WQF Game 4 GDT: Predators 3, Red Wings 2

[Guest OZPWNSHASEK]

its all dom haseks fault

[awingsincebirth 0]

Alright, so that was vomit-inducing, I'm sure that we can all admit it.

Negatives:

-Dom seems to have overstayed his welcome in our net....plain and simple. I'm ready for Ozzy.

-Does anyone else get that huge weight in the pit of their stomach whenever a N-Ville defender winds up for a point shot?? Ya, thats because they've pretty much scored all of their legitimate goals(excluding goals in game 2) from there. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but their D are pinching into the play a bit, and our wingers aren't picking them up in time. All their offense is being generated from shots from the back end. That may partially be attributed to Hasek's erratic style, but I think we really need to get out there and make sure those shots don't get through.

-Flip is playing like a genuine liability right now. He's putting himself in situations to get scoring chances (which is a good thing) but he seems absolutely incapable of doing anything with them. It's not like he's getting off good shots and getting stoned. It's not even like he's getting off weak shots for easy stops. He's straight up fanning on almost every shot he goes to take. He's an absolute enigma right now and I think Babs should seriously consider scratching him for a game.

-Cleary is clearly still being affected by his injury, and who knows how long it is gonna take to get him back to 100%. He just doesn't have the strength to play with the fire and enery that made him so dangerous last year in the playoffs and earlier this season. It's really unfortunate, and I really hope he can find another way to have more of an impact.

-Rafalski still has looked sub-par, to say the least. He's making irresponsible plays in the defensive zone (not the only one, obviously) and he is not off setting it nearly enough with his offensive potency. He's got to pick it up and I think he knows it.

-Too many times I saw Zetts try and gain the zone by carrying it in through 2 or 3 defensemen. He just can't do that. He's either got to try and carry it wide, or dump and pursue, anything but what he was doing because it absolutely kills a rush.

-Finally, I was really dissapointed in how for the last 5 minutes or so, we really weren't able to generate any sort of sustained pressure. Especially disturbing is the fact that, for the second straight game, we have done NOTHING at all with the goalie pulled. When you've got 6 on 5, you can't keep trying to finesse it into the zone, you've got to dumo, bump, and use your numbers to generate something. That's not happening right now.

Alright, sweet

Positives:

-We dominated the third period, and played better that period than any other in the series I think. Homer was a beast in the period, and Dats looked good in the second and third, I thought.

-I've got all the faith in the world in Ozzy, and he played very well tonite. No doubt that if he can be a real stable back-stop like he was tonite, the confidence will affect the rest of the team from the net out.

-I don't know how everyone else feels about this, but I love seeing Kronwall pick his spots and go in for the kill. Other than game 1, he's kept it clean. I think he is very smart in knowing when to go for it and when to hold back. I think that if either of those big hits (from games 3 or 4) came at home, it could have been a more effective momentum swinger.

-Hey, we're going back to the Joe. You know what they say: you're not in trouble in the playoffs until you lose at home. I've still got faith. If we can carry the third period into game 5 (and at this point, it is an IF), we shouldn't have much of a problem.

I think in general the fact that it is 2-2 is more dissapointing than it was last year because Ellis is not the reason that we are losing like Kipper was. There are stretches of time where we are being flat out outplayed, and I think that is where the "No Heart" argument tends to come from. With our talent, they should never be able to outplay us for such long stretches. The fact that players are taking shifts, periods, even nights off is puzzling and incredibly frustrating for the fans. It needs to be worked out - and fast - starting with the coaches and poriferating down to the players. Play with desperation, but not with panic. Look up at the scoreboard, realize that your involved in a best of 3 series against a dangerous opponent, and then play like your the best team in the NHL.

No excuses. No fears. No superstitions. Just heart, guts, and glory.

Go Wings!!

(longest post I've ever written by far lol)

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

*Hasek played poorly - just shoot it at him, it will go in

*There is no place/spot on this team for Sammy

*Flip,Cleary, and Franz have not been playing well

*Defense not shooting the puck - it works for them

*At times, getting in too deep to the net and having the rebound go by

*Not responding to adversity

Our defense are not shooting the puck because Nashville is covering them VERY VERY well. Lots of pressure and forcing us to the perimeter. Even on the powerplay we have NO time at the point. It's tough because we rely hugely on that. Gotta give Nashville credit they have adapted to our system very well.

[Packer487 3]

Yes, because goals from the blue line that are not tipped that go through the five hole that cost them the game that are scored on ''the dominator'' 11 seconds after they pull it to within one is acceptable.

Find a post where I said it was. I was pretty clear about my thoughts on that one.

It's about as acceptable as scoring 2 goals on 40 shots and having like 2 forwards come to play.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Seriously, do not be surprised if Dom is back in the net. SERIOUSLY.

I wont be, but everyone knows it'd be the wrong decision.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

:lol:

I agree though, Stuart isnt looking too good. It's those goddamn CCM helmets, they are the ugliest things I've ever seen. Mac needs to go find his old Nike Bauer 97 helmet and put that on, Stuart, just go back to RBK.

Here's another joke. Him and Kronwall have about as much chemistry and Ben and J-Lo in Gigli.

This pairing needs to be broken up immediately.

[edicius 3,269]

I can't believe some of us, myself included, were concerned with Stuart wanting to live in California after this season.

I say good riddance. This guy is about as useful as having a pair of brass knuckles when you're being attacked by a polar bear.

He sucks.

Yeah, I've done a complete 180 on Stuart. He's just a waste of a roster space. Turnovers, inability to keep the puck in at the blue line and so on. Really only useful in a depth role if, god forbid, one of our regulars goes down. I wouldn't have complained as much if Babcock had swapped out Stuart for Lebda instead of Lilja. He's Cory Cross 2K8.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

He did have 13 points in 18 games after he got traded to Washington. He hasn't done much in the playoffs, but he definitely could've helped our second power play unit. And the Caps gave up nothing to get him.

I still think it was basically criminal to not acquire a forward at the deadline.

I'm just saying, if everyone gets to blame Hasek, it's only fair that I get to blame Holland, since our second PP unit clearly sucks, and yet again we're having issues putting the puck in the net. Hopefully things change. It'd be nice for guys like Z and Flip to wake up at some point.

No what you're saying is since everyone else is being irrational you want to be irrational too. Why don't you be wise and take the higher road?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Here's another joke. Him and Kronwall have about as much chemistry and Ben and J-Lo in Gigli.

This pairing needs to be broken up immediately.

Kronwall needs to play with Lidstrom IMO. He can jump up and crush Nashvilles players, while having Nick cover for him.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Yeah, I've done a complete 180 on Stuart. He's just a waste of a roster space. Turnovers, inability to keep the puck in at the blue line and so on. Really only useful in a depth role if, god forbid, one of our regulars goes down. I wouldn't have complained as much if Babcock had swapped out Stuart for Lebda instead of Lilja. He's Cory Cross 2K8.

Except Cross actually had a fight here.

Are we sure that Stuart is Canadian? He looks more like Swiss cheese out there? No physicality whatsoever.

[Guest drwings1]

*Hasek played poorly - just shoot it at him, it will go in

*There is no place/spot on this team for Sammy

*Flip,Cleary, and Franz have not been playing well

*Defense not shooting the puck - it works for them

*At times, getting in too deep to the net and having the rebound go by

*Not responding to adversity

do you mean our defense?? we werent shooting at all from the point, i was pulling my hair out wondering why. we had an abundance of defensive goals this year, did we forget that??. sammy really is awful, why is it just us that notices?? its not like we are hating just to hate either. i dont get it, its very disappointing. the back to back goals is just puzzling. i hope ozzie gets the nod on friday but knowing this team/babcock, we definitely should not hold our breaths. if we cant beat these preds how are we supposed to last against anyone else in the west? filpulla had some golden chances to score today, he needs to be benched a game to collect his thoughts. even lidstrom looked a little in the clouds today. off day?? yzerman should give an empowering speech at practice tomorrow, needs to light the fire, along with draper, mac, malts, cheli, all the guys that have tasted the success. the dump strategy is starting to drive me insane, especially in the last 5 minutes. is anyone else bothered by this?? everytime it was dumped into the zone, the preds just swept it back out. how many times does that need to happen?? the next game, and series for that matter are up to the wings. LETS GO WINGS i still have the faith and determination to see these wings succeed

Edited April 17, 2008 by drwings1

[puckloo39 5,686]

this reminds me of 2002 when the Wings dropped the first two games in round 1 to the Canucks. Widespread panic and death threats to Hasek. But, we no longer have Stevie Y or Scotty to talk sense to the Wings, and this is not the same team of veterans, regardless of what they say about composed, veteran players. I don't see things getting better as long as they leave Dom in net.

If dumping Hasek is what it takes to get them to play their best and win, then that's what needs to happen.

Hasek and Ozzie both won 27 games each, and let in precisely the same number of goals this season (84) each. Somehow, Hasek's wins were not as good and all the goals against were deemed worse. Very interesting.

Hockey players are human, sometimes it shows.

Better effort next game. I am tired of saying "play all 60 minutes" but that is what they need to do.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Am I the only one who liked Cross? He beat up Steve Ott, scored a goal for us, played physical for us. He didnt play because Babcock didnt think he could handle the Edmonton crowd. He wasnt that bad. We could've done better (Witt, Simpson, Salei, Carney, etc.), but for a cheap price, not bad.

[dallas27 7]

No what you're saying is since everyone else is being irrational you want to be irrational too. Why don't you be wise and take the higher road?

He won't.

I respect ya Pack but you have to admit Hasek has cost the Wings the last two games. He is supposed to steal games, and he has not come remotely close

Edited April 17, 2008 by dallas27

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

What really stings is that when Nashville needed a goal late in game 3, they got 2 goals less than 10 seconds apart.

When we needed a goal at the end of this game, our players looked like scared chickens out there unwilling to dump the puck in and chase it. This team just looks disgusting and pathetic out there.

[puckloo39 5,686]

Yeah, I've done a complete 180 on Stuart. He's just a waste of a roster space. Turnovers, inability to keep the puck in at the blue line and so on. Really only useful in a depth role if, god forbid, one of our regulars goes down. I wouldn't have complained as much if Babcock had swapped out Stuart for Lebda instead of Lilja. He's Cory Cross 2K8.

Stuart will be packed and headed back to California the minute he can. There are four teams there... Anaheim will hire any ex-Wing they can find, so I expect to see him there next season.

[Packer487 3]

No what you're saying is since everyone else is being irrational you want to be irrational too. Why don't you be wise and take the higher road?

You think it's irrational to suggest that we probably could've used a forward at the trade deadline?

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Am I the only one who liked Cross? He beat up Steve Ott, scored a goal for us, played physical for us. He didnt play because Babcock didnt think he could handle the Edmonton crowd. He wasnt that bad. We could've done better (Witt, Simpson, Salei, Carney, etc.), but for a cheap price, not bad.

That fight with Ott is in my recent Red Wings fight tape compilation.

That and the fight where Lilja fell on top of Chris Neil.

[Osgood=WIN! 0]

Yes, because goals from the blue line that are not tipped that go through the five hole that cost them the game that are scored on ''the dominator'' 11 seconds after they pull it to within one is acceptable.

I don't think anyone even calls him The Dominator anymore.

They showed a picture of him on the bench after he got pulled, and he just looked so old and run down.

I like the guy, I always have, but he does'nt have what it takes anymore to do well in the playoffs IMO. But, I could be wrong and he could end up taking us to the cup this year. We'll just have to see. Right now he has'nt given me any reason to be confident about him though.

[puckloo39 5,686]

You think it's irrational to suggest that we probably could've used a forward at the trade deadline?

You dared suggest that the entire blame for every goal and loss were not 100% on Dom. Therefore, you are irrational. Get it?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

That fight with Ott is in my recent Red Wings fight tape compilation.

That and the fight where Lilja fell on top of Chris Neil.

It was actually a pretty good fight lol.

I dont know why Lilja doesnt fight more wide open, he did it twice last year, and drawed Travis Moen, and beat down Patrick Sharp. I have a feeling if he gets back in Game 5, he'll get in a fight. It raises his play to Lidstrom like levels.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

It was actually a pretty good fight lol.

I dont know why Lilja doesnt fight more wide open, he did it twice last year, and drawed Travis Moen, and beat down Patrick Sharp. I have a feeling if he gets back in Game 5, he'll get in a fight. It raises his play to Lidstrom like levels.

I think Holland and Babcock have instructed him not to fight. It's against "team toughness".

Our idea of winning a fight is having our player get beat up, and then point at the scoreboard. Of course, now we can't even do that, since we're losng on the scoreboard.

We need Downey out there, and scratch that hack Hartigan. Why is he even playing? He wasn't even a regular this season, while Downey was a regular player on the team.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I think Holland and Babcock have instructed him not to fight. It's against "team toughness".

Our idea of winning a fight is having our player get beat up, and then point at the scoreboard. Of course, now we can't even do that, since we're losng on the scoreboard.

We need Downey out there, and scratch that hack Hartigan. Why is he even playing? He wasn't even a regular this season, while Downey was a regular player on the team.

GMR, you answered your own question! Hartigan has "team toughness!"

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

He won't.

I respect ya but you have to admit Hasek has cost the Wings the last two games. He is supposed to steal games, and he has not come remotely close

Yeah I think he played a big role in the loses and didn't perform well or step up when we needed him. Like a goalie HAS TO in the playoffs. Ozzie did that tonight so he gets my vote for game 5. But I don't blame Hasek entirely. This team has been so inconsistent it's scary. We just fall a sleep and get to overconfident. Isn't that exactly what all this veteran leadership is supposed to prevent?

[Sgt. Angry 23]

We SHOULD win game 5, but if Ken and Mickey start going overboard with their "Nashville has never won an away playoff game" drivel, they will surely jinx the whole thing.