Will the layoff help or hinder?

[ProfessorLidstrom5 0]

Well with the great start to the season the Wings are having, will this 5 day layoff benefit the team or make them a little rusty? I've seen it countless number of times in other sports, including this past World Series in which the Rockies got swept by the BOsox because of their 8 day layoff. I'm just worried that we might cool off a bit and this is the month where we need to be good if we want to stay atop in the central division.

[vladdy16 2,154]

I think it will make them a little rusty - it usually does. But does it really matter this early? I don't start paying close attention to division standings until March.

[puckloo39 5,686]

I expect a drop off in play all around, but then again, they could surprise me.

Thing is, we are going to lose at some point, and when we do, it's not going to be pretty around here.

I think it will make them a little rusty - it usually does. But does it really matter this early? I don't start paying close attention to division standings until March.

certainly seems to matter to LGWer's, Vladdy, but you're right, of course.

[shannyfan1414 0]

I think that these guys are gong to be fine. I think that the first period of Wednesdays game will be a little sloppy but that they will pick up were they left off by the second period. These guys really seem to be enjoying the game again. I have not seen this team so happy to be on the ice in some time.

[ProfessorLidstrom5 0]

I realize it's a bit early in the season still but it would be a nice luxury to have a great month and put up a nice sized lead in our division.

[hockey&beer 16]

Isn't Wednesday's game against "bottom feeder" Nashville.... Wings should be OK.

[Opie 308]

I think Babs will have them take a day off early into the layoff and then have them busting their asses up until the day before the game and have a light skate around. He seems to be able to motivate guys to work hard, and the team seems to be responding very well to him.

I think what helps him the most is that his Superstars are just as hard working as everyone else. If Lids, Dats, Z were taking practices off, or dragging ass through practice it would be harder to get some of the younger guys to work harder. That Yzerman attitude seems to be very prevalent in this team, something that we have seem glimpses of in the recent past but not a season full of it from the team, from some players yes, team not so much!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'm a firm believer in "when you're winning, you don't want a break". The Wings are playing with so much confidence right now and you hate to give them time off only to get rusty.

Case and point: The New York Giants have won 6 straight games since starting the season 0-2. The Giants have their BYE this weekend and I highly doubt anyone in the Giants organization wants it.

Edited November 2, 2007 by Never Forget Mac #25

[auxlepli 17]

I think there's a 100 percent chance the layoff could go either help or hinder the Wings.

[tweekvp 0]

I hope Babcock dresses Downey for the game; would love to see him go after Tootoo

I would dress Downey and Ellis. The energy those two bring to the play will help after the long layoff.

With Franzen hurt we could sit out Kopecky to make room for them both.

[ProfessorLidstrom5 0]

How 'bout them Red Sox knocking out the D-Backs

I think you meant the Rockies but same difference

[Viperar 16]

I hope Babcock dresses Downey for the game; would love to see him go after Tootoo

didnt think about that...that would be sweet...pound that fairy

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

How 'bout them Red Sox knocking out the D-Backs

Don't you mean the Rockies?

They're a perfect example of what I'm saying. They get a week off and embarrass themselves in the World Series after winning 21 of 22 leading up to that series.

Edited November 2, 2007 by Never Forget Mac #25

[Opie 308]

Well the lay off and the fact that the Sox were the best team in the league, but yeah the layoff hurt for a game or two, but the other two the best team won. That is why the games were a lot closer than the first game.

[T.Low 1,011]

I hope Babcock dresses Downey for the game; would love to see him go after Tootoo

I Do Not Like Jordan Tootoo. I wonder if those from his little village of Iknigligat (sp?) are ashamed of him or if they all think the same way he does. Its a shame that he's gotta be such an arse on the ice and can't just play a good tuff game of hockey. WTF?

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I don't think it'll matter all that much. In the NHL and NBA when you have so many games, your extended breaks really aren't all that long to begin with. You play on every day of the week at some point that you grow used to it I think.

The only time where long layoffs/goofy schedules have big impacts I think is football, because I think so many athletes get so used to playing on Fridays (high school), Saturdays (college), and Sundays (NFL). I know some colleges play on Thursdays/Fridays at times but I think you see where I am coming from...

I think football is the sport where people are most meticulous about trying to stick in a routine with practices/games.

Case in point, my alma mater's recent/upcoming schedule of games in football...

Sat 10/6 on the road, a loss

Sat 10/13 on the road, a win

Thu 10/18 at home, a loss - a BIG pain in the rear for football coaches and players to go away from schedule)

Sat 11/3 (today) at home - great to rest injuries (which in my school's case, it DESPERATELY needs it), but a 16-day layoff is way too much and screws up routine

Thu 11/8 on the road - again, more big altering of the schedule

[Grittzkey 1]

It'll help. as much as the nice winning shtint was, the team is probaly welcoming the rest and recovery time. Ontop of 5 days to gameplan for the pred's?? we should easily be able to keep the streak go on.

[handyandy_101 0]

I think it will make them a little rusty - it usually does. But does it really matter this early? I don't start paying close attention to division standings until March.

how can u honestly say it doesnt matter??

i realize that this is the wings and not a team like the leafs that, as we've seen, need to scrap for every point that they can get all season because there is a good chance that come season's end, one or two points might make the difference

for the wings, however, its an absolute guarantee that they will already have there playoff place engraved by march, so no worries there

but doesn't it really all come down to expectations?? personally, i expect nothing less from the wings (as far as the rgular season goes) than winning the central, the west, and the Presidents Trophy. if u look at it that way, than these early season points really do matter, because although at the end of the season a couple of scattered points here and there aren't going to be a life and death situation, they may very well matter in the race for the Presidents Trophy...

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Don't you mean the Rockies?

They're a perfect example of what I'm saying. They get a week off and embarrass themselves in the World Series after winning 21 of 22 leading up to that series.

No, the Red Sox were the better team. If a PeeWee team is on a 30 game win streak and then takes a week off before playing the Red Wings will anyone blame the break? Or will they blame the fact that the Wings were the better team.

Breaks matter good and bad. Tired players rest, injured players recover, and hot players sometimes cool down.

[auxlepli 17]

Something to consider is how well the Predators have played the last two nights. They beat Vancouver and Edmonton on back-to-back nights. They did lose to the Flames prior to that on Tuesday. Also they play the Blackhawks tomorrow night. Should be an interesting game Wednesday.

[Wildwings44 5]

Most certainly it will help! They can adjust to the normal time schedule more easily.

[SweWings 45]

All I know is I'm already going crazy waiting for the Wings to play again...

[BeeRYCE 2]

We're playing Nashville, a team we nearly double in points, I'm not really all that worried.

[auxlepli 17]

Nashville won again tonight. The Predators now have a three-game win streak.

[vangvace 12]

how can u honestly say it doesnt matter??

i realize that this is the wings and not a team like the leafs that, as we've seen, need to scrap for every point that they can get all season because there is a good chance that come season's end, one or two points might make the difference

for the wings, however, its an absolute guarantee that they will already have there playoff place engraved by march, so no worries there

but doesn't it really all come down to expectations?? personally, i expect nothing less from the wings (as far as the rgular season goes) than winning the central, the west, and the Presidents Trophy. if u look at it that way, than these early season points really do matter, because although at the end of the season a couple of scattered points here and there aren't going to be a life and death situation, they may very well matter in the race for the Presidents Trophy...

see '07 Mets for example of every game mattering.