4/3 GDT: Red Wings 3, Blue Jackets 2

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Is there any chance (is it even possible?) that Abdelkader could see time in the playoffs, especially given that it looks as though Kopecky will be unavailable?

[Doggy 130]

Hi kids,

I didn't get to see this game and probably won't get to later on. What happened? Were we good or bad? Did we deserve to win it? Were we lucky?

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Hi kids,

I didn't get to see this game and probably won't get to later on. What happened? Were we good or bad? Did we deserve to win it? Were we lucky?

Both teams were so-so. Leclaire played out of his mind. Dom played allright, allowed a pretty soft go-ahead goal midway thru the 3rd. Franzen ties it on the pp, and then Hank banks in a shot off of Leclaires backside with 12 tics remaining. We definately got lucky on the GWG. But a win is a win!!!!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

:-(

It speaks volumes about a club that can string together so many consecutive 100-pt seasons. Congrats to the Wings.

Thanks- but I wouldn't be too sad if I were you. The Blackhawks have a pretty freaking bright future ahead of them!

[Doggy 130]

Both teams were so-so. Leclaire played out of his mind. Dom played allright, allowed a pretty soft go-ahead goal midway thru the 3rd. Franzen ties it on the pp, and then Hank banks in a shot off of Leclaires backside with 12 tics remaining. We definately got lucky on the GWG. But a win is a win!!!!

Thanks for the update. God I really HATE it when I miss a game. Even one out of 82 is too many!!

[Nero 20]

:-(

It speaks volumes about a club that can string together so many consecutive 100-pt seasons. Congrats to the Wings.

As other people have said, Blackhawks have nothing to be ashamed of. With Chicago having Detroit's number this year, I would have been really afraid of that potential first round match-up.

In other news... Vancouver has been eliminated from the playoffs. Every single team in the Western Conference going to the playoffs have been determined. If Nashville loses to the Blackhawks tonight, then the first seed will be Detroit vs. Nashville. If Nashville wins and Calgary loses to Vancouver on Saturday night, then the first seed will be Detroit vs. Calgary.

Edited April 4, 2008 by Nero

[Hank 0]

I had the opportunity to attend the game last night.

I have to say, I've never heard the Joe that quiet in my life. We could hear converstations from people an entire section over.

I know this game meant virtually nothing to either team (in the large scheme of things), but lets just say I'm glad the tickets were free. It was a boring game.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I had the opportunity to attend the game last night.

I have to say, I've never heard the Joe that quiet in my life. We could hear converstations from people an entire section over.

I know this game meant virtually nothing to either team (in the large scheme of things), but lets just say I'm glad the tickets were free. It was a boring game.

Awesome parade rain!

The Wings lock up home ice advantage throughout, you got to witness the presidents trophy clinching game, get free tickets and aren't pleased. Life's tough.

[puckloo39 5,686]

I had the opportunity to attend the game last night.

I have to say, I've never heard the Joe that quiet in my life. We could hear converstations from people an entire section over.

I know this game meant virtually nothing to either team (in the large scheme of things), but lets just say I'm glad the tickets were free. It was a boring game.

I would have been happy to be bored in person at that game.

It certainly showed that Detroit was not terribly interested until the last five minutes. I really do hope they plan to play all 60 minutes in the playoff games, or they won't be playing very long.

Watching other teams who have something to prove/fight for (Edmonton, for example) makes me worry that the Wings won't know what hit them, if they draw a determined opponent. By the time they wake up in the third, it will be too late.

Here's hoping they find another gear in Round One.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I would have been happy to be bored in person at that game.

It certainly showed that Detroit was not terribly interested until the last five minutes. I really do hope they plan to play all 60 minutes in the playoff games, or they won't be playing very long.

Watching other teams who have something to prove/fight for (Edmonton, for example) makes me worry that the Wings won't know what hit them, if they draw a determined opponent. By the time they wake up in the third, it will be too late.

Here's hoping they find another gear in Round One.

Yeah, I have to agree.

Unfortunately the Wings always have to face that argument, but great teams in league history have never been affected by not having anything to play for towards the end of the season. This team better be smart enough to learn from the 2006 debacle, since most of those players are still here.

Well, except for Legace.

[puertoricanWingsfan 5]

If anyone is bored and wants someone to give their tickets to, don't hesitate to let me know

I was only able to catch the highlights of the game, but it looked to me like we squeaked it out. We'll definitely need to step it up in the playoffs. Correct me if I'm wrong, because I might be.

How about Hank and that sweet goal

GO WINGS!

[Hank 0]

If anyone is bored and wants someone to give their tickets to, don't hesitate to let me know

I was only able to catch the highlights of the game, but it looked to me like we squeaked it out. We'll definitely need to step it up in the playoffs. Correct me if I'm wrong, because I might be.

How about Hank and that sweet goal

GO WINGS!

You could say that the Wings 'squeaked' it out, but in reality both teams looked very disinterested.

And I couldn't care less about the President's Trophy. How many of teams that have won it went on to win the Cup? Nuff said.

Edited April 4, 2008 by Hank

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

You could say that the Wings 'squeaked' it out, but in reality both teams looked very disinterested.

And I could care less about the President's Trophy. How many of teams that have won it went on to win the Cup? Nuff said.

It's not the President's Trophy thats important....its knowing that they have home-ice advantage against teams like SJ and ANA that adds a shade of comfort.

Does it mean they are going to win: of course not. Would you rather have home-ice advantage against any team in the playoffs: of course.

[Hank 0]

It's not the President's Trophy thats important....its knowing that they have home-ice advantage against teams like SJ and ANA that adds a shade of comfort.

Does it mean they are going to win: of course not. Would you rather have home-ice advantage against any team in the playoffs: of course.

The Wings have had home-ice advantage for almost every playoff round in the past 5 years and it hasn't won them a Cup.

And to be quite honest, too much is made about home ice.

In 2006, the Oilers were terrible on the road and the Wings were brilliant at home and yet the Wings won only 1 game at home out of 3.

Last year the Wings wrapped up the first two rounds on the road while they fell apart in two crucial home games against the Ducks.

The only person that is truly effected by home or away dates is Illitch. He wants more home ice so he can make more $$. As far as winning or losing, in regards to the players, it makes no difference. And that's why the Wings showed little to no interest in last nights game - hence the 'boring' tag I slapped it with.

Edited April 4, 2008 by Hank

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

The Wings have had home-ice advantage for almost every playoff round in the past 5 years and it hasn't won them a Cup.

And to be quite honest, too much is made about home ice.

In 2006, the Oilers were terrible on the road and the Wings were brilliant at home and yet the Wings won only 1 game at home out of 3.

Last year the Wings wrapped up the first two rounds on the road while they fell apart in two crucial home games against the Ducks.

The only person that is truly effected by home or away dates is Illitch. He wants more home ice so he can make more $$. As far as winning or losing, in regards to the players, it makes no difference. And that's why the Wings showed little to no interest in last nights game - hence the 'boring' tag I slapped it with.

you are right...we don't need any advantage at all.

[Inultus 12]

okay, random side note: i'm just glad that you can't abbreviate our team as the "bj's." that just makes me happy.

LOL, my beer league team is called the "Blowers" and our captain's name is BJ. Our jerseys literally say "BJ's Blowers".

Of course it was done on purpose. We've been made fun of because of it, but you can't argue with our record.

http://www.pointstreak.com/players/players...p;seasonid=2195

[ilmickeyli 40]

having the ability to make last line changes is quite helpful at home games.. especially with many injuries

[Hank 0]

having the ability to make last line changes is quite helpful at home games.. especially with many injuries

I'm not trying to poo-poo home ice advantage but this whole subject was brought up because I called last nights game boring - which it was. Someone argued that the game was not boring based on the fact that the Wings won the President's Trophy. My argument is that it didn't make the game any more exciting. Maybe if the Wings players themselves showed like they actually cared about winning it, the game would have been more entertaining. But for about 55 minutes of last nights game, there was more intensity in the pre game warmup than there was during the contest.

The game was boring, boring, boring. Outside of the Abeldeaker line, nobody showed much emotion and there certainly weren't a whole lot of offensive chances. In fact, one of the biggest cheers in the 2nd period came when the Wings looked to have an odd man rush moving through the neutral zone. If that gets the biggest cheer then you know the game's a snoozefest.

And you have to remember that I was in the nosebleeds - typically where the blue collared fan resides - hence 'true fans'. And yet, besides myself and two older gentleman close by, nobody else was even watching the game. I don't think it's because they weren't 'real' fans, but rather there was nothing interesting going on the ice. Certainly not a band of 18 skaters playing their asses off for the glorified President's Trophy that so many fans seem to covet.

[Inultus 12]

I wish someone had close-up video of that Zetterberg goal, it was hilarious!!!

Edited April 4, 2008 by Inultus

[rick zombo 3,739]

Home ice advantage for Detroit is key I think. For one reason: it allows Babcock to play Zetterberg and Datsyuk together at home and get the matchup he needs.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

I thought the Wings played a smart game last night. The BJ's played pretty well and the Wings played hard enough to match them. It's great that they won the Presidents' trophy but to play like it was game 7 of the finals is not very smart imho. Why add more names to the injured list with 2 games left in the regular season? It wasn't boring for me to watch the Wings start slowly then pull out of the funk and begin playing a tighter game. I like watching the Wings match the level of intensity of the oppositions play then turn on some majic switch and win in the final minutes or seconds. It's like we own them or something. That's not boring to me. But, to each his own.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

The Wings have had home-ice advantage for almost every playoff round in the past 5 years and it hasn't won them a Cup.

And to be quite honest, too much is made about home ice.

In 2006, the Oilers were terrible on the road and the Wings were brilliant at home and yet the Wings won only 1 game at home out of 3.

Last year the Wings wrapped up the first two rounds on the road while they fell apart in two crucial home games against the Ducks.

The only person that is truly effected by home or away dates is Illitch. He wants more home ice so he can make more $$. As far as winning or losing, in regards to the players, it makes no difference. And that's why the Wings showed little to no interest in last nights game - hence the 'boring' tag I slapped it with.

Hank, what didn't you get about the post you just quoted me on? Never once did I make it out to be the make it or break it in a series. what I did say and any player in their right-mind will tell is that if it comes down a game 7, you can be d*mn sure they'll want to play it in their own barn.

As I said, does home-ice advantage mean they are going to win: of course not. Would they rather have home-ice advantage against any team in the playoffs: of course.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'm not trying to poo-poo home ice advantage but this whole subject was brought up because I called last nights game boring - which it was. Someone argued that the game was not boring based on the fact that the Wings won the President's Trophy. My argument is that it didn't make the game any more exciting. Maybe if the Wings players themselves showed like they actually cared about winning it, the game would have been more entertaining. But for about 55 minutes of last nights game, there was more intensity in the pre game warmup than there was during the contest.

The game was boring, boring, boring. Outside of the Abeldeaker line, nobody showed much emotion and there certainly weren't a whole lot of offensive chances. In fact, one of the biggest cheers in the 2nd period came when the Wings looked to have an odd man rush moving through the neutral zone. If that gets the biggest cheer then you know the game's a snoozefest.

And you have to remember that I was in the nosebleeds - typically where the blue collared fan resides - hence 'true fans'. And yet, besides myself and two older gentleman close by, nobody else was even watching the game. I don't think it's because they weren't 'real' fans, but rather there was nothing interesting going on the ice. Certainly not a band of 18 skaters playing their asses off for the glorified President's Trophy that so many fans seem to covet.

BTW, I wasn't arguing that the game wasn't boring, I was just saying that things could be worse in life. You got to go to a Wings game free, the Wings won (although they didn't play well) and clinched the President's trophy. My argument was that going to see a live Wings game (for free) in which they won and clinched the President's trophy, is better than sitting at home and watching the game on CI.

All I'm saying is there isn't much to complain about. That would be like me saying, "Yeah, I found a $100 bill on the ground last night (wish it would've been $1,000), my wife cleaned the whole house last night so I didn't have to do anything and all the traffic lights turned from red to green on my way home from work. Rough day.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

The Wings have had home-ice advantage for almost every playoff round in the past 5 years and it hasn't won them a Cup.

And to be quite honest, too much is made about home ice.

In 2006, the Oilers were terrible on the road and the Wings were brilliant at home and yet the Wings won only 1 game at home out of 3.

Last year the Wings wrapped up the first two rounds on the road while they fell apart in two crucial home games against the Ducks.

The only person that is truly effected by home or away dates is Illitch. He wants more home ice so he can make more $$. As far as winning or losing, in regards to the players, it makes no difference.

And that's why the Wings showed little to no interest in last nights game - hence the 'boring' tag I slapped it with.

How in the world do you know what the players think? More correct to say ....imho, blah, blah blah. Yes?

[Hank 0]

How in the world do you know what the players think? More correct to say ....imho, blah, blah blah. Yes?

If a player really does care if they're playing on the road or at home, then I don't want them on my team. That was my point - which you obviously didn't understand.

I thought the Wings played a smart game last night. The BJ's played pretty well and the Wings played hard enough to match them. It's great that they won the Presidents' trophy but to play like it was game 7 of the finals is not very smart imho. Why add more names to the injured list with 2 games left in the regular season? It wasn't boring for me to watch the Wings start slowly then pull out of the funk and begin playing a tighter game. I like watching the Wings match the level of intensity of the oppositions play then turn on some majic switch and win in the final minutes or seconds. It's like we own them or something. That's not boring to me. But, to each his own.

That's fine when the other team actually has SOME intensity. But I don't know how anyone can say it's entertaining to watch two teams match each's others non-existant emotion.

NFM, I understand what you're saying. But I guess this all boils down to difference of opinion. While some people like boring hockey, or others think that the Wings work harder on home ice, or some feel that every trip to the Joe (even free) should be more than enough to entertain, I don't.

Going to the Joe is a special event to me. I don't get to go very often (maybe once or twice a year). And it's for that reason that when I do get to go, even for free (even though it's not after parking, eating, tolls, etc), when the game is boring, it's a big disappointment. Maybe others can go and just revel in the fact that they're watching live hockey, but I don't put the Wings or hockey on a pedastol so that I can't see the bruises on the fruit. I watch hockey because it's entertaining. Last nights game was anything but. It's no different than going to a movie that sucks. I'm sure everyone here wouldn't have a problem saying "such-and-such" movie sucked even if they got in for free.