2/22 GDT: Flames 1, Red Griffins 0

[Yemack 1]

I think forwards played fine. But a lot of Wings offense depends on defenseman. Typically whenever Detroit forward is in trouble playing back to the blue line is a safe play and shots from the point generate a lot of second chances. I think young D-men were quite nervous. Ericsson has a 100mph shot but I can't remember him using it much.

And Ozzie was very good.

that's exactly what I thought

But I don't think nervous factor was not the main reason they played bad. They just made too many mistakes to simply chalk it up to being nervous.

Ericsson didn't make too many boneheaded mistakes but he needs to be A LOT better in positioning I think.

[Creasemonkey 30]

For personal attacks on people who don't happen to share your particular viewpoint.

I was told to "shush my face." Good thing I type with my hands.

[russianswede919293 95]

Babcock said a possible fracture!

I see a H.C. (hockey coach) degree on his wall not an M.D. I am arrogantly choosing to disbelieve his medical diagnoses...I trust him on nothing but coaching strategy...one specialty at a time Babcockles...

[freshy 181]

Babcock said a possible fracture!

Old Man River will rub some dirt on it and be ready to go.

Whats up will Downey? Head problems after the elbow to it?

[Rivalred 630]

Wings are missing:

1. Lidstrom

2. Hasek

3. Cleary

4. Kronwall

5. Chelios

6. Rafalski

1-0 loss to Calgary is not too bad considering the situation.... But on the flip side, the Wings need to start putting the puck into the back of the net...... They are taking too may shots from the perimeter. Need to move the puck more across the crease....

Edited February 23, 2008 by Rivalred

[russianswede919293 95]

this game made my brain hurt, time to wind down and go to bed, i have a project to finish and finals next week...

[adtthosa 5]

I hate losing on a crappy goal like they did tonight, but with our top 4 defencemen not playing most of the game, I'd say we did alright. Ozzie was really good. This just really felt like another one of those playoff games to me where we couldn't beat a great goalie no matter how hard we tried.

Hopefully by the time we get all our players back, it'll be just about playoff time and that'll give us a big emotional boost.

[wingnut22 81]

Wings are missing:

1. Lidstrom

2. Hasek

3. Cleary

4. Kronwall

5. Chelios

6. Rafalski

1-0 loss to Calgary is not too bad considering the situation.... But on the flip side, the Wings need to start putting the puck into the back of the net......

exactly. Not to mention Drake getting hit in the face and Kopckey getting rocked into the boards. And Calgary's goal was a flukey one. I would have to say we didnt do too bad tonight.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Wings are missing:

1. Lidstrom

2. Hasek

3. Cleary

4. Kronwall

5. Chelios

6. Rafalski

1-0 loss to Calgary is not too bad considering the situation.... But on the flip side, the Wings need to start putting the puck into the back of the net...... They are taking too may shots from the perimeter. Need to move the puck more across the crease....

is Downey hurt too? Did the Wings just almost win a game playing with 11 forwards, 5 Dman and without 3 of their top 5 scorers?

[Rivalred 630]

is Downey hurt too? Did the Wings just almost win a game playing with 11 forwards, 5 Dman and without 3 of their top 5 scorers?

I really did not sit down to watch the entire game... I seen Downey walk down the hall with the rest of the players at the end of the game.... Either Babs sat him for a while and he is healthy or he was sitting on the bench injured.

Yeah, they played decent tonight despite the young D dealing with some anxiety from what I seen... Errikson (spelling?) did good, but there were a few times he went against the boards to get the puck and the player. Well, the he got the player, but the puck was sitting right there for a secondary to pick it up and there was a big potential for a 2-1 situation. I am sure the coaches will work with him on is 1st NHL game with replays and etc.

[VM1138 1,921]

Ericsson needs to be better at positioning. He seemed really uncomfortable but overall did well. When he develops he'll be a great addition.

We did good considering we only have the bottom two of our Top 6 defensemen playing.

The thing that scares me is the last of offense. The only one up front we're missing is Cleary. Scoring shouldn't be a problem.

Logically it would seem we should be giving up lots more goals than we do, but still scoring a lot. Instead, our hurt defense keeps the puck out of the net, but our top notch offense doesn't do anything.

This last quarter of the season is turning out to be bizarre...almost like fate is conspiring against the Wings.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

These defensive injuries are well beyond ridiculous. Seriously.......when your top 4 Dmen are all out you shouldn't be winning games at the NHL level. The sad part is, they didn't lose the game based on their defense tonight.

[Rivalred 630]

These defensive injuries are well beyond ridiculous. Seriously.......when your top 4 Dmen are all out you shouldn't be winning games at the NHL level. The sad part is, they didn't lose the game based on their defense tonight.

Kind of bitter sweet that Lilja is considered our #1 D Guy right now.....

[Yemack 1]

I guess I should be happy that Flames scored just 1 goal.

However I still think that Flames' so so game and Ozzie's all star form are the major reason why they only scored 1 goal

As for offense, I don't think our O played bad game, except Sammy's usual passing frenzy in power plays and Draper missing the crucial open net. IMO our D just couldn't provide enough security or good plays for our Offense to have poise and make plays they usually make.

[calfan 0]

I was down at the Dome tonite for the game. I thought it was dull dull dull. I don't think the Flames played very hard and I didn't think the Wings looked any better. So much for the negs. On the plus side, there was so much of this game to feel good about if you're a Wings fan. The other plus side is you would have to say it was a good road game by the Wings. They seem to go along, even or down a goal most of the game putting the opposition to sleep and then explode for 2 to win. Kipper prevented that tonite, but still a good road game.

Ozzie looked slow and hurt for a substantial part of the second period, yet he kept making the saves. The ref even grabbed one of the Wing dmen and went and talked to Ozzie to see how he was doing. Howard was up and getting ready, but then the dman went to the bench and Howard put his golf hat back on. Maybe he wasn't hurt or anything, but I liked the fight in him. And quite frankly through the first 30 min, if not for Ozzie the Flames win in a blowout.

That far down the depth chart on d and despite some hiccups, they did well. Reminded me of how far down the depth charts the Flames were in the 04 playoffs when the guy who was 8th on the chart was playing 18-20 minutes and the 10th guy on the charts was the 6th dman on the bench. The Flames radio guys were giving a lot of props to the Wings mgmt. Interesting comment on Meech and how far down he was drafted, but on this team he can play because he fits in well with the style of the Wings. Translation - on another team this guy probably never gets out of the minors because no other team plays the game like the Wings. The d did keep the Wings from building the pressure as much as usual and they didn't work as well with the fwds in the defensive end, but not glaringly bad by any means.

Most importantly, although a lot of the Wings shots were from outside and that's been a constant pick for me against the fwds, I liked the way even guys like Dats and Zets are more inclined to fight for the puck along the boards than they used to. I also liked how the Wings were driving to the net trying to get a piece of Kipper, even late after whistles. As a Flames fan, its annoying and I want their asses kicked. But as a student of the game, it says to me this team has more fight in it than other years and might be able to get in the trenches and win dirty in the playoffs.

So it may be scored as a loss, but there were lots of positives. Except Downey. The guy can't skate. He goes after Hale, loses his balance, Hale steps into him and knocks him silly.

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

I was down at the Dome tonite for the game. I thought it was dull dull dull. I don't think the Flames played very hard and I didn't think the Wings looked any better. So much for the negs. On the plus side, there was so much of this game to feel good about if you're a Wings fan. The other plus side is you would have to say it was a good road game by the Wings. They seem to go along, even or down a goal most of the game putting the opposition to sleep and then explode for 2 to win. Kipper prevented that tonite, but still a good road game.

Ozzie looked slow and hurt for a substantial part of the second period, yet he kept making the saves. The ref even grabbed one of the Wing dmen and went and talked to Ozzie to see how he was doing. Howard was up and getting ready, but then the dman went to the bench and Howard put his golf hat back on. Maybe he wasn't hurt or anything, but I liked the fight in him. And quite frankly through the first 30 min, if not for Ozzie the Flames win in a blowout.

That far down the depth chart on d and despite some hiccups, they did well. Reminded me of how far down the depth charts the Flames were in the 04 playoffs when the guy who was 8th on the chart was playing 18-20 minutes and the 10th guy on the charts was the 6th dman on the bench. The Flames radio guys were giving a lot of props to the Wings mgmt. Interesting comment on Meech and how far down he was drafted, but on this team he can play because he fits in well with the style of the Wings. Translation - on another team this guy probably never gets out of the minors because no other team plays the game like the Wings. The d did keep the Wings from building the pressure as much as usual and they didn't work as well with the fwds in the defensive end, but not glaringly bad by any means.

Most importantly, although a lot of the Wings shots were from outside and that's been a constant pick for me against the fwds, I liked the way even guys like Dats and Zets are more inclined to fight for the puck along the boards than they used to. I also liked how the Wings were driving to the net trying to get a piece of Kipper, even late after whistles. As a Flames fan, its annoying and I want their asses kicked. But as a student of the game, it says to me this team has more fight in it than other years and might be able to get in the trenches and win dirty in the playoffs.

So it may be scored as a loss, but there were lots of positives. Except Downey. The guy can't skate. He goes after Hale, loses his balance, Hale steps into him and knocks him silly.

Good insightful post.

Actually I think Downey may have been injured on that play. Add another one to the list. And he's one of the worst skaters I've ever seen, outside of Peter Worrell.

[Yemack 1]

I was down at the Dome tonite for the game. I thought it was dull dull dull. I don't think the Flames played very hard and I didn't think the Wings looked any better. So much for the negs. On the plus side, there was so much of this game to feel good about if you're a Wings fan. The other plus side is you would have to say it was a good road game by the Wings. They seem to go along, even or down a goal most of the game putting the opposition to sleep and then explode for 2 to win. Kipper prevented that tonite, but still a good road game.

...

yup agree most. But I wished that Babcock made a decision to rest Datsyuk and especially Zetterberg with his back.

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

These defensive injuries are well beyond ridiculous. Seriously.......when your top 4 Dmen are all out you shouldn't be winning games at the NHL level. The sad part is, they didn't lose the game based on their defense tonight.

yeah, but a lot of our offense is generated from the back end. lids and raf are a huge part of our offense.

[RainingBlood 8]

I had to dvr the game tonight, wow it was boring I fast fwd through a lot of it.

[Vladiator 116]

Even with the loss (knew the refs would kick quick as they did(), I think our young boys on D did a good job. I think Holland will make a big trade and Hudler will be part of the package. It was awesome to see Erriccson play, as I think he is untouchabe. I would rather see Hossa than Sundin for the cost it going to bring, but a package deal with a good forward and depth Dman is the best way the Wings need to go.

[Dr. Sapirstein 0]

I just watched the game highlights on RDS and boy oh boy, the Wings got banged more than ever. Bang! Boum! Pif! Paf! Even Downey got punished.

Hello mister Holland!!!

This team is probably the softest team in the NHL and if nothing changes it's going to be the same as last year. A team like the Ducks will eliminate the Wings by hitting them like crazy.

Gee I miss the good ol` days when we had McCarty, Kocur, Shanahan and Konstantinov...

[puckloo39 5,686]

I just watched the game highlights on RDS and boy oh boy, the Wings got banged more than ever. Bang! Boum! Pif! Paf! Even Downey got punished.

Hello mister Holland!!!

This team is probably the softest team in the NHL and if nothing changes it's going to be the same as last year. A team like the Ducks will eliminate the Wings by hitting them like crazy.

Gee I miss the good ol` days when we had McCarty, Kocur, Shanahan and Konstantinov...

I... think you may be right about this. Couple that with the lack of offense when it's really needed, we could have a problem in pretty much any series where the other team is physical and even borderline dirty - never mind blatantly dirty like the Ducks. I don't know if the Wings are the softest in the league. However, if you combine our usual, preferred skill game (vs. hitting) with some bad officiating and no scoring, and it's a pretty simple equation leading to a loss.

The lack of scoring when it counts really scares me more. I know the Wings have a couple of 5 and 6 goal games, but we've been shut out or won/lost by a goal more often this season quite a few time this season. I know the Wings love to shoot 50 billion shots from the perimeter, but so does the rest of the league. Announcers marvel at the dozens of blocked shots by the other team when the Wings play. Um, duh? All they have to do is watch tapes, and know that throwing bodies in the shooting lanes when the Wings are out there is just the ticket. And then they do it. No goals for us.

I miss Shanny, Mac etc., too. But I miss even more seeing a power play that I "knew" would result in a timely, devastating goal against. Remember that? These days, when I see this team go down by two (or sometimesjust one), I know they've done, despite what their goalie is doing for them.

Hoping for a wakeup call soon, or maybe a new face or two at the deadline.

[auxlepli 17]

Both teams played well from what I could tell, and yeah the Wings are reeling from injuries. Still they'd be the first to tell us that's not an excuse. Also it's not like they're missing a player from their top line. The Wings' scoring prowess is missing in action.

The Wings need to step it up a notch or two, because the teams they're playing against have. They will miss the playoffs at this rate. If they make it they will certainly lose without their scoring touch. It's a game like this they traditionally seem to lose in the playoffs too.