LGW forum.

Thats the kind of PP goal we need.

I like that losenge guy.. what's his name Rikkola?

Meech just has to get off the PP

You keep making the same assinine argument about compete level. Like somehow lesser teams in the standings are not able to score at the NHL level. Give it a rest already. Your point has been made about 15 times in 2 threads that I know of and its not even that compelling an argument in the first place. Here's one for you instead: How about comparing Osgoods shootout record against Howards. That should be interesting.

I see real improvement in Howard's game. At the beginning of the season, his positioning, rebound control and puck-handling were atrocious. Now, his positioning has gotten alot better, and since he is a relatively big goalie (compared to Osgood) this helps tremendously. His rebound control still needs work as does his puck handling, but both have improved as well. Osgood, can look great for stretches of a game but then suddenly give up a goal that he (and the team) would like to have back. Pucks seem to go through him more then they should. My theory is that he does not challenge the shooters as much as he should and is too deep in the net. Because he is so small, it is critical for his game that his positioning be spot on with regards to his depth in net. At 37, and with his experience, I don't think Osgood should be a "project" for Mike Babcock. Howard has every right to be one and is proving to be a good learner.

This

How about the GAA over those same games? Yeah, I thought so.

I don't buy it. In sports you are as good as your last game played. There is no automatic correlation between past and future performance. The only thing you can do is work hard today to prepare for tomorrow. That is what made Hasek one of the top 3 modern era goalies. He was one of the first on and off the ice. Osgood, on the other hand, does not have a reputation for working hard in practice. Recent regular season performances and the current need for points makes Babcock's decision relatively easy.

What ugly ugly hockey. My how we have fallen. I really think we might miss the playoffs. Lidstrom? Datsyuk? WTF?

Hasek in his prime was dominant. Broduer second, for consistency through his career. Roy was certainly the most overrated of the 3 top contenders.

Leino, arrrggghh.

OMG, Leino then Abby. Hit the F'ing net please.

I'm glad he's back, don't get me wrong, but the guy doesn't score and that's what we need right now.

When Mickey is gone, I will be much less inclined to watch the Wings. That's how much I like the guy.