NeverForgetMac25

QFT It doesn't mean it wouldn't frustrate people to see them not have the kind of success the Wings have been accustomed to the past 18 years. Win or lose, I'll continue to watch every single game, year-in and year-out. 20 years years from now, any true fan will look back at what the Wings have accomplished since the start of their playoff runs and be in absolute awe.

Friday: NY Islanders @ Washington Pittsburgh @ Columbus Toronto @ Buffalo NY Rangers @ Minnesota Montreal @ Chicago Florida @ Dallas Vancouver @ Anaheim Colorado @ San Jose Saturday: Edmonton @ Boston Carolina @ Philadelphia Atlanta @ Ottawa New Jersey @ Tampa Bay Toronto @ Montreal Buffalo @ NY Islanders Minnesota @ Pittsburgh Florida @ St Louis Dallas @ Nashville Anaheim @ Phoenix Detroit @ Calgary Sunday: Boston @ NY Rangers San Jose @ Carolina Columbus @ Washington Colorado @ Vancouver

Probably not, as I haven't been in the GDT the past few games. I'm going to start frequenting them more often but my brother is coming over for the game tonight.

Talk about a jumbled, twisted up conversation....I don't even know what we're talking about anymore. Of course the Wings have a better chance of winning with Mule in the lineup and when ZDH doesn't light the lamp. My post was in regards to the Wings being able to win at this juncture without Mule in the lineup and if/when ZDH doesn't factor in the scoring on any given night. We were talking two different things....just a case of misunderstanding. Cheers

Can you clarify your post that was in response to mine on the first page then. Your wording is confusing then.

QFT.....and not to mention the fact that this has already been my worst season to begin with.

So you're saying if the ZDH line doesn't score the Wings can't win a game? Cause that was the point of my post. Obviously things are easier when that line factors in the scoring but its not as if the rest of the roster isn't capable of stringing together some wins if ZDH is held off scoreboard.

No, it doesn't surprise me that he's defending Ozzie...which is why I posed the question to him (which I'm still awaiting a response).

It's not as if the Wings are guaranteed to lose every game the ZDH line doesn't score. It's not as cut-and-dry as that. Of course the Wings' best players need to be their best players, but there's enough talent on the roster with or without Dats to win plenty of games. It's just a matter of how the team plays. If they continue to possess the puck like they did the past two games, and crash the net like they did two nights ago, they'll be in fine shape regardless of Dats' status.

Nor do I think he deserves that type of rep based on his overall career. My point is that Ozzie struggled last regular season all the way up to the final month. He's not playing as poorly as he did last regular season, but he certainly isn't playing at the level he has overall over the course of his career. Don't get me wrong, that could be due to his age, but that's hard to believe based on his post-season performances the past two years. My point is that I guarantee Ozzie himself would say he's not playing at a level he's comfortable with right now. Yes, the season is early but IIRC Oz himself stated he wasn't very focused last regular season after the long cup run and that it wouldn't happen again. So far, it may not be as bad but it's not at a level *I think* is fair to expect Oz to play at.

First and foremost, you're not talking to one of those people, so for our debate's sake let's leave these comments out of it because they hold no water. No one (especially me) is denying the fact that the rest of team, especially the team defense needs to step, but that's no excuse for Ozzie to be playing poorly, just like its no excuse for the defense to be playing poorly. Nor have I. That's not the point. I'm glad that you find it exciting to not know what's going to happen each and every night. I get that *you* find it more exciting but some of us prefer to see the Wings dominate night-in and night-out as consistently as they have. It doesn't make it wrong nor does it mean you have a more well-rounded perspective on things then fans who came on board during the mid 90's. I became a fan in the late 80's myself, and I'd much prefer to see the Wings play as they have over the past 18 years than the way they did the 5 years before that. OsGod, I'm going to throw something out there. You've been equally tough on every single Wings player since I've been on these boards. I've heard you criticize Dats when he hadn't shown up for the playoffs, when Z slumped for a while, even Lidstrom when he didn't play to his potential. I admire that, and I try to do the same and be imartial with the players I "like" the most on the Wings. That being said, I've never once heard you be tough on Ozzie, rather I've only heard you make excuses when he's playing mediocre at a given time. I've read your posts stating our best players need to be our best players and that they shouldn't have immunity, however whenever the conversation is about Ozzie you defend blindly regardless of level of play. To me, that's just hypocritical on your part. It's great that you don't give any Wings skater a pass, so why does Ozzie get one?

Tire yourself, that I understand. Not busting your ass to play well when you're paid to do exactly that, that I don't. Lastly, I certainly don't care for losing nor do I enjoy the so-called "spice" it adds to our lives. In fact, its annoying to see people freak out over something as trivial as a few Wings losses or a slow start, but I digress. I fully understand its not realistic to assume the Wings will lead the standings year-in and year-out even though they sure seem to have had not much trouble doing such the past few years, and if anything I'm on here telling people to relax more than I should be. As I said in my previous post, I don't need nor expect Oz to be playing at the highest level he ever has throughout all 82 games and the postseason, that's not realistic. I do expect him to atleast be a little more solid than he has been. That's not a far-fetched request some are making it out to be.

I'm fairly confident neither Ozzie, nor Babs feels this way. Yes, the number one focus is how you finish, but that doesn't mean its ok to be garbage (I'm *not* saying he is) leading up to it.

I've never stated he had the reputation of sucking in the regular season nor have I ever been an Ozzie basher. If anything, I defend him. Of course I remember 2008....I remember 1996/1997 when he was the superior regular season goalie, I remember 98 when he not only was great in the regular season but the amount of big saves he made when they were the most important, I remember him tearing it up all of 06/07 only to have Babs stick with Dom in the post season who was also playing great as well. My point is, that while I don't forget what Oz has done and while he's *earned* the right to have some free passes here and there ideally you'd like to see him playing at a higher level to help the defense gain some confidence (and vice versa in that department) and help this team to a solid Conference ranking in a season with a great deal of turnover. I'm not calling for his head, nor have I ever implied that I was....what I'm saying is that eventually (and hopefully sooner rather than later) it would be great to see him play at or near the level he was during the postseason. Is that really too much to ask or hope for? I really don't think it is when we all know he's capable of it.

Fixed it for you.

While I'm not defending mindfly, I get what he's saying to a point. While no one can deny the greatness of Ozzie's career and the fact that after sub-par regular seasons he's able to flip a switch the second it counts, its still frustrating to see him play so soundly in the playoffs and look lost during the regular season. Has Ozzie earned the right to have the benefit of the doubt: Absolutely. Does it excuse continued poor regular season play both this year and last: No.

That reminds me of way back in the day when Sportscenter used to be cool and they made comments like "with that win *Insert Team Here* holds the 8th and final spot with only 81 games left to play. Solid humor.

Very true.....if he did in fact tear something in his shoulder that would be one explanation, but a groin tear could be another.

It didn't look like his shoulder was bothering him once he stretched it out. Unless he didn't feel the extent of the injury until he took off the pads. The details will be interesting on this one because it could be something that has nothing to do with the Wings crashing the net (I.E. Groin Injury due to the amount of up-and-down/side-to-sides from the 42 SOG's last night coupled with being overly played).

TV Network for Wings Games Look under the "TV Network/Results" section. See above.

According to the schedule on the team site or DirecTV?

^ I know. I was so pissed last night. My wife and I weren't supposed to be home until 9:30 (10:30 ET) last night so I set the DVR on DirectTV to record the HD version. It didn't show up as unavailable on the online channel guide so I thought everything would be fine. We ended up not having to go anywhere so we were able to watch it from the get-go but it was so annoying watching it in SD when you know the *are* broadcasting in HD. It just makes no sense.

Just one...the Schneider slapshot. The two first period goals were both even strength.

Very true, but one thing I take at least some comfort in is that Oz wasn't up for the game the moment he put on his pads and Jimmy played great whichc allowed the Wings to tie things up. Yes he gave up an untimely goal to Schneider, but Schneids has been scoring those kinds of goals his entire career. Then, realistically any 5-on-3 for over 45 seconds should result in a goal or its shame on the offense. As a whole the Wings continued to play well tonight after a strong outing in Colorado, but the difference last night from Saturday was the fact that our guys drove the net and stayed there. They got dirty and were rewarded and that's what this team needs to do to win games. Not to mention the second period was probably their strongest even though it was the only period that didn't include a goal. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if they continue to play at this level and get solid goaltending they shouldn't have to worry about putting up 5 a night. That being said, your point is taken.

Thanks....I sure hope so. I seem to be in tune with my picks so far (knock on wood) dis-including the Wings.