Wings D

[Opie 308]

Was Lids that sick all night, there were times were he looked like a cat toying with a 75% dead mouse!!

Did Ralf struggle like that all night, he had some turnovers that were worse than what North Dakota gave BC!!!

Cheli looked strong to me, this is the first game I got a good look at Kronwall Stuart and I love that pairing.

Lilja made some nice plays and cleared the puck safely out of the zone using the boards.

Overall how did the D play last night?

[redwings56 1]

yea, Rafa was not at his best. I wonder sometimes how he played so well in New Jersey?

I still like him though and he brings a lot to this team.

I thought the D played well the whole night, more importantly Hasek played GREAT. It is good to get a win in the first game, since a lot of meaningless games were played down the stretch.

[Guest wingsin08]

Was Lids that sick all night, there were times were he looked like a cat toying with a 75% dead mouse!!

Did Ralf struggle like that all night, he had some turnovers that were worse than what North Dakota gave BC!!!

Cheli looked strong to me, this is the first game I got a good look at Kronwall Stuart and I love that pairing.

Lilja made some nice plays and cleared the puck safely out of the zone using the boards.

Overall how did the D play last night?

the D was sick last night, the preds were forced to the outside of their offensive zone all night, they barely ever penetrated the middle, i didnt really see any significant errors come from lilja, cheli was great but had a few bad passes, ralf is just in a little funk i think, he'll be back next game. lids was A-FREAKIN-MAZING

Edited April 11, 2008 by wingsin08

[Mors 201]

Rafalski was really off last night, one of his worst games of recent memory. I'm sure he'll get it together though...

[wingslogo19 281]

I thought our d played pretty well.. My only concern if you even want to call it that, was Raffy was bad last night.. But i think maybe it was just nerves playing his first game in a wings jersey in the playoffs. Though he should be used to playoff hockey as he was with the Devils.. Im sure we'll see a different Raffy in tomorrows game

[Ontario Wingsfan 0]

I personally thought the D looked a little shakey at first as there were a few times when they appeared to have trouble down low, made a few sloppy plays and struggled to get the puck out of their end but they (along with the rest of the team) picked things up and never looked back.

[Death2duder 0]

the D was sick last night, the preds were forced to the outside of their offensive zone all night, they barely ever penetrated the middle, i didnt really see any significant errors come from lilja, cheli was great but had a few bad passes, ralf is just in a little funk i think, he'll be back next game. lids was A-FREAKIN-MAZING

I agree with everything stated here. The biggest thing was keeping the preds to the outside. If you limit all shots to the perimeter then you can put any goalie in there and he'll come away with a win. Great job by the D.

The only sustained pressure from Nashville was a result of bad play by the forwards. The D consistenly turned the preds away and the forwards were unable to turn up ice or clear the puck. The D is the least of my concerns.

[Echolalia 2,961]

They got progressively better throughout the game, so the third period was their best imo.

They did an amazing job of keeping the preds to the outside (hence their only goal resulted from a tipped shot from the point). One thing I was worried about, though, was our breaking out. The Preds really made it a priority to stop our puck possession style where it usually begins.

[Donaldjr2448 43]

Nashville plays a trap style Defense, and that is why it tough for us to break out of our own defensive zone. That is hiw Nashville scores a majority of thier goals is on turnovers by the other team! They do not have the offensive power to generate their own offense. I agree, Raffy was a bit nervous, but hey I can let that go, he'll be ready saturday! Now lets go put these boys against the ropes!!! GO WINGS!!!!!!!

[Superman54 91]

I was flipping out at Rafs more then once in the 3rd period. I bet he will come out alot stronger in game 2. I thought Lilja and Cheli played very well. Lids was well, Lids. Kronner and Stuart were a BEAST

[DaKineMaui 8]

nm

Edited April 11, 2008 by DaKineMaui

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

The D played well, but they need to get the puck out of the zone quicker, especially since teams are told to forecheck our D because they're relatively non-physical.

[rick zombo 3,739]

I'm wondering how healthy Rafalski is. And whether or not the groin's still bothering him a bit.

[wingslogo19 281]

I'm wondering how healthy Rafalski is. And whether or not the groin's still bothering him a bit.

That's a good question.. But i'am sure he'll play better tomorrow

[YoungGuns1340 1]

The Preds only had 3 shots in the third period last night. Thats absolutely crucial in the home stretch of the game. Its even more impressive when you think about how the game was TIED at that point. Most teams would've panicked and busted the game wide open at that point and tried to get the go ahead goal. The Wings were able to do so while still playing top notch defense.

Personally, I LOVE that we were able to get better progressively throughout the game. To me, I just think it was nerves. The first game in the playoffs Im sure always feels a whole lot different than any other time of the year. And I think its really telling that Rafalski was the one guy who really had a tough go of it last night. It makes sense, playing for a storied franchise that garners a ton of media attention, playing for the team that makes the playoffs year after year, in front of a sellout crowd with millions of fans watching at home, and being a marquee guy whos new to this team....I wouldnt be surprised if he felt like he was playing his first game in a Wings jersey all over again. I only expect him to get a lot better as the games go on...