Echolalia

If it includes such statistics as bad pass goals, and stupid plays in the last minute of the game, then I'm in.

I can't believe Babcock changed the lines up.

They're already in striking distance. The only team cleanly above the Wings right now is the Lightning.

In Smith's defense, he was very involved offensively and jumped into the play regularly during his first call up (I think he had 6 points in those first 12 games, or something like that). Once he officially broke the roster we started to see him play a more stay-at-home type game, but more recently, I think Smith has been bringing that aspect of his game back. Edit: actually I suspect we will see the same course of development in Oulette. His goal last night was the result of him getting a quick feed into the slot, but its not like he sneaked in the back door from the blue line. He was fully engaged in a goal-mouth scramble prior to the goal, then the puck bounced behind the net, and Oulette maintained his position at the crease instead of falling back to the blue line. It worked out in our favor this time, but you can bet Babcock will not want his defensman playing the offensive crease for that amount of time and leaving the blueline unattended like that.

Frankgrimes: keeping it realistic since 2012

jolly good win, gents.

So.... Datsyuk on the third line in definitely unorthodox and I can't imagine he'll stay there for long, and the Datsyuk, Helm, Weiss line hasn't always looked cohesive out there, but at the same time, since Babs has been rolling these lines, the Wings have scored 14 goals in three games (all victories), and has had production from all four lines. In fact, the only players to not register at least a point in the past three games are Glendening and Mrazek (yes, Howard has one too). Even if Datsyuk is on the third line, there's no way you split these lines up until guys start cooling off.

wow and Montreal lost to Buffalo tonight

wait what does this mean....

Well at least we got one point

good lord

Nice. I think Weiss got an assist on that one

I don't think he was able to see clearly. After the puck hit his helmet off the initial shot it kinda drooped over his face, then Mrazek tried shaking it off. I assumed that it was blocking his vision, but who knows. His body language certainly implied he couldn't see.

I'm liking Trevor as the color commentator edit: and I'm not referring to the color of his skin

Glad to get that one back. It would be terrible to have that goal linger after Mrazek's helmet popped off.

The Wings have played like a top 10 team so far. 10th league-wide in points, 7th league-wide in goals per game, 9th league-wide in goals against per game, 11th league-wide in power play percentage, 2nd league-wide in PK, 12th league wide in shots per game, 2nd league-wide in shots against per game, 3rd league-wide in faceoffs, 4th fewest penalty minutes per game. By your definiton I'd say they are contenders, and I certainly think they've been a top 10 team league-wide.

I guess I'll define contendor as a team that makes it to the SCF to actually contend directly for the Cup, at least for this post. Traditionally there has been some value in being a top 4 seed entering the playoffs, although that value has been diminishing pretty steadily in recent years. Since the lockout in 2005, about 75% of teams to reach the Stanley Cup Final were seeded in the top four, although I didn't include last year in this statistic because the new playoff format is convoluted and I don't fully understand it yet. If you use the older playoff model, the Rangers and the Kings from last year would be 5th and 6th seeds respectively, which would make the last 10 years be 12/18 =66%. But whether you include them or not, since 2005, 66-75% of the teams to make it to the SCF have been top four in their conference/top four seeeded. Compare that value to just the past five years and it drops to 5/8=62% (not including last year) or 5/10=50% (including last year with the old model). So there does seem to be a trend developing where more teams from lower in the standings are making it to the finals in recent years. Whether that's actually the case or a statistical anomaly remains to be seen, but its certainly the way the league has designed itself, so I wouldn't be suprised to see this trend continue in the future. So having said that, with the Wings currently sitting in 5th place in the Eastern Conference, we are just on the outside being in that fabled top 4 (more specifically 3 points outside with one game in hand), although the more recent history is more favorable for our odds. BUT even they do get into the top 4, only 2 teams out of 16 total make it to the Final. Do the Wings have what it takes to be THAT team over all the others, whether top 4 or otherwise? I have no idea. I definitely like our team better than last year. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are still Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Tatar and Nyquist and Sheahan have picked up right where they left off last year, and now have some playoff experience under their belt. Weiss may finally be able to contribute. Howard has been steady. The defense looks much more solid than it did at any point last year, and perhaps most importantly, the Wings have not been plagued by injuries (knock on wood). When you add the fact that we have several assets in the minors that may be able to contribute as black aces or get moved for an established difference-maker at the trade deadline (as we don't have room for all of our prospects on the team and waiver exemption only lasts so long), and it definitely looks better for us than it did last year. At the very least I expect they'll win more than one playoff game.

I agree that the next generation of statistics is going to be a great opportunity for teams to improve and maximize their chances at scoring, but at the same time you bring up a good point about the the situations surrounding the stats. Of course player X will have a good corsi-for, because coach only plays him for offensive zone faceoffs. Ultimately, these statistics are new tools in our toolbag, but we have to know how and when to use them. Its like having a fancy new power drill when you used to have only screwdrivers and hammers. But you're still not going to use the drill if you need to something sawed. That's where I see the biggest issue going forward, and moreso with fans than the guys that are being hired to analyze these stats (hopefully with advanced statistical education). We've already seen lots of people try sawing with a drill. And I doubt it'll get much better in the recent future. And then there's the other types who reject the fancy stats alltogether. The power drill uses electricity, and comes with a convoluted instruction manual (only in Mexican). Its confusing and seems dangerous. They'd rather stick with the good ol' fashioned hammer and screwdriver.

Goals per game has improved to 2.91, good for 7th best in the league. I wish I knew what it was the day this thread was made, because they've steadily been improving offensively since then.

indeed

Whatever Babcock throws out for his next new line, for the love of god say its going to be terrible. Your words have magic

not even ashamed

heres a video of the fight:

Come on, you can do better than that. If you've already been reduced to personal attacks the game is over, and that's no fun. PS it was the paint chips

If there's extra food kindly send it over and Ill do my part FOR THE TEAM