WCSF Game 3 GDT: Sharks 4 at Red Wings 3

[VM1138 1,921]

This team has lost its grit from years past. Something needs to be done in the off season. The only people that really feel like putting their body on the line are helm, datsyuk and abdelkader. Homer is slowly starting to make my s*** list, he used to just sit in front of the goalie and do his business. Now he is retaliating with stupid penalties.

I'm tired of hearing people say this. This Wings team isn't soft. They've been outhitting both San Jose and Phoenix. It's their puck control that has gone out the window. They pass blindly and everyone thinks they are Datsyuk and try to carry the puck through three opposing players in the neutral zone at full speed.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Howard is a rookie. How many elite goaltenders were elite in their rookie season? It's not like Howard has been in the NHL for 3 years. Give him next season at least.

Many elite goaltenders. Those who will become franchise goalies are usually good at their rookie seasons already. Tuukka Rask is pretty good. That Nabokov guy wasn't bad either.

He's 26. It's not like he's been in the NL for 3 years but it's not like he's going to develop much either. People think he'll be a franchise goaltender which is total bs. Like I said, I'll be happy if he'll be as good as Ozzie was in his prime. People are just blinded by the hype. Maybe it's because he sucked early at the season and then started to play better.

Someone like Rask, Mason, Varlamov... you can see the potential right away. If he was a big guy like Rinne or Gustavsson I'd have more faith, because big guys develop later. There's a reason why he was in the AHL for so long. Guys mentioned before come and dominate at the younger age already.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Down 0-3, I say pull Williams and Ericsson, put in Lilja and May, and play Ozzie. Try and see if this veteran leadership trash actually has some relevance.

[Z and D for the C 712]

People act like Howard came out of nowhere.

This guy has been among the elite goalie prospects since '03.

The potential is there, this was a very successful first season. He's clearly not had the best playoffs, but the Wings just aren't a Stanley Cup caliber team and that can make it look like it's Howard costing us more then he probably is.

It's not like he is putting on his Cloutier mask and letting in 60 footers. He's made some huge saves, and has kept the Wings in close games. He may not have out dueled Nabokov, but for a first playoff experience it could have been far far worse.

It's not time to give up on him, he's going to get better. Now I wouldn't give him a whole lot of string to work with, but he's earned a good chance to be the goaltender for this team. He was far and out our regular season MVP and we should all look forward and cheer for him, because the sky is the limit.

Agreed 100%. He is a rookie in his first playoffs. I look forward to another great year from Howard next season.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Babcock scratched Lilja instead of Ericsson.

Nice move Mike.

Lilja and Lebda are a much better pairing.

You didn't notice that Lilja only played 7 or 8 mins in the last game and Ericsson played 14? Lilja was really huffing in the 3rd period of game 2. I think that has something to do with the choice to sit him.

[tdinc 45]

Its not Jimmy's fault, he has done very well for a rookie goaltender.... the rest of the team, seems to have lost their will to play with aggression.

yes the refs suck.... they try too hard and play to fancy with the puck. never shooting at the net. no excuses just the sharks seem to want it more and are bigger and stronger.

If the team pulls of a miracle and win 4 straight then so be it...... but until the front office finally realizes that its time to turn the page on players like Draper and find some ways to bring in a proven "consistent" goal scorer utilize the young talent from GR. we will have the same result next year..

GO Wings... :octo:

[VM1138 1,921]

Howard has been great, but in my mind this season has proven how important it is to have a goalie tandem. Hopefully next season they split the games between Ozzie and Howard. Ozzie can get his crap together hopefully and challenge Howard for the spot. Then we'll be sitting pretty, especially with Hudler and another power forward and maybe some improvement on defense.

[Guest mindfly]

Down 0-3, I say pull Williams and Ericsson, put in Lilja and May, and play Ozzie. Try and see if this veteran leadership trash actually has some relevance.

Exactly, I'm all for this.. they got nothing to lose anyways, osgood worked in the past and he won't be worse than howard was today... it's a high risk but with a good reward if it works out...

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

Rask is playing pretty ******* solid for the bruins and he's a rookie....you know one thing the finns do well and that is producing good goaltenders

Rask is an exception to the rule. Sometimes you are a hot shot rookie and continue to be a hot shot throughout your career. Sometimes you are a hot shot rookie and that's it. Rask is having an amazing season but their is no guarantee that he is this good next season.

Every goalie is different. There is no one way to develop a goalie.

[soonboomer 31]

The Sharks Powerplays in Series 22

The Wings Powerplays in Series 11

Seems odd that there is such a large disparity, I believe all the other series are pretty much even, ±2 maybe. I am not a conspiracy believer, but I do believe that the refs are looking the other way to what San Jose is doing! I find it very frustrating as a hockey fan to watch these games and to watch supposed professional referees tip the ice in favor of one team!

Or maybe San Jose is just playing better.........making the Wings legitimately take bad penalties..........you know, like the Wings have done for so many years prior to this. This team was outshot and out "time of possessed" in more games this season than probably the rest of the decade combined. Thinking its was all going to change in the playoffs was wishful thinking. They have too many parts of the puzzle who no longer fill the need. I still think our stars are good enough. It's the role players on this team who are not as good as other teams have. Rolling 4 lines used to be a strength............this season it has put them at a disadvantage. This is a transition year.........just as next year will be if Lidstrom retires. Holland needs to earn his pay. And I'll have another vodka and cranberry.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Also, Jimmy Howard will never be a franchise goaltender and this season was probably just some "miracle season" for him. He will never be better than Ozzie was.

What a retarded statement to make right now.

Name all the rookie goalies who lead their team to a Cup in their rookie year. Now name the top 10 goaltenders all time. Did any of the elite goalies in the league right now lead their team far in the playoffs as a rookie?

Also sit down and think about how Ozzie's postseason career started (hint: it was against the Sharks). Back then did you think he could never lead the Wings to the promised land because we lost in the 1st round?

[HockeyCoach13 84]

you cant say howard has done great, not in this series, in the season yeah he was great for a rookie, in these playoffs no, hes nothing but mediocre. ozzy ftw

wings in 7.

[UP Wings Fan 0]

Down 0-3, I say pull Williams and Ericsson, put in Lilja and May, and play Ozzie. Try and see if this veteran leadership trash actually has some relevance.

I would go with that. Can't be any worse than a loss, which is what we are doing anyway. I'm sure Ozzie is rusty, but miracles can happen! an dthat's what this team needs now!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Or maybe San Jose is just playing better.........making the Wings legitimately take bad penalties..........you know, like the Wings have done for so many years prior to this. This team was outshot and out "time of possessed" in more games this season than probably the rest of the decade combined. Thinking its was all going to change in the playoffs was wishful thinking. They have too many parts of the puzzle who no longer fill the need. I still think our stars are good enough. It's the role players on this team who are not as good as other teams have. Rolling 4 lines used to be a strength............this season it has put them at a disadvantage. This is a transition year.........just as next year will be if Lidstrom retires. Holland needs to earn his pay. And I'll have another vodka and cranberry.

They did earn some of their PP oppertunities by being the superior team.

But the Refs blew an amazing number of calls.

[brett 1,029]

why cant dats and Z be good in the same game.

[hankzet40 233]

I literally sent this e-mail to my friends this morning and of course it happens:

Another thing that will screw us is the press talking about SJ's dismal record in Detroit. I predict overtime HBC or a Jimmy SO. No middle ground here.

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

Many elite goaltenders. Those who will become franchise goalies are usually good at their rookie seasons already. Tuukka Rask is pretty good. That Nabokov guy wasn't bad either.

He's 26. It's not like he's been in the NL for 3 years but it's not like he's going to develop much either. People think he'll be a franchise goaltender which is total bs. Like I said, I'll be happy if he'll be as good as Ozzie was in his prime. People are just blinded by the hype. Maybe it's because he sucked early at the season and then started to play better.

Someone like Rask, Mason, Varlamov... you can see the potential right away. If he was a big guy like Rinne or Gustavsson I'd have more faith, because big guys develop later. There's a reason why he was in the AHL for so long. Guys mentioned before come and dominate at the younger age already.

Tuukka Rask is very good this season. We don't know if he can be consistent. Nabokov has shown with years of play that he can be consistent.

Just because Howard is 26 doesn't mean he can't develop more. This is his first year in the NHL and he is going to learn. It's not like Jimmy is 35 and set in his ways.

Mason played well his rookie season and played poor in his sophomore season. There is no guarantee that he goes back to the hotshot rookie he was. Varlamov has potential but he is streaky himself. Varlamov hasn't shown the same dominance as a goaltender like Rask. Rinne is streaky as well.

I don't think there are as many people expecting Howard to be a franchise goaltender as you say there are. Overstating to help your argument is pretty sad.

[Finnish Wing 110]

And I didn't say Howard has been bad this season or anything. He's been great. But you can just see when a goalie has it. He's not fundamentally great and isn't always tough mentally. I don't know how hot prospect he's been since '03. But I've been watching Rask play since 04' and everything he does, there's a huge difference. And I'm not saying because he's Finnish.

He isn't mentally tough like an elite goalie is. He isn't fundamentally skilled like an elite goalie is. He doesn't make game savers like an elite goalie does. He doesn't outplay other goalies like an elite goalie does.

Nabokov has outplayed him so far and even Bryzgalov outplayed him even tough we won the series.

He's been good this season and I think he will be good in the future (not at this good in the next season probably). I'm just kinda sick of all that blind hype thinking he'll be a franchise goalie for us. I'm very happy with Ozzie vol. 2.

[brett 1,029]

i think the wings started losing right when VS started streaming it LOL

[UP Wings Fan 0]

Or maybe San Jose is just playing better.........making the Wings legitimately take bad penalties..........you know, like the Wings have done for so many years prior to this. This team was outshot and out "time of possessed" in more games this season than probably the rest of the decade combined. Thinking its was all going to change in the playoffs was wishful thinking. They have too many parts of the puzzle who no longer fill the need. I still think our stars are good enough. It's the role players on this team who are not as good as other teams have. Rolling 4 lines used to be a strength............this season it has put them at a disadvantage. This is a transition year.........just as next year will be if Lidstrom retires. Holland needs to earn his pay. And I'll have another vodka and cranberry.

I don't disagree with you for the most part. The Wings have taken bad and untimely penalties, but any true hockey fan can see that the refs have turned a blind eye on many of the things that the Sharks are doing, ie obstruction and diving are huge issues! The Wings need to make some changes in the off season, not sure what will do it, but for the most part, I don't see the same heart and dedication to perfection that the Wings have historically had!

[Finnish Wing 110]

Rask is an exception to the rule. Sometimes you are a hot shot rookie and continue to be a hot shot throughout your career. Sometimes you are a hot shot rookie and that's it. Rask is having an amazing season but their is no guarantee that he is this good next season.

Every goalie is different. There is no one way to develop a goalie.

LOL. Rask is three years older than Howard. He's been the top goalie prospect IN THE WORLD, since he dominated the Finnish National League at young age. He's a big guy, unlike Howard. He's fundamentally great. More importantly, he has the mental calmness.

If you've watched both Bruins and Wings games, you can SEE the difference. You can just see when a guy is a one-season wonder and when he's the real deal. Rask OUTPLAYED RYAN MILLER.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

You didn't notice that Lilja only played 7 or 8 mins in the last game and Ericsson played 14? Lilja was really huffing in the 3rd period of game 2. I think that has something to do with the choice to sit him.

You'd be huffing too if you got that much tail every night.

[Hossa4Life 4]

So angry cant even make a construtive post just need to vent

GOD DAMN JASON WILLIAMS.

Why did he even get a shift in ot. If it went into 9 ots i would have been pissed to see his skates touch the ice.

Edited May 5, 2010 by Hossa4Life

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

Still whining about the calls (or lack of) eh? Sad.

Face it, all four goals tonight were scored 5-5.....So I guess you need to come up with another excuse. By the way, do you guys still want to stick with the "Wings don't dive?" thing after tonight? See ya Thursday night boys.

Do you want to use your eyes and read the posts in this thread? Very few are blaming officiating. There are some, but the majority place the blame on poor team play in the 3rd period accompanied by sloppy goaltending.

I like how you ran away when the Sharks were losing and decided to come back after the game ended. Gutless troll.

[UP Wings Fan 0]

Still whining about the calls (or lack of) eh? Sad.

Face it, all four goals tonight were scored 5-5.....So I guess you need to come up with another excuse. By the way, do you guys still want to stick with the "Wings don't dive?" thing after tonight? See ya Thursday night boys.

Get lost puck ass!