NEpats1028 1 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 It seems like everyone is getting into a frenzy on here about the start the wings are having. Phrases such as "Stanley Cup Hangover" and "Most Boring Champions" are being thrown around this site and the media. Really we are in excellent shape! Some stats..... -3rd in the league (2nd in WC) behind SJ and NYR -Best PP in the league by almost 8% -2nd in the league in Goals For -Best Road Record in NHL -And 1st in the Central by 6 pts The only not so great part is the Goals Against (52) and thats 13th in the NHL. So why all the freaking out? 11-2-3 is a pretty darn good record given the fact most of our games have been on the road. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 (edited) The record has not been entirely indicative of their play. Wings fans hold the team to a higher standard, fair or not, and their defense has not been up to snuff yet this season. I know myself personally couldn't careless for these 6-5 OT wins, I prefer a crisp defensive game that ends 2-1 Wings. And the Wings are making serious hay on the power play but are pitiful even-strength and their penalty kill has been pretty bad to date. The fact of the matter is that the Red Wings last season, with the same defensive units and roughly the same goaltending situation were 1st in the league in GAA, this season goals against are way up. The only thing that is winning the Wings hockey games is their ridiculously potent power play. This season is reminding me too much of what Babcock says about our 05-06 team, that basically they were so talented compared to the rest of the bunch that they couldn't lose games even when they played bad enough to lose, and that kills you when the games matter in the Spring. Edited November 17, 2008 by b.shanafan14 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 (edited) Because Wings gave up 52 goals in 16 games, whole defence is pretty bad now. Osgood is playing like an AHL goalie right now. Edited November 17, 2008 by Reds4Life Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 Because hardcore fans of any team/any sport over-analyze, over-react, and do all the excess worrying, which is unfortuantely a natural part of the package. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seraph 240 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 Yeah, you're right. We're probably overreacting. It is November after all. It's just scary for us to see our team not play to its potential. The record is not so much as important as finding our chemistry, defense, and hunger for another cup run. It's just scary because scraping by like we're doing now won't work in the playoffs. This type of goaltending will only get us a long relaxing offseason. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reilly 24 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 (edited) 24th in the league in GA Both goalies not even in the top 30 in the NHL in SV% and GAA. Drew Doughty, a rookie, has a better +/- than any other Red Wings defenseman. Reminds me of the 02-03 season, and we all know how that turned out. Edited November 17, 2008 by Reilly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 24th in the league in GA Both goalies not even in the top 30 in the NHL in SV% and GAA. Drew Doughty, a rookie, has a better +/- than any other Red Wings defenseman. Reminds me of the 02-03 season, and we all know how that turned out. *Shudders* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 Have you watched any of the games this year? We are not at all seeing the team play the way we are used to seeing them play. We have not come out and won decisively any night this season and we have outright failed against some of the tougher teams. Its concerning because our problems do not seem to be going away. Honestly, if we play this way in the play offs it will be a short season. Way too many holes in our game. Its cool that we are finding ways to win, its cool that our record is not at all bad. But the way we are achieving it is whats alarming everyone, including the players and coaches! I have faith that we will tighten everything up but right now its not fun to watch us blow leads in the 3rd period and take a million penalties, and turn the puck over, and get pushed around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
servo 15 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 Have you watched any of the games this year? We are not at all seeing the team play the way we are used to seeing them play. We have not come out and won decisively any night this season and we have outright failed against some of the tougher teams. Its concerning because our problems do not seem to be going away. Honestly, if we play this way in the play offs it will be a short season. Way too many holes in our game. Its cool that we are finding ways to win, its cool that our record is not at all bad. But the way we are achieving it is whats alarming everyone, including the players and coaches! I have faith that we will tighten everything up but right now its not fun to watch us blow leads in the 3rd period and take a million penalties, and turn the puck over, and get pushed around. yup They have had poor lack luster performances with terrible puck possession, a ton of neurtral zone and defensive zone give aways and absent defense and poor goal tending. The good thing is it is November and they are such an immense offensive powerhouse that has carried them, but they need to play more like they did last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted November 17, 2008 I'm not really worried. Frankly I was more concerned about our offense going into the season. Sometimes adding a guy like Hossa doesn't work out. Thus far it's been pure genius. And Sammy, Hudler and Franzen are doing a fine job chipping in while Z and Dats and Homer continue to do the job offensively. Defensively, the greatest dman on the planet is still back there. Rafalski will play better when it counts. And Kronner, Stuey are a fantastic combo. Lilja and Lebda are capable and there's a reason they are the 3rd pair. Maybe we've been lazy. Maybe other teams are playing hard against us night in and night out b/c we're the defending champs. Maybe we're getting some bad rebound control and some bad mental mistakes in our own zone. With the deepest offense in the league. 3 Selke calibre forwards. The best defender in Universe in Nick. I think we'll be just fine. We'll win the Central. We'll challenge for the Pres trophy. We have tons of experience and don't get rattled. We have Mike Babcock. No worries. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrossoverThrash 0 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 all that needs to happen is the defense do better, Z is tearing it up already an early MVP candidate, Hossa, Datsyuk, Franzen are all playing really good too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dallas27 7 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 Why is everyone worrying? Simple. Becauase if they continue to play defense the way they are a repeat is far, far from their grasp. No matter what statistics you throw out there it doesn't hide the biggest glare, the defense. And when they continue to struggle and make bone-headed play it gives right to be worried. You're going to say, well they have the rest of the season to figure it out. That's true, and I would agree with you. But if they don't work out all the kinks and play SOLID defensively over a long period of time there is a chance they could revert back to how they are playing D now. Quite frankly, San Jose is a scary, scary team and I don't like the Wings chances in the playoffs against them if they are playing anything remotely close to what they call "defense" right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaman 713 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 I think some people are over reacting about the team's start honestly, if they are playing like this and winning, cant you just see what will happen in a month when everyone is going good and Ozzy and Conklin have settled down abit? The main issue has been Ozzy not stepping up and making that one huge save/him getting rattled after letting in a softy. Everyone knows the Swagger that guy has when he comes up with that big save, those nights he cant be beaten. Anyway heres to the wings keeping up their winning ways! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kozac 10 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 Why is everyone worrying? Simple. Becauase if they continue to play defense the way they are a repeat is far, far from their grasp. No matter what statistics you throw out there it doesn't hide the biggest glare, the defense. And when they continue to struggle and make bone-headed play it gives right to be worried. You're going to say, well they have the rest of the season to figure it out. That's true, and I would agree with you. But if they don't work out all the kinks and play SOLID defensively over a long period of time there is a chance they could revert back to how they are playing D now. Quite frankly, San Jose is a scary, scary team and I don't like the Wings chances in the playoffs against them if they are playing anything remotely close to what they call "defense" right now. Not to take anything away from them, but they've been a scary scary team for the past 4 years and nothing really happened when it mattered most. We're worried because our 11 wins are 1-goal wins (empty net goals count as 1 goal win for me) and mostly against bottom feeders. When we faced a true test again SJ, Anaheim and Pitt we failed. We haven't showed the kind of puck possession dominance we're used to seeing the last couple of years in any one game so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 The reason people are worried right now is because the Wings can normally win any kind of game, whether it be a offensive versus defensive battle or a hard hitting versus skilled game. The problem is they are relying on one facet of their game to get them through, the power play. What happens if the power play has a drought, or they don't get a lot of calls in a game? To win the Stanley Cup, you need to be able to play in all types of games. Also, every point is important. You have to be able to get as many points as you can, now. It gives you the advantage later in the season of being able to rest players and not having to scramble late in the year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 Because most of the newly found fans of the current day wings are only accustomed to winning cups and success (i laugh as I say that because only in TWO GAMES have not received a point) ergo we are having a horrible season. For me I think its funny that we are playing boring hockey at best and other teams still can't beat us on a regular basis. Just goes to show you that even at lackluster playing the Wings are still better than a majority of the teams in the NHL... how about the rest of the leagues fans.. they must be ready to hang themselves, eh? But like i said many fans have been "born into" greatness... they forget (or didn't even exist) when the wings were "really" bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 Mistakes I can live with because they can be corrected. Whats scares me is bad habits and bad attitude. We all know how hard it is to break bad habits, and we all know how easy it is to go back to a bad habit. It will be less worrisome when there is proof, even a little proof, that we are getting away from the bad habits. Bounces, good and bad, we cannot change, but we cannot rely on them either. I need to see steady improvement on what we are falling short on, that will make me worry less. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted November 17, 2008 People are worrying because they are obsessed with and feel entitled to having a team that dominates the opposition every game. Do you guys honestly think fans of teams like the Oilers expect so much? Please.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmorland 16 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 Because Wings gave up 52 goals in 16 games, whole defence is pretty bad now. Osgood is playing like an AHL goalie right now. Don't throw osgood under the bus, he's been playing fine for the most part. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 (edited) It's simple -- anything short of a repeat winning the Stanley Cup will be considered a failure this year, and despite their record, they are not playing like a Stanley Cup winning team. The fans have noticed it, and the coach and players have admitted it. Do you guys honestly think fans of teams like the Oilers expect so much? Of course not - they would be happy to even make the playoffs. Completely different expectations. Edited November 17, 2008 by egroen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 People are worrying because they are obsessed with and feel entitled to having a team that dominates the opposition every game. Do you guys honestly think fans of teams like the Oilers expect so much? Please.. Which justifies the worrying. The day this team and the fans lower their expectations, is the day the Wings' dominance will end. Thus, since people are complaining, that means the team is still good enough that people are expecting championships from it every year. Thus, everyone should keep complaining because that's a good thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StaticWithABeat 0 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 People are worrying because they are obsessed with and feel entitled to having a team that dominates the opposition every game. Do you guys honestly think fans of teams like the Oilers expect so much? Please.. When the Wings regress to a borderline playoff team like Edmonton my expectations will change accordingly, but for now you'll have to excuse me if watching the team that dominated the league last year + Marian Hossa eke out mistake-laden 1-goal slopfests against teams they should be soundly defeating on a fairly regular basis does not meet my expectations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seraph 240 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 They need to give Chelios a bionic leg (you know, to begin is cyborg transoformation so he can play 100 more years) so that he can whip our defense in to shape. I figure he'll yap everyone into doing the right things. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coolio Mendez 7 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 The simple fact that the Wings are getting out shot, and they can NOT play a full 60 minutes! Also forgot what that puck possession team looks like Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NEpats1028 1 Report post Posted November 17, 2008 Anybody think this team is looking similar to the '08 Tigers? By means of trying to load up on all star players and not enough on defense or team chemistry? maybe too many egos in the locker room?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
