Andy Pred 48 337 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 Just looking at the West and how the table looks at present seem's to me that the Wings aren't to bothered about topping the league. Finishing in 4th spot would do them nicely? What and have to face the Sharks or Nucks in the 1st round I hear you say! Well no, looking at teams run ins the side we look like facing would be the Wild. Now I'm sure that most on here would take them over any of the other's we could face in the oppening round. The other option is to up the game plan finish top and take possably the Flames in the 1st. The best home team in the league with the worst away record in the league, now when was the last team to have that combined set of records? So who would you settle for in round 1? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 It doesn't matter to me who they play, in all honesty. If I had a preference, Colorado, but if they get in they'd already be playing around the top of their game fighting to get into the playoffs already, even with their defense/goaltending being suspectible. It's basically like pick-your-poison for any team in the Western Conference playoffs this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
savaking72 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 Just looking at the West and how the table looks at present seem's to me that the Wings aren't to bothered about topping the league. Finishing in 4th spot would do them nicely? What and have to face the Sharks or Nucks in the 1st round I hear you say! Well no, looking at teams run ins the side we look like facing would be the Wild. Now I'm sure that most on here would take them over any of the other's we could face in the oppening round. The other option is to up the game plan finish top and take possably the Flames in the 1st. The best home team in the league with the worst away record in the league, now when was the last team to have that combined set of records? So who would you settle for in round 1? doesn't really matter. Most teams out there (especially Minnesota) have a goalie that's hot right now, and we know what that has done for us in the past. All we can hope for is everyone coming off of IR, and Hasek stop being streaky. Ozzy has been really good for us as of late. If Hasek doesn't turn around before playoff time I would give the nod to Osgood. IMO, I don't think the wings want to finish in 1st. I think they are affraid of their curse. I think 4th seems just fine to them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 doesn't really matter. Most teams out there (especially Minnesota) have a goalie that's hot right now, and we know what that has done for us in the past. All we can hope for is everyone coming off of IR, and Hasek stop being streaky. Ozzy has been really good for us as of late. If Hasek doesn't turn around before playoff time I would give the nod to Osgood. IMO, I don't think the wings want to finish in 1st. I think they are affraid of their curse. I think 4th seems just fine to them. If he doesn't turn it around before playoff time? His current play has been fine... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
savaking72 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 If he doesn't turn it around before playoff time? His current play has been fine... and that's why Babcock benched him for diving with the puck on the doorstep. Yesterday, he was mediocre at best. To me the wings play better, and look more confident in front of Osgood. Hasek looks slow, and tired. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 All we can hope for is everyone coming off of IR, and Hasek stop being streaky. Ozzy has been really good for us as of late. If Hasek doesn't turn around before playoff time I would give the nod to Osgood. Not a knock against Osgood as I have a soft spot for him, but do you realize what you are saying? Hasek has been far from streaky/mediocore, and to consider playing Osgood over Hasek in the playoffs when both are healthy, unless Hasek for some reason just falls off the center of the universe, is beyond ridiculous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MrSandMan Report post Posted March 25, 2007 Not a knock against Osgood as I have a soft spot for him, but do you realize what you are saying? Hasek has been far from streaky/mediocore, and to consider playing Osgood over Hasek in the playoffs when both are healthy, unless Hasek for some reason just falls off the center of the universe, is beyond ridiculous. I agree 100%! Even considering Osgood to start is absurd! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 If he doesn't turn it around before playoff time? His current play has been fine... I agree, Hasek's fine, it's just that he's never going to be good enough for some people. Neither is Ozzie, depending on who you ask. They are not our problem, I fear, and blaming the goalies - pick your poison which one you think will win or lose for us - won't fix it. I am becoming more convinced that it won't matter which man is in goal for the playoffs. Granted there are injuries, like Hank and now Lebda, and new players like Bert. Both of those situations are opportunities to step it up and play better -- not a reason to get outplayed in our own barn during a relatively easy home schedule in the stretch. If Bacashua had the motivation to try and beat the Wings, they should have had equal motivation to not let him do it. I am starting to think there are coaching issues, not that it excuses the Wings of playing through them, if so. I like Babs, by the way, but I can't think what else is going on here. I hear tell they're supposedly in a late season slump. Whatever. I don't buy the fear of first or jockeying for a certain position in the rankings. I watched Dallas turn a terrible game (playing through injuries, lost a player to injury during the game, etc.) into a thriller on the road (in Phoenix), third period come-back, shoot out winner last night... and wished I saw the same passion, will-to-win, and energy in my Wings. I hope they find it again soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superstarsingh 23 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 Gimme Dallas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 and that's why Babcock benched him for diving with the puck on the doorstep. Yesterday, he was mediocre at best. To me the wings play better, and look more confident in front of Osgood. Hasek looks slow, and tired. Hasek wasn't benched. If Hasek is tired, there's good reason. He's probably wondering what else he's supposed to do to win with 1-2 goals per game. Good lord, poor Dom and Ozzie. Gimme Dallas. They were absolutely awesome last night. But I think the Wings are more than capable of dialing it up and turning in the same performance. Maybe they are saving it for the playoffs, but I always expect them to play harder heading into the post-season, and they rarely do. Sometimes that works and sometimes... it doesn't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cicada 4 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 Hasek's been fine.. problem has been a lack of any offensive and defensive zone turnovers, it's looking like the start of the season again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 With the exception of last season, goaltending hasn't been our weak spot in past playoffs. Cujo played phenomenally against Anaheim and Calgary. It just so happened that there were a couple of hot goalies named Giguere and Kiprusoff at the other end that shut down our scorers. At this point, Ozzie or Dom, it doesn't matter. If our scorers can't net more than one or two goals a game on average, we're going to have problems that extend far beyond the net. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superstarsingh 23 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 They were absolutely awesome last night. But I think the Wings are more than capable of dialing it up and turning in the same performance. Maybe they are saving it for the playoffs, but I always expect them to play harder heading into the post-season, and they rarely do. Sometimes that works and sometimes... it doesn't. Turco has not been good at all against us throughout his career. Especially at the Joe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MrSandMan Report post Posted March 25, 2007 Yeah, so many people are quick to hit the panic button... it's kinda funny actually... cause they're all the same. Mickey Redmond said it right last night "Wing fans are spoiled from their success". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 (edited) Turco has not been good at all against us throughout his career. Especially at the Joe. Turco isn't a big favorite of mine, but he was amazing last night. So was Cujo. Goaltending was not the deciding element of that game. It was the players in front of the goalies, their focus on the ice, quality of plays and shots, and coaching choices which made the difference in that game. Dallas wanted it more, and were not going to be denied. I want to see that again from the Wings. Edited March 25, 2007 by puckloo39 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superstarsingh 23 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 Turco isn't a big favorite of mine, but he was amazing last night. So was Cujo. Goaltending was not the deciding element of that game. It was the players in front of the goalies, their focus on the ice, quality of plays and shots, and coaching choices which made the difference in that game. Dallas wanted it more, and were not going to be denied. I want to see that again from the Wings. I understand. I think/hope we will be the Red Wings of three weeks ago when Zetts is back. Hopefully we can get back to playing hard like we should be doing. But what I am saying is that I want us to play Dallas in the playoffs because Turco has not played well against us. He has one win I think. So if we are the team we should be in the playoffs and Dallas plays like they did against Phoenix, I think we would win. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 I understand. I think/hope we will be the Red Wings of three weeks ago when Zetts is back. Hopefully we can get back to playing hard like we should be doing. But what I am saying is that I want us to play Dallas in the playoffs because Turco has not played well against us. He has one win I think. So if we are the team we should be in the playoffs and Dallas plays like they did against Phoenix, I think we would win. I understand what you're saying. Dallas knows it. They'll just play Smith instead. Turco's more than capable of raising his game in the playoffs, especially if the rest of the Stars rally in front of him the way they did last night. Team-work and passion, Red Wings hockey if you will, is what I am looking for and not seeing, and it's very frustrating. Dallas would have taken "today's edition" of the Wings to school last night, without a doubt, no matter who was in goal on either side. The team worries me, not the goalies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superstarsingh 23 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 (edited) Honestly, I'm surprised we've been as good as we've been without our #1. We should be thankful for our wins instead of crying about our losses. I agree with you. Dats, Red and Filppula have been awesome. I am not crying about losing games. Frankly, it is not a big deal at all. We lost four in a row and we can still finish first in the West and possibly the NHL. Its not as if we're in a bad position. grammar I understand what you're saying. Dallas knows it. They'll just play Smith instead. Turco's more than capable of raising his game in the playoffs, especially if the rest of the Stars rally in front of him the way they did last night. Team-work and passion, Red Wings hockey if you will, is what I am looking for and not seeing, and it's very frustrating. Dallas would have taken "today's edition" of the Wings to school last night, without a doubt, no matter who was in goal on either side. The team worries me, not the goalies. Yeah pretty much anybody could beat us when we beat ourselves by playing with what seems to be minimal effort. Hopefully we can raise our game, and we know that Dom can so that is a good thing. Edited March 25, 2007 by superstarsingh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CdnWingsFanEh 2 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 I gotta say, I think I'd rather not finish in first. Let's get this first round curse off our back. I actually feel more confident against say Dallas than Calgary.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sixer 37 Report post Posted March 25, 2007 No to Calgary and I'd prefer to finish in 4th spot. Furthermore, osgood will not start any games unless something happens to Hasek. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
