3/15 GDT: Predators 3, Red Wings 1

[Nev 1,085]

You don't want them going into playoffs winning every single game becasue then they get sloppy; a loss like this is a nice reminder while heading into playoffs...

Exactly. How many times have we gone into the playoffs on an umpteen game win streak and got dumped in the first round.

I'd be happy to go .500 the rest of the way, should still be enough for the Presidents and we won't be so complacent.

And don't forget we were without Cleary, Homer, Downey, Cheli and Hasek tonight - that's 5 starters.

[savaking72 0]

Srsly? 4 minutes on the PP and no goal?

How the f**k does any goalie we face play like Roberto Luongo?

We always shoot the puck at the crest on the goalie's chest. The way to tell if they are shooting at a corner is when they miss.

[arnoldbuck 0]

Dammit I woke up late cuz I was working behind the bar all night, to see the game over, Detroit lost, and I'm out $30 bucks, aaaggghhh!!! Damn you sportsaction action! DAMN YOU!!!

[Vincanni 1]

Awesome. Hey internet Billy Bad Ass, are you as tough in real life as you are here?

Ha ha ha, I was wondering what this guys deal was, he also basically said we're all losers for knowing about Pronger's foot stomp. But yeah I think you pegged it, he's just an internet tough guy.

Anyways that was just a squalid game, we barely looked like we were trying to win, can't say I'm too disappointed in the lose though, Nashville in the 8th spot is a lot better than facing Vancouver in the 8th spot.

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

We always shoot the puck at the crest on the goalie's chest. The way to tell if they are shooting at a corner is when they miss.

exactly. opposing goalies get way too much credit when they play the wings. there is a reason we make every goalie look like the best goalie in the world. the wings have more meaningless shots than any other team. if you shoot the puck into the goalies chest all night, or spend all night firing shots from the blue line, the goalie is going to make a lot of saves.

[arnoldbuck 0]

Do you want to start a fight? It was a joke. Lighten up. I'm sorry I offended you.

Dont worry, I got the joke. I thought it was perfect placement. And my opinion counts for two votes.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Ha ha ha, I was wondering what this guys deal was, he also basically said we're all losers for knowing about Pronger's foot stomp. But yeah I think you pegged it, he's just an internet tough guy.

Anyways that was just a squalid game, we barely looked like we were trying to win, can't say I'm too disappointed in the lose though, Nashville in the 8th spot is a lot better than facing Vancouver in the 8th spot.

I was thinking the same thing. Who would you rather face in the 1st round....Nashville or team Luongo? If this win by the Preds helps them get into the 8th spot, then it was a necessary evil.

[HenrikRules40 14]

Dont worry, I got the joke. I thought it was perfect placement. And my opinion counts for two votes.

Fanks.

[cirov19 1]

Woooooow I predict we win 6-0 .. Oh wait, too late.

So that wasn't a good game at all.. I could barely watch..

I wasn't on here because I was snowboarding, and I did watch the game at one of these restaurants on top of the hill..

and one of the older women who was bartending dated Ted Lindsey a super long time ago before he was playing..

I thought that was pretty cool

MSU lost too.. not a very good day for me.

Edited March 15, 2008 by cirov19

[Z and D for the C 712]

Two trash trash trash goals. Not a happy thing to come home from work to.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

This is not information I was looking forward to waking up to... (BTW... this 1pm est BS has gotta stop)

[arnoldbuck 0]

This is not information I was looking forward to waking up to... (BTW... this 1pm est BS has gotta stop)

I know Detroit is kinda centrally located, but it sure seems like we play a ton of midday games.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Two trash trash trash goals. Not a happy thing to come home from work to.

The second was definitely bad. Horrible communication between Ozzy and Kronwall there. Someone should've let them know that Peverly was bearing down on them.

The first goal it would've been great to make a big save, but Hamhuis basically walked in untouched and made a nice move. Franzen couldn't catch him on the backcheck, and both are d-men were standing around staring, confused on their assignments.

Actually that was Kronner and Sammy back there. Whoever else was out on D got caught up ice.

Edited March 15, 2008 by haroldsnepsts

[Kp-Wings 3]

Awesome. Hey internet Billy Bad Ass, are you as tough in real life as you are here?

LOL!

I'm surprised Matt hasn't given this guy the boot yet, especially after the whole posting etiquette thing came about. He's not using F bombs per say, but he's still trolling. Internet tough guy indeed, as I bet this guy is nothing more than some 12 year old wuss hiding behind a computer. He's probably one of the same trolls that pollute the MLive forums on a regular basis.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Snooze fest of a game...

If this helps Nashville get the 8th seed though, then whatever it takes I suppose.

Just worth mentioning because I'll probably never get to again, but Nick Lidstrom was really off today.

[Yemack 1]

Snooze fest of a game...

If this helps Nashville get the 8th seed though, then whatever it takes I suppose.

Just worth mentioning because I'll probably never get to again, but Nick Lidstrom was really off today.

I was thinking the exactly same. I almost fell asleep during the game.

I was thinking at the half way 'Are we purposely avoiding 1st place or want Nashville as our first round opponent by semi tanking?'

well I hope Wing do pick up the slacks and start hitting some bodies soon because if we played Ducks or Stars today we would have been smoked.

[Kp-Wings 3]

I was thinking the exactly same. I almost fell asleep during the game.

I was thinking at the half way 'Are we purposely avoiding 1st place or want Nashville as our first round opponent by semi tanking?'

well I hope Wing do pick up the slacks and start hitting some bodies soon because if we played Ducks or Stars today we would have been smoked.

You're expecting the smallest, weakest, and least physical team in the league to pick up their hitting?

Hey, I agree, but with this roster, it isn't happening. We might as well appriciate what guys like Stuart and Downey can bring in the physical sense, because nobody else sure as hell has what it takes to be physical on this team. Kopecky could, but he's got such terrible balance that he falls down everytime he tries to hit someone. And Lilja... well, we won't even go there, for sanity's sake...

I'm still holding out hope that San Jose and Anaheim play each other in the 1st round, so at least one of them is out of the way, but it'll take a major collapse by either team for that to happen... and since both of those teams are on winning streaks (San Jose especially), I don't see it happening.

[kylee 727]

games like this somewhat worry me.

a hot goalie.. steals a game, no scoring from the Wings.

Luongo seems like he could steal a series BUT has he ever even won a series? no.

and there's a reason the Canucks are hanging on for dear life to get into the playoffs.

but im still apprehensive about playing them in the 1st round simply because hot goalies can steal an entire series, but last year's 1st round between the Canucks and Stars went to seven games, canucks advance, and then precede to get destroyed by the Ducks.

i think the Wings can take the Canucks - it'd be a hard series, and i am indeed a bit scared of them, but they've been having score problems of late..

im just trying to forget about this game. reminds me wayy too much of the Wings of past and struggling to score goals against a hot goalie, but im not so naive to think this is going to be the playoffs - its one game with a good amount of guys out, including our starting goalie for the playoffs.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

You're expecting the smallest, weakest, and least physical team in the league to pick up their hitting?

Hey, I agree, but with this roster, it isn't happening. We might as well appriciate what guys like Stuart and Downey can bring in the physical sense, because nobody else sure as hell has what it takes to be physical on this team. Kopecky could, but he's got such terrible balance that he falls down everytime he tries to hit someone. And Lilja... well, we won't even go there, for sanity's sake...

I'm still holding out hope that San Jose and Anaheim play each other in the 1st round, so at least one of them is out of the way, but it'll take a major collapse by either team for that to happen... and since both of those teams are on winning streaks (San Jose especially), I don't see it happening.

Riiight. Because the Wings being a bunch of weak wusses last post season was the reason we lost in the WCF right? This weak, small, least tough s*** is such crap. I can see it meaning something if the Wings get beat because of it, but since last season it hasn't been the case whatsoever. And FYI, in the last 3-4 games the Wings have been out hiting their opponents. Just because they are the smallest team, doesn't mean they can't handle the big boys and tough it out just as much. They showed that last post season, and they are even better physically this season. I can't believe some of you still ***** about this when it has had no bearing on the Wings at all.

[Yemack 1]

You're expecting the smallest, weakest, and least physical team in the league to pick up their hitting?

Hey, I agree, but with this roster, it isn't happening. We might as well appriciate what guys like Stuart and Downey can bring in the physical sense, because nobody else sure as hell has what it takes to be physical on this team. Kopecky could, but he's got such terrible balance that he falls down everytime he tries to hit someone. And Lilja... well, we won't even go there, for sanity's sake...

I'm still holding out hope that San Jose and Anaheim play each other in the 1st round, so at least one of them is out of the way, but it'll take a major collapse by either team for that to happen... and since both of those teams are on winning streaks (San Jose especially), I don't see it happening.

nah I don't expect Wings to demolish everyteam during regular season.

I was watching our previous games against Ducks and how Hitting played such a huge role in those games. When we won in Anaheim 2-0 we didn't back down from physical aspect of the game at all and we earned the momentum which lead to better execution of plays

When we lost last time at Joe, I thought we kinda backed down after first few minute and they really took it to us the whole game. We had trouble connecting the passes and flat out we got outplayed (and out reffed)

I mean how many times have we seen this before when players say 'we know what we have to do and gotta play well' and come out with zero passion. It is one thing to loosen up before the big games but you gotta keep the focus to win at any cost and sacrifice the bodies.

As for SJ vs Ducks, I prefer Stars vs Ducks because statistically Stars match up better against Ducks and I think SJ is the lesser team of those big 3.

Edited March 16, 2008 by Yemack

[Kp-Wings 3]

Riiight. Because the Wings being a bunch of weak wusses last post season was the reason we lost in the WCF right? This weak, small, least tough s*** is such crap. I can see it meaning something if the Wings get beat because of it, but since last season it hasn't been the case whatsoever. And FYI, in the last 3-4 games the Wings have been out hiting their opponents. Just because they are the smallest team, doesn't mean they can't handle the big boys and tough it out just as much. They showed that last post season, and they are even better physically this season. I can't believe some of you still ***** about this when it has had no bearing on the Wings at all.

I can't believe you're going off of the NHL's hit stat to say that the Wings are really outhitting their opponent. You do know that they consider even the weakest of nudges hits, right? Also, keep in mind that those are home games that those stats are taken from. The Wings have a nice, considerable advantage at home when it comes to stats, at least I've noticed that.

If the Wings all of a sudden come alive in the playoffs, then fine, I'll change my opinion. But for the majority of this season, this team has been very soft. I mean, look at what happened to Dallas Drake. This guy was one of the most feared hitters in the league until he came here, and now what does he do? His only asset is a second teir PK guy; something we already in abundance.

You know, we clearly have different views of physical play, and that more than likely won't change. So, for the benefit of everyone, I see no need to continue this arguement.

Edited March 16, 2008 by Kp-Wings

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I can't believe you're going off of the NHL's hit stat to say that the Wings are really outhitting their opponent. You do know that they consider even the weakest of nudges hits, right? Also, keep in mind that those are home games that those stats are taken from. The Wings have a nice, considerable advantage at home when it comes to stats, at least I've noticed that.

If the Wings all of a sudden come alive in the playoffs, then fine, I'll change my opinion. But for the majority of this season, this team has been very soft. I mean, look at what happened to Dallas Drake. This guy was one of the most feared hitters in the league until he came here, and now what does he do? His only asset is a second teir PK guy; something we already in abundance.

You know, we clearly have different views of physical play, and that more than likely won't change. So, for the benefit of everyone, I see no need to continue this arguement.

You think Drake's problem is because he came to the 'soft' Wings team? LOL

Yeah..we won't continue this arguement.

[Kp-Wings 3]

You think Drake's problem is because he came to the 'soft' Wings team? LOL

Then answer me this: why is it that when he comes here, he no longers plays physical? Is that any coincidence that he comes to a non-physical team and doesn't play physical himself? He was still an old man in St. Louis, and that didn't stop him, so it's not because of his age.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

All I know is that Drake now has "team tougness", which he's never had before.

Seriously, I hope one day someone will explain to me what "team toughness" really means.

[Kp-Wings 3]

I mean how many times have we seen this before when players say 'we know what we have to do and gotta play well' and come out with zero passion. It is one thing to loosen up before the big games but you gotta keep the focus to win at any cost and sacrifice the bodies.

Exactly. Great post, and I agree with you. I know it's still just the regular season, but the Wings lack of overall passion is pretty stupid.

I mean, just look the times when they got blownout this season by teams like Atlanta and Columbus, two non-playoff teams. Instead of trying to come out and set the tone of the game with physical play, and change the whole momentum to try and get back into it, they just lay dead in the water like fish. Even today can be used as an example of that. Regular season game or not, at least make an effort.

All I know is that Drake now has "team tougness", which he's never had before.

Seriously, I hope one day someone will explain to me what "team toughness" really means.

According to Mike Babcock, team toughness is the exact definition of Tomas Kopecky.