e_prime

I can't believe I missed this game. Holy crap. Just watched the highlights. Don't know how rough we looked in going down 3-1, but looks as if we overcame whatever adversity that might have been... Wow.

P V D that's Chad Smith from the RHCP, who I do believe is from MI and a Wings fan.

That would be rad! ...bring up Cally and see what he's got!

Needless to say, I'm a bit disappoint that my boy Drew is out for that long! Jeeezzzuusss. My real, and I do mean real question: Who's gonna take up his role as primary shot blocker? I'm certainly going to be watching this and see what difference it makes on shot totals/scoring chances for the opposition. On the other hand, I do hope that in light of the injury to Pulkkinen, Jurco does get some more ice-time and a shot at showing us what he's really made of.

I'm not so much sure that Tupac was an actual Red Wings fans, but rather just sported the gear. Can we please remove the fact that Spaghetti-Mop is a Red Wings fan? Ewww.

Exactly. ...and like you said, "if you've got an issue with the hit. Don't look to the refs." Blash has pretty much given the green light to drop 'em as well. Which is nice. It wasn't a bad time to have a fight either. After a pretty physical 1st period with Pulkkinen and Miller taken out of play by hard, possibly questionable hits (hear the Miller hit might have been a bit high, haven't seen the video) it's good to see that a Wings player was like, "Nuh-uh. I'm not letting that one go. You're not just going to take the physical play to us without an answer." It was at the end of the period, Chipchura lays a solid check that most times would have been shrugged off by a Wings player, the physical tone would carry on into the second, and Phoenix would continue to carry the physical play throughout the game. Except Smith didn't like it. Took exception, laid in with crosscheck that unfortunately earned him the extra two, but had a nice tussle with a much more practiced fighter than himself. The fight and ensuing penalty wasn't untimely and didn't cost us a goal. I see Brendan got 19:02 worth of icetime... how was Smith's game? Still paired with Marchenko on the third? Smitty on his fight: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_red_wings_brendan_smit.html#incart_river_index

...but most importantly, we need to keep doing what we've been doing and racking up points. A few less, OT games with Divisional opponents would be swell.

I did not get a chance to watch the game last night except for the last few minutes of the third. Looks like we had a pretty good game despite losing a couple forwards. I am aware of Drew Miller's status insomuch that I heard he went out of the game early, but don't worry, I'm holding it together. ...and holy s***. Actually went to hockeyfights to see the Smith/Chippy fight. As Mickey said, that's as good a fight as I've seen with someone wearing a Wings jersey in years. Early right tagged Chipchura nicely. Chipchura, the obviously better fighter, got a few in on Riley's brother, then a couple sneaky rights underneath from Brendan. Wild right that misses from Smith. They both go down. Two consecutive games with fights... who is this team?

John Scott doesn't want your stinking votes!! http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2015/12/02/john-scott-doesnt-want-you-to-vote-him-into-the-all-star-game/

I'm betting both Mrazek and Dekeyser will be getting shorter bridge deals for now and in turn won't be pushing their hits that high.

Depends on who you talk to. LOL.

What would be great is if there were enough toughs on the rosters to lead to a line brawl. [emoji1]

Certainly. I guess I would have preferred Andy waived over Ferraro. In my eyes both are replaceable pieces until they proved otherwise and Andersson had his looks, time to make with the new.

No problem. I really don't care at all about who gets picked for the ASG. In fact, I'd prefer it if no Wings got picked.

Awwwww. Those poor widdle Habs fans... B-o-o friggin' H-o-o.

Wait. John Scott? WTF!? Where's McGrattan in all star voting?

Through, huh? Okay... Sure. Fair enough. Hope mine got through too? At least enough for you to lay off slagging Miller for dubious reasons. Hatchet buried... ?On the Ferraro front... He's doing well in Boston and good for him.

...but I don't think a Phanuef deal gets done with Ericsson and off-setting bad contracts as the cornerstone pieces.

oooh, I forgot to mark that date on the calendar!

Ericsson just gets a bad rap because of his salary. If he was making a million dollars less, nobody would be complaining. Except for people who think he needs to be more physical. Which I think he's stepped up this year.

Once Q is healthy, I don't think we should wait until the offseason to move Kindl and/or Smith) A lot more flexibility, this year. In my mind if we trade both, bringing up another prospect doesn't substantially hurt our D-corps. Kronwall - Green DeKeyser - Quincey Ericsson/Marchenko/XO (Just as an example) If a trade isn't possible, I agree kr, wouldn't mind seeing any of those aforementioned prospects up for a short stint with the team swapping in for Marchenko if any other injuries come up.

The problem I had with the game was letting a team like Buffalo, who we were handling, to get back into the game. Sure, some of it was bad officiating and there's puck luck and whatnot, but the fact that our PK and goaltending were a bit off during regulation last night made it tough to see the bright spots. Thankfully, some tenacity on the PK in OT and a shootout win really clears things up. Good to see them fight through some adversity and get that win.

That's a great question. Once Q is healthy, I think we're at a point where we have to trade a defenseman. I would love to move Ericsson's contract, because I can live with a Marchenko - Kindl/Smith pairing, but I'm not sure moving Big-Rig is do-able. So, trading Kindl or Smith is the most likely option. ...but it's bigger than that. Lets say nobody wants Kindl or Smith. 8 NHL regulars for 7 spots. Kronner, Green, Ericsson, Quincey, DeKeyser, Marchenko, Kindl, Smith is the troublesome first issue. Marchenko could be sent back down, but that leads us to problem number two. Sending Marchenko back down alleviates the issue only insomuch that we'll have seven defensemen, but doesn't allow us to figure out who to trade and who to keep. We have an abundance of ready to almost ready prospects in GR that are running out of options and quick. So you move one of Ericsson, Kindl, or Smith. You've got your seven d-men, but you still have no flexibility, barring injury, in determining which -- if any -- of those guys you want to keep in the A, bring up next year, or move in a package.

Durrrr. Maths.

Why does it have to "problem" defensemen? Why does everything have to be so negative all of the time? ...and why pick on Ericsson? Sure, you might see it as him having an off game last night, but it wasn't as if Kronner played a stellar game either? Also, why do Red Wings fans think that our defensemen are more prone to defensive gaffes than any other team? I sometimes wonder if you guys regularly watch any other games or follow any other teams than the Wings. I'll be honest. I never "played the game" so I don't have a great understanding of defensive systems, etc. but feel like I watch enough games around the league to know that the Wings aren't too far off from other teams defensive play. Certainly, there are teams in the league that outshine us on defense, but we're not as terrible as imagined by some. As far as "problem" defensemen, go I will say this: When Quincey is ready to return, one of Kindl or Smith are in trouble. Marchenko is far and away a more solid defenseman and than either and has earned that seventh sixth spot! (thanks Zombo) Younger, cheaper, and more reliable. Kronner - Green DeKeyser - Quincey Machenko - Ericsson Kindl/Smith OMG. I just claimed "Ye Olde Eyeball Test" for myself.