Of Note?

[Esquire 324]

2007-2008 after 21 games:

Wins = 15

Loses = 5

OT = 1

PTS = 31

2008-2009 after 21 games:

Wins = 14

Loses = 3

OT = 4

PTS = 32

By this time last year we also had our first losing streak of 3 games. However, we have yet to record back-to-back regulation loses THIS season! Oh, we also had a 9 game win streak by this time last year too.

All I'm saying is that there's a lot of doomsday talk round these parts lately and just thought I'd give my perspective on it.

GO WINGS!!!

[mjlegend 155]

2007-2008 after 21 games:

Wins = 15

Loses = 5

OT = 1

PTS = 31

2008-2009 after 21 games:

Wins = 14

Loses = 3

OT = 4

PTS = 32

By this time last year we also had our first losing streak of 3 games. However, we have yet to record back-to-back regulation loses THIS season! Oh, we also had a 9 game win streak by this time last year too.

All I'm saying is that there's a lot of doomsday talk round these parts lately and just thought I'd give my perspective on it.

GO WINGS!!!

We seem to be giving up a few more goals this year though, but that may be perception. Undoubtedly, there are more goals being scored....

Any raw data on that?

[Esquire 324]

We seem to be giving up a few more goals this year though, but that may be perception. Undoubtedly, there are more goals being scored....

Any raw data on that?

Unless my addition is wrong:

07-08 after 21:

GF - 72

GA - 49

08-09 after 21:

GF - 76

GA - 63

[Heaton 1]

With so much talent, little wonder the Wings have dismissed talk of the clichéd Stanley Cup hangover. They're 14-2-4. They're averaging 3.75 goals a game. They've had some defensive lapses, but entering tonight's game against Montreal, the Wings have allowed only 23 goals while going 7-0-2 in November, and seven of those were in a game against Pittsburgh.

Stolen from someone on another board.

So we've given up 26 goals in 10 games in November. Not great by any means but not terrible.

[Zion 93]

Puts things into perspective, but the last two games have been brutal.

[Heaton 1]

Puts things into perspective, but the last two games have been brutal.

Not sure about the Vancouver game, we dominated for the majority and had the same mental lapses. They had 9 shots through 2 periods.

[SDavis35 140]

Yep, as I expected, we're still fine just a loss behind our pace last year (an OTL nonetheless.)

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Unless my addition is wrong:

07-08 after 21:

GF - 72

GA - 49

08-09 after 21:

GF - 76

GA - 63

It's nice that the Wings are in a similar place in the standings as last year, but assuming your numbers are correct, giving up 14 more goals in 21 games is a legitimate concern.

[CrossoverThrash 0]

It's nice that the Wings are in a similar place in the standings as last year, but assuming your numbers are correct, giving up 14 more goals in 21 games is a legitimate concern.

does it matter? we are still winning and this kind of stuff is easy to fix.

[mjlegend 155]

does it matter? we are still winning and this kind of stuff is easy to fix.

0.75 more goals against per game could mean the difference between playing San Jose on the road in game 7 of the conference final or playing them at home.

I'm not going to panic but it should be worked on before it gets out of hand.

[CrossoverThrash 0]

0.75 more goals against per game could mean the difference between playing San Jose on the road in game 7 of the conference final or playing them at home.

I'm not going to panic but it should be worked on before it gets out of hand.

What if SJ starts sucking what then?

[Esquire 324]

0.75 more goals against per game could mean the difference between playing San Jose on the road in game 7 of the conference final or playing them at home.

League's best home team vs League's best road team? Hmmm...

What if SJ starts sucking what then?

This, as we've all seen before, is an inevitability.

[Doggy 130]

League's best home team vs League's best road team? Hmmm...

They smacked us pretty easily when we met them last month.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

does it matter? we are still winning and this kind of stuff is easy to fix.

If it's so easy to fix, why haven't they fixed it?

don't get me wrong, I don't think the sky is falling, but this team is not the same defensively responsible one we watched last season. There's still plenty of time for them to get it dialed in though.

[thedisappearer 291]

If it's so easy to fix, why haven't they fixed it?

Easy does not always equal quick.

[mjlegend 155]

What if SJ starts sucking what then?

I'd love to see it happen, but I think this year might be their best chance. Todd McLellan scares me and I selfishly wish he would have stayed with the Wings longer. This team needs to start concerning themselves about what IT can do to improve themselves to get a better standing. One of those things might be a goal to drop down the shots against/game to 20 for the next ten games.

Besides, SJ doesn't normally start sucking until the second round of the playoffs, or until they've overpaid for a Bill Guerin type at the deadline.

Babs probably knows all these things anyway and it would probably drive him nuts to think about the fans talking about this.

[Dabura 12,232]

It's nice that the Wings are in a similar place in the standings as last year, but assuming your numbers are correct, giving up 14 more goals in 21 games is a legitimate concern.

does it matter? we are still winning and this kind of stuff is easy to fix.

It's a concern.

To me, stats like that are almost more important than the overall record. We know the Wings are going to finish the regular season with a winning record, probably coming out on top of the West and quite possibly the league. It's been that way for a long time now. As we've seen, though, great regular season records can be very deceptive. If you really want to know how this team is doing, I think stats like GA are extremely valuable.

In this case, the +14 stat Harold pointed out tells us we've attained the same basic record we earned last season through the first 21 games -- only, with sloppier defensive play. Maybe I'm just too negative, but that first-round loss to the Oilers is still fresh in my mind. Coasting to success in the regular season is, in my mind, the Kiss of Death for the Wings.

[Doc Holiday 0]

0.75 more goals against per game could mean the difference between playing San Jose on the road in game 7 of the conference final or playing them at home.

I'm not going to panic but it should be worked on before it gets out of hand.

Detroit is better on the road.

Next topic.

[chrisdetroit 189]

If it's so easy to fix, why haven't they fixed it?

don't get me wrong, I don't think the sky is falling, but this team is not the same defensively responsible one we watched last season. There's still plenty of time for them to get it dialed in though.

Because that's not how statistics work. If our GAA is really bad the first 10 games and really good the next ten, the overall is not great. To get back to the best in the league after 10 games on not being very good in GAA is almost impossible.

Look at the last 10 games. Throw out the Pittsburgh game and we are at 2.2 GAA which is 3rd in the league.

We ARE making progress.

[chrisdetroit 189]

does it matter? we are still winning and this kind of stuff is easy to fix.

It's a concern.

To me, stats like that are almost more important than the overall record. We know the Wings are going to finish the regular season with a winning record, probably coming out on top of the West and quite possibly the league. It's been that way for a long time now. As we've seen, though, great regular season records can be very deceptive. If you really want to know how this team is doing, I think stats like GA are extremely valuable.

In this case, the +14 stat Harold pointed out tells us we've attained the same basic record we earned last season through the first 21 games -- only, with sloppier defensive play. Maybe I'm just too negative, but that first-round loss to the Oilers is still fresh in my mind. Coasting to success in the regular season is, in my mind, the Kiss of Death for the Wings.

Like last year?

[chrisdetroit 189]

I'd love to see it happen, but I think this year might be their best chance. Todd McLellan scares me and I selfishly wish he would have stayed with the Wings longer. This team needs to start concerning themselves about what IT can do to improve themselves to get a better standing. One of those things might be a goal to drop down the shots against/game to 20 for the next ten games.

Besides, SJ doesn't normally start sucking until the second round of the playoffs, or until they've overpaid for a Bill Guerin type at the deadline.

Babs probably knows all these things anyway and it would probably drive him nuts to think about the fans talking about this.

A rookie head coach scare you? Really?

[clayjoh 3]

Detroit is better on the road.

Next topic.

Even though our point totals are almost identical to last year our style of play is not as disciplined in the defensive zone

I'm reminded of the old Oilers teams when Wayne et al used to storm thru the league... they didn't mind if you scored five goals cause they'd score 8 ... that type of mentality is creeping into the dressing room methinks

the team is supremely confident in their scoring ability but this attitude about defense could bite them later

Also they must have gotten home awfully late from the west coast 3 hrs time difference also then had to prep for Montreal right away

I think they may be a bit fatigued in the last few days from the long western swing and getting home late

We'll see who shows up tonight against the improving blue jackets !!

[VM1138 1,921]

What is the GA against for all across the league?

Is it possible that every team is allowing more goals than last year?

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

What is the GA against for all across the league?

Is it possible that every team is allowing more goals than last year?

Wouldn't be suprised to see that, but even if so, it's apparently not enough with the new goalie regulations coming next year and what not.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

A rookie head coach scare you? Really?

When Babs was a rookie, he went to the friggin finals. I always see you shooting down Todd Mclennen, a rookie coach is entirely capable of winning a cup. Wasnt Caryle a rookie when he won? Plus, he's got enough leaders in that room that he doesnt need to say a ton, he just plays his system, and it obviously works. Not that I believe they can beat us, but there capable of it. Clowe, Thornton, Cheechoo, Marleau, Michalek, Setoguchi, and Pavelski. Boyle and Blake on the back end, I'm not sold on Nabakov, but he's good enough. If you honestly dont fear San Jose, even just a little, you havent been paying attention.