RedLightGoesOn

Truly hilarious. Even from a Caps fan I have to give him props.

Both of them are leaders of a team that got beat by the number 8th seed. Did they underperform? Maybe they got outperformed. I mean Halak made numerous robberies throughout the series. Ovechkin was not the sole reason they lost to the Canadiens and probably among the least of the reasons why they lost (Mike Green!). Crosby and Malkin both got shut down by Halak. They had golden opportunities but Halak had answers. The endless Crosby vs. Ovie debate is starting to get old and useless. They are both great players, they both have "choked", and everyone always expects the best from them. Just remember who got the Conn Smythe award when the Pens won it.

The NHL writeup was terrible in the fact that they say the Pens loss may be blamed for 2 straight SCF appearances. Yet its the Red Wings who are too old, which is why they lost. Get real. The Pens got outplayed and Halak stole the show once again. He beat the two favored teams in the East and has a tougher challenge ahead of him to get past Boston/Philly and then even worse against the Western team. Crazy or not, Montreal seems like the team to beat. They just don't go away and they don't give up.

I don't think we need a top 6 forward. We have a lot on our front end and I agree with Babs that this team can be fearsome if certain players find a way to elevate their game (realistically speaking). He isn't asking a rookie to become the top goalscorer, hes asking players who show a lot of potential to find a way to bring it out. If Lidstrom resigns for 1 more year at a super cheap contract (which I hope so) that can help free up cap space for Hudler and also to bring in a decent player to fill in wherever Kenny sees fit. Next year Draper's contract will be up, so will Rafalski's. I hope Draper retires and we do not resign Rafalski (if we do it needs to be super cheap, which I am sure Rafalski won't do). Also, we will stop paying Ville Leino's (small) paycheck. I see next year being a year where Kenny makes some moves. So I say give it 2 years before we could potentially see a team with good depth on paper (not that that means jack s*** in the playoffs).

I want Rafalski gone at the least. I am drunk and I honestly cannot stand his defensive abilities anymore.

Rafalski costing his team once again. Ugh. I hope he gets traded for something because I do not want him to be with us when his contract is up.

Rough season for the Wings, but they still showed they have fight in them. Things look bright in Detroit. Enjoy the R&R.

Hossa wasn't worth the money or what else it would cost Detroit to keep him. Honestly, Hossa is taking the money (I don't blame him) and plays for Cup contender teams. If he doesn't win the Cup, he has a great deal of cash at the least. Of course we all had big expectations of Hossa, especially after his regular season performance. Scoring only in 3 games during the playoffs is not what we wanted from him, especially for the price. That may fly for other teams, but not with us. If i recall correctly, Datsyuk was snake bit on scoring as well. Why would we want another player to compete with him?

This "Babs doesn't win unless he has a stacked team in front of him" is some weak s***. You don't win the Cup or Gold Medals if your team isn't stacked. He is a great coach, but this is a time of transition. You can either scrap this year or the next year when it comes to Jimmy Howard as the starting goalie. He had his shot this year. Next year he will be expected to do better and so on. Babcock makes mistakes and does stuff I don't like, but when he has the resources in front of him he can win. This is a quality not too many coaches have. Dan Bylsma was able to do it. Look at the Capitals, a lot of talent but piss poor coaching. If Babcock coached them I am sure they would still be in the playoffs. I would like Babcock to stay longer with us, he is a great coach.

Great post. I hope you get to know how it feels when your team wins one day. If you guys win, I expect the Sharks play in the following rounds like they mean it. It seems after beating Phoenix, we just fell apart. But in all honesty, this series is over. Teams don't go down 0-3 in a series for no reason. The Wings don't have what it takes to win, as evident by 3 games of play. Whatever you do, don't say you beat the Mighty Detroit Red Wings. I hate that title people give us because it serves as an excuse when we beat them or as a nice pat on the back if we lose to them. We aren't owned by Disney.

Williams is gone, and Maltby is probably not going to join us next year. Bertuzzi was good for us for the money, but he might have stay with us one more year. Lebda, Lilja, and Fail Rail have not been good and we need to figure s*** out with them. The one person who I want gone more than anyone else is Rafalski. I hated how everyone says he was super good in the Olympics, he s*** the bed in the gold medal game, just like last years SCF. $6 million to s*** the bed. Games 2 and 3 in this series were LOST because of a 2 on 1 with Rafalski being the one man back. Also, his pinches and other mistakes somehow cost his team in the worst ways possible. Thanks Brian. Why don't you just poop in your hand and throw it at your opponents when you have to play defense, I think that would be more effective. Honestly, give this team 2 years and I think you guys will like it a LOT.

The penalty was what we have seen all series long. This kick in s*** has f***ed us along other teams too many times. If anything, Z was trying to stop the puck to get his stick on it like any hockey player worth is salt. Beat the NHL's team and there goes the officiating. Go figure.

We picked up some guys who wouldn't really rock the boat and play in Detroit's system. Cap room will be interesting next year. Hopefully if Lids comes back for one more year he signs for around a million to help with the cap. I expect the Wings to lose this year, we simply just can't make it to the SCF every year. If we lose I will still be VERY proud of the Wings for not going quietly. But I agree people need to go. This roster needs a shakeup.

A lot of changes need to be made. Hudler is good for this team. I would like to see a few players go, but we will see what happens.

I will agree with Niemi and Boucher, but Boucher has had some clutch saves to his credit. Jimmy is still better.

I hope the Wings smash and beat the Sharks into oblivion.

They only make mistakes when they call penalties against PIttsburgh.

Win or lose Jimmy stays, he needs this experience if we expect him to be our goaltender for years to come. The 4th goal he let in was tough, I would have loved to see him stop it but you have to respect the first shot. I think he gets better as series go on, its always a new challenge with a new series and the Sharks are tough because of their skilled players. Our D needs to stop that triangle play and also find a way to keep the crease clear/ give Jimmy a clean vision of the puck.

ZDH can really prove to be a defensive nightmare for Pavelski while the second line can keep Jumbo Joe in check. I think this would be the best setup, especially with home ice advantage we can get the lines we need out there. However, I doubt Babcock will do any of that. Bertuzzi would be out of the mix, and I know Babs will want him in there. I agree that faceoffs have really cost us and we need to find a way to change that.

You can't score when you spend 20 minutes, a WHOLE PERIOD, on the PK

Habs fans cheering!

Penguins looked like the Capitals. They threw everything they had at Montreal and they lost.

As long as the Hawks go down in the West and the Pens go down I am a happy man this season. I'd be really happy if the Wings did both.

The Crosby overkill coverage is what has ruined a lot hockey for me. I feel bad for the other Penguins, because when something good happens Crosby is always mentioned, even if he had nothing to do with it. It looks like they have an easy trip to the ECF and a good shot at a 3rd straight appearance in the SCF, which would suck. If the Wings made it back I think that would be crazy, considering how everything has gone for them this season, and in a different fashion versus the Penguins just showing up for games in the East.

Just saw the highlights of the Flyers-Bruins game. Philly is lucky they have Boucher playing, Boston could have won 7-4. Can't wait for the Hawks-Nucks game to be up on highlights.