clutchngrab

ok - so all is not lost. This minor tragedy can be turned into a victory if a few things happen: 1) Babcock plays the guys that deserve to play (not Hudler) 2) Franzen, Flip and Burt actually play like they deserve to be on top 6 forwards on an NHL team. 3) Bring up some kids

I wonder if you would say the same thing if they were sub-500 and out of the playoffs. Of course you wouldn't. Besides who wants to go to read posts by a bunch of cheerleaders? That would get boring in a heartbeat.

I shudder to think where we would be if Cleary hadn't rediscovered himself, and Datsyuk wasn't Datsyuk. Flip, Franzen and that little smurfy dude have completely underperformed. I would love to see a package of Flip and Hudler for a legit scorer. Franzen is obviously way to streaky and doesn't come to play half the time.

And more suprising that that - outworked I've noticed that too. Of course both teams played tight defense and both teams have better goalies - so there it is.

Franzen is skating around like he's on ludes. Everyone ******* about Hudler, but when 1/3 of your top six suck (Flip and Franzen) then you are in trouble.

Your team does suck, we just sucked worse tonight.... BTW, This is the type of fan who boos Chelios after 9 years of the best years of his career including 2 Norris trophies and a cup final.

I pretty much agree with everything you say here. Bert has been a solid 2 way forward that has stopped giving the puck away incessantly. Flip has shot more, though still needs to be more of an offensive force. To be honest, I think the biggest problem with that line is that neither Bert or Franzen want to use their bodies. Franzen is vastly underachieving due to his unwillingness to be physical. We will see what happens come playoff time.

Lidstrom won't retire until one of 2 things start sucking: a) his play or b) the team. He'll be back next year.

Jiri's weak spot is skating and always has been. During his first shift in Detroit he worked really hard to improve his skating and defensive abilities such that Babcock would give him some ice and it was nice to see him improve over the course of a few years. The old Jiri had some grit and went to the net despite his size. I became a Hudler fan because of his work ethic, pluckiness and puck abilities - all with limited ice time. Now, today it seems that his skating has taken a step back, he's a perimeter player and his confidence is pretty much shot. It's pretty tough to make a career in the NHL with good hands, vision, shot, but no size and skating ability. Maybe he will turn it around, but I think he's cooked ala Jason Williams.

Well, he has contributed to date, but I think he is playing below his potential. He's playing pretty soft and not physical enough. Put him with Bert, who won't use his body either and Flip, who won't shoot and you don't get enough out of them besides some nice puck movement that doesn't amount to s***.

Actually a well thought out and objective post. You must be new here.

They had a number of quality chances that they did not bury. In the case of Quick they needed to elevate the puck and shoot at corners. They didn't do that.

In this Kings game, Hudler was far from the worst player out there. I wonder when Mule is actually gonna play physical again. Wings got man-handled physically and out-goaltended.

Bulls***. The wings had slightly better chances than the Kings and the other goalie was slightly better.

Nope, I'm not ripping on him. Just pleasantly surprised that he didn't suck. Of course he didn't get the win, but I never expected that.

wow. OK - so he looked like a second string NHL goalie. Kudos - I expected the usual beer league goalie.

knew there was no 2 points as soon as it went to OT.

Please no shoot-out. We know which goalie is better.

Would love to see Osgood learn some of Jimmie's strengths, like not letting in s***ty goals.

Osgood is so freaking small in net of course those go in

Yes, I do - plus skating and limited dumb-ass passes. It's great to see and he seems to have good chemistry with Cleary.

Some forwards do - goalies and defencemen almost never. I'm willing to wager Osgood doesn't make it, but I could be wrong.

Not sure I agree. 3 games in 4 nights for a goalie coming of a minor injury is...questionable.

I think we saw the WCF tonight. A lot of focused skill out there.

Can someone explain to me why Babcock didn't go w/ McDonald in Edmonton and keep Jimmy from 3 in 4?