ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 basically the 2 top lines looked ok, Homer was the only one that really stood out. Hudler was pretty invisible until he was pulled off of it. Lebda played probably one of the worst I've seen him, Lilja was decent though. Sammy was looking very good out there, and so was Maltby (go figure 3 of the people everyone hates ended up having good games)Cleary and Ozzie made 2 really stupid plays and it cost us. I was thinking that maybe the fact that we split into 2 different teams could affected them, because lines aren't used to transitioning with each other. Regardless in 06-07 didn't we come out and get smoked for the first 2 months and eventually turned it around. The first few games are all about trying to get back into the rythem and tweaking lines. I'd expect a win this Sat. but I won't really hold it against them until Nov. if these problems continue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob the Badger 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 I was at the game last night. I thought the team looked unfocused. They weren't being responsible with the puck, the turn overs killed them. There were some bright spots. They had their offensive chances. The one thing that I really didn't like was that they separated the Dat-Zet-Homer line. They were one of the best lines last season, I see no reason to break up such a good unit. Hossa can play on the second line with Franzen and one of the other forwards (Sammy, Hudler, Fil, Etc) And with all of the forwards they had to choose from in training camp, I can't believe that they have Kopecky on the roster. I have watched him play for years in Grand Rapids and I have not been impressed. He's soft in the corners, he is a defensive liability, he takes bad penalties, and he whines. I can't believe that he beat out guys like Helm, Downey, and many others. One of my favorite moments from last nights games was when the Leafs started yelling their "Go Leafs Go" chant when they went up 3-1. The section next to them started chanting "Raise Your Cup". Yes, they won the game last night, but the Wings won the regular season and the championship last year. When you look at the big picture, it's pretty obvious which one means more. I think it would have been a good thing to have the teams first game of the season to be a road game. Get away from the Joe and the home crowd to play a game or two in a hostile environment. Get focused on the season and then have the banner raising. I'm sure they'll bounce back with a much more solid game Saturday in Ottawa. I'm Rob the Badger, and I approved this message. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hak 21 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 best memory from last nights game for me was maltbys hit on blake. it was awesome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mule 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 We played horribly. That's all that needs to be said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glubki 17 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 The Wings played like s***.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
luvmnger 125 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 we all have to remember that the last time we saw our beloved wings was at there most fierce, and well oiled. time off has definately put some rust on the skates and on the stakes. its a long season of dominance. just wait for it. this was a good wake up call to send the message that easy going, wont work, its time to step it up sooner than later. NO FEAR! GO WINGS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigWinston 15 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 Time to break the mold with my original insight.... With single digits for turnovers, would have been game won! Turnovers cost us the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wing Across The Pond 196 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 How about this? Get Hudler the hell off line 2. Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Homer Hossa - Flip - Franzen Cleary - Draper - Maltby Kopecky - Hudler - Samueslon would never trade sammy on the third line for maltby. but i'll admit he does have to play with drapes soooo its a tough one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ashenhigh 9 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 I just thought the line combination were awful. I am sorry Hudler, but you we awful out there last night. This whole thing with splitting Hank and Pasha is just absurd. DO NOT SPLIT Z AND DATS UP!!!!! Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Homer Franzen - Filppula - Hossa Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 I just thought the line combination were awful. I am sorry Hudler, but you we awful out there last night. This whole thing with splitting Hank and Pasha is just absurd. DO NOT SPLIT Z AND DATS UP!!!!! Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Homer Franzen - Filppula - Hossa Hossa's talent will be wasted playing alongside a defensive forward like Filppula. Both Z and Hudler can set up Franzen in front of the net and Hudler has a great vision. Filppula can't move the puck well enough to keep Franzen near the front of the net or give Hossa the opportunity to get open. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
datsyukismyfriend 4 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 i thought the top two lines were fine. a couple of crossbars and for those complaining about the dats line, they had our only two goals... wings were just sloppy out there and weren't working hard at all. a short summer and some rust on the wheels, nothing to be concerned about. some work on the pk wouldn't hurt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsyukownzU13 1 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 Leafs had something to prove. Wings didn't. It's really as simple as that, I almost expected this loss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betterREDthandead 58 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 I'm not gonna merge this because it's already a pretty big thread, but in the future please discuss "last night's game" in the Game Day Thread which is there for just that reason. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,207 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 Bottom line: Wings put zero to little effort to that game and they sucked on all fronts. I thought they were decent in the first. But yeah, for the most part: s***. But let's be clear: everyone was off. Nick got burned on a by-the-numbers 1-on-1. Stuart looked like he hadn't played in three years. At one point, Dats got stripped at center ice, stopped, and just kind of threw his hands up as if to say, "Well s***." It's only the first game of the regular season, so it really doesn't matter. But here are some thoughts on the lines: 1st line: Hossa and Datsyuk seemed to gel as the game progressed. Hossa was cheating up high in the defensive zone, which he tends to do. Hank doesn't do that, so I think it took Dats and Homer some getting used to. Once they did, things started to click. I'm really excited about this line, poor game aside. 2nd line: Mule and Hank looked OK. Hudler looked really out of place, but he gets props for challenging five Leafs at once after the whistle. heh 3rd line: Needs a little more muscle, I think. Flip looked lost. Sammy was crap. Cleary had a pretty good game, actually. He wants Hudler's second-line spot. 4th line: Everyone on this line seemed replaceable. Kopecky...he has his moments, but his judgment is just so poor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jeremy88 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 ...one game lost and the panic button is already out...wow... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 I blame lack of Downey. I didnt watch the game due to lack of internet. So Im just guessing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yak19 303 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 The Leafs had nothing to lose in that game, if they lost 10-0 no one would have said anything because it was almost expected but if they won it would be a huge confidence boost for the players and their season. That team has no superstar players except for maybe Toskala and Kaberle but besides that its a bunch of young guys with nothing to lose and they played their asses off. The Red Wings didn't play until it was 2-0 and they looked disinterested in the game for the most part. 81 games to go, we got the first loss out of the way, despite only playing about 17-18 minutes of hockey in that game we still outshot the Leafs and if not for a couple of brainfarts we win the game. It's good to lose this one especially to the Leafs because it shows the Wings that they have to play 100% every game because every team will have a little extra motivation to play the defending champs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dallas27 7 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 (edited) Please, please, please, please stop saying have Flip center Hossa. Hossa's production goes down at least 30 points if he is centered by Flip and that is no exagerration. He doesn't have the playmaking abilities Datsyuk does to get Hossa the puck. Flip is a perfect third line center on this team. If Hossa leaves next year then perhaps Flip will get bumped up to the second line. Until then, Flip has no reason to be above the third line. Edited October 10, 2008 by dallas27 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stormboy 47 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 I hear you on that one. Nothing is more frustrating than when the Wings fail to just clear the zone and hang on to the puck possession religion resulting in turnovers galore and/or lots of chances for the other team. I'm not pretending to have the answer here - you just can't let go of your whole system when you get some pressure, but for that system to work all the time, players need to hustle and make smart plays every time. Last night was not the worst example of this. babcock does. i heard it in a little interview...i'm not sure when, second or third period. he was talking about how aggressive the leafs forecheck was, and said, "we're going to have to win it on the cycle." the wings then completely failed to win battles and races to the puck and maintain pressure in the zone. well, failed for the most part...they had a few good moments. if all it takes to beat the wings this year is a hard forecheck, it's going to be a long ass season. hopefully the wings will adapt. i have faith in babs to kick their asses and get them into the trenches. we've seen datysuk's and others' more scrappy, physical side...we're going to need a lot more of that this year if a few checking forwards in our zone can completely f*** up our offense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lfd250 1 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 HAHAHAHA, one game and people know what's wrong. It's the first game. I hate losing as much as you all do, but come on, Switch Lines, why did they break up HDZ, yada, yada, yada. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stormboy 47 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 HAHAHAHA, one game and people know what's wrong. It's the first game. I hate losing as much as you all do, but come on, Switch Lines, why did they break up HDZ, yada, yada, yada. HAHAHAHA people discussing their favorite sports team--oh, right, this is a hockey discussion board. my bad. i thought it was a hockey discussion board. thanks for your constructive input. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Never_Retire_Steve 35 Report post Posted October 10, 2008 I mean it obviously sucks to lose to the Leafs. I have very high expectations of this team this year and expect them to dominate and roll over teams, they certainly did not do that last night. New lines look like they need some time to adapt for sure. But hey, we're going to lose more than one game this year to a s***ty team so I'm not too worried about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MrSandMan Report post Posted October 10, 2008 (edited) Boring game last night. I don't like the style of game ML's played last night. With that said, Detroit better get use to it, it's their weak area that they need to overcome (especially when play offs get here.) Zetterburg was totally out of sink last night. I don't like Dats and Hank apart. I don't like Huds on the 2nd line against the ML's style of play. Cleary on 2nd was much better. Sammy did fine, too. Stuart was enjoyable to watch! I really have nothing to complain about. "What doesn't kill them, only make them stronger"! --Wings will be fine. Edited October 10, 2008 by MrSandMan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MrSandMan Report post Posted October 10, 2008 HAHAHAHA, one game and people know what's wrong. It's the first game. I hate losing as much as you all do, but come on, Switch Lines, why did they break up HDZ, yada, yada, yada. Hey bro, not sure if you realize this or not... BUT this website is a "Red Wing Hockey" discussion forum. If you'd rather play tummy sticks, then you're on the wrong message board. We (DRW fans) signed up to these boards to discuss hockey... what's your excuse? If you don't like it, then delete your account and move on. Now lets carry on with hockey discussions... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
