WCF GAME 4 GDT: Red Wings 2 at Penguins 4

[soonboomer 31]

I mean, if Hossa was going to have a breakout game, it was going to be tonight. It was a Game 4 after all!

He just hasn't been consistent or very good at all. Three great games does not a clutch performer make. He's had a great chance to step up in the absence of Datsyuk, but it's just made his lack of production and intensity apparent even more.

Certainly....a guy who's leading the playoffs in takeaways has to be "useless" and "just along for the ride". Ask any hockey coach, and they'll tell you that takeaways are the result of hustle. Sure Hossa needs to score more. But it seems so strange to me that win or lose, his name is the always the first to pop up in the blame department. Even at $7 million a year, his bang for the buck definitely is't the worst on this team.

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

Here, let me try. Hmmmm, let me think now. This is complex. Okay, how about this.

If were to lose game 5 then win game 6 and 7 that is one way it might work out!

Here are some other combos to ponder.

We win 5, lose 6, but win 7.

We win 5 and 6.

We win 5, lose six and 7 goes to OT. Then we win in OT.

You can even do this from the Penns perspective.

They win 5, lose 6, lose 7.

Try it!

If the Wings lose game 5 like they lost game 4, I don't give a flying f*** if I'm called a bandwaggoner or not, it'll be over and done with right there.

[randy 0]

The Wings have the wake up call, I think the Joe will RECHARGE them for the next two games, I do not

mind them winning the cup in there arena, ALL THE MORE SWEETER!!!!

[detroitneighbourfan 0]

No they sucked. it was painfully obvious.

You can have 100 shots but if 60% of them come from bad angles and/or along the boards with no traffic in front, you aren't going to score much.

Well, perhaps I am off about the shots - I didn't pay close enough attention to where they came from - that is key, so I'll give you that.

I think they didn't suck all night, though - thought that they had good control of the game until the Staal goal, they seemed to be beating Pens to the puck up to that point, or maybe I'm just seeing things through biased eyes??

[SFwingsfan 23]

was it just me or was Leino getting tossed around like a ragdoll out there? at least Abdelkader has some strength....

[FunkedUp 29]

I find it ironic that people can discuss postitives regarding this game. A shorthanded goal against, multiple odd man rushes, breakaways, not getting a shot on the PP, losing one on one battles, getting shots blocked while not blocking any shots. It's comical! I've never seen such a strong hockey team with such a horrendous PK.

This Datsyuk thing is getting ridiculous. I'm all for keeping injuries on the down low, but for him to sit out this game just baffles me, especially when he's cracking jokes for 2 days and everyone around him seemed optimistic. He better be in for game 5.

Also, I can't believe how the Wings are so passive when they have opportunities to be aggressive. I see them hitting and playing the body at times, but when you're down by 2 goals with 10 seconds left you need to get in the oppositions face. Don't give me this Euro crap because Malkin obviously was frusterated enough to do this the other day.

It's funny how these things obviously infuriate the fans, but at times I wonder if the Wings even care about playing gritty.

Edited June 5, 2009 by FunkedUp

[I Red Wings I 40]

Where did that come from?

Post conference, apparently a few players from the Pens heard some Detroit players "chirping" at each other

Edited June 5, 2009 by I Red Wings I

[Outsider 42]

I mean, I actually didn't think we were AWFUL tonight.....

Think again....

They WERE AWFUL. Make no mistake about it.

The ******* Florida Panthers don't turn the puck over that frequently, or that egregiously. The New York Islanders are not that bad, defensively.

This was not just a bad Defensive game for the Detroit Red Wings.

This was a TERRIBLE Defensive game for ANY NHL Team.

And the worst of it is....

MOST of the stupid s*** was UNFORCED, where they were just GIVING it away.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Ironic thing is our two wins at home score of 3-1. Pens two wins at their home score of 4-2.

[OsGOD 3]

they will win games 5 and 6 we will win 7 and 8 its not over yet folks!

the wings were good for like 2 mins this game total. they blew in the third and thats the only time they ever play anymore

Edited June 5, 2009 by OsGOD

[Stiffy 0]

What makes it so hard is that you never really know what game they'll bring. It seem they can be breathtakingly impressive one night and equally disappointing the other.

Anywho, tonight the Pens pretty much solved us. They had a great forecheck and interferred with out transitions, they played great D and gave us very few good scoring chances. They have learned from the previous games. Unfortunately we lacked the creativity to adapt and respond. Not even by getting in their faces. Instead, we sunk back and started toi commit errors.

"Gutsiest post I ever saw man."

Sorry, just had to use a Top Gun line! :-) Still, your analysis is spot on.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Here, let me try. Hmmmm, let me think now. This is complex. Okay, how about this.

If were to lose game 5 then win game 6 and 7 that is one way it might work out!

Here are some other combos to ponder.

We win 5, lose 6, but win 7.

We win 5 and 6.

We win 5, lose six and 7 goes to OT. Then we win in OT.

You can even do this from the Penns perspective.

They win 5, lose 6, lose 7.

Try it!

Well, I guess I can't be the only smart ass on this forum.

[Stiffy 0]

Well, I guess I can't be the only smart ass on this forum.

I hope you took it purely as just being a smart ass and nothing else! hate to admit it, but you crack me up ALMOST as much as myself!

[detroitneighbourfan 0]

What makes it so hard is that you never really know what game they'll bring. It seem they can be breathtakingly impressive one night and equally disappointing the other.

Anywho, tonight the Pens pretty much solved us. They had a great forecheck and interferred with out transitions, they played great D and gave us very few good scoring chances. They have learned from the previous games. Unfortunately we lacked the creativity to adapt and respond. Not even by getting in their faces. Instead, we sunk back and started toi commit errors.

I remember waaaay back to the late '80's and the Wings would look brilliant and then gawd-awful within a game, even against such teams as Winnipeg.

Then there's the Leafs - so much more AWFUL on a regular basis, so less chance of ridin' a roller coaster with those guys, hehheh

Anyhow, anyone care to guess what Babcock will do, aside from putting in Pavel?

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Horrible, horrible game...

Wings need to wake up. No more freaking turnovers.

Kronner was awful tonight. He needs to play a huge game for us on Saturday.

I don't even know what to say. They gotta play lights out from here on out. I still have confidence of course.

Also, thanks to Fil and Stewie for being the only Wings to show up tonight.

We still got this!

GO WINGS!!!!!!!

Agree 100%.

[Outsider 42]

Here, let me try. Hmmmm, let me think now. This is complex. Okay, how about this.

If were to lose game 5 then win game 6 and 7 that is one way it might work out!

Here are some other combos to ponder.

We win 5, lose 6, but win 7.

We win 5 and 6.

We win 5, lose six and 7 goes to OT. Then we win in OT.

You can even do this from the Penns perspective.

They win 5, lose 6, lose 7.

Try it!

You're wearing rose colored glasses if you honestly think that the Wings can lose Game 5, at home, against a Team who just took them to SCHOOL, while giving the same "Yeah...sure....you can put it in there. Nah....don't bother with the lubricant....." effort, and come even close to SNIFFING a chance to get it back HOME for a Game 7, let alone WIN it.

THEY

WERE

AWFUL

They were TERRIBLE in Game 3.

They were BAD in Games 1 and 2.

Noticing a pattern?

[detroitneighbourfan 0]

I find it ironic that people can discuss postitives regarding this game. A shorthanded goal against, multiple odd man rushes, breakaways, not getting a shot on the PP, losing one on one battles, getting shots blocked while not blocking any shots. It's comical! I've never seen such a strong hockey team with such a horrendous PK.

tell us how you REALLY feel, hehheh

I agree with the PP/PK fiasco, but the Wings still outperform them in equal strength which is 85-90% of the gametime.

We won more faceoffs, more shots, controlled the puck more in the first half of the game -

maybe I'm looking for too many silver linings here...

Edited June 5, 2009 by detroitneighbourfan

[OsGOD 3]

i think Hossa pissed of some players (maybe slept with a wife/girlfriend and now the rest of the team is throwing the games so that they can say...

HOSSA, you chose POORLY!

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

I mean, I actually didn't think we were AWFUL tonight, either. We certainly weren't very good and we made a lot of mistakes, but we were able to sustain pressure for some fairly long stretches during the third period. It was pretty clear that our fatigue caught up with us, which is very worrisome as we move forward.

I wouldn't be adverse to a huge line-up change for Game 5, to be honest. If Datsyuk is ready, put him back in along with Abdelakder and take out Draper and either Leino or Maltby. Young, fresh legs are going to be key as this thing drags on, and I just don't think you can muster the justification for Draper to play. I love the guy, but Abdelkader just seems far more reasonable.

key word, third period. already down by 2. thats what normally happens.

[detroitneighbourfan 0]

You're wearing rose colored glasses if you honestly think that the Wings can lose Game 5, at home, against a Team who just took them to SCHOOL, while giving the same "Yeah...sure....you can put it in there. Nah....don't bother with the lubricant....." effort, and come even close to SNIFFING a chance to get it back HOME for a Game 7, let alone WIN it.

THEY

WERE

AWFUL

They were TERRIBLE in Game 3.

They were BAD in Games 1 and 2.

Noticing a pattern?

Yah - come to think of it they were outplayed at times in games 1 & 2, and we had some good bounces, etc, but I did not think we were TERRIBLE in game 3, or BAD in 1 & 2. How so?

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Can anyone envision us winning this series if we lose game 5?

I can't.

Our season and our Cup is basically on the line Saturday night.

correct

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Post conference, apparently a few players from the Pens heard some Detroit players "chirping" at each other

This wouldn't surprise me. When Stuart joined the Wings, all we kept on hearing about was how Kronwall and Stuart had become good friends off the ice. What have we heard about Hossa? Is he close with anyone on the team besides Kopecky?

I wouldn't be surprised if there are too many egos up front; too many cooks in the kitchen.

[FunkedUp 29]

tell us how you REALLY feel, hehheh

I agree with the PP/PK fiasco, but the Wings still outperform them in equal strength which is 85-90% of the gametime.

The won more faceoffs, more shots, controlled the puck more in the first half of the game -

maybe I'm looking for too many silver linings here...

Okay, I guess you have a point about the face-offs, but thats really about it. More shots, true, but scoring chances seemed reletively even. We did control the puck, but most of the time that meant cycling the puck, passing up a good shot, and then taking a shot from an even worse angle than we had before.

So far, our favorite method has been to wrap around the net, pass up a shot that could lead to a rebound or garbage goal (It seemed to work the first 2 games) then pass it to a defenseman, and then have the defenseman shoot only to have the shot blocked.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Yah - come to think of it they were outplayed at times in games 1 & 2, and we had some good bounces, etc, but I did not think we were TERRIBLE in game 3, or BAD in 1 & 2. How so?

i thought game 3 was our best game in the series.

but hes right, games 1 and 2 we were lucky to win.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

tell us how you REALLY feel, hehheh

I agree with the PP/PK fiasco, but the Wings still outperform them in equal strength which is 85-90% of the gametime.

We won more faceoffs, more shots, controlled the puck more in the first half of the game -

maybe I'm looking for too many silver linings here...

not much more to say.