Who would you most blame for a round 2 loss?

[Zetts 236]

Since there's a lot of complaining around here with us being down 3-0, I thought it would be interesting to see the way that people are distributing the responsibility for this round.

Edited May 5, 2010 by Zetts

[Electrophile 3,554]

All of them are the reason we're down 3-0. You win as a team, you lose as a team. The refs definitely aren't helping. And blaming Crosby is fun, no matter what it's for, so throw him in too.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Refs + Defense + Other (lazy)

[Hossa4Life 4]

I have to go with babcock for now. I still think he is the best coach but he has made some questionable lineup changes to say the least. Also i hate how he switches to a defensive style when we have the lead in the 3rd. We play our best when we control the play. dont sit back.

actually electrophile has the best answer

[stuck in socal 56]

@ Electrophile. I clicked the minus instead of the plus. I totally agree with you.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I don't know if I could name any one overarching cause. If we break it down game by game, though:

In Game 1 the blown call on Franzen was atrocious and cost the Wings the game. In Game 2 the refereeing wasn't great again but the Wings managed to skate to a 3-3 tie when all of the sudden Nick's stick breaks and the game-winner is in the net -- what can you do? Nothing about either the officiating or the integrity of a stick, that's just rotten bad luck.

Howard is squarely to blame for tonight's loss, though.

The Sharks have played the Wings very well but I feel like the Wings deserved a win in one of those first two games and didn't get it. Unfortunately, deserves got nothing to do with it. You win or you lose.

[Raptor1116 11]

Howard.

4 goals against in every single game and he has the incredible ability to give up the timely goal.

[digitaljohn88 4]

Defense and goaltending. The defense hasn't been really good. Howard has been solid, but far from great. We've become used to a higher level of goaltending in the last two years.

Coaching.

[AIK'91 22]

@ Electrophile. I clicked the minus instead of the plus. I totally agree with you.

I also totally agree. So I'll cancel your minus.

[Rockitman 11]

Although I'd like to blame Sindey Crosby for the situation the Wings are in... ITS THE SALARY CAP!!! plain and simple... After losing Samuelsson, Hossa, Hudler last season I guess I was just dreaming thinking we would be better this year... We are obviously fatigued and we just can't roll four line like we used to and have NO secondary scoring whatsoever! It seems like the defense has been lackluster all year and Howard has proven all year he is not that Goalie who is just going to go out there and steal a game for you... Hopefully Holland and the staff do a good job of tweaking some things this off season because unfortunately we can't go deep with the team we have going right now...

[Drake_Marcus 890]

It's pretty tough to win when you've let in 4 goals every game in the series. We'd have to be scoring at a 5 goal per game pace. That's a bit much to ask.

You can blame the inconsistent PK but tonight they were a perfect 6 for 6.

That really only leaves our rookie goaltender who was over-worked coming into the playoffs (although I understand that that was unavoidable given the team's record at the Olympic break.

[Nev 1,085]

Howard.

4 goals against in every single game and he has the incredible ability to give up the timely goal.

Yep, he's not been Ozzie-08-09-regular-season terrible, but to give up 4 goals each and every game.....you gotta at least give your team a chance to win the game, and if you have to score 4-5 goals a game to win, that ain't gunna happen in the playoffs.

[Nic 59]

I blame taking a break and trying to sit on a 2 goal lead on tonight's loss. If anything is consistent, it's this and has been for years. A 2 goal lead isn't a sure-fire win and we've been acting like it has been for a long time.

As for the last 2, I'll be in the corner crafting my tin-foil head gear and continue to be pissed at the refs for the 10 PKs we had in the last game alone.

Edited May 5, 2010 by Nic

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Although I'd like to blame Sindey Crosby for the situation the Wings are in... ITS THE SALARY CAP!!! plain and simple... After losing Samuelsson, Hossa, Hudler last season I guess I was just dreaming thinking we would be better this year... We are obviously fatigued and we just can't roll four line like we used to and have NO secondary scoring whatsoever! It seems like the defense has been lackluster all year and Howard has proven all year he is not that Goalie who is just going to go out there and steal a game for you... Hopefully Holland and the staff do a good job of tweaking some things this off season because unfortunately we can't go deep with the team we have going right now...

Little known fact: Sidney Crosby personally vetoed Bettman's last minute decision to concede the cap to the NHLPA.

[TheOwl 77]

Howard. But I'm not too upset at him. Unless he plays in Game 4 and really sucks it up. Win game 4 Jimmy.

[Rockitman 11]

Little known fact: Sidney Crosby personally vetoed Bettman's last minute decision to concede the cap to the NHLPA.

little bastard...

[Nic 59]

Howard. But I'm not too upset at him. Unless he plays in Game 4 and really sucks it up. Win game 4 Jimmy.

Eh, Howie and Ozzy are very similar. They both make spectacular highlight-reel saves and hold us up when they need to, but let in some of the softies. Aside from Ozzy's rust, I think we would be in the same boat either way, to be honest.

[puckhog419 0]

Crosby! that is where you point fingers

[TheOwl 77]

Eh, Howie and Ozzy are very similar. They both make spectacular highlight-reel saves and hold us up when they need to, but let in some of the softies. Aside from Ozzy's rust, I think we would be in the same boat either way, to be honest.

I just expected ALOT more from him. I mean he didn't win us any games in the Phoenix series, he just was OK. He's supposed to be great, he has been great. He has had Halak style performances. But he's just a little mentally weak for some reason. It's not a good sign in my opinion. He's been bad, he's not been himself.

[Null 3]

Yep, he's not been Ozzie-08-09-regular-season terrible, but to give up 4 goals each and every game.....you gotta at least give your team a chance to win the game,

stopping 40 shots its doing more than enough to keep your team in it, even if you do let in 4 goals.. at some point the defense has to realize hes not god back there, throw him a bone and start helping him!

even if hes not stopping 40 shots, you cant cough up the give aways in the zone, or let up the odd man rushes and expect him to save you..

i cant blame howard at all with what was in front of him, losing these 3 games has been a team effort. not howards fault.

and if you have to score 4-5 goals a game to win, that ain't gunna happen in the playoffs.

um, sharks have had to score 4 goals a game to win. it does happen in the playoffs

[cupcrazy 13]

I think the entire team has failed,after making the hard fought push to make the playoffs since the olympic break the entire team looks gased to me.Also I just don't think Howard has what it takes to make it in the playoffs. He's like Legace,a great season goalie,but come crunch time he just isn't good enough.

We all know at the end of the day it's a team sport,but we just don't have the goaltending this year to get the job done.I had to work tonight and didn't get to see the game,but being up 3-1 midway in the 3rd,there's no excuse for losing this game.We have to find a number one goalie this summer,or next year will be more of the same.

[Rockitman 11]

I think the entire team has failed,after making the hard fought push to make the playoffs since the olympic break the entire team looks gased to me.Also I just don't think Howard has what it takes to make it in the playoffs. He's like Legace,a great season goalie,but come crunch time he just isn't good enough.

We all know at the end of the day it's a team sport,but we just don't have the goaltending this year to get the job done.I had to work tonight and didn't get to see the game,but being up 3-1 midway in the 3rd,there's no excuse for losing this game.We have to find a number one goalie this summer,or next year will be more of the same.

In otherwords Howard sucks

[asmith18 3]

I'm amused at this poll, as much as I hate Crosby he has nothing to do with the 2nd round. Now if the wings were playing them in the 2nd round I'd agree.

Basically Howard is either hot and lets a lot of goals in. The defense is not playing up to par, the offense needs to score more. After the Olympic break the wings played amazing and earned a spot in the playoffs. It's like they ran out of gas or stopped trying. For all their hard work they should try harder as if every game is the last one they will play.

Hindsight, the past few years we've gone far in the playoffs, 19 straight years in the playoffs, championships in 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008. Each team has transition years and I want the wings to win every year, but thats not possible. I'm happy we got to the second round. I'd like us to advance, its been a rough year with injuries, the olympics.

[NEpats1028 1]

Howard. Not that its his doing..when was the last time we've seen a rookie goaltender carry a team to the finals? I can't remember one. Hopefully he learns from his mistakes and comes back next year knowing what it takes to win in the playoffs. Its been said before, no way you are going to win in the playoffs if you have to score 5+ goals every game to beat the other team. Maybe that worked in GR but this is the NHL. Welcome to the pros, kid! Kudos on a solid rookie year though.

[Buppy 1,720]

Blame lies solely with GMR. Before that dumb thread about 3rd period comebacks, we were a very good 3rd period team.