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Hockeytown0001

3/14 GDT : Edmonton Oilers 1 at Red Wings 2 (F/SO)

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Not pretty,but a win.

For all those piling on Howard recently - he played solid

Good! I'm glad he played well! I saw that quote from him about (paraphrasing here) that its time to start playing better and not just talking about playing better. Just wish they could have that mindset when they first start talking about playing better.

(sidenote: just because he won the game tonight doesn't negate that fact that he has been pretty bad this season and I (obviously! ha) believe the criticism was and still is warranted until he can prove that this all was just a fluke)

Howard never stole us a game, ever lol

I don't recall anyone saying he never steals a game for us.

You either:

Steal a game & win

Play standard game & win

Play standard game & lose

Give up untimely/stoppable goals in a winnable games & lose (costs us the game)

(and a few more scenarios but not really important here)

Ideally a goalie would steal many more games than he costs us (the other scenarios don't really matter i.e. wouldn't be his fault if we lost). If he at least had a 50-50 average there I would be ok with that (not really but I wouldn't rag on him as much or as harshly).

I have no idea how many Howie has of each or any idea how you would go about figuring that out this far into the season without throwing away your life watching replays of this season's games. But it feels like this season he's cost us way more than he's stolen for us. (and yes he has stolen a number of games for us and he has cost us a number of points in the standings)

Edited by roboturner

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Missed the game tonight. Can anyone tell me how Pulkkinen looked?

The kid definitely thinks shoot first. He had probably five shot attempts, but maybe three made on net. Two of them were absolute howitzers during a powerplay. His highlight of the night however was an open ice hip heck against David Perron, I believe. Considering his limited ice time, he made his presence felt.

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The kid definitely thinks shoot first. He had probably five shot attempts, but maybe three made on net. Two of them were absolute howitzers during a powerplay. His highlight of the night however was an open ice hip heck against David Perron, I believe. Considering his limited ice time, he made his presence felt.

Thanks! Hopefully he can solidify a spot in the lineup even when Jurco comes back.

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It was around 11:30 in the 3rd period when Detroit was up 1-0 and I thought about how Detroit collapses in this position virtually every time this season. I thought about how bad Quincey and Smith choke up goal-ridden pucks in these game dynamics. Then I thought about when Mike Babcock told Smith on 24/7 "When we're in the third period and we're tied and you have the puck in the offensive zone, I'm feeling pretty good. But when we're in the same position and you're in the defensive zone, I'm nervous. What is it going to take on a daily level for you to cut that s*** out of your game?" Literally 30 seconds after I recalled this moment, Smith makes a bizarre choke pass to the slot and we have a tied game.

Quincey and Smith have choked up pucks like this many times and caused the Wings to lose handfuls of points. On that end, Q and S may very well be the reason Detroit misses the playoffs.

In the overtime powerplay, again I noticed how terrible this team is coordinated offensively. They hardly move the puck. They barely skate and rarely cycle. Their 1-2 combination is incredibly obvious, elementary and transparent: "Pass to Alfie... Pass to Kronner for a one timer" or "Pass to Kronner... pass to Alfie for a one timer." It's dumb how obvious it is. If they aren't doing the incredibly transparent approach, they are doing nothing but demonstrating how unsure of themselves they are. Making soft passes into the slot which are easily intercepted and cleared. Miscommunicating. Never challenging men individually. It's a 4 on the 3 and the Wings look afraid to even get close to the slot. They look afraid to challenge individually and press their position in front of the net. Why? Compare this to the Blackhawks PP which challenges, gains real estate in the front, and scores. This power play is absolutely awful. I think a big piece that's missing is any sense of chemistry, puck movement, or holistic offensive strategy. For the past 3-4 years I've wondered why Detroit has looked so bad on the PP. I think there is somebody missing in the organization who used to be responsible for those beautiful offensive plays we'd see in the old days. I don't think the individual talent is lacking because we've seen these kids have hands. But indeed, what is missing is a sense of smart offensive strategy that we so sorely need.

Then, in the shoot-out I wondered who should go out there. I came up with Tatar, Sheahan and Nyquist. Maybe Franzen for Nyquist since he looked relaxed today with soft hands. I picked the kids because they had great games. Then I wondered who Babcock would pick. Bertuzzi had a terrible game. And he's a vet. So even though Bert was cold as ice and showed no propensity to be a game changer, Babs throws him up there #1 to claim a victory for Hockeytown. Retarded. Then I figured Babs would pick another vet just because... well... I imagined him saying something dumb later like "The vets have to teach you how to win in these situations". So I thought he'd pick Alfredsson. Who also had a pretty mediocre game and did not show much propensity for scoring. He also has no moves, cannot trick goalies in shootouts, and does nothing but shoot the puck forthcomingly. And of course Alfie shoots it into the goalies chest. Babs' third pick was Tatar, and that's when I said, "We're in the third round and this is the first guy who actually has a chance to score." You're not going to win shootouts when your #1/#2 picks have little hope to come through.

Still lots of pieces missing from Hockeytown. All I really felt this game was, "Just get the 2 points, idiots." Not happy with this team... and in fact, sorely disappointed, even though they won. Strange.

Edited by themcityblues

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It was around 11:30 in the 3rd period when Detroit was up 1-0 and I thought about how Detroit collapses in this position virtually every time this season. I thought about how bad Quincey and Smith choke up goal-ridden pucks in these game dynamics. Then I thought about when Mike Babcock told Smith on 24/7 "When we're in the third period and we're tied and you have the puck in the offensive zone, I'm feeling pretty good. But when we're in the same position and you're in the defensive zone, I'm nervous. What is it going to take on a daily level for you to cut that s*** out of your game?" Literally 30 seconds after I recalled this moment, Smith makes a bizarre choke pass to the slot and we have a tied game.

Quincey and Smith have choked up pucks like this many times and caused the Wings to lose handfuls of points. On that end, Q and S may very well be the reason Detroit misses the playoffs.

In the overtime powerplay, again I noticed how terrible this team is coordinated offensively. They hardly move the puck. They barely skate and rarely cycle. Their 1-2 combination is incredibly obvious, elementary and transparent: "Pass to Alfie... Pass to Kronner for a one timer" or "Pass to Kronner... pass to Alfie for a one timer." It's dumb how obvious it is. If they aren't doing the incredibly transparent approach, they are doing nothing but demonstrating how unsure of themselves they are. Making soft passes into the slot which are easily intercepted and cleared. Miscommunicating. Never challenging men individually. It's a 4 on the 3 and the Wings look afraid to even get close to the slot. They look afraid to challenge individually and press their position in front of the net. Why? Compare this to the Blackhawks PP which challenges, gains real estate in the front, and scores. This power play is absolutely awful. I think a big piece that's missing is any sense of chemistry, puck movement, or holistic offensive strategy. For the past 3-4 years I've wondered why Detroit has looked so bad on the PP. I think there is somebody missing in the organization who used to be responsible for those beautiful offensive plays we'd see in the old days. I don't think the individual talent is lacking because we've seen these kids have hands. But indeed, what is missing is a sense of smart offensive strategy that we so sorely need.

Then, in the shoot-out I wondered who should go out there. I came up with Tatar, Sheahan and Nyquist. Maybe Franzen for Nyquist since he looked relaxed today with soft hands. I picked the kids because they had great games. Then I wondered who Babcock would pick. Bertuzzi had a terrible game. And he's a vet. So even though Bert was cold as ice and showed no propensity to be a game changer, Babs throws him up there #1 to claim a victory for Hockeytown. Retarded. Then I figured Babs would pick another vet just because... well... I imagined him saying something dumb later like "The vets have to teach you how to win in these situations". So I thought he'd pick Alfredsson. Who also had a pretty mediocre game and did not show much propensity for scoring. He also has no moves, cannot trick goalies in shootouts, and does nothing but shoot the puck forthcomingly. And of course Alfie shoots it into the goalies chest. Babs' third pick was Tatar, and that's when I said, "We're in the third round and this is the first guy who actually has a chance to score." You're not going to win shootouts when your #1/#2 picks have little hope to come through.

Still lots of pieces missing from Hockeytown. All I really felt this game was, "Just get the 2 points, idiots." Not happy with this team... and in fact, sorely disappointed, even though they won. Strange.

We won the game. We would not even be in the playoff hunt given all these injuries if it wasn't for the coaching of mike Babcock. There is a reason he is the highest paid coach in the league and you are a fan like me who comes onto forums to talk about what we think... He clearly has far more hockey knowledge then you or I. IMO babs should be coach of the year no doubt if he gets us into the playoffs.

I hate how fans complain when we don't win, which is understandable but then they even complain when we win. I know your a passionate fan and I respect that, but have some faith in the guy who is keeping this team in the run.

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We won the game. We would not even be in the playoff hunt given all these injuries if it wasn't for the coaching of mike Babcock. There is a reason he is the highest paid coach in the league and you are a fan like me who comes onto forums to talk about what we think... He clearly has far more hockey knowledge then you or I. IMO babs should be coach of the year no doubt if he gets us into the playoffs.

I hate how fans complain when we don't win, which is understandable but then they even complain when we win. I know your a passionate fan and I respect that, but have some faith in the guy who is keeping this team in the run.

As much as I hate it, I think Roy will get coach of the year. But I do agree with you the Babs hate is a little overstated here. So is the hate for everyone else currently on our roster though it seems.

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Philly is playing back to back against Pittsburgh and then Chicago - so far from an easy schedule

Wigns Chicago, Toronto and Pittsburgh

pretty comparable to me, whichever team gets more points out of this is going to make the playoffs would be my guess. Anything under 3 points out of the next 3 games should signal one thing mail it in for a better draft pick and play more kids from the Rapids.

Edited by frankgrimes

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It was around 11:30 in the 3rd period when Detroit was up 1-0 and I thought about how Detroit collapses in this position virtually every time this season. I thought about how bad Quincey and Smith choke up goal-ridden pucks in these game dynamics. Then I thought about when Mike Babcock told Smith on 24/7 "When we're in the third period and we're tied and you have the puck in the offensive zone, I'm feeling pretty good. But when we're in the same position and you're in the defensive zone, I'm nervous. What is it going to take on a daily level for you to cut that s*** out of your game?" Literally 30 seconds after I recalled this moment, Smith makes a bizarre choke pass to the slot and we have a tied game.

Quincey and Smith have choked up pucks like this many times and caused the Wings to lose handfuls of points. On that end, Q and S may very well be the reason Detroit misses the playoffs.

In the overtime powerplay, again I noticed how terrible this team is coordinated offensively. They hardly move the puck. They barely skate and rarely cycle. Their 1-2 combination is incredibly obvious, elementary and transparent: "Pass to Alfie... Pass to Kronner for a one timer" or "Pass to Kronner... pass to Alfie for a one timer." It's dumb how obvious it is. If they aren't doing the incredibly transparent approach, they are doing nothing but demonstrating how unsure of themselves they are. Making soft passes into the slot which are easily intercepted and cleared. Miscommunicating. Never challenging men individually. It's a 4 on the 3 and the Wings look afraid to even get close to the slot. They look afraid to challenge individually and press their position in front of the net. Why? Compare this to the Blackhawks PP which challenges, gains real estate in the front, and scores. This power play is absolutely awful. I think a big piece that's missing is any sense of chemistry, puck movement, or holistic offensive strategy. For the past 3-4 years I've wondered why Detroit has looked so bad on the PP. I think there is somebody missing in the organization who used to be responsible for those beautiful offensive plays we'd see in the old days. I don't think the individual talent is lacking because we've seen these kids have hands. But indeed, what is missing is a sense of smart offensive strategy that we so sorely need.

Then, in the shoot-out I wondered who should go out there. I came up with Tatar, Sheahan and Nyquist. Maybe Franzen for Nyquist since he looked relaxed today with soft hands. I picked the kids because they had great games. Then I wondered who Babcock would pick. Bertuzzi had a terrible game. And he's a vet. So even though Bert was cold as ice and showed no propensity to be a game changer, Babs throws him up there #1 to claim a victory for Hockeytown. Retarded. Then I figured Babs would pick another vet just because... well... I imagined him saying something dumb later like "The vets have to teach you how to win in these situations". So I thought he'd pick Alfredsson. Who also had a pretty mediocre game and did not show much propensity for scoring. He also has no moves, cannot trick goalies in shootouts, and does nothing but shoot the puck forthcomingly. And of course Alfie shoots it into the goalies chest. Babs' third pick was Tatar, and that's when I said, "We're in the third round and this is the first guy who actually has a chance to score." You're not going to win shootouts when your #1/#2 picks have little hope to come through.

Still lots of pieces missing from Hockeytown. All I really felt this game was, "Just get the 2 points, idiots." Not happy with this team... and in fact, sorely disappointed, even though they won. Strange.

I agree with you about the power play - I don't think I've seen it look that bad in quite some time, and they sorely just look lost without either Z or Pav out there. And once they finally managed to gain entry, it was all perimeter, virtually nothing down low, no one driving the net to draw the D in so they open up those point shots. I think it could have been 5 on 3 and they still wouldn't have scored. Something obviously to work on. That said, I'm glad Pulkkinen got a chance on the 2nd unit, especially on the later ones where he unleashed the couple of slappers, one of which nearly led to Sheahan tapping it in on the rebound.

I will disagree with you however on the shootout choices. Bert has been historically good in the shootout (in 11-12 was 50%), and while he's only gone 1 for 7 this year, that 1 was a biggy - January win vs the Hawks. Alfie too, I thought was a good choice - (5 for 6 in 11-12) and has popped in a couple this year. No one expected Alfie to deke, if you did then ok but I haven't seen him deke all year. He's a pure shooter. And I thought he had a really solid game, he was definitely noticeable, and was winning puck battles, retrieving pucks and creating chances. There was a shift 4 minutes into the 2nd where his entire line kept the puck in the Oilers zone for the entire shift.

While it is easy to sit here and say Tatar was the only one who had a shot of scoring (now that he was the only one), everyone else had a great shot at doing so. Even Tatar screws it up sometimes - see Winter classic. The shootout is essentially a gamble anyways, but I had no qualms with Babs putting the guys out that he did. Bottom line = win.

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aside from smith's pass to smyth i thought he played well. i actually haven't noticed many of those boneheaded plays at all lately.

franzen again frustrating. we count on this guy especially now and he's non existent.

tatar and sheahan are our best right now. crazy.

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Good! I'm glad he played well! I saw that quote from him about (paraphrasing here) that its time to start playing better and not just talking about playing better. Just wish they could have that mindset when they first start talking about playing better.

(sidenote: just because he won the game tonight doesn't negate that fact that he has been pretty bad this season and I (obviously! ha) believe the criticism was and still is warranted until he can prove that this all was just a fluke)

I don't recall anyone saying he never steals a game for us.

You either:

Steal a game & win

Play standard game & win

Play standard game & lose

Give up untimely/stoppable goals in a winnable games & lose (costs us the game)

(and a few more scenarios but not really important here)

Ideally a goalie would steal many more games than he costs us (the other scenarios don't really matter i.e. wouldn't be his fault if we lost). If he at least had a 50-50 average there I would be ok with that (not really but I wouldn't rag on him as much or as harshly).

I have no idea how many Howie has of each or any idea how you would go about figuring that out this far into the season without throwing away your life watching replays of this season's games. But it feels like this season he's cost us way more than he's stolen for us. (and yes he has stolen a number of games for us and he has cost us a number of points in the standings)

Lol people are constantly saying Howie never stole a game for us

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We won the game. We would not even be in the playoff hunt given all these injuries if it wasn't for the coaching of mike Babcock. There is a reason he is the highest paid coach in the league and you are a fan like me who comes onto forums to talk about what we think... He clearly has far more hockey knowledge then you or I. IMO babs should be coach of the year no doubt if he gets us into the playoffs.

I hate how fans complain when we don't win, which is understandable but then they even complain when we win. I know your a passionate fan and I respect that, but have some faith in the guy who is keeping this team in the run.

I agree that he's helped us manage the injuries. But it doesn't mean we can't pick apart his (sometimes) dumb decisions. This is the same guy who wanted Cleary and Bert over Nyquist and Tatar. Where would we be right now if he hadn't changed his mind?? Where would we be if he had changed his mind sooner? I can say with almost certainty that we wouldn't be in the scramble that we're in now. (Unless you think Bert and Ernie would have put up the points to help us win games that Goose and Tats have. I can't imagine too many rational people would think that.)

If anybody around here complains after a loss, they are labeled reactionary and not worthy of giving their opinion.

If you complain after a win, you're told to shut up and ignore the problem cuz it didn't cost us the game.

Is there any time around here that people are allowed to discuss the problems of this team without being told they aren't a "true fan"?

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Lol people are constantly saying Howie never stole a game for us

Yeah but I think what they mean is that he costs us more that he steals.

Not that he's NEVER (not a single time!) stolen a game.

Like how people say Smith or Quincy ALWAYS make boneheaded plays. They don't ALWAYS make boneheaded plays EVERY time they get the puck or they wouldn't ever have gotten to play in the NHL. But they make enough to overshadow any good things they do.

Or how Sammy ALWAYS shoots into a goalie's chest. Or he Always shoots it 2 feet wide of the net. It obviously can't be both!

Edited by roboturner

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Didn't catch this game, but I gather it was rather ugly. Good that we got the two points, but these past three games (this one included) don't bode well at all for this upcoming stretch. We're gonna have to find another level, somehow, some way.

As for Smith - I'd say keep him on a shorter leash, but Malik brought up a good point over at this blog: Kronwall and Ericsson are gassed. They were leaned on very heavily in Sochi, and it's showing, and, given our schedule, that's gonna be a major issue. Our other defensemen are gonna have to step up in a big way. Ohgodkylequincey.

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About that power play...we're 0-for-11 in our past three games. Again, I didn't see this game, so I can't really comment. But I feel like we're really missing Z and D on the zone entries - and that's just getting into the zone and setting up, never mind the cycle.

Also, I think Alfie is really missing Helm. He's gone ice cold. Unfortunately, I don't think we can count on Helm playing more than two more games for us this season, if that.

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