4/9 GDT: Predators 4 at Red Wings 3 (SO)

[Guest mindfly]

Just call up helm and leino already!

[chrisdetroit 189]

i wonder, though, is there a way they could lose that would be an alright way to lose by your standards? because i'm kind of not thinking so...which just means that any loss from the wings is due to lack of effort/skill/coaching/something that WILL make them lose in the playoffs. sure, you never like to lose, but late in a game, this team was playing for their absolute lives. we weren't. to the preds, this game was more important than the first few games of a playoff series. this was a game seven for them.

this is probably the loss that has bothered me the least all season. despite losing, they looked good overall. our PK was 5-6 while our powerplay was 2-4. at this point, those stats are the most important to me going into a playoff series. i mean, look, preds were doing their absolute damndest this game, and we still killed them on special teams. and again, yeah, it's the regular season so they won and i'm not taking anything away from that, but them winning a shootout is nothing like winning a playoff OT.

i personally think babs picked cleary because he knew the extra point wasn't that important for his team and was hoping that if cleary scored, it would give him a confidence boost, which he could use. franzen is obviously doing alright confidence-wise right now, so i don't disagree with that choice.

Well said. I think the Wings have looked good the last few games and Ozzie has also turned it up a notch.

[chrisdetroit 189]

f*** nashville makes me sick, these guys never die! 3-1 lead at home, tie the game with 1 min left.. then go to shootout, must score to tie with a rookie shooter and they ******* do! we better pray we dont play these guys or we're done for sure. we can have a 5-0 lead with 5 min left in game and they would tie it and win it.

Are you serious? Don't you think that our effort/motivation will be a little bit higher in the 3rd period of a playoff game? Have you ever watch a playoff game before.

[shutoutking 0]

Just FYI, Koistenen isn't a rookie. And he has a 75% success rate in shootouts. Same move every freaking time and it almost always beats the tender because of the puck placement. Osgood couldn't stop it, Steve Mason couldn't stop it either. Arnott's shot, though, was kind of a dud. You could drive a car through Osgood's five-hole.

Arnott has pulled the team up by their teeth this past week. I questioned his heart and leadership before but I don't think I ever will again. Five points in two games and the GWG in the SO, which he was 0-1 in his career before.

Look, I don't know if we'll get in. Our clinching scenario is a win tonight and a Blues loss. I do know that this has been one freaking hell of a ride. Every game against the Wings this year was exhilarating and its crazy to think we are 6-6 against you in the last 12 games. If only this year's season series was last year's playoff series

I'm sure the Wings have a different gear for the playoffs, in fact I know, because they are the champs. But this little hard working team from Nashville never, ever quits and for that even the haters have to give some props, eh?

I want to play the Wings in the playoffs for two reasons:

1. We CAN beat you

2. time zone difference from SJ!!!

[wingfan1991 221]

Are you serious? Don't you think that our effort/motivation will be a little bit higher in the 3rd period of a playoff game? Have you ever watch a playoff game before.

ya and can you imagine NASHVILLE's effort/motivation in the same scenario? I wouldn't want to play them.. not after the last 3x we played them in the past couple months. i'll refresh your memory ... 8-0, 3-1 lead into 3rd lose 4-3 in regulation, 3-1 lead in 3rd lose in SO. and last night was a nail in the coffin of Nashville, we beat them in regulation and they are DONE! yet we could not hold them off (again) for 5 min! these guys just never quit and now they have all the confidence in the world and we dont when/if we matchup. they won what 5 of 6 in the season series? i wouldn't wanna play Joel Ward, Arnott or Sullivan or Rinne. I'm telling you now, them or Vancouver if we meet will be the toughest by far to knock out.

[cprice12 117]

Are you F'ing kidding me?

Jesus Christ guys...

Detroit can't beat Nashville at home when they're up 2-0??? And up by one with a minute to go???

How many leads have they blown lately???? Damn.

Thanks for nothing.

Now the Blues pretty much have to get at least a point tonight or they could be eliminated if Nashville and Anaheim both win.

[ben_usmc 253]

Just FYI, Koistenen isn't a rookie. And he has a 75% success rate in shootouts. Same move every freaking time and it almost always beats the tender because of the puck placement. Osgood couldn't stop it, Steve Mason couldn't stop it either. Arnott's shot, though, was kind of a dud. You could drive a car through Osgood's five-hole.

Arnott has pulled the team up by their teeth this past week. I questioned his heart and leadership before but I don't think I ever will again. Five points in two games and the GWG in the SO, which he was 0-1 in his career before.

Look, I don't know if we'll get in. Our clinching scenario is a win tonight and a Blues loss. I do know that this has been one freaking hell of a ride. Every game against the Wings this year was exhilarating and its crazy to think we are 6-6 against you in the last 12 games. If only this year's season series was last year's playoff series

I'm sure the Wings have a different gear for the playoffs, in fact I know, because they are the champs. But this little hard working team from Nashville never, ever quits and for that even the haters have to give some props, eh?

I want to play the Wings in the playoffs for two reasons:

1. We CAN beat you

2. time zone difference from SJ!!!

I think Nashville/CBJ can probably take anyone in the playoffs, they are scarier to me then anyone besides SJ, but I think Detroit would beat Nashville easier then SJ. Other then this game Nashville hadn't seen Detroit play well, and in the playoffs yes both sides will improve there play, but just like last year I feel that Detroit's next level is better then any other team. Either way I hope you play SJ, and beat them I think the Preds will play there asses of so they can finally make it past the 1st, and it would help us out.

[Statts 4]

Are you F'ing kidding me?

Jesus Christ guys...

Detroit can't beat Nashville at home when they're up 2-0??? And up by one with a minute to go???

How many leads have they blown lately???? Damn.

Thanks for nothing.

Now the Blues pretty much have to get at least a point tonight or they could be eliminated if Nashville and Anaheim both win.

LOL

Looking for the Wings to do your team's dirty work eh?

The blues are in control of their own destiny now so.... yeah I would probably be a little worried too.

[Cajanek_Spielmacher 47]

LOL

Looking for the Wings to do your team's dirty work eh?

The blues are in control of their own destiny now so.... yeah I would probably be a little worried too.

The Blues have been in the playoffs since Jan. 3rd -- They have the most points and best winning % in the league since that date. We just wonder how an awesome team like Detroit can f*** away games against teams the Blues have dominated. Almost every game since the start of the new year you have lost games badly against Nashville and Columbus 8-0,7-2 etc. If St. Louis took Detroit out of the division won/ lost record the Blues would be the best team. We are just saying that from our prospective your team does not show up everynight and that flat out sucks for teams that play hard everygame. Cruise Control is your teams Modus Operandi

[Guest Shoreline]

So you are you saying Hossa is injury prone and Holland won't sign him?

Uh, no. I'm suggesting I would rather have a healthy person on my team sign a new contract or extension over the next few/several years. If Holland goes that way and does sign Hossa, then cheer him on, but beyond the practical outlook from the start that Hossa has been just a rental, until he can stay healthy (i.e. he's not out for the playoffs or any significant part of it) then I'm skeptical due to the amount of injuries he has, particularly compared to the likely salary he'd demand.

[Statts 4]

The Blues have been in the playoffs since Jan. 3rd -- They have the most points and best winning % in the league since that date. We just wonder how an awesome team like Detroit can f*** away games against teams the Blues have dominated. Almost every game since the start of the new year you have lost games badly against Nashville and Columbus 8-0,7-2 etc. If St. Louis took Detroit out of the division won/ lost record the Blues would be the best team. We are just saying that from our prospective your team does not show up everynight and that flat out sucks for teams that play hard everygame. Cruise Control is your teams Modus Operandi

Ohh so you are concerned with the Wings playing up to their potential.

As for the italic part, what the hell are you talking about?

[Drake_Marcus 890]

The Blues have been in the playoffs since Jan. 3rd -- They have the most points and best winning % in the league since that date. We just wonder how an awesome team like Detroit can f*** away games against teams the Blues have dominated. Almost every game since the start of the new year you have lost games badly against Nashville and Columbus 8-0,7-2 etc. If St. Louis took Detroit out of the division won/ lost record the Blues would be the best team. We are just saying that from our prospective your team does not show up everynight and that flat out sucks for teams that play hard everygame. Cruise Control is your teams Modus Operandi

Cool. See you in the playoffs. If the Wings play the Blues in the first round I've got $50 between the two of us that the Blues would end up playing golf (watch out for those carts).

Ya that does suck for teams like yours, I guess. But if you're relying on someone else to help sneak you in the playoffs you don't deserve to be there.

Edit: Deserved some bold action.

Edited April 10, 2009 by Drake_Marcus

[Guest Shoreline]

Oh, and to the couple Blues fans posting here bitching about the Wings choking, if your Blues had been playing decent hockey before the beginning of the year (since the season doesn't start in January), you wouldn't be pissed off at the Wings and be relying on this team to help yours get into the playoffs. In both of your cases, your "perspective" is limited from January to April, rather than October to April. And given that this team has clinched the division yet again, with the Blues either out or struggling pretty hard to make up for a bad start, the Wings obviously had a lot less bad games than you guys, so if I were you I'd probably focus my ire on that toward the Blues rather than the Wings. But I don't imagine you will, which is fine with me, as you guys are rather entertaining when you're pissed off at the Wings. Reminds me of bitter Sox fans before they beat the Yankees finally.

Edited April 10, 2009 by Shoreline

[Yak19 303]

The Blues have been in the playoffs since Jan. 3rd -- They have the most points and best winning % in the league since that date. We just wonder how an awesome team like Detroit can f*** away games against teams the Blues have dominated. Almost every game since the start of the new year you have lost games badly against Nashville and Columbus 8-0,7-2 etc. If St. Louis took Detroit out of the division won/ lost record the Blues would be the best team. We are just saying that from our prospective your team does not show up everynight and that flat out sucks for teams that play hard everygame. Cruise Control is your teams Modus Operandi

Because the team doesn't care, we are trying to stay healthy and that is it.

[clutchngrab 12]

Uh, no. I'm suggesting I would rather have a healthy person on my team sign a new contract or extension over the next few/several years. If Holland goes that way and does sign Hossa, then cheer him on, but beyond the practical outlook from the start that Hossa has been just a rental, until he can stay healthy (i.e. he's not out for the playoffs or any significant part of it) then I'm skeptical due to the amount of injuries he has, particularly compared to the likely salary he'd demand.

I think if you did the math you would find that Franzen has missed more than Hossa over the course of his career.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

The Blues have been in the playoffs since Jan. 3rd -- They have the most points and best winning % in the league since that date. We just wonder how an awesome team like Detroit can f*** away games against teams the Blues have dominated. Almost every game since the start of the new year you have lost games badly against Nashville and Columbus 8-0,7-2 etc. If St. Louis took Detroit out of the division won/ lost record the Blues would be the best team. We are just saying that from our prospective your team does not show up everynight and that flat out sucks for teams that play hard everygame. Cruise Control is your teams Modus Operandi

Not a very smart guy, but I'm gonna take those words as "achilles heel". Which I agree with, but that's just in the regular season. I do applaud what the Blues have done since the 3rd of January, but relying on other teams to get yourself in the playoffs isnt something to get pissed over. The Blues still decide their own fate, we'll see if they are the team that played from October to January, or the one that everyones been drooling over.

[Doc Holiday 0]

I think if you did the math you would find that Franzen has missed more than Hossa over the course of his career.

You know what would be wodnerful?

If the person who made the assertion in the first place to do the math.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

The Blues have been in the playoffs since Jan. 3rd -- They have the most points and best winning % in the league since that date. We just wonder how an awesome team like Detroit can f*** away games against teams the Blues have dominated. Almost every game since the start of the new year you have lost games badly against Nashville and Columbus 8-0,7-2 etc. If St. Louis took Detroit out of the division won/ lost record the Blues would be the best team. We are just saying that from our prospective your team does not show up everynight and that flat out sucks for teams that play hard everygame. Cruise Control is your teams Modus Operandi

Maybe the amazing Blues should have gotten more than 3 of a possible 12 points against the cruise control Red Wings then. The Red Wings don't owe the Blues anything.

[Cajanek_Spielmacher 47]

Maybe the amazing Blues should have gotten more than 3 of a possible 12 points against the cruise control Red Wings then. The Red Wings don't owe the Blues anything.

Nice of the Blues to take out......... NASHVILLE ..............FOR YOU SINCE YOU COULD NOT WIN THE SEASON SERIES. SEE YOU IN THE PLAYOFFS BECAUSE WE DID WHAT WE HAD TO DO EVEN WITH 457 MAN GAMES LOST DUE TO INJURY. Redwings pre 1991.....

[cprice12 117]

Because the team doesn't care, we are trying to stay healthy and that is it.

Hmmm...I guess your goaltending hasn't cared all year then either, right?

Honestly, I'd be worried if I were a Wings fan if I were playing Anaheim. They're beating everyone right now.

And if you happen to play St. Louis, well, the Blues have been the hottest team in the NHL since January 1st. Just sayin'.

How many times do you see good teams coast at the end of the season and then can't turn it back on in the playoffs? It seems to happen almost every year.

It's happened to Detroit before...it's happened to St. Louis before...it happens in every sport.

We'll see what happens this postseason.

I think Anaheim and St. Louis could give the top seeds fits.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Yeah, yeah, the playoff upset boogeyman is out there like always. It will either happen or it won't; nobody knows the way it's gonna be.

[Guest Shoreline]

I think if you did the math you would find that Franzen has missed more than Hossa over the course of his career.

Um, career? Career doesn't matter when it comes to evaluating a single year with a team, which Hossa has, versus the several Franzen has. Beyond that their per game goal ratio is roughly the same, there's many things that are on Franzen's side, but here are a few: He will likely be significantly less of a cap hit, and he's actually won a cup with this team, has several years now of experience in Babs' system, plays a certain role the Wings need, which is taking abuse in front of the net, and he's arguably yet to hit his peak. Hossa, on the other hand, is a rental (until Kenny shows otherwise), arguably has hit his peak already and is in decline (despite easily being amongst top scorers when healthy), and the best one of all -- they won a cup without him. Hossa is an awesome player but a good number of fans are far too attached to his highlight reel goals and the simple amount of goals he puts up, and ignoring what makes the Wings a championship team. I like Hossa, it would be nice to keep him, but we don't know how the goaltending situation will play out here, and that is far more important than keeping Hossa, while Franzen has shown to be integral in helping this team win a cup.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Nice of the Blues to take out......... NASHVILLE ..............FOR YOU SINCE YOU COULD NOT WIN THE SEASON SERIES. SEE YOU IN THE PLAYOFFS BECAUSE WE DID WHAT WE HAD TO DO EVEN WITH 457 MAN GAMES LOST DUE TO INJURY. Redwings pre 1991.....

Thanks for yelling and congratulations on the playoff spot.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Nice of the Blues to take out......... NASHVILLE ..............FOR YOU SINCE YOU COULD NOT WIN THE SEASON SERIES. SEE YOU IN THE PLAYOFFS BECAUSE WE DID WHAT WE HAD TO DO EVEN WITH 457 MAN GAMES LOST DUE TO INJURY. Redwings pre 1991.....

I'm a Blues fan and I like to whine about other teams not playing for our benifit.