Covenant

If you think WDFN is negative, read Caputo's column today. Talk about doom 'n gloom. True, we're probably playing the WORST hockey of the year, but what are we, 6-1-3 over the last 10? I agree with the poster about chemistry though. With all the line juggling, oftentimes lately people have just been out of position so much. Oh well, we can *****/moan all we want about negativity, but it's been justified as of late. However, I don't see how it relates to playoffs at all.. Opening game of round one, whomever the opponent is ... a MONTH away. Plenty of time for chemistry issues, and injuries to heal. Regular season is a grind, I think Caputo even mentioned that these are the "dog days" of the hockey season, especially when you've got a playoff spot all but guaranteed.

Ahh.. nothing like a potentially spicy GDT to help get through the cubical shift. Anyhow, we're not playing well right now... at ALL.. so this will probably be the season's toughest test. Interesting to see how Babcock can fire the guys up, because you know the Preds will be hungry. Being the homer that I am, I will say the Wings win tonight, behind strong play in net by the Wizard of Oz. Of course, as someone else already said, with Lilly-Farts in the lineup that's good for an automatic -2 going in. Markov is a good defender, but anyone see how he got hurt .. again? He seems to brittle to handle the playoffs IMO. Mule too, you can really see a glaring lack of any grit when Mr. Franzen is out. *Edit: Grammar (as usual)

I couldn't agree more. As long as we have home ice for Round One, I'm secretly happy that we don't have that moniker of "Best in the NHL during the regular season"

.. The battle of the Old fogie goalies!! What an exciting matchup for the Wings in a pivotal period in the season. (slightly tongue-in-cheek) Nashville flat-out rolled the Flames last night, so we really need to get 2 pts. With Kopitar out, this shouldn't be a difficult game, even though we're bit by the injury bug as well. I love the fact that Bootland is up still.. a shame Avery wasn't around for some fisticuffs. 55pts. for the Kings - what a debacle of a year, even losing their captain. . That being said, everyone knows teams love runnin' and gunnin' at the "softie" Wings, so we should skate with our heads up, who knows how many AHL'ers they have going tonight trying to start some s***.

"Don't drink heavily" ?? Only problem I ran into is the fridge being mysteriously empty of Molson's that next morning.. then having to perfectly time my bottle-return run with the sale of fresh beverages @ Noon Sunday!! Damn laws, keeping us beer swillers down on a Sunday.

These are amazing! What wonders even a "semi-pro" can do with a camera. I'm a complete idiot with my digital cam. Thanks for sharing the images of this exciting contest!!

Hopefully just the amount of "rest" Dom needs at this time of year! Sammy,... well, dunno bout him. He's definitely skilled, but seemed a bit lacking - even in the physical play this year as compared to last. Do you break up Franzen-Lang-Calder? or was that even a line for a while the other night? Sheesh, hard to remember with all the line juggling.

I agree.. Leave poor Legionnaire alone, he's a good guy. He can't help that the GM took a huge gamble on Forsberg and he's already hurt again. JK.. I know.. I know, Bertuzzi hasn't exactly lit up the scoreboard yet either.

I kind of disagree.. I don't think he should go against the Preds cold, no.. but the Kings are playing spoiler!! They'll be as intense as they can be anyhow. We were pretty flat against the Av's, but how does that mean we're "terrible" in early games? I think if anything we'd like to play strong against Dave Lewis and the resurgent Bruins. This will be a tough game with them duking it out for the final playoff spot in the East... thus perfect for Dom!

Don't mean to be snide, but it's starting to look like he's playing for a contract!! Which is a good thing in my opinion. The little guy is actually throwing his (albeit little) weight around lately too! Admittedly, he usually ends up on his rear after trying to lay a body on someone, but it's a GREAT sign! His skill w/the puck goes without saying, he is just sick! I think his backchecking sometimes gets overlooked too. In short, he's been dominant the last little while.. lots of jump to his step. As far as lines go.. he seems to be able to adapt to anyone really, so let's go Pav in the playoffs 2007!!!

Little Jiri w/his roomie on a line! .. a bit of chemistry.

Little Jiri w/his roomie on a line! .. a bit of chemistry.

Little Jiri w/his roomie on a line! .. a bit of chemistry.

I don't care for that type of penalty call either.

No doubt, what, maybe 5 minutes ice time?

Even a Nuck fan knows which team to root for! Cheers!

Good reply Crymson... I, like you, have little faith in Mr. Oz... but hell, give him a damned minute to TRY!! Basically, no matter the lineups.. you have GOT to take care of biz in your own barn. I still like our defensemen corps over the Preds, and that will let us prevail in the end.

Tootoo vs. Booter!!

I don't know how you figure the odds are against us, the Wings for the most part are quite dominant @ the Joe, regardless of opponent. This statement sounds like some sort of fear of the Preds Screw em.. .yeah, they're talented, and we are banged up.. no matter tonight I think. I'll reserve my comments regarding the ONE injury I don't think will help us out (Hasek), because it only serves to bring about countless pissing contests about our goalies... but.. IF Osgood just stays within himself and doesn't freak out when he's called upon to make a big save, we should be alright. I'd think the Wings would play with a bit of a chip on their shoulder after losing to the Av's Sunday. That was pathetic. Langer will play just fine thanks, Mr. Calder being the recipient of a nice pass for a goal. Wings 3, Preds 2. On the contrary, light one up for me @ 7:30!

Unless you have that new-fangled thing-a-ma-job called DVR! I know exactly what you're talking about, and I taped the game. Believe it was in the 3rd period, so I'll try and take a peek for it tonight.

15 (Maple) and Woodward, in the Kroger's complex. Very interesting. My girlfriend and I met Langer and his son Jiri @ Dick O'Dow's after the Habs game. Both were pretty saucy. Saucy enough to sign my sweater though!

I like the way he keeps the puck away from forecheckers down low on the boards, he seems great at that. Feisty, etc. But, I think the KEY point here is that he seems to have given life to Mr. Villified Lang. Yeah, he still turns the puck over deep down low on the left faceoff circle every game LOL, but after that goal the other night.. was it just me, or was he shooting (skating slightly) every time he touched the puck. Get that damned puck to the net, let Kyle pick up a couple of rebounds. Whatever Mr. Calder brings to us in the playoffs will be a huge benefit I'm thinking. So, when Sammy comes back... which line? Franzen seems very very hungry to solidify his second line role?

.. ahh, you notice I'm not too swift at updating my sig/avatar eh? LOL..

Ahh.. what a score! Someone here at work wasn't able to use a ticket to the suite!! Sometimes being a bachelor with no plans on a Friday is good see!? First time down since the Habs game in January-- and, <potential good omen> FIRST time @ the Joe in my now autographed Lang jersey. Hopefully it will give him some inspiration, probably not a whole lot of those in the arena. GO Lang! 1-1 for 2pts. Lalime vs. Osgood? Sheesh, this oughta be a high scoring affair!! Anyone else in attendance? I like the birds eye perspective of the suite, but I always need to get up and walk around stretch my legs, etc. *edit: Grammar (horrendous)

I think in retrospect this will be a good thing. Test out the kids a bit, a playoff spot is all but secured. #1 or #4 seed likely, does it really matter? We just have to stay ahead of the other division leaders to secure that #4 seed so we have home ice. Let Nashville take the heat of being #1 for a year and see how they like it.. I seriously think it is a great opportunity to give some hungry Griffins a try-out for next year.