Litmus test for other teams

[Zeke 5]

Every non home broadcaster says the same thing,"the Wings are the Litmus test for our team,to see how they stack up against the best"

Babcock confirmed this by saying "we are the biggest game for every team we play"

So I have to ask,which teams are our 'Litmus tests'?

The games which I found relevant this year are the following:

1) the first game against the Leafs ....because I hate them,and everyone I know loves them,plus it was our banner night

2) against the Ducks....because they are the dirtiest team and we remember 2 years ago

3)against the Sharks ...because they are probably playing as the team to beat in the NHL now

4)the Canadiens...because the media has decided this may be a Stanley cup preview

5) the Bruins...because they are the best in the east

So in these 5 'relevant' or Litmus test games,we have a total of 1 point out of a possible 10 points...

The pessimist viewpoint would be ....

THE panic button!

The rationalist viewpoint could explain each game..

vs the Leafs...our heads were swollen from the banner and the Leafs played their best game of the year

vs the Ducks...good even game,could have gone either way

vs the Sharks...had to travel and played the Ducks the previous night while they were rested

vs the Canadiens...off a western road trip and their goals were very flukey

vs the Bruins...had to travel and played the night before,and we had 2 goal posts along with substandard goal tending

So which side of the fence are you on....the panic side or the rationalization side?

[VM1138 1,921]

Our litmus tests are any game vs. decent teams. They expose our weaknesses, and every game against a good team we have we should play better each time.

[Donaldjr2448 43]

I would be on the rational side. Lets face it, we have not played well all season long, rather it be against Tampa or Boston or whoever. I am not sure why there is so much negative stuff on this site so far this year, but lets face it, sure all teams are going to come after us in the forst couple of months. This is a chance for these other teams to get an identity, I would say after the all-star break, we will see that disappear, since that is when teams will start jocking for playoff positions. Although we haven't played well, we are still 6 points ahead of Chicago in the division and only 7 points back of San Jose for first over-all in the league! Oh yeah we have 58 games left as well (116 points). I think we are gonna be ok. I think some people on this site need to realize just how lucky we are as fans of this franchise. I hate to tell you all were not going to win every single game this year.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

The rational approach is to put on the rose-colored glasses and excuse ourselves out of every poor performance?

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Also, why do the Ducks qualify as a litmus test when Vancouver and the Penguins rank higher than them?

Please explain away why we've lost twice to the Canucks and to the Penguins. I'd love to hear the homer excus...er..."rationale" behind these losses.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

It's okay when we beat the ducks this monday everyone will forget about these statements/tests

[rick zombo 3,739]

Losing twice to the Canucks is the only knife in the crotch IMO.

Let the other top teams have their garbage can cup parades early in the season after beating Detroit, and we'll see what happens in May.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Last year the ducks were big games for us..but I think they've fallen off this year (unfortunately, I enjoyed the breif rivalry and intense games last year).

Right now our main test is the sharks I think.

[Nev 1,085]

Also, why do the Ducks qualify as a litmus test when Vancouver and the Penguins rank higher than them?

Because the perception in the media, around the league, and even on this forum, is that the Wings only won last year because they avoided Anaheim. Until we beat the "big, bad" Ducks in a playoff series, that perception will remain.

Anyway, our litmus test team this year is San Jose.

I am not sure why there is so much negative stuff on this site so far this year

Because other than the powerplay we have been poor this season. This level of goaltending and defence in the playoffs will result in an early appointment on the golf course. Last year the Regular Season was a dress rehearsal for the playoffs and I was at all surprised when we steamrollered our way to the cup.

[JayUp88 1]

Why panic..... oh wait that's all anyone does on here

[Anomalously 0]

What about the Rangers, tied for tops in the East? You're selectively picking games where the team did poorly. A broader look of teams based on their record would be more helpful (and has already been done).

[The Secret 304]

The only team we need to compare ourselves to is the team we should be and are not right now... the team we should be has everything it needs to get the job done but for now we are our own worst enemy and although its not panick time it is definately time to self examine, diagnose and fix what ever the hell is going wrong. This is not looking like a Stanley Cup championship team right now. Way too many mistakes and inconsistencies... almost to the point of looking confused a lot of nights, not at all the team we are used to seeing. I will not wear blinders nor make excuses for why! We are not playing well enough and that is the bottom line... teams are too good this year and right now we are not playing as a good team. The end. Time to fix the troubles and move on.

[Dabura 12,232]

The only team we need to compare ourselves to is the team we should be and are not right now... the team we should be has everything it needs to get the job done but for now we are our own worst enemy and although its not panick time it is definately time to self examine, diagnose and fix what ever the hell is going wrong. This is not looking like a Stanley Cup championship team right now. Way too many mistakes and inconsistencies... almost to the point of looking confused a lot of nights, not at all the team we are used to seeing. I will not wear blinders nor make excuses for why! We are not playing well enough and that is the bottom line... teams are too good this year and right now we are not playing as a good team. The end. Time to fix the troubles and move on.

This.

[betterREDthandead 58]

The only team we need to compare ourselves to is the team we should be and are not right now... the team we should be has everything it needs to get the job done but for now we are our own worst enemy and although its not panick time it is definately time to self examine, diagnose and fix what ever the hell is going wrong. This is not looking like a Stanley Cup championship team right now. Way too many mistakes and inconsistencies... almost to the point of looking confused a lot of nights, not at all the team we are used to seeing. I will not wear blinders nor make excuses for why! We are not playing well enough and that is the bottom line... teams are too good this year and right now we are not playing as a good team. The end. Time to fix the troubles and move on.

Yes. The only "litmus test" for the Wings is last year's Wings. If the team doesn't play as well as they did last year, then they're not playing like Stanley Cup Champions. It's not about the other 29 teams in the league. None of them are worth comparing to because we should expect to beat all of them.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Yes. The only "litmus test" for the Wings is last year's Wings. If the team doesn't play as well as they did last year, then they're not playing like Stanley Cup Champions. It's not about the other 29 teams in the league. None of them are worth comparing to because we should expect to beat all of them.

Agreed.

And technically the Wings will probably have to play better than last year's team to repeat.

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

Agreed.

And technically the Wings will probably have to play better than last year's team to repeat.

And the thing is...minus Drake and Cheli right now we DO have a better team with Hossa. We just seem to not be playing to our potential. What i've noticed thus far is that our breakouts are the nail in the coffin for us in games right now. We're getting sloppy through the neutral zone and giving teams way too many odd man rushes. Not only that but with this plan of bettman's to keep scoring close and have more goals, We spend a considerable amount of the 3rd period in the box if we have the lead...this isn't just the wings though as I could say the same for almost every game I've seen from any team, when they lead halfway to late in the 3rd.

So in short....our defense is sucking it up right now and without our defensive game we suffer on the offense as well and might I add ozzie has looked stale and conklin has been the better of the two so far....the only thing scaring me about him is his HORRIBLE rebound control....but he does make up for it with the ability to make those secondary saves.

All in all, I think we'll be fine. right now we have a few injuries that have some key guys out right now like cleary and homer...and look kopecky has done an ok job of filling in for homer but my point is...when our core is all there again and we have the majority of the regulars back, I think things will make a turn for the better. Once we find our defensive legs again our goaltending numbers will be better and remember that Detroit is a defense first team so when our defensive and goaltending numbers rise, so will our offense.

Just my thoughts though. On another note, any official word on when chelios could be back yet? or did i miss it?

[Guest Shoreline]

Against some of the teams the Wings played last year, and their series results:

vs. Ducks: 2W, 2L

vs. Canucks: 3W, 1L

vs. Sharks: 3W, 1L

vs. Canadiens: 1W

vs. Leafs: 1W

vs. Bruins: 1W

This year:

vs. Ducks: 1OTL

vs. Canucks: 1W, 2OTL

vs. Sharks: 1L

vs. Canadiens: 1L

vs. Leafs: 1L

vs. Bruins: 1L

This year's team is certainly nowhere close to on par as last year's.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Why panic..... oh wait that's all anyone does on here

Grab a dictionary, bud. There's a huge difference between panic and criticism.

[Zeke 5]

Also, why do the Ducks qualify as a litmus test when Vancouver and the Penguins rank higher than them?

Please explain away why we've lost twice to the Canucks and to the Penguins. I'd love to hear the homer excus...er..."rationale" behind these losses.

I did have that game (Pens) circled as well,just forgot about it when writing my intro.

So let me correct myself...

2 points out of a possible 12 in those 6 games,

I can't think of any excuses for that fiasco,however.

[hamip1998 3]

Grab a dictionary, bud. There's a huge difference between panic and criticism.

QFT

Too many posters fail to see the distinction. I think that a lot of those being accused of panicking are just having a discussion about the product that they see on the ice. Few are saying that the Wings won't repeat, won't make the playoffs, etc.

It's been strange to see this team, which didn't change much at all from last year, play like a different team altogether. Fans are frustrated, as I am sure the players and coaches are.

Last night was definitely an improvement though.

[Zeke 5]

QFT

Too many posters fail to see the distinction. I think that a lot of those being accused of panicking are just having a discussion about the product that they see on the ice. Few are saying that the Wings won't repeat, won't make the playoffs, etc.

It's been strange to see this team, which didn't change much at all from last year, play like a different team altogether. Fans are frustrated, as I am sure the players and coaches are.

Last night was definitely an improvement though.

I'll take a win over the quacks anytime,but it would have been nice to beat them by 4 or 5 goals.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I'll take a win over the quacks anytime,but it would have been nice to beat them by 4 or 5 goals.

Yeah thats the way I see it. A win is a win is a win. I just don't think that win signified some huge jump to elite status quite yet. Can we get there still? Yes. But I think we still need to take a few more steps in the right direction. Last night was one of those steps. Hopefully in the coming weeks we can manage some more.

[Stinkyness 10]

Sharks are #1 test for us.

Then the ducks.

And when we consistently perform well against the BC/Alberta teams I'll know some peace of mind.

I'm not worried about the east until the finals.