1/10 GDT: Red Wings 4 at Avalanche 5

[Rivalred 630]

Wings lost that game in the first 10 minutes of the game.

These players really need to start waking up and playing. I think they sat back thinking the Avs were a so-so team because they played a hell of a lot harder against the Nucks.

Need to win more faceoffs, scrums, and clear the damn puck.

[commadore183 103]

Wings just need to start better, per Howard. "We didn't start on time." He's right, they can't just keep showing up for the last 20 and OT and/or shootouts.

That's the most infuriating thing about the Wings this season: go half-ass/one-quarter-ass through the first two periods, then "OMGOMGOMGWHEREALLTHETIMEWENTWE'REBEHINDELEVENTY!!11!1!" in the final 10 minutes of regulation. It's burned them before and it will burn them again. I don't know why they do that, but we know what the solution would be:

FIRE MCCRIMMON!!!11!ELeVentY!1!

But in all seriousness, only 3 times in the last 15 games the Wings have been scored on fewer than 3 times. And it's not restricted to just Howie in net, it's happened with Ozzie in net 4 times the past 15. The defense all around has been sub-par by Detroit standards. Only the 2nd goal against Howie I would rip him on last night, but the defense for the rest of them was pretty suspect.

The Detroit Red Wings should NOT be needing to score 4+ goals a game JUST to win. They're in a bad stretch lately, and with the injuries starting to pile up a bit, this stretch could last for a few more weeks (I hope not, thought).

[Rivalred 630]

You don't just package and ship elite, puck-moving defensemen...

While I agree with you on this statement, Raffie the puck-moving defensemen has been having trouble moving the puck out of our zone or making outlets passes which have let to scoring chances/goals. It happened last night

[ACallToArms 270]

4th: The fault lies in both Zetterberg and Ericsson imo. Zetterberg stopped skating in the neutral zone AND correct me if I'm wrong but on the 2 on 1 usually he has better defensive awareness than that. Maybe he believed that Ericsson would take away the pass but E did not. Failed quite miserably it appears.

I feel like the fault for this goal lies squarely on Ericcson's shoulders. He was right in the lane, he could have taken the pass away, but he just stood there like he didn't know what was going on. Total fail.

[Broken 16 381]

While I agree with you on this statement, Raffie the puck-moving defensemen has been having trouble moving the puck out of our zone or making outlets passes which have let to scoring chances/goals. It happened last night

He's also scored three goals in the last few games and has been a monster in the offensive zone, especially when keeping the puck. This isn't new, we should all be used to this by now. Amazing offensive skill and vision, occasional giveaways and bad decisions in the defensive zone. When HASN'T this been Rafalski's game? It was the same way on day one and it's not gonna change any time soon. I mean really... did you see Zetterberg get owned by Deuchene(?) along the boards? That lead DIRECTLY to a goal. s*** happens.

But I know that Rafalski is probably the best default whipping boy the Wings have... so bash away.

The face-off dot is a bigger enemy than Rafalski though imo, as you eluded to in your post. That's what really burns my ass.

Edited January 11, 2011 by Broken 16

[Rivalred 630]

He's also scored three goals in the last few games and has been a monster in the offensive zone, especially when keeping the puck. This isn't new, we should all be used to this by now. Amazing offensive skill and vision, occasional giveaways and bad decisions in the defensive zone. When HASN'T this been Rafalski's game? It was the same way on day one and it's not gonna change any time soon.

But I know that Rafalski is probably the best default whipping boy the Wings have... so bash away.

The face-off dot is a bigger enemy than Rafalski though imo, as you eluded to in your post. That's what really burns my ass.

I am not going to dismiss his offensive capabilities, especially the last few games. Yet, it has been a little more than occasional and I think Harold would back me up on this one.

You think I am BASHING Raffie? Oh no no sir, the only Wing's I have bashed was in this order over the last 3 years... Koper, Leino, and our little guy Hudler.

And yes, faceoffs are a big issue... Boys are on their own with that one. Get a person in here who is more capable or something.

[Broken 16 381]

I am not going to dismiss his offensive capabilities, especially the last few games. Yet, it has been a little more than occasional and I think Harold would back me up on this one.

You think I am BASHING Raffie? Oh no no sir, the only Wing's I have bashed was in this order over the last 3 years... Koper, Leino, and our little guy Hudler.

And yes, faceoffs are a big issue... Boys are on their own with that one. Get a person in here who is more capable or something.

Nah, I don't think you are bashing. Hence the smiley. But like I said in the other post (ninja edit), Zetterberg got absolutely owned by Deuchene along the boards and that lead directly to a goal. s*** happens.

As far as face-offs go, Babcock needs to lock half a dozen guys inside of a practice arena and turn the lights out Miracle style and make them do face-offs until they cry.

"WHO DO YOU PLAY FOR?"

"WHO DO YOU PLAY FOR?"

Edited January 11, 2011 by Broken 16

[Rivalred 630]

Nah, I don't think you are bashing. Hence the smiley. But like I said in the other post (ninja edit), Zetterberg got absolutely owned by Deuchene along the boards and that lead directly to a goal. s*** happens.

As far as face-offs go, Babcock needs to lock half a dozen guys inside of a practice arena and turn the lights out Miracle style and make them do face-offs until they cry.

"WHO DO YOU PLAY FOR?"

"WHO DO YOU PLAY FOR?"

Deuchene was schooling a lot of players, even Helm. That kid is good

[Broken 16 381]

Deuchene was schooling a lot of players, even Helm. That kid is good

He is awesome. Speaking of Helm, me and my gf were counting how many times Ken and Lar mentioned Helm during play. We gave up. His name comes up constantly. It's like he never leaves the ice and he always has the puck. That kid is developing way faster and better than I thought he would.

[Rivalred 630]

He is awesome. Speaking of Helm, me and my gf were counting how many times Ken and Lar mentioned Helm during play. We gave up. His name comes up constantly. It's like he never leaves the ice and he always has the puck. That kid is developing way faster and better than I thought he would.

Fans should be very ecstatic on how Miller, Jan, and Abby played in the 3rd. Helm is a keeper, just needs to refine his shooting

[Broken 16 381]

Fans should be very ecstatic on how Miller, Jan, and Abby played in the 3rd. Helm is a keeper, just needs to refine his shooting

Ya, MAM line KICKS ASS!

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

He is awesome. Speaking of Helm, me and my gf were counting how many times Ken and Lar mentioned Helm during play. We gave up. His name comes up constantly. It's like he never leaves the ice and he always has the puck. That kid is developing way faster and better than I thought he would.

He needs to cut off Hudler's hands and then he will be unstoppable.

[13dangledangle 958]

I don't care what anyone says, I won't believe for a second that it's been smart to put so much pressure on Howard both mentally and physically. I've been complaining about it since it started and I called this happening. I'm no genius, it's really pretty damn simple to figure out. Goalies take a lot of time to develop and Howard's development went slower than most already in the AHL, but the NHL is a different game. It was absolutely insane to play him night in night out last year and then kick into the same habits this year after he clearly struggled in the playoffs.

WE KNOW JIMMY HOWARD HAS THE SKILL TO BE AN EXCELLENT GOALIE!!!!!!!

What's going to make that a moot point real fast? His head.

Say what you want, but they've done nothing but set Howard up for failure early on in his career. No way I'm going to buy that this guy isn't capable of being better. His head is a mess. You can see it in his eyes; it's anger, frustration and more than anything, fear.

He never should have been put into this position this early on. It was a stupid, absolutely idiotic coaching decision. Fans didn't have any patience and Babcock didn't have any patience; no foresight. Now the team is paying for it and more than anyone, Howard is paying for it...and it was never fair to him.

Well said! Im not to sure what to think now however. Last year I bought into the Howard is our best chance to win, he got us into the playoffs BY HIMSELF! He wasnt the best in the playoffs, but he did still give the wings a chance to win, the team s*** the pot at least as much as him. This year it seems Babs is going the mental toughness route and after the game the other nite against Vancouver I was blown away by Jimmy. I say give Jimmy a little rest and I really want to see McCollum play a few as well, you know for his development...

[edicius 3,269]

Helm was incredible on the PK. He was all over the place.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Thanks to the power of a technicality Jimmy actually avoids getting the loss, and Joey Mac is saddled with it instead. Tough break, dude.

[Vladifan 680]

Fans should be very ecstatic on how Miller, Jan, and Abby played in the 3rd. Helm is a keeper, just needs to refine his shooting

Both the third and fourth lines seem to shift into another gear. I LOVE watching them out there! And with the Avs' speed, it was sure as hell helpful. Not just timely enough, overall.

[Broken 16 381]

Helm was incredible on the PK. He was all over the place.

He pulled me off my seat on one of em in the third.

[Vladifan 680]

He needs to cut off Hudler's hands and then he will be unstoppable.

I guess that would work as long as they're not on the same line. I mean, how could Handless Happy pass to him?

[VM1138 1,921]

Well said! Im not to sure what to think now however. Last year I bought into the Howard is our best chance to win, he got us into the playoffs BY HIMSELF! He wasnt the best in the playoffs, but he did still give the wings a chance to win, the team s*** the pot at least as much as him. This year it seems Babs is going the mental toughness route and after the game the other nite against Vancouver I was blown away by Jimmy. I say give Jimmy a little rest and I really want to see McCollum play a few as well, you know for his development...

I don't understand this whole mentality. The Wings didn't lose to San Jose, the series was stolen from them by refs. We beat San Jose in that series way worse than they ever beat the Wings, and almost all of San Jose's goals came off of powerplays (including several 5 on 3s) from terribly weak penalty calls. Worst reffing I've ever seen and yet people still act like the Wings turned in a 2006 style performance.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Eventually, just like last year, these injuries will result in some kind of skid.

The defense and goaltending have been poor all season, and it's hard to outscore teams every game when you have so many important players out.

As far as I know, it'll still be a few weeks before either Datsyuk or Cleary can play, while Modano and Stuart will be out even longer. And that's supposing no one else gets hurt until then, which at this point is a laugh.

I'll be very impressed if this team is still atop the Conference a month from now.

[Guest Crymson]

MacDonald for starter. (Am I joking? Sarcastic? You be the judge) Sorry, I try not to get angry with players and give up on them, but Jimmy "Four Goals" Howard just isn't cutting it.

Bwahahaha. He's back. "WHO CARES IF THE GOALIE WAS LAID OUT TO DRY? HE NEEDS TO STOP IMPOSSIBLE SHOTS TOO!"

- Howard has to be better though... this 4 goals is getting old. The 2nd goal was downright terrible and the 3rd goal he was laying on his stomach again... someone might want to let him know is he NOT the Dominator...

Someone ought to tell YOU that if you got the net dumped down on top of your head, you would be on your stomach also. It's exactly what happened.

[Selliria 76]

I'm a little disappointed with this new tradition of coming out slow in the first and trying to win everything back in the third. I saw many things in last night's game that needed to be fixed, but I also saw a lot of our young players showing why they've made it to the NHL. (Helm, anybody?!)

Anyway, I'm not going to chastise them for what they did wrong. That's Babcock's job. And there's no doubt they, and we, know already. Instead, I'm going to say that I hope - and believe - they'll turn it around. We're halfway through the regular season. I'm not losing my faith.

[Guest Crymson]

To me, Bertuzzi has been the most invisible player on the ice, and I am not only talking about this game. Past couple months really.

His highlight is the shootout goal against Calgary. You would think, or hope, that after the penalty he took there at the end, he would leave his heart on the ice, but alas... They say the key to GM's success is patience.

I see your memory does not extend to the game (two nights before that against Calgary) in which he scored two goals against Edmonton.

draper makes one play the entire game.....missing the net by 2 feet which leads to the GWG for the Avs. way to go drapes....thats day one stuff

It's not quite that simple, so sorry.

[Broken 16 381]

I'm a little disappointed with this new tradition of coming out slow in the first and trying to win everything back in the third. I saw many things in last night's game that needed to be fixed, but I also saw a lot of our young players showing why they've made it to the NHL. (Helm, anybody?!)

Anyway, I'm not going to chastise them for what they did wrong. That's Babcock's job. And there's no doubt they, and we, know already. Instead, I'm going to say that I hope - and believe - they'll turn it around. We're halfway through the regular season. I'm not losing my faith.

Lose faith? Did I miss something? Are we out of a playoff spot all the sudden?

[Selliria 76]

Lose faith? Did I miss something? Are we out of a playoff spot all the sudden?

Lol. No. I've just seen some posts talking about how terrible the Wings' play has been this year and I thought "Geeze, I'm not THAT worried about it..."