WCSF GAME 2 GDT: Ducks 4 at Red Wings 3 (3OT)

[Rivalred 630]

On the bright side, I'd hate the Wings to think that the effort they gave today was good enough for the series if they won tonight. They need to reflect hard on this tough loss, and look at what they're doing wrong. Theres a lot to look at, and it starts and ends with intensity.

Another good point. They deinfately did not hit as much as they could of. Actually getting to rebounds would not hurt.

[ChelisChick 174]

Well, that's the LAST time I start the "500 posts for a victory" thread. I think I was the jinx.

[Hockeytown_Ryan 122]

Well, that's the LAST time I start the "500 posts for a victory" thread. I think I was the jinx.

heh was it that or the fact that it was done 1/2 hour after it was started

[ChelisChick 174]

Good point Ryan. Maybe we need to let the others in on the thread instead of blowing through it so fast.

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

On the bright side, I'd hate the Wings to think that the effort they gave today was good enough for the series if they won tonight. They need to reflect hard on this tough loss, and look at what they're doing wrong. Theres a lot to look at, and it starts and ends with intensity.

I was very disappointed in what looked to be a very lackluster effort by the wings today. After the rusty performance on Friday, I expected they would come out sharp and firing on all cylinders...but I was wrong. The Getzlaf line seemed to be running circles around whomever they were playing against for most of the game.

I sure hope Rafalski gets back in the lineup soon. I think his abscence is very noticeable out there. What does it say about Meech, other than his lack of playoff experience, that Cheli cracks the lineup before him, but can't see the ice after the 2nd period. Will Babs insert Meech in game 3 for some fresh legs with some speed? I can't see that it could hurt too badly. I think he would play more if he was a right handed shot.

[Jwo 7]

I notice the Wings focused too much on hitting instead of scoring goals. They like almost had double the hits by the 3rd.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Hossa was a beast in the OTs.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Is there anyway that the flu is going through the Wings lockerroom? I know Hank had it right before the start of the playoffs. Could make more sense as to why certain guys just look like they're running on half a tank out there..

[Ms_Hockey 0]

I'm a tad confused by some of the comments here. Wings didn't hit as much as they could've? We were killed on faceoffs? Wings won roughly 60% of the faceoffs. We were almost double Anaheim's hit count tonight. It's my personal observation that when the Wings focus that much on hits, they tend to lose focus on scoring. Had we played our regular game - low hits, great passing/puck possession, that game would've been over in regulation.

Sure, Draper will make out faceoffs that much better, but we're in no way lacking that badly without him. MORE hits were definitely not necessary. Our hit total was HIGH in comparison to the Ducks.

The Ducks didn't play their normal goon game and as a result, didn't take a whole lot of penalties. They played it smart. We just have to play it smarter.

[Hockeytown_Ryan 122]

I was very disappointed in what looked to be a very lackluster effort by the wings today. After the rusty performance on Friday, I expected they would come out sharp and firing on all cylinders...but I was wrong. The Getzlaf line seemed to be running circles around whomever they were playing against for most of the game.

I sure hope Rafalski gets back in the lineup soon. I think his abscence is very noticeable out there. What does it say about Meech, other than his lack of playoff experience, that Cheli cracks the lineup before him, but can't see the ice after the 2nd period. Will Babs insert Meech in game 3 for some fresh legs with some speed? I can't see that it could hurt too badly. I think he would play more if he was a right handed shot.

did you see the game today? 3 overtimes!!!!! Lackluster??

yeah they totally gave it to them......

[Matt 1,049]

Must. Get. Rafalski. Back.

Draper, too, while we're at it.

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

I think getting Rafalski back is huge. For so many reasons, too.

It will be nice to get Draper back, too. I mean, I'm assuming he's back in for Game 3? I have no idea what his mystery ailment is. Anyway, I would also assume that it's going to be Maltby or Kopecky that he replaces. I was worried that Babs might take Helm out, but there is no way that's happening after his monster effort today.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I think getting Rafalski back is huge. For so many reasons, too.

It will be nice to get Draper back, too. I mean, I'm assuming he's back in for Game 3? I have no idea what his mystery ailment is. Anyway, I would also assume that it's going to be Maltby or Kopecky that he replaces. I was worried that Babs might take Helm out, but there is no way that's happening after his monster effort today.

You know, I didn't think I'd miss Draper this much, but I really do. If anything, the guys faceoff skills are peerless. And at the very least he seems to set an example for his teammates. Especially not having played in the playoffs yet, getting a character guy like Draper back in the lineup would be huge for the team.

As for who sits, it might as well be Kopecky. I think getting Draper back could get Maltby going again too, and our 4th line could really feed off one another.

As for Rafalski - you really can't stress enough how much we need him back. Our transition game is suffering, and we need the opportunity to have fresh legs out there, with a 6th Dman that can actually play 16 minutes a night instead of 6. And the PP, well, that goes without saying.

Edited May 4, 2009 by YoungGuns1340

[Firehawk 305]

Is there anyway that the flu is going through the Wings lockerroom? I know Hank had it right before the start of the playoffs. Could make more sense as to why certain guys just look like they're running on half a tank out there..

I actually sent an instant message in to 97.1 during the post game about this. I wonder if the Flu is in fact going around. It would explain Zett, Dats, and Hossa all seeming to be a bit slower.

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

You know, I didn't think I'd miss Draper this much, but I really do. If anything, the guys faceoff skills are peerless. And at the very least he seems to set an example for his teammates. Especially not having played in the playoffs yet, getting a character guy like Draper back in the lineup would be huge for the team.

As for who sits, it might as well be Kopecky. I think getting Draper back could get Maltby going again too, and our 4th line could really feed off one another.

As for Rafalski - you really can't stress enough how much we need him back. Our transition game is suffering, and we need the opportunity to have fresh legs out there, with a 6th Dman that can actually play 16 minutes a night instead of 6. And the PP, well, that goes without saying.

Yeah, exactly.

I think a fourth line of Draper-Maltby-Helm could work really well. Maltby has been pretty solid thus far this postseason and Helm has, as I said earlier, been sensational. Those three would be able to play off of each other.

[SoDakWing 8]

Must. Get. Rafalski. Back.

Draper, too, while we're at it.

+1

With Rafi back atleast we will be better

[Wingsallwin 0]

I wonder some people really watched games today. The Wings OUTPLAYED the Ducks since the 3rd period. For sure, the Wings looked sloppy in the 1st and 2nd periods but since the start of the 3rd period with full engagement, the Wings absolutely dominated the Ducks. The Ducks even could not shoot that much and even though they made some chances, Ozzie did not look hard to make that save.

The only thing I am really concerning about is that whether Datsyuk and Hossa can really step up to the playoff level. I do not expect them to be the GOD but they are the type of player who has an elite level skill. As we blamed Zetterberg for being sloppy before the 3rd period, he found back his game and played enough well since the 3rd period. That kind of result should come from Hossa and Datsyuk too.

As much as people are frustrating at this point, people have to realize the Wings fought hard; not full of 60 minutes but they obviously deserved a win today. Can you guys really doubt this?

In addition, I think the Wings really need to get back Rafalksi. I saw most of his play this season with turnover and losing the battle on the corner but he has been enough good in the series against the Blue Jackets. Without him, the Wings power play did not look that sharp and made tons of mistakes in defensive zone. I really love Ericsson but I think the 1st pair should be Nick and Rafalski. Our 3rd pair was not bright so I am not happy but Chellios should be healthy scratched this playoff. His ice time is only around 6 or 7 minutes while Ericsson's ice time can be possible for all situations.

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

As much as people are frustrating at this point, people have to realize the Wings fought hard; not full of 60 minutes but they obviously deserved a win today. Can you guys really doubt this?

I certainly think the Wings were far better in overtime, but I think it can be argued that they were lucky to even get out of regulation tied. In that sense, I don't know that you can say they deserved a win. When it gets to overtime, everything just goes out the window.

In addition, when you fail to score on a power play in overtime, you don't deserve to win.

[teckaholic 0]

Just got back from The Joe! What a series....should be the best one of the playoffs!

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I wonder some people really watched games today. The Wings OUTPLAYED the Ducks since the 3rd period. For sure, the Wings looked sloppy in the 1st and 2nd periods but since the start of the 3rd period with full engagement, the Wings absolutely dominated the Ducks. The Ducks even could not shoot that much and even though they made some chances, Ozzie did not look hard to make that save.

The only thing I am really concerning about is that whether Datsyuk and Hossa can really step up to the playoff level. I do not expect them to be the GOD but they are the type of player who has an elite level skill. As we blamed Zetterberg for being sloppy before the 3rd period, he found back his game and played enough well since the 3rd period. That kind of result should come from Hossa and Datsyuk too.

As much as people are frustrating at this point, people have to realize the Wings fought hard; not full of 60 minutes but they obviously deserved a win today. Can you guys really doubt this?

In addition, I think the Wings really need to get back Rafalksi. I saw most of his play this season with turnover and losing the battle on the corner but he has been enough good in the series against the Blue Jackets. Without him, the Wings power play did not look that sharp and made tons of mistakes in defensive zone. I really love Ericsson but I think the 1st pair should be Nick and Rafalski. Our 3rd pair was not bright so I am not happy but Chellios should be healthy scratched this playoff. His ice time is only around 6 or 7 minutes while Ericsson's ice time can be possible for all situations.

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter who outplayed who, as that doesn't necessarily determine the score. The issue is that the Wings are simply not playing the way they can.

Its even more pressing since this team took off essentially the entire regular season in anticipation of the playoffs. They owe it to themselves - and the fans - to actually play like they can after coasting through the regular season. This is time to lay it all out on the line. After this game ended, no matter how close it was, if you ask yourself "Did the Wings play nearly as good as they could have?" And the answer is a resounding no.

And, because I know someone will say it, no you can't expect them to play 100% all the time. But to ask for maybe a 90% effort in a playoff home game against a tough team wouldn't be too much to ask. Instead, we got maybe a 70% effort, and little of that was even seen in regulation time.

[MaynardJKeenan 1]

hey dog iam just playing

piss off hoser

[Vladifan 680]

umm maybe the wings will blow the ducks out of the water in game 3

then ducks win game 4

then ducks win game 5... (Teemu gets a takeaway in OT)

the ducks take game 6... O.o

Yeeeeah. And Chris Pronger wins the Nobel Peace Prize and Corey Perry takes the Lady Byng next year. :deal:

[Vladifan 680]

That's the thing. We're taking tons of shots from the blueline - completely unscreened. If we can just get in there, cause more traffic in front of Hiller, and screen him.. we're good to go. Our shot totals prove that it's NOT that we aren't penetrating the zone and it's NOT that our offense has been silenced. We just aren't creating enough scoring chances.

Helm was on fire today. Everything he did was great.. stick handling, hits, shots. He was working his butt off.

Call me crazy, but I think it may be time to re-unite the Euro twins.

OK, you're crazy and I think they should re-unite the Euro twins.

[Mike 0]

Did Rafalski warm up with the team today? Someone told me that they heard the NBC guys say he was. This is good news if true.

Edited May 4, 2009 by Mike

[heed316 7]

Damn guys...just damn. Just got finished watching the game. All I can say is damn.

Can't blame Ozzie, he did shut them out for like 3 straight periods...gotta get a goal. Damn, this pisses me off!