11/25 GDT: Thrashers 2 at Red Wings 0

[Broken 16 381]

I'd love to know, aside from injuries, just what the hell is wrong with this team.

They've been in a meat grinder for over 15 years...

This team is tired and depleted from injury. They've played more hockey than any other team in the past decade. I almost hope they DON'T make the playoffs just so they can get a good rest for next seasons re-tool. f*** the record...

[stuck in socal 56]

We are fading fast. The more we lose now, the more we will have to win later on in the year. Everyone should stop the we are X points out of first. It is irrelevant! Nothing is going to change this year.

[Vladifan 680]

The problem is every team Detroit faces out-shotblocks them. If the Wings worked as hard protecting their own net as their opponents do, then the huge advantage in scoring chances would lead to wins a lot more often than losses. But the great equalizer is the Wings don't work as hard and that's why they have these nights.

^Yeupp.^ While they're practicing shooting penalty shots they can also practice blocking them and screening them and rushing the net. Without hurting our own goalie of course. :goalie1:

[Carman 387]

I don't know that I agree with this. The lack of scoring around the goal mouth is a concern, so yes, Homer is the forward who isn't converting in a lot of situations where the puck is loose in the crease. But the Wings also need a sniper, which is not what Homer has ever been, but something Bert has excelled at in the past. The Wings have other guys who can muck it up around the net and poke in rebounds, like Cleary. But they're very short of snipers. This is why Bert's shortcomings are so glaring.

But hey, I'm with you. I cheer for the team, not the player. Just put the puck in the net already, boys.

Bertuzzi has never had more than 15 goals since his back injury. He should not be relied to be a sniper. He is just the closest thing we have to one right now and therefore is the only option Babcock has. Bertuzzi is getting shots to the net, 2nd on the team in shots, which is why I'm hard on Holmstrom because Bert was getting at least some pucks around the net and Holmstrom wasn't finishing.

But anyways I agree it's not just about those 2 players, everywhere on the Wing's need to bear down on the shots and keep working at it. We are getting our opportunities, so it could be worse for the Wing's right now.

[Vladifan 680]

hi everyone. just wanted to say hello, as i am new to the forum. thanks for the links to the stream!

i would also like to add:

[ ] atlanta announcers

[X] detroit announcers

Welcome, um...He Whose Name I Can't Type! Must be a techie or must be really really smart, eh?

[BlueMonk 102]

Bertuzzi is getting shots to the net, 2nd on the team in shots

I think it's because he's lost finishing skills, for whatever reason. He had 44 points in 66 games last year. This year, if he played the same number of games, he's on pace to finish with 27 points.

[puckloo39 5,686]

Welcome, um...He Whose Name I Can't Type! Must be a techie or must be really really smart, eh?

We'll just call him Wing-Ding.

Welcome.

Wings. Go sit in the corner and think about what you did tonight. Then come back and play better next game. Sigh.

[stuck in socal 56]

So everyone's main points seem to be that all the wings need to do is come back and play better next game? How much longer is this going to be said. I understand the Wings are suffering from many crucial injuries but what is going to change? We are in a scoring drought and our goalie is not one who CAN steal a game for us. I am expecting more losses.

[Yzerfan1999 81]

This team is not enjoyable to watch.

[Vladifan 680]

Really? 'Cause Datsyuk spent plenty of time with Holmstrom and Zetterberg tonight and didn't do a ******* THING. People need to get off this "Bertuzzi is making us lose" kick, it's not even realistic at this point.

Agreed. I especially watched Z & D play together and most of the time Datsyuk could not maintain control of the puck. And yes, that's a bit scary right now.

[stuck in socal 56]

@ Vladifan, I noticed that with Datsyuk. I am sure everyone on the team is struggling with confidence this year. Lidstrom does not look as sharp as we all know he can. I am losing hope, and normally when things involves the Wings, I am a very optimistic person, but I am become pessimistic now.

[Icesurfer 75]

Check of the game:

Bertuzzi checking himself into the boards..... funny as hell.

Can't get any lower than that..LOL

Edited November 26, 2009 by Icesurfer

[thegerkin 189]

Deleted: Quoted wrong post.

Edited November 26, 2009 by thegerkin

[thegerkin 189]

So everyone's main points seem to be that all the wings need to do is come back and play better next game? How much longer is this going to be said. I understand the Wings are suffering from many crucial injuries but what is going to change? We are in a scoring drought and our goalie is not one who CAN steal a game for us. I am expecting more losses.

Get used to it (and I'm saying that with no sarcasm, etc...). Until we have some healthy bodies out there of some substance (Sorry, Meech and Lebda), we are not better than or equal to any playoff bound team, let alone teams in our own division. I'm usually pretty optimistic (again, no sarcasm), but this team "as is" is just not a contender. Maybe 10th best in the West, MAYBE.

It's not all doom and gloom, and after the Olympics, we should have most of our long term injured guys back. Perhaps at that point, some teams will be missing as many substantial pieces of the puzzle as we currently are.

One thing I find interesting (and perhaps a bit scary) is Babcock's very, very calm demeanor. I mean, I know you got to keep calm and not lose your head, but everytime they interview him, I'm just waiting for him to go bats***, and he very calmly and evenly says "I think we did a great job in the first, just need to keep forechecking, etc..." and even throws a smile in there. Ticking time-bomb? lol

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Bertuzzi has never had more than 15 goals since his back injury. He should not be relied to be a sniper. He is just the closest thing we have to one right now and therefore is the only option Babcock has. Bertuzzi is getting shots to the net, 2nd on the team in shots, which is why I'm hard on Holmstrom because Bert was getting at least some pucks around the net and Holmstrom wasn't finishing.

But anyways I agree it's not just about those 2 players, everywhere on the Wing's need to bear down on the shots and keep working at it. We are getting our opportunities, so it could be worse for the Wing's right now.

Both Bertuzzi AND Holmstrom can go suck it. So can Datsyuk, for that matter, because that entire line blows right now.

Blows.

I'd also be nice if Lidstrom could step it up offensively during this cold streak. He's getting it done defensively but damn man, this would be a good time for him to heat back up.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Also, has Stuart or Meech done anything on the PP so far? Give Ericsson a shot already-- he's literally the only guy not getting a shot on the PP. Yet he's got a great offensive history and sits 3rd in defensive scoring (2nd in active d-men on the team). I mean isn't it time Babs throws him out there to take some 100mph slappers? It's not like he could make the PP less effective right now.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Also, has Stuart or Meech done anything on the PP so far? Give Ericsson a shot already-- he's literally the only guy not getting a shot on the PP. Yet he's got a great offensive history and sits 3rd in defensive scoring (2nd in active d-men on the team). I mean isn't it time Babs throws him out there to take some 100mph slappers? It's not like he could make the PP less effective right now.

The whole 100mph slapper is fine, but Ericsson would be a ticking timebomb on the point. I dont think I've seen him complete a pass that wasnt a turnover or miss the man for games now.

Plus, Meech isnt playing on the PP? He got like 5 minutes of ice tonight. I dont remember any of it on the PP, could be wrong, just sounds weird.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

meech was on the 2nd PP unit but only played for 37 seconds, and 3:45 overall

[Phazon 24]

can anyone explain to me why an opposing goalie always get hot vs the wings? This happen waaaaay too often.

Edited November 26, 2009 by Phazon

[VM1138 1,921]

Just got home from the game. Here are my thoughts from seeing them in person:

Lebda sucks beyond belief. I don' tknow how much of him was seen on TV but he was brutal in person.

The passing game was way off. Every pass was intercepted or just a few inches too far. Datsyuk seemed to miss the puck a lot when trying to receive it.

Holmstrom did exactly what he always has, I don't see why anyone is on his case. He was about the only Wing with a few good scoring chances.

The first period was the best, especially the power play, but again, everything was deflected or blocked.

Defensive breakdowns (I don't know who was on the ice) in the 1st and 2nd killed the Wings.

That second goal should not have gone in from seeing it right in front of me. Right through the five hole. Oldest trick in the book.

So...once again, fix the defense, finish the shots (nearly 40 shots and not a single goal?) Pavelic wasn't hot, he was amazing, he only faced a handful of actual quality shots.

No jump, no energy, the Wings were flat everywhere.

Even Lidstrom looked shaky.

Stuart looked good, made smart plays, but again Ericcson seemed a bit lost.

I'm usually an optimist, I've made it a habit to try and see the bright side of things, and lets face it, they still can come out of this with a great finish to the season. But I'm worried. I don't expect them to win any night lately. The way NOBODY can seem to finish worries me, because it defies logic and reason. If there's no reason for this inability to perform, there's no solution really.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

So everyone's main points seem to be that all the wings need to do is come back and play better next game? How much longer is this going to be said. I understand the Wings are suffering from many crucial injuries but what is going to change? We are in a scoring drought and our goalie is not one who CAN steal a game for us. I am expecting more losses.

If your goalie needs to let fewer than 2 goals a game in you're screwed anyway. Yeah you can ask for a stolen game, but you certainly can't count on a goalie doing that very often.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Just got home from the game. Here are my thoughts from seeing them in person:

Lebda sucks beyond belief. I don' tknow how much of him was seen on TV but he was brutal in person.

The passing game was way off. Every pass was intercepted or just a few inches too far. Datsyuk seemed to miss the puck a lot when trying to receive it.

Holmstrom did exactly what he always has, I don't see why anyone is on his case. He was about the only Wing with a few good scoring chances.

The first period was the best, especially the power play, but again, everything was deflected or blocked.

Defensive breakdowns (I don't know who was on the ice) in the 1st and 2nd killed the Wings.

That second goal should not have gone in from seeing it right in front of me. Right through the five hole. Oldest trick in the book.

So...once again, fix the defense, finish the shots (nearly 40 shots and not a single goal?) Pavelic wasn't hot, he was amazing, he only faced a handful of actual quality shots.

No jump, no energy, the Wings were flat everywhere.

Even Lidstrom looked shaky.

Stuart looked good, made smart plays, but again Ericcson seemed a bit lost.

I'm usually an optimist, I've made it a habit to try and see the bright side of things, and lets face it, they still can come out of this with a great finish to the season. But I'm worried. I don't expect them to win any night lately. The way NOBODY can seem to finish worries me, because it defies logic and reason. If there's no reason for this inability to perform, there's no solution really.

Of the 40 shots 20 were marked as scoring chances. That's retarrrrdddded. 20 frigging scoring chances and zero goals? Wtf?

Overall it's not like the Wings played a bad defensive game. They limited the highest scoring team in the league to 2 goals and they limited Kovy to an assist. I'm most surprised that Zetterberg didn't have an amazing game (8 shots aside) given that he's known for raising his level when he plays another elite player.

Edited November 26, 2009 by Drake_Marcus

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Get used to it (and I'm saying that with no sarcasm, etc...). Until we have some healthy bodies out there of some substance (Sorry, Meech and Lebda), we are not better than or equal to any playoff bound team, let alone teams in our own division. I'm usually pretty optimistic (again, no sarcasm), but this team "as is" is just not a contender. Maybe 10th best in the West, MAYBE.

It's not all doom and gloom, and after the Olympics, we should have most of our long term injured guys back. Perhaps at that point, some teams will be missing as many substantial pieces of the puzzle as we currently are.

One thing I find interesting (and perhaps a bit scary) is Babcock's very, very calm demeanor. I mean, I know you got to keep calm and not lose your head, but everytime they interview him, I'm just waiting for him to go bats***, and he very calmly and evenly says "I think we did a great job in the first, just need to keep forechecking, etc..." and even throws a smile in there. Ticking time-bomb? lol

Babcock is a professional first and foremost. And let's put it this way-- even if you're a hot head you don't act in an unprofessional manner if you're working for Mr. and Mrs. I. They wouldn't tolerate it.

I like to think that behind closed doors Babcock's given this team hell. They've had so much leeway handed to them defensively over the last two seasons because they're all veterans, but it's time to let rip.

[Miller Brew 0]

Limiting the highest scoring team in the league to only 2 goals is something to build off.

The boys really need to smother the net more. Bert should just plow through the crease instead of skate behind the net and try a wrap-around or a pass. If he takes a goalie interference penalty for driving the net, then I'm still all for it. I'd rather this team take goalie interference penalties than hooking penalties. Drive.the.net. We don't have finesse shooters so the boys need to get their nose dirty at the net.

I'm a HUGE Bert supporter and I'd love nothing more than to see him form back into the human bulldozer he was.

Dats looked shaky. I can't blame the first line on Bert or Homer when Dats was even connecting with Zetterberg... I think our 1st line problem is Dats off his game right now. Not all on the Bert / Homer.

Draper took some stupid penalties tonight. Did he get 2? Can't remember. Last game the boys took a lot of penalties too. They can't go to the box with such bad PKing. Stay out of the box and we don't have to worry about our week PKing.

EDIT:

I came down on Ralfi last game for being lazy and not playing to his potential. Tonight he had glimpses of brilliance. He shows some amazing speed in the 1st period. I didn't know he could skate that fast. I thought he was Helm at first.

Edited November 26, 2009 by Miller Brew

[canadian wings fan 305]

I really wish that Datsyuk would pick it up and obviously the whole team for that matter. Not a single highlight reel goal from Datsyuk yet this season makes me sad