All Is Not Well In Hockeytown

[StevieY9802 6]

He makes valid points but you don't start writing this article until they lose game 5. It was one bad game. It would be like the Pens writers throwing up red flags because Crosby and Malkin didn't score last night. Philly played well for the most part and Pitt didn't. The Wings were ok the two previous games with what they have now. Cleary has had chance the last few games he just hasn't been able to bury them. I'm not worried yet. If they lose tomorrow then they could be in some trouble.

[Reds4Life 51]

He is right.

Cleary is not playing well.

Filppula is solid defensively, but generates little to nothing offensively.

Samuelsson sucks as usually.

That line is horrible 2nd line compared to Pittsburgh's.

I hope Franzen is back so Cleary is moved to 3rd line.

I still belive he is not playing well because of injury he went through.

He absolutely must play much better game.

Fortunately, our top line is playing great hockey and they carry us.

Our D has been fantastic (top4) and they contribute offensively too.

Franzen was really unstoppable so I hope when he's back he keeps it up.

Edited May 16, 2008 by Reds4Life

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Yea I hear ya. We've got 3 chances to win one game, with two games at home, against a goalie who has never won in our building. I like those odds.

I understand the concern and up and down emotions during the playoffs, but imagine the mood around here if we lost Game 3 and won Game 4, instead of the other way around. Everything would be upbeat and everyone would be pumped about a 3-1 lead.

In the 1995 Playoffs, in two rounds we went up 3-0 three times, twice we lost Game 4 on the road, only to win both Game 5's at home.

We're fine. We're back home, the crowd will be pumped, our boys will be focused, we're 7-0 at home this playoffs, Turco has never won here, we have the last line change, our faceoff guys put their stick in last, etc.. We got this!

I just wanna say that this post made me feel all warm & fuzzy inside. Kind of like a NN post that tells you before the series starts that Dallas will have to split at home to avoid being swept. Infinite knowledge that NN.

[russianswede919293 95]

Despite losing, we outshot Dallas in Game 4, and there was that goal that was called back.

It's good to be concerned, but people are looking to much into things here. We have three shots at winning one game, we're in control.

I am just assuming here, but I think that as I am, he is more concerned about if this continues on into the probable series versus Pittsburgh than the rest of this round. Look at Ottawa last year in the cup, they cruised in there off of Heatly, Spezza, Alfredsson. That line got shut down, thus Ottawa went to hell...

That is my concern. They really need to get some production out of Filpulla and Cleary if they are going to be able to face off against Pittsburgh with any sort of dominance.

In my opinion the Wings are better than Pittsburgh in every catagory except offense, and that is what could be a problem.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I am just assuming here, but I think that as I am, he is more concerned about if this continues on into the probable series versus Pittsburgh than the rest of this round. Look at Ottawa last year in the cup, they cruised in there off of Heatly, Spezza, Alfredsson. That line got shut down, thus Ottawa went to hell...

That is my concern. They really need to get some production out of Filpulla and Cleary if they are going to be able to face off against Pittsburgh with any sort of dominance.

In my opinion the Wings are better than Pittsburgh in every catagory except offense, and that is what could be a problem.

The Wings are in a completely different boat than last years Ottawa team. Our defense and goaltending are a night and day difference to what Ottawa had last year. Their defense last year was a joke compared to this years Detroit defense, and Emery fell apart in the finals.

[servo 15]

Valid points but please don't write "they're unstoppable together", because by definition you would have nothing to worry about.

[russianswede919293 95]

The Wings are in a completely different boat than last years Ottawa team. Our defense and goaltending are a night and day difference to what Ottawa had last year. Their defense last year was a joke compared to this years Detroit defense, and Emery fell apart in the finals.

Oh I agree, I am just pressing my offensive concerns not my concerns for the whole team.

Just thought that showing a comparison offensively to that team would prove that there is a slight issue at hand, and its not going to be all roses and candy to win the cup. Its going to be tough against Pittsburgh...But they will do it.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Valid points but please don't write "they're unstoppable together", because by definition you would have nothing to worry about.

Me? Or Bruce MacLeod?

[MississippiWing 14]

maybe it's just me, but I never imagined your 4th line was supposed to dominate scoring

[russianswede919293 95]

maybe it's just me, but I never imagined your 4th line was supposed to dominate scoring

No but your second line should...

[fastballspecial 0]

maybe the problem is the line combinations.

throw Sammy on the 4th line and Huds on the 2nd and see how that works? maybe switch Cleary and Maltby on respective lines? what would a little line juggling do? it can't do more harm.

[WingsZR2 1]

I'm not here to rag on Sammy put perhaps its time to bump him from the 2nd line. Since Franzen went down he seems more likely to either lose control of the puck entering the zone or make a soft pass that ends up going the other way. I think I preferred it when he tried to shoot the puck directly thru a goalies chest. Danny Boy just needs to keep plugging away and his game will come back.

[Guest Crymson]

Right on target. Others need to step up. If Dallas scores first again it changes the dynamics of the game, and the wings will not win when they have Zets attempting to rush into the offensive zone by himself with 3-4 Stars in front of him. This happened too many times in games 3 and 4.

Dallas is playing better the last 2 games, no question. However, this series is still the Wings to lose. Others need to step up.

Uhh, as I recall in game 3 Zetterberg and Datsyuk did exactly what you're saying they couldn't and we DID win... and we won CONVINCINGLY. I don't know what you're talking about.

We lost game 4 on utterly hideous officiating. Yes, we are a one-line show right now, but it works.

[OsGOD 3]

wasn't the big deal all last season and this season being the ZDH line? and wasn't the huge moves at the trade deadline geared at bolstering our "D"? if so then why all the concern about the 1-line team now by so many? seems to be thats exactly what so many wanted

[donfishmaster 62]

Red Wings Corner

Your Response?

The Wings are too old, too slow, too soft, not enough grit, not deep enough, too European, too tired, too ecclestiastical, too meretricious, too pedantic, AND way too truculent to win. give up now. oh, oh, the world is closing in.

Gee, I've been hearing something like this ringing in my head for the last twelve years...

[C-Dub 0]

Filppula has been playing the best out of anyone on the 2nd line.

And Sammy about the worst. I am not sure what it is with that guy but he makes some of the worst decisions when it comes to "Should I pass, shoot, or dump it low." He appears to be trying too hard, just play dude!

[Dabura 12,232]

the Red Wings' playoff run could shatter like a cracked egg.

I can be as cynical as the next guy, but honestly, this piece is mere sensationalism. I understand the concern, and it is a concern -- but that's why God invented defense.

[Guest Crymson]

the Red Wings' playoff run could shatter like a cracked egg.

I can be as cynical as the next guy, but honestly, this piece is mere sensationalism. I understand the concern, and it is a concern -- but that's why God invented defense.

God didn't invent defense! I invented defense! God is the devil!.

(Waterboy reference).

[Dabura 12,232]

[EuroTwinLove40 0]

Haha I saw that article this morning and just went " whatevs..."

[Elshupacabra 0]

Oh! thank you Bruce MacLeod! for opening my eyes! because obviously having your top line, the guys who get paid the most money, scoring most of our goals is a real issue.

[gordie_howe 0]

I don't see the Wings' egg being cracked. I think that guy is ON crack.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Had we not lost one game in the last TEN, this article would not have been written.

Sure, the secondary scoring hasn't been there all post season, but they are still doing a hell of a job. The Wings are a deep team and anyone can put the puck in the net. The second line is in a bit of a slump, yes, but the 3rd and 4th line grinders are doing their job and doing it well. If they chip in a goal here and there every once in a while then all the more power to the Wings. Homer Pav and Dats are our first line for a reason, they are the ones who are looked at to get us on the scoreboard. A little help from the second line would be great and is needed, and I think they will come around soon *hopefully tomorrow* BUT it's not as if this has bit the Wings in the ass. They are playing some of the best hockey I've ever seen, AS A TEAM, not just one line. Flip is playing on a bummed leg, and Cleary while doing a good job, hasn't been the same since he's had to wear the face guard. Then again the 'secondary' scoring has only been an issue in this series and it hasn't even been that big of a deal. The Wings will be fine and everyone will come around soon enough.

[Echolalia 2,961]

We have seven players in the top 30 for post season points. Thats more than any other team.

[BetweenThePipes 0]

I think he has a point about not many other players scoring, but I don't think that is going to cost us this series or the next (God willing). Nor did it cost us the last game IMO.

His little blurb is more of an obvious statement than anything.

And I don't see any eggs cracking, however little there may be in our basket....