52 replies to this topic

[ACallToArms]

Wow this board is bipolar... lose a game and people start threads calling for Jimmy's head. Win a few games and all of a sudden he's our man

Jimmy is a goaltender than can help the team win a cup, no doubt about it. He is the reason we are still alive in this series.

[Shady Ultima]

I've been very surprised by Jimmy's play. He has stepped it up, and given us a huge chance to win each game. If our offense had been able to produce in games 1 and 2, we could have won those games.

The best part is he's still young, and will only improve from here.

[CaliWingsNut]

Jimmy's been huge. I haven't been very negative with him, but have continued to hold the opinion he's very streaky.

We definitely need someone (not Osgood) to compete for 1st spot who can keep him fighting through next season though.

[stormboy]

Wow this board is bipolar... lose a game and people start threads calling for Jimmy's head. Win a few games and all of a sudden he's our man

Jimmy is a goaltender than can help the team win a cup, no doubt about it. He is the reason we are still alive in this series.

the mob is a fickle mistress, as they say.

however, i don't think it's totally unreasonable that we've been up and down on his play this/last year -- he's been great at times, but there is absolutely no question that he had some real stinkers during the regular season. there were weeks-long stretches where he was giving up one or often two soft goals almost every single game. i don't know him, so i don't know if it's a confidence thing, an energy thing, or just a good-game/bad-game sorta thing. but it's certainly been a tale of two jimmys.

also, how awesome is it to finally be on the winning end of a game where the losing team massively outshoots the winning team and the winning goalie just plays out of his mind, while the losing goalie has a sub-.850 save percentage. it seems like that happens to us all the time in the playoffs, that we get a million shots and still lose, and it's nice to be on the other end of it for once!

edit: grammar

Edited by stormboy, 09 May 2011 - 03:18 AM.

[ACallToArms]

the mob is a fickle mistress, as they say.

however, i don't think it's totally unreasonable that we've been up and down on his play this/last year -- he's been great at times, but there is absolutely no question that he had some real stinkers during the regular season. there were weeks-long stretches where he was giving up one or often two soft goals almost every single game. i don't know him, so i don't know if it's a confidence thing, an energy thing, or just a good-game/bad-game sorta thing. but it's certainly been a tale of two jimmys.

also, how awesome is it to finally be on the winning end of a game where the losing team massively outshoots the winning team and the winning goalie just plays out of his mind, while the losing goalie has a sub-.850 save percentage. it seems like that happens to us all the time in the playoffs, that we get a million shots and still lose, and it's nice to be on the other end of it for once!

edit: grammar

I agree. I don't think it was unreasonable to be worried with Howard in the net after the regular season. He was very streaky, and had plenty of goals against. However, he's really stepped up his game in the playoffs, and has played a consistent game every night imho.

[Opie]

The problem with Threads like this (and I have made them) is the people you intend to read it will not. The lunatic fringe that wanted Howard executed, wanted Nick to lose the C, wanted Pavel traded, think Z is done. All of those guys, if they even read this thread are not going to post.

The other problem is people who were legitimately worried about Howie, think you are calling them out.

These threads are never as fulfilling as you would have hoped they would be.

Having said that, I am very happy with Howard, he is exceeding every single one of my expectations.

I wouldn't say he has stolen games, but his first period play (while the rest of the team wakes up, except gm 4) has kept them in this series.

Good on you Howie!

[HankthaTank]

The problem with Threads like this (and I have made them) is the people you intend to read it will not. The lunatic fringe that wanted Howard executed, wanted Nick to lose the C, wanted Pavel traded, think Z is done. All of those guys, if they even read this thread are not going to post.

The other problem is people who were legitimately worried about Howie, think you are calling them out.

These threads are never as fulfilling as you would have hoped they would be.

Having said that, I am very happy with Howard, he is exceeding every single one of my expectations.

I wouldn't say he has stolen games, but his first period play (while the rest of the team wakes up, except gm 4) has kept them in this series.

Good on you Howie!

ALL of this. A masterpiece of a post

Way to go Howie!

[wvubassrfl]

Howard has been awesome in this series, no doubt about that. The concerns are certainly still there and he isn't elite, yet, but that doesn't mean he can't be given his props. There probably should have been about 7 goals scored by SJ last night.

[Opie]

I find it hilarious that the Sharks are about as close to a mirror image of the Wings as you can get. They even stopped paying high priced Goalies.
But the funny part is that what has bit the Wings in the ass sooooooo many times (a Hot Tender) could bite them in the ass, even though they are outplaying the Wings.

If you want to copy the mold, all weaknesses come with it.

[KrazyGangsta]

Wow this board is bipolar... lose a game and people start threads calling for Jimmy's head. Win a few games and all of a sudden he's our man

Jimmy is a goaltender than can help the team win a cup, no doubt about it. He is the reason we are still alive in this series.

Well said, Wings fans have a tendency to ban wagon a player on the roster.

[sinbin]

My leading candidate for Conn Smythe!

[Joey v3.4]

Where are al the "fans" that didn't think he could give us a chance in the playoffs??

If not for him, we are swept or at best, definitely done at 5 games. If not for him, we are down by 5 or 6 tonight!!

Jimmy has DEFINITELY proven he belongs as a starter for the next few years!!

If not for deflected goals, we may be UP 3-1 in the series right now!!

Jimmy is the only reason we didn't lose worse in games 1 and 2. And he's the reason we stayed within range in game 5.

He isn't playing to the level of Roloson or Thomas, but he's sure as heck saved our arses a million times.

I think Howard has it. If the offense can produce, Howard is more than good enough to win a cup.

I don't think there is any question this year. Howard, Datsyuk, and Lidstrom have hands down, carried this team.

[Joey v3.4]

The problem with Threads like this (and I have made them) is the people you intend to read it will not. The lunatic fringe that wanted Howard executed, wanted Nick to lose the C, wanted Pavel traded, think Z is done. All of those guys, if they even read this thread are not going to post.

The other problem is people who were legitimately worried about Howie, think you are calling them out.

These threads are never as fulfilling as you would have hoped they would be.

Having said that, I am very happy with Howard, he is exceeding every single one of my expectations.

I wouldn't say he has stolen games, but his first period play (while the rest of the team wakes up, except gm 4) has kept them in this series.

Good on you Howie!

Those same people, are also the ones that seem to think that we could trade Helm for Ovechkin, because they don't have a realistic grasp of hockey. They look at it from a band-wagoneer stance, where all they see is their teams strengths and flaws (And mostly their flaws). They never bothered noticing there are 30 other teams, each doing their absolute best to create a Cup winning team.

Simple fact is, Howard has been better in goal for us this year, than just about anyone we've had in a goal in a while. Given that in most of the periods of most of the games he has played, Detroit has simply been outplayed (Last night even, outshot like 40-20), he has probably done better than any playoff goalie we've had in my lifetime.

When Osgood lost, it would be like, we'd outshoot oponents 40-25, and the opponents goalie was always just clearly better than ours (No disrespect to Osgood, I'm just saying). If you're a huge Ozzie fan and are offended, then replace "Osgood" with "Joseph". Anyone who has been watching for a while can remember a ton of games where we clearly out-shot the crap out of the opponent (Calgary. Anaheim), and still lost the game because they snuck a few garbage goals in.

Howard has more than risen to this occassion. And considering he is now 2-0 this year when facing elimination.

We'd be retarded to not sign him as a starter for next year.

If we had Tim Thomas, people would still complain.

I say, have a little faith. Datsyuk and Zetterberg weren't all-stars their second years in the league, they were just good. Howard is just good right now. He has some huge potential, and anyone who doesn't recognize that, should go be a Boston fan -- Since maybe they have the goaltending you're looking for. Well, statistically. I'd like to see Thomas in the West....see how he does then. In the East, every team practically has one line, and 3 lines of guys who buy the main line rest.

Edited by Joey v3.4, 09 May 2011 - 11:51 AM.

[Dimaline312000]

This is only Jimmy's second full season in the NHL and I think by far he has been one of our best players. Let the nay-sayers say what they want and beleive what they want but Jimmy is the real deal and a great goalie!!

[The Secret]

Jimmy's definitely learned and grown since last years play offs, that is certain. He's been awesome this year. I feel much more confident with him this year for sure and I'd give him my vote for Most Improved and possibly for Most Valuable. There is still room to improve... he's good for a softie per game and can become more consistent (referring to the reg season here). All in all he is moving in the right direction.... Keep up the good work Jimmy!

[MulesWillFly93]

I'm damn proud of the guy. I know I was a little unhappy with him at times earlier in the season (but for the record I was mostly on the "Blame the Defense" train), but he's been Dudley Do-Right (I don't know where that came from) for the entire playoffs. I love his spirit, too - he doesn't even have to say anything in interviews; you can just tell by his face that he's determined to keep this thing going and eff everyone else.

Didn't someone here say they had a dog named Mikef****** Vernon? I think I know what I'm going to name my next dog...

Edited by MulesWillFly93, 09 May 2011 - 04:11 PM.

[pjgj13]

Howie's GAA may not have been as good as it was last year (don't know exact numbers), but how many times has our D left him hanging? I don't remember that many goals we scored with a deflection off of one of our defenseman's skate or stick, but seems like we allowed MANY more. Look at his shootout percentage. We have enough talent on paper to score 3.5 - 4 goals a game and Howie's 2.5ish GAA should stand up in 70% of games.

I hope he plays almost as GREAT as last night because we are going to have the Sharks on their heels and we will take the game!!

[wingslogo19]

Howard is the man

[Konnan511]

The other problem is people who were legitimately worried about Howie, think you are calling them out.

So...this isn't a ha ha ha you were wrong thread? This quote by the OP disagrees with you kind sir.

Where are al the "fans" that didn't think he could give us a chance in the playoffs??

[Osgood=WIN!]

My leading candidate for Conn Smythe!

Same here. Jimmy has been rock solid, and I have no doubts he will continue to be tomorrow night.