Opie 308 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 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! 1 HankthaTank reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 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! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wvubassrfl 3 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 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. 1 Jenny reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrazyGangsta 79 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinbin 3 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 My leading candidate for Conn Smythe! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joey v3.4 45 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joey v3.4 45 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 (edited) 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 May 9, 2011 by Joey v3.4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dimaline312000 51 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 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!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 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! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MulesWillFly93 199 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 (edited) 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 Mike ******* Vernon? I think I know what I'm going to name my next dog... Edited May 9, 2011 by MulesWillFly93 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pjgj13 30 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 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!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted May 9, 2011 Howard is the man Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 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?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Osgood=WIN! 0 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
InKennyWeTrust 126 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 Statistics blah blah blah... I'm totally buying this dude's jersey after these playoffs. The playoffs, coupled with the and the f*** you, Crosby event have made me fall in complete heterosexual love with this man. 2 Tristanium and MulesWillFly93 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 So...this isn't a ha ha ha you were wrong thread? This quote by the OP disagrees with you kind sir. NO it is indeed a Ha ha you were wrong thread. I guess my point was, he was looking for a you were right from people, and the only people he could get that from is the lunatic fringe, as opposed to people who stated rebound control was going to kill him and in turn the team or something of the like. I think even the OP would have to admit no one, and I mean no one, saw this kind of improvement in rebound control coming. I am huge Howie fan, pulling for the Black Bear (future one too), but this is by far his best hockey of his young career, and I didn't see it coming. The guy has been awesome, a few questionable goals here or there, but that is going to happen to all goalies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pavelpasha13 33 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 i knew he jsut had to get off those rookie year shakes, but not hes had time in the bigs. Hes ready to go and always ready to go. I havent doubted him all playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilzyme 769 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 He's there to prove the world wrong, i'm agreeing in complete with Ken and Mikey when they said last year was probably the best thing for him. Even though he lost, he gained so much from last years playoffs. He looks cool, calm, and collective in net this post series, and that quote from round 1 still has me in goosebumps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt198913 932 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Lets be honest he's been playing out of his mind in this series. Is he the future goalie of this franchise? Obviously 1 Tristanium reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Another great performance, Howie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 My leading candidate for Conn Smythe! Lidstrom or Datsyuk would run away with it at this point Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wing Across The Pond 196 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Whilst Niemi makes big, good saves, he's too much flash and not enough stability. That was kind of what Howard was like last year, but now has the experience to be a strong goaltender. Glad to have him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theophany 110 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Howard has been huge, but it was completely justified to doubt him going into the playoffs. He had a pretty rough regular season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 (edited) If the Wings can do the unthinkable this series and then win it all this year, I think you got to give it to Datsyuk for overall performance up to this point. And you can easily make a case this series that without Datsyuk, they don't advance or at least make it back to game 7 for right now. But, this series MVP is Howard for me. Edited May 11, 2011 by SouthernWingsFan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites