The final stretch.

[bdavis 28]

The Wings are really going to have to pick up their game. With the final 30 games left, they are going to have to go 20-9-1 if they want to break 100 points. It's going to be one hell of a tight race in the west. I have a feeling that 100 points is only going to secure a 7th or 6th seed at the most. I looked at standings from 3 years in the playoffs (2009, 2008, and 2007), and found that in the 07 playoffs, 7 western conference teams had or were over 100 points. Calgary was able to take an 8th seed with 96 points. Hopefully some of the basement west teams, or some east teams can steal some wins from our fellow western teams that are in this race. I am also hoping that there is some more leeway, but I have a feeling that it's going to be 5 or more teams breaking 100 in the west. This should be quite interesting!

[pucktividi 472]

Our beloved Red Wings need psychologist asap.That's my opinion after they blew the lead in the recent games.

[cjm502 165]

The entire western conference seems to be more competitive this year, and teams point totals are all closer than ever. We will not have to break 100 points to make it in this year. We just have to make sure none of the teams below us do.

[FinWing 26]

Remaining games

Jan 27, 2010 Red Wings @ Wild

Jan 29, 2010 Predators @ Red Wings

Jan 31, 2010 Red Wings @ Penguins

Feb 2, 2010 Red Wings @ Sharks

Feb 3, 2010 Red Wings @ Ducks

Feb 6, 2010 Red Wings @ Kings

Feb 9, 2010 Red Wings @ Blues

Feb 11, 2010 Sharks @ Red Wings

Feb 13, 2010 Senators @ Red Wings

Mar 1, 2010 Red Wings @ Avalanche

Mar 3, 2010 Canucks @ Red Wings

Mar 5, 2010 Predators @ Red Wings

Mar 7, 2010 Red Wings @ Blackhawks

Mar 9, 2010 Flames @ Red Wings

Mar 11, 2010 Wild @ Red Wings

Mar 13, 2010 Sabres @ Red Wings

Mar 15, 2010 Red Wings @ Flames

Mar 19, 2010 Red Wings @ Oilers

Mar 20, 2010 Red Wings @ Canucks

Mar 22, 2010 Penguins @ Red Wings

Mar 24, 2010 Blues @ Red Wings

Mar 26, 2010 Wild @ Red Wings

Mar 27, 2010 Red Wings @ Predators

Mar 30, 2010 Oilers @ Red Wings

Apr 1, 2010 Blue Jackets @ Red Wings

Apr 3, 2010 Predators @ Red Wings

Apr 4, 2010 Red Wings @ Flyers

Apr 7, 2010 Blue Jackets @ Red Wings

Apr 9, 2010 Red Wings @ Blue Jackets

Apr 11, 2010 Red Wings @ Blackhawks

15 games at home, 15 on the road (home games in red). I also highligted the games against teams that are in the Western playoff race with us. Looks kinda messy actually but please don't tear me up.

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

Well, we're starting to play our style of game more now and get more shots, and even score a little more. The problem is, we're having a total meltdown in the 2nd half of the 3rd and blowing it every time. They Need to learn to either keep the foot on the gas and don't let up, or tighten up with a 2 goal lead late in the game, and don't let go of the lead. This will be very interesting indeed but I feel that now that most of our lineup will be back by the olympic break, we'll begin really playing our style again and building chemistry back up with everyone in the lineup. It is going to be bumpy at first but I think we're really going to come on in the final stretch.

[ilmickeyli 40]

Without some serious help from other teams, we are done for. I'm calling it now. I'm not a bandwagon fan, trust me - far from it, but I've seen this pattern for too long.

There's absolutely no way this team could go 20-9-1. I dont even think they could win 4 games in a 7 game series, against ANY team. The consistencey isn't there (well -- the s***ty consistency of blowing leads, is).

Edited January 27, 2010 by ilmickeyli

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

They'll be fine.

[Guest mindfly]

They'll be fine.

Carry on and live in denial if it makes you feel better

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Carry on and live in denial if it makes you feel better

Carry on and slit your wrists and yell and piss and moan about every. single. fricken. detail. if it makes you feel better Mr. Ray of Sunshine.

They've made the playoffs in the past 18 seasons. They are in a playoff spot right now, regardless of how they are in it, Calgary struggling, whatever. Lower seeds have upset top seeds plenty, it isn't uncommon. Hell, Edmonton nearly won the SCF as an 8 seed in 2006.

They played awful defense almost all last year and were fine defensively overall in the playoffs.

THey have plenty of games left to get to a higher seed or take care of stuff or whatever.

I get that they have problems right now. I also get that there is plenty of time and games left, still, to improve their status in the standings. I also get that despite being pretty terrible defensively last year, they were better when it counted most and still made a deep playoff run. That's why I'm not commiting suicide unlike you and plenty of other people right now.

You want to yell and get angry and be pissed off, knock yourself out. I don't like making myself miserable though unlike yourself. You don't like the way I view things, that's your problem, not mine. So you can continue to roll your eyes at me all you want, but doesn't change at all that they have current problems right now AND they still have time to fix them. Funny how some people don't even consider the latter and just want to kill themselves right now.

They'll be all right.

Edited January 27, 2010 by SouthernWingsFan

[brett 1,029]

20-9-1 seems impossible

game over sorry

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

20-9-1 seems impossible

game over sorry

How do you know? The season isn't even over yet. And yiu aren't even considering that other teams will probably hit a snag or two before the season ends as well. And that despite recent goof-ups, THEY ARE STILL IN A PLAYOFF SPOT.

[superstarsingh 23]

Carry on and slit your wrists and yell and piss and moan about every. single. fricken. detail. if it makes you feel better Mr. Ray of Sunshine.

They've made the playoffs in the past 18 seasons. They are in a playoff spot right now, regardless of how they are in it, Calgary struggling, whatever. Lower seeds have upset top seeds plenty, it isn't uncommon. Hell, Edmonton nearly won the SCF as an 8 seed in 2006.

They played awful defense almost all last year and were fine defensively overall in the playoffs.

THey have plenty of games left to get to a higher seed or take care of stuff or whatever.

I get that they have problems right now. I also get that there is plenty of time and games left, still, to improve their status in the standings. I also get that despite being pretty terrible defensively last year, they were better when it counted most and still made a deep playoff run. That's why I'm not commiting suicide unlike you and plenty of other people right now.

You want to yell and get angry and be pissed off, knock yourself out. I don't like making myself miserable though unlike yourself. You don't like the way I view things, that's your problem, not mine. So you can continue to roll your eyes at me all you want, but doesn't change at all that they have current problems right now AND they still have time to fix them. Funny how some people don't even consider the latter and just want to kill themselves right now.

They'll be all right.

How accurate. Well said.

[RedWingsRox 614]

I know we can project points total all we want but theoretically, all we have to be is one point better than 9th. Even through this crappy week of 1 W, 2 L, 2 OTL ... we managed to take sole possession of 8th spot. I know it's not aiming high but we just have to outdo 9th-15th teams, but we all agree that making it to the playoffs will be a huge relief for all of us.

[FinWing 26]

Carry on and slit your wrists and yell and piss and moan about every. single. fricken. detail. if it makes you feel better Mr. Ray of Sunshine.

They've made the playoffs in the past 18 seasons. They are in a playoff spot right now, regardless of how they are in it, Calgary struggling, whatever. Lower seeds have upset top seeds plenty, it isn't uncommon. Hell, Edmonton nearly won the SCF as an 8 seed in 2006.

They played awful defense almost all last year and were fine defensively overall in the playoffs.

THey have plenty of games left to get to a higher seed or take care of stuff or whatever.

I get that they have problems right now. I also get that there is plenty of time and games left, still, to improve their status in the standings. I also get that despite being pretty terrible defensively last year, they were better when it counted most and still made a deep playoff run. That's why I'm not commiting suicide unlike you and plenty of other people right now.

You want to yell and get angry and be pissed off, knock yourself out. I don't like making myself miserable though unlike yourself. You don't like the way I view things, that's your problem, not mine. So you can continue to roll your eyes at me all you want, but doesn't change at all that they have current problems right now AND they still have time to fix them. Funny how some people don't even consider the latter and just want to kill themselves right now.

They'll be all right.

Couldn't agree more Jack.

[Mckinley25 679]

I know we can project points total all we want but theoretically, all we have to be is one point better than 9th. Even through this crappy week of 1 W, 2 L, 2 OTL ... we managed to take sole possession of 8th spot. I know it's not aiming high but we just have to outdo 9th-15th teams, but we all agree that making it to the playoffs will be a huge relief for all of us.

Yeah, 20-9-1 may seem impossible, but won't all the teams below us have to do better than that?

[Guest mindfly]

Carry on and slit your wrists and yell and piss and moan about every. single. fricken. detail. if it makes you feel better Mr. Ray of Sunshine.

They've made the playoffs in the past 18 seasons. They are in a playoff spot right now, regardless of how they are in it, Calgary struggling, whatever. Lower seeds have upset top seeds plenty, it isn't uncommon. Hell, Edmonton nearly won the SCF as an 8 seed in 2006.

They played awful defense almost all last year and were fine defensively overall in the playoffs.

THey have plenty of games left to get to a higher seed or take care of stuff or whatever.

I get that they have problems right now. I also get that there is plenty of time and games left, still, to improve their status in the standings. I also get that despite being pretty terrible defensively last year, they were better when it counted most and still made a deep playoff run. That's why I'm not commiting suicide unlike you and plenty of other people right now.

You want to yell and get angry and be pissed off, knock yourself out. I don't like making myself miserable though unlike yourself. You don't like the way I view things, that's your problem, not mine. So you can continue to roll your eyes at me all you want, but doesn't change at all that they have current problems right now AND they still have time to fix them. Funny how some people don't even consider the latter and just want to kill themselves right now.

They'll be all right.

We´ll see I hope you're prepared to eat crow if they fail

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

They'll be fine.

You've been saying that all year, but at this point it should become apparent to you that it isn't just some snag they've hit, but that they're just not that good a team this season.

Oh and if they miss the playoffs, you won't really care that much, so I don't know why you're blaming some of us for being more passionate about the team than you.

[FinWing 26]

We´ll see I hope you're prepared to eat crow if they fail

I'm more willing to bet you aren't prepared to eat yours. You'll just "mysteriously" disappear and then re-appear when something else goes south.

[superstarsingh 23]

You've been saying that all year, but at this point it should become apparent to you that it isn't just some snag they've hit, but that they're just not that good a team this season.

Oh and if they miss the playoffs, you won't really care that much, so I don't know why you're blaming some of us for being more passionate about the team than you.

While I agree that they are not the same team that they were last year. I would not say that "they're just not that good a team this season." They have had a lot of injuries to key guys to battle through.

Franzen's absence has an impact on Zetterberg and Cleary. Kronwall's absence impacted the defense a lot and even the special teams. Kronwall was also playing some of the best hockey of his career before his injury. The same can be said for Filppula, he was playing really well prior to breaking his wrist. Filppula, Leino and Williams played well together but that fell apart when Flip went down.

Looking at say, the top ten guys, the Wings were missing six of them (Z, Franzen, Flip, Kronwall, Cleary and now Homer) for at least a handful of games. The two games against the Blackhawks wherein the Wings were shutout 3-0 back to back would have looked different had they have had a full lineup. The same goes for most of the season. Injuries are a part of the game, but this is excessive and it is a tribute to the team that they have done this well with the missing pieces. I personally think they will be fine but I do realize that there is the potential that they could miss the playoffs. Kronwall will need more time to get back to his normal self and Franzen will need that as well once he is back.

Say this all happens by early March, they will be fine. If the Wings can stay where they are or anywhere from 6th-9th in the West, once everyone is back they will be fine.

Let's not forget, this is a veteran team and that should not be under estimated. I may have red and white blinders on but I am not ready to give up just yet like some of you seem to have done.

Edited January 27, 2010 by superstarsingh

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

I think we are ok. I dont think teams like nashville LA or Phoneix are going to be able to keep the pace that they have. That, combined with the Wings beginning to get healthy again may increase the point production for us and get us into playoffs. I have faith still. A very beaten up Wings team is staying i nthe hunt with teams that arent really affected terribly with the injury bug, and hopefully getting our key guys back will gives us a boost into a 6th or 7th seed. Gotta keep the faith guys. Three teams ahead of us in the standings that, in the past, dont play this well, and im hoping history will repeat itself in the last 30 games of the season...

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

You've been saying that all year, but at this point it should become apparent to you that it isn't just some snag they've hit, but that they're just not that good a team this season.

Oh and if they miss the playoffs, you won't really care that much, so I don't know why you're blaming some of us for being more passionate about the team than you.

Jesus Christ.

This has nothing to do with the passion level of fans. Where did I ever say or interpret that here in this? And did I say or interpret that I won't care if they miss the playoffs? No. I will care, but there is more to life than hockey and I'm not going to cry over spilled milk or be angry if they miss the playoffs. So you can take your fan comparison stuff and shove it up your rear end.

This has nothing to do with that and everything to do with what I laid out recognizing BOTH the cons and pros/potential positivess right now and what superstaringh just said. And of course this team is not as good as the last two teams, but who the hell knows what can/might happen in the playoffs. We've seen lower seeded teams win plenty, and it COULD happen in the Wings case as well.

I'm not going to give people crap for being negative or pessimistic, it's not worth my time as there will always be people like that, but I prefer looking on both sides of the equation and being optimistic. If I get called out on it, I'm going to give it right back to people that give crap to me for being hopeful or looking at both sides.

It's too early to pull the plug on this season.

[bdavis 28]

Yeah, 20-9-1 may seem impossible, but won't all the teams below us have to do better than that?

In order to hit 100 points, yes. If every team 7th and above has 100 or more points, a very close record to 20-9-1 (+ or - a couple games) is what the Wings are going to have to shoot for (if the teams below us stay neck and neck). I have a feeling that the 8th seed is going to be mid to upper 90's, unless our conference cools off. It looks like Nashville is starting to cool off here. All the other teams look to be winning though. It is going to turn out to be a tight race.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

olympic break = rest time for injured players

pretty much the whole team including the possibility of lilja will be back after that. you ask me, with a healthy roster can the wings go 20-9-1...hell yeah.

anyone who thinks otherwise is not a true wings fan

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

olympic break = rest time for injured players

pretty much the whole team including the possibility of lilja will be back after that. you ask me, with a healthy roster can the wings go 20-9-1...hell yeah.

anyone who thinks otherwise is not a true wings fan

Its ganna take some hard work, but hopefully getting the guys back over break will give them enough time to practice with one another and get the chemistry down, because if they can only lose 9 games over the next 30, they cant afford to get the chemistry down during games. I think teams like the Red Wings work bst under pressure like this, and they can do it.

[HockeyTownHouligan 57]

i think they do it, realistcally lidstrom was a few feet away from everyone not freakin out and being hoisted up on everyone's shoulders like he usually is. They just had a defensive hickup that needs to be worked on and talked about by players and coaching staff. granted it did cost them the game but I'm sure they took that loss to heart knowing they had a two goal lead with 130 left in the third or so. I'm not worried they just cant get discouraged.