3/30 GDT: Red Wings 1, Predators 0 (OT)

[zombiewing 3]

I think that system is called "Frazen" and "Holmstrom"

I concur

[redwings56 1]

it was a good playoff style game. Dom played very well, NO MORE INJURIES dom.

My only AND ONLY concern is that when Sammy comes back Babs will screw the chemistry up on the second line. HOPEFULLY he puts Sammy with Drapes and possibly Hudler. although Huds has been playing well with Fil much like Pavs and Hank (although on another teir down)

Pavs-Z-Mule

Huds-Fil-Cleary

Sammy-Draper-Kopecky

McCarty-Drake-Maltby

[akustyk 84]

See, that is the one things that concerns me. It is how Edmonto got us a few years back. Even though we peppered them with like 40 shots a game, they clogged everything up so that we could get so little momentum. We really Need a system to break it when teams attempt to trap us.

I wouldn't draw too much conclusions of this game. at least not

by judging Wings play 3 games before the playoffs start.

keep in mind that we really didn't have to win this one and that

O'Halloran was extremely helpful to Predators this time. he swallowed

the whistle on at least 2 obvious slashes on Wings and sent our

players for some weak calls.

but answering your concern: I like the determination these Wings

have and I like the skill package and desire they have to fight for

the pucks in corners. they missed it severely in Oilers series and

IMHO this cost them a lot of chances. and unlike 2006 and before

we're now much better in scoring dirty goals rather than just

try nifty plays. Holmstrom has always been excellent at that

and with Franzen growing into another guy who plants his ass

so effectively in other teams' crease.... that's a big difference

to what we had before.

[akustyk 84]

Pavs-Z-Mule

Huds-Fil-Cleary

Sammy-Draper-Kopecky

McCarty-Drake-Maltby

where's Homer?

try:

Pavel-Homer-Hank

Flip-Franzen-Cleary

Hudler/McCarty-Draper-Kopecky

Sammy-Drake-Maltby ?

this assuming McCarty is back into fine shape

[zombiewing 3]

it was a good playoff style game. Dom played very well, NO MORE INJURIES dom.

My only AND ONLY concern is that when Sammy comes back Babs will screw the chemistry up on the second line. HOPEFULLY he puts Sammy with Drapes and possibly Hudler. although Huds has been playing well with Fil much like Pavs and Hank (although on another teir down)

Pavs-Z-Mule

Huds-Fil-Cleary

Sammy-Draper-Kopecky

McCarty-Drake-Maltby

That is a concern of mine as well.

On the second line, I would have Homer-Fil-Cleary. I like the placing of your 3rd line-Sammy's offensive slumping would be minimized on a defensive oriented line.

Although he did show some spark, I would put Huds down on the 4th, especially if Mac does not get up to speed (I hope this is not the case).

[puckloo39 5,686]

What does being tested early on have to do with him winning us the game? And why are you calling me a "Hasek slappy"? I'm a "Hasek slappy" because I am grateful for his stellar performance today?

We don't need a rule book for common sense, do we?

Saying Hasek didn't win us a game after a 1-0 shut-out in OT is kind of absurd... and should be undisputed. Instead, you wish to take personal jabs. You should be happy that our DOM played so well and won another shut-out. Granted, a shut out for an elite goalie like Hasek may not seem spectacular to you.. but it was in his first game back!!!! Give some credit where credit is due bro, he's going to be the back-bone of the team that helps us excel in the post-season.

Pretty much anyone who supports Hasek ends up labeled a slappy here (or worse). Get used to it.

I think the "credit where it is due" thing gets pushed aside slightly where Dom is concerned, perhaps because so much more is expected of him. That's all I can come up with. He is rather singular, still playing at his age and with his resume. So, when Dom get a SO, it is viewed by some as somehow "easier" than some other 22 save SO with a gamesaving stop in OT.

I've never actually figured out the sliding scale of "excellence vs. mediocrity" in comparable games. I am just glad Dom saw that puck on Suter's breakaway in OT... because I sure didn't. I don't like the thought of the direction this thread would have taken, if that puck had gone in.

Thanks, Dom! Thanks, Mule!!

Edited March 30, 2008 by puckloo39

[kylee 727]

That is a concern of mine as well.

On the second line, I would have Homer-Fil-Cleary. I like the placing of your 3rd line-Sammy's offensive slumping would be minimized on a defensive oriented line.

Although he did show some spark, I would put Huds down on the 4th, especially if Mac does not get up to speed (I hope this is not the case).

2nd line looked good today. but lets not bench Sammy. as much as i can live without him, he did score two goals last year to put out the Sharks in San Jose.

gotta give some credit to him for that for sure...

so id probably give him a chance on the 2nd line. Hudler....

i dont know.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

where's Homer?

try:

Pavel-Homer-Hank

Flip-Franzen-Cleary

Hudler/McCarty-Draper-Kopecky

Sammy-Drake-Maltby ?

this assuming McCarty is back into fine shape

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Filppula - Franzen - Cleary

Drake - Draper - Maltby

Hudler - Kopecky - Samuelsson

[Superman54 91]

Do not bench Sammy, as much as you all hate em (im not in that catergory, for only getting payed 1.4 million and racking in 40 points, its good enough for me) he does contribute offensivly and is OK during playoffs

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

What does being tested early on have to do with him winning us the game? And why are you calling me a "Hasek slappy"? I'm a "Hasek slappy" because I am grateful for his stellar performance today?

We don't need a rule book for common sense, do we?

Saying Hasek didn't win us a game after a 1-0 shut-out in OT is kind of absurd... and should be undisputed. Instead, you wish to take personal jabs. You should be happy that our DOM played so well and won another shut-out. Granted, a shut out for an elite goalie like Hasek may not seem spectacular to you.. but it was in his first game back!!!! Give some credit where credit is due bro, he's going to be the back-bone of the team that helps us excel in the post-season.

Actually, I could probably use one of those.

I am happy that Dom played so well.

Your praise just seemed over the top for what I saw out there. I think his play was similar to Ellis', which was very good, but I don't think he had to be stellar today, with the exception of really one or two shots. I'm not trying to downplay what he did out there. I probably just lumped you in with the dude who was making fun of people for saying Hudler had a good game and flew off the handle.

dom made the big saves when called upon. I'm very happy with how he played. I guess it's semantics at that point, but I don't usually say a goalie stole a game unless he was getting shelled pretty good and making tons of big saves. The preds had a handful of quality chances, rang four shots off the post, and Dom came up big when he had to.

And to be totally clear, he got a friggin shutout. how could anyone not be happy with that??

All in all a good win from a mostly dull game.

Is it the playoffs yet?

EDIT: a helluva rambling post I made, tried to clarify, but pretty much threw in the towel.

Edited March 31, 2008 by haroldsnepsts

[puckloo39 5,686]

recap

from the LGW "OH, NO!!!" Department:

Dominik Hasek, returning after missing two games because of the flu, stopped 22 shots for his 81st career shutout.

He stopped Ryan Suter on a breakaway about 1:40 into the extra period.

"I hesitated at first," Hasek said. "I was thinking about poke-checking him at the blue line but then I changed decision and was waiting patiently on him. I was in a great position, up high and out of the crease. He hit my blocker."

Thank goodness for patience. Good decision, Dom.

[FREE REDWINGS 0]

I think Dan Ellis is comfortable at the Joe...I think he beat Michigan and/or Michigan State when he played with the University of Nebraska-Omaha...he was a pleasure to watch in Omaha with the UNO Mavericks.

[Guest Hank=FutureCaptain]

I think Dan Ellis is comfortable at the Joe...I think he beat Michigan and/or Michigan State when he played with the University of Nebraska-Omaha...he was a pleasure to watch in Omaha with the UNO Mavericks.

I'm actually really hoping we face Nashville in the first round. Ellis is an extremely solid goaltender, but the playoffs are a totally different beast. And Ellis' lack of playoff experience appeals to me. And their overall squad just doesn't have what it takes to win a 7 games series against the Red Wings(but then again, who does?). I say bring it.

[FREE REDWINGS 0]

I'm actually really hoping we face Nashville in the first round. Ellis is an extremely solid goaltender, but the playoffs are a totally different beast. And Ellis' lack of playoff experience appeals to me. And their overall squad just doesn't have what it takes to win a 7 games series against the Red Wings(but then again, who does?). I say bring it.

I totally agree, I was just saying it's nice to see a guy I watched numerous times in person in Omaha do well.

[Nero 20]

I would rather not pick my own poison, especially after this game

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

I would rather not pick my own poison, especially after this game

No kidding, especially since every time the Wings have lost in the playoffs the last few years, they've faced a hot goaltender. Ellis could potentially be that goaltender. I don't think it's wise to pick who we'd rather face.