NEpats1028 1 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Well theres 5 in a row (SJ, PHX, CBJ, DAL, WSH). Those are all teams that could potentially be playoff foes. Is this just the mid-season hiccup because of injuries? or is this something bigger than we all think? What needs to happen to turn things around? -Line changes? -D-men? -Goalies? Whats gotta happen to end this streak of absolutly sucking? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedatsyukian 7 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Hope they score 4 goals or game. Only way we seem to be able to win. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atariboy 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 This team needs an overhaul defensively. They're carrying five 3rd-pairing defensemen (Chelly, Lebda, Lilja, Kronwall, and Meech) and their checking line is woeful. I might be inclined to still dress Draper, but Malts and Kopecky have played themselves out of the lineup. Their goaltending hasn't been the greatest, but folks, the defense is making it look much worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Anyone else remember last February? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 You know, we're not the only ones in the league who watch the Wings a lot. There are a lot of scouts out there who are taking a look at the Wings and telling their bosses - namely other GMs and coaches - that the Wings goaltending is brutal and that their defense is prone to mental lapsing. Therefore, the game plan is simple when you face the Wings - put everything you have into the offense. Let the defense take care of itself, but shell Osgood and Conklin with pucks, and save your best efforts for the offensive end of things, and we'll pick up some weak goals. Its a simple solution to beating the Wings at this juncture, and its not going to change unless our goaltending comes up with a big game, or our defense protects our goaltenders from any of the tough shots. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 The offense that has been cranking out 5000 goals a game has cooled off, is the problem. The same lousy defense and bottom line play has been a thorn in their side since Game 1. As with all slumps, just soldier on. Things have got to get better if they can't get no worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 (edited) Anyone else remember last February? You mean when we were far and away the best team in the NHL and were playing without 2 to 4 of our top 4 Dmen on any given night? Yeah I remember that. Why do you ask? Just to give you an idea, we're 3rd in the league right now by a decent margin. We're 8 points behind San Jose, and they have a game in hand. We're 7 points behind Boston, even in games played. And just to really paint you a picture of how great the Wings are compared to the rest of the team this league, consider this: A New Jersey Devils team - playing without Brodeur of course - is a mere two points behind us, having played 1 more game than us. This team can't afford another slump where we lose 5 out of our next 6 games. I don't think people realize it, but if the Wings don't stop this slide, they could find themselves sitting in the 4th seed going into the playoffs. Edited January 31, 2009 by YoungGuns1340 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jersey Wing 1,521 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 I think it's a swoon for a few reasons. Seemingly they have one a year. It's injuries, it's wear and tear, it's bogus suspensions, and trying to get a cohesive gameplan together. They'll snap out of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShanahanMan 473 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Anyone else remember last February? You mean when just about HALF our lineup was injured? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheOwl 77 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Trade a bunch of 3rd/4th liners, one of the top 4 D-men and Osgood. Dead weight gone, more cap space. Replace them with rookies who actually want to win, add another goalie. Done, cup winners again. Wings won't win with this current roster, it's been playing bad all season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rice 42 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 What happens next? The same thing that always happens -- the fans ***** and moan, talk about trading half of the roster, etc. Then the Wings start winning again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 There is a big issue with this team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMountainWingGal 108 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 One way to fix the slump is to have the Blues scheduled as their next game. Even though any team is capable of beating us right now, the Blues are just dreadful, and dreadful vs. the Wings..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xitium 272 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Anyone else have about half of the board on ignore right now? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Not really sure how to right the ship. I thought Abdelkader and Leino provided great energy today. Problem is the whole teams seems to opt for the cute plays instead of getting the puck on the net and top to bottom the team looks lackluster. PK has been dreadful and the PP seems to be mustering very little, todays final minute and a half is a good example of how they have been passing and passing and passing until they find the wrong shot. Shooters aren't hitting the nets and overall the confidence and energy level have been down. All I can really think of as a way to improve is get healthy, starting shooting on net again, and good energy additions from GR coupled with taking the whole 4th line out behind the Joe and putting them down, old yeller style. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms_Hockey 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Anyone else have about half of the board on ignore right now? :Raises hand: It's nothing against them, but the lack of faith in the team as a whole just bothers the crap out of me. Instead of pointing out everything the Wings did wrong, I paid attention to what has improved since the last four games. In the third period especially, our defense looked MUCH sharper. We had intensity that we didn't have in the other games (if you don't count the last few minutes of the second period last game.) These guys aren't idiots. They know what to do. I have faith in this team. Some people are more in love with winning than they are with the Red Wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 What happens next? The same thing that always happens -- the fans ***** and moan, talk about trading half of the roster, etc. Then the Wings start winning again. The thing is, the Wings aren't playing much different than how they have been all season. The only real difference is that the offense isn't clicking at the rate it was because of injuries. The Wings may be able to win those regular season games pulling out the explosive offense once we get all of our big names back, but that won't cut it in the playoffs. And thats my ultimate concern. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adtthosa 5 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 My adivce: rest our players that aare playing injured, get healthy, and gear up for the playoffs. I wouldn't mind seeing Kopecky or Filppula gone at the deadline though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xitium 272 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Some people are more in love with winning than they are with the Red Wings. Wow. Thats sig worthy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
#19=Legend 29 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Weve been all seeing a different wings team this year all season. They have had a few injuries lately so lets get healthy and see. They definelty need to make a few roster changes and I think they need to keep up Leino and Abdelkader. The D needs to wake the f*** up. And goaltending needs to get better. On a sidenote, I had a dream last night that the wings repeated and we are well into 09/10 seaon.. on a losing streak. strange dream i suppose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 You mean when we were far and away the best team in the NHL and were playing without 2 to 4 of our top 4 Dmen on any given night? Yeah I remember that. Why do you ask? Just to give you an idea, we're 3rd in the league right now by a decent margin. We're 8 points behind San Jose, and they have a game in hand. We're 7 points behind Boston, even in games played. And just to really paint you a picture of how great the Wings are compared to the rest of the team this league, consider this: A New Jersey Devils team - playing without Brodeur of course - is a mere two points behind us, having played 1 more game than us. This team can't afford another slump where we lose 5 out of our next 6 games. I don't think people realize it, but if the Wings don't stop this slide, they could find themselves sitting in the 4th seed going into the playoffs. You do realize we don't need a President's Trophy to win the Cup, right? Chicago is way behind us, even with this slump, so 4th seed isn't really going to happen anytime soon. When was the last time we played the same 18 skaters two games in a row? So, I asked because we have had slumps FAR WORSE THAN THIS and STILL WON THE CUP. We've won the Cup from the 3 seed before. And the 2 seed. And the 1seed. Things ain't perfect, but to act like the season is ruined and the team should be imploded is just ridiculous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuckeyeWingsfan80 209 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Well theres 5 in a row (SJ, PHX, CBJ, DAL, WSH). Those are all teams that could potentially be playoff foes. Is this just the mid-season hiccup because of injuries? or is this something bigger than we all think? What needs to happen to turn things around? -Line changes? -D-men? -Goalies? Whats gotta happen to end this streak of absolutly sucking? blow it up, get rid of everybody and punish the slightest mistake on the ice with instant death. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Anyone remember last June? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDavis35 140 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 :Raises hand: It's nothing against them, but the lack of faith in the team as a whole just bothers the crap out of me. Instead of pointing out everything the Wings did wrong, I paid attention to what has improved since the last four games. In the third period especially, our defense looked MUCH sharper. We had intensity that we didn't have in the other games (if you don't count the last few minutes of the second period last game.) These guys aren't idiots. They know what to do. I have faith in this team. Some people are more in love with winning than they are with the Red Wings. Couldn't have said it better myself! I feel the same way, didn't catch the game today, but Leino scored, I say keep him around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuckeyeWingsfan80 209 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Anyone remember last June? anyone remember last February? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
