gdt ECQF Game 2 GDT : Red Wings 1 at Bruins 4 - Series tied 1-1

[ash11 78]

i wish we had z back

[Ekmanc 586]

I wish we had Z back and two decent big body defenders.

[Jeff6851 168]

What I was looking forward to before the series was some playoff experience for the young guys. With the prospects we have and the rookies already on the team, it looks like the Red Wings may be world beaters once again in a few years. Many other fans are jealous that we get to be in the playoffs, all of them are jealous we get to be there all the time (whether they admit it or not).

And I'm glad we get the Bruins, a top team so our rookies get a real taste of the playoffs and perhaps we can make everyone feel fooish for doubting us.

[MTU_Huskies963 398]

That first Howard goal was a back breaker. The wings took the crowd out of it in the first game. That was their first goal of the series, and it gave the bruins life. The playoffs is not a time to be making mistakes like that. Oh well the wings split in Boston and have home ice.

[Firehawk 305]

I do think howardz brainfart set the tone. The goals that trickled thru him cant go in in the playoffs. That said, the wings didn't do him Any favors. Better show up in game 3. Don't give the bruins anything.

[puckbags 863]

This is a really tough series for our young guys. They may have won the Calder Cup but the physicality the Bruins are bringing is on another level. Dekeyser, Smith, Nyquist, Tatar, Kindl, even Sheahan look a bit rattled. Jurco actually looks good though.

1st goal was a bit of a backbreaker. In the middle of trying to hold off a great Bruins start you can't give them one for free. We were still in it though, even after 2-0. But when our PP got chance after chance with barely registering a shot on goal it killed our momentum and the Bruins took advantage.

We're still in a good position. Need to find some ways to break through offensively because we can't trust our defense and Howard to play as perfectly as they did in Game 1. Time to go with what got us here: Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco.

I agree, Sheahan looks to be having a hard time with the adjustment to the physical play. Could see Andersson in next game for him. There is also an outside chance that Bert comes in , plays on the 4th line and gives us a different look on the PP. Put Bert on the 4th, Move Legwand up to the 3rd.

[ash11 78]

i agree kids are a bit raddled by the physical play however i dont think brining in anderson will do anything, tats has been hitting, but hes been below average latley with his puck control, now with that said we kind of knew this kind of game was gonna happen, so lets re group Im betting that detroit comes out flying tuesday! Alffy and franzen need to step up, kids need to show up, tats need to keep it simple (like game 1) we need to finish our chances and we need our goaltending that was in game 1, z would be nice to ha

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Howard's opening gaffe really set the tone. The 2nd one was weak, but the Bruins were camping out in front of the net and our D wasn't clearing s***. We desperately miss Zetterberg and Ericsson. I don't like how the Bruins beat us up tonight and rubbed it in our faces, Smith should've Bobby Clarked Chara when he had the chance that big f*** lurch. We are very much alive in this series, and Boston laughing at us today should piss the Wings off to no end going into Game 3. Babs needs to change the lines, gotta get the kid line back together, gotta get Nyquist some help, and if Alfie is hurt take his old ass out. He was ******* horrible today, doesn't look like a guy looking for a Cup, he looks like Sammy.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

Howard's opening gaffe really set the tone. The 2nd one was weak, but the Bruins were camping out in front of the net and our D wasn't clearing s***. We desperately miss Zetterberg and Ericsson. I don't like how the Bruins beat us up tonight and rubbed it in our faces, Smith should've Bobby Clarked Chara when he had the chance that big f*** lurch. We are very much alive in this series, and Boston laughing at us today should piss the Wings off to no end going into Game 3. Babs needs to change the lines, gotta get the kid line back together, gotta get Nyquist some help, and if Alfie is hurt take his old ass out. He wasf****** horrible today, doesn't look like a guy looking for a Cup, he looks like Sammy.

And you can add Franzen to that list too unless he decides to start having fun.

[e_prime 1,936]

I'm going to readily admit that this game got shut off real quick and I went outside in a beautiful New York day with my wife and dog.

The initial gaffe was horrendous, but the continued play after that was worse. Won't put it all on Howard... the back-pass by Sheahan was a bad move. Smith probably is beating himself up about the bounce off his skate, but honestly Babcock should have called the time out right then and there to settle down the boys.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

And you can add Franzen to that list too unless he decides to start having fun.

Franzen has been dead to me for years. He's a floater who doesn't bring anything to the game if he isn't skating/scoring, yet he comes out and tells the media it isn't his job to score. Love for him to be gone too, but we're stuck with him.

[e_prime 1,936]

Let us pause for a second. Bruins fans -- not all, but some -- booed Jesus. ON EASTER. Not cool, Boston. If you lose this series, you can probably point to the negative karma accrued by booing the Christ on his big day. (Additionally, you no longer get to make fun of Philadelphia for booing Santa.)

[Nightfall 871]

Two postgame thoughts:

The other team is allowed to improve. There's no point sighing about how game 2 was different from game 1. Assuming Boston wouldn't be able to come up with a better effort in game 2 just isn't realistic.

Howard didn't have a very good game, but the loss wasn't all on him -- or even mostly on him. If he had allowed 2 goals in each of the first two games, on the road against the #1 seed, he'd have a better GAA, and would have demonstrated consistency on the road, and the wings would be down 2-zip.

If you score 2 goals in 2 games on the road against the 1-seed, and you go back home with a split, that's kind of incredible. Credit to Howard for stealing one.

Now, it's up to the rest of the team to figure out how to win a game *without* needing Howard to steal it.

This is the best post in this thread.

We really need to come up with a way to score more goals. Did anyone expect Howard to win this game with us only scoring one goal two games in a row? I know i didn't.

The Bruins defense is tough, no question. We need to find a way to penetrate that D and score some goals. If we give Howard some goal support, we will be in good shape. If we continue to only score 1 goal per game, we aren't going to win many more games.

[VM1138 1,921]

A series is all about how teams bounce back. Every game has different stories, factors, etc. That's a good thing at least. Plus, no more afternoon NBC games scheduled. I know that sounds silly but it makes me feel better.

[VM1138 1,921]

Plus, the lineup just doesn't work. I understand the logic on paper but it didn't work today. Let's mix it up. Add speed and skill to Datsyuk's line. Franzen could be better on the third, bring Legwand up to play with Datsyuk and Nyquist.

I think Babcock wanted them to focus on team defense, hence the low scoring. You know, weather the Boston storm. He probably counted on a split and knows how to get a better performance next game.

Legwand-Datsyuk-Nyquist

Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco

Franzen-Helm-Alfredsson

Miller-Glendening-Abdelkader

Still balanced lines, puts Abdelkader where he is most effective, and makes Datsyuk's line more effective. Helm and Franzen played well together back in December and could inspire Franzen to grind, which he does do when he's not scoring. Plus, maybe it opens him up for scoring.

I trust Babcock to take full advantage of last change.

[Motown4013 350]

Plus, the lineup just doesn't work. I understand the logic on paper but it didn't work today. Let's mix it up. Add speed and skill to Datsyuk's line. Franzen could be better on the third, bring Legwand up to play with Datsyuk and Nyquist.

I think Babcock wanted them to focus on team defense, hence the low scoring. You know, weather the Boston storm. He probably counted on a split and knows how to get a better performance next game.

Legwand-Datsyuk-Nyquist

Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco

Franzen-Helm-Alfredsson

Miller-Glendening-Abdelkader

Still balanced lines, puts Abdelkader where he is most effective, and makes Datsyuk's line more effective. Helm and Franzen played well together back in December and could inspire Franzen to grind, which he does do when he's not scoring. Plus, maybe it opens him up for scoring.

I trust Babcock to take full advantage of last change.

I was going to make a post eerily similar to yours....so to add a few thoughts......

Franzen is a corpse out there and what bothers me is that babs continues to " wait" for the 2008 Mule show up. Its not going to happen so how long are you going to wait? It's been what...14 games without a goal. FOURTEEN games?!?? WTF babs. Put him on the 3rd line. This is the playoffs and you play the BESTguys on the best lines. He has an assist but even that play, the pass was a good FIVE feet behind Datsyuk.....if that puck goes to anyone else, it's a turnover.

Alfredsson has also been terrible. He can hold the line when they play him on the point and he appears to lack any speed or ability to hold on to the puck. Hes a passenger on this team right now and if he is hurt, than sit him down. I'd prefer Andy who can win us face offs than Alfie right now.

I'd like to see Helm and Nyquist play....maybe with Pasha. That line would be ridiculous in terms of speed and probably frustrate the Boston d-bags.

We can win this series but the coaching has to outmatch the opponents.....adjustments need to be made so make them. This is a team game- he should not be afraid to demote people if they are becoming liabilities.

[FireCaptain 563]

http://boston.sportsthenandnow.com/2014/04/20/bruins-red-wings-zdeno-chara-looks-brendan-smiths-soul-chuckles-gif/

Edited April 21, 2014 by FireCaptain

[_SP_ 129]

Sigh. I mean... ugh. I don't know what to say to that. LOL

[Crashnburnluder 385]

Pretty funny how chara acts tough until a guy like Tatar leans on him and he dives...

[rrasco 1,312]

Chara is a punk. If he did anything, Brendan should have ripped that C off his sweater. Props to the kid for standing up for himself. Sad he's the one that is having to do it after being run for 2 games straight. Reminds me of that play earlier this year where he got run and had to get up and go after the guy himself, then he got a cross check and the other guy got a dive. Can't remember who it was off hand.

Bruins played the harder game today, but it makes me sick to see them running around at our guys, charging guys from across the ice and getting their elbows up on almost every hit...and getting away with it. Then to have to listen to Olzcyk defend it.

[rrasco 1,312]

Thanks to drum for the cap.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Chara is a punk. If he did anything, Brendan should have ripped that C off his sweater. Props to the kid for standing up for himself. Sad he's the one that is having to do it after being run for 2 games straight. Reminds me of that play earlier this year where he got run and had to get up and go after the guy himself, then he got a cross check and the other guy got a dive. Can't remember who it was off hand.

Bruins played the harder game today, but it makes me sick to see them running around at our guys, charging guys from across the ice and getting their elbows up on almost every hit...and getting away with it. Then to have to listen to Olzcyk defend it.

Yeah. Blake Comeau. Later in that very game he smashed up one of Jurco’s ribs with a crosscheck.

[RedWingsRox 614]

If before the series you told me that we'd get a split out of Boston ... I'd take that any day. Not the best game today but I hope we come out harder at the Joe.

[peabrain 5]

The entry on PP needs to get miles better, really missing hank.

Howard was wobbley and alfredsson terrible.

Play the speed game. Looked good the second period.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

Awful effort all around. The Red Wings looked lost from the start, Jimmy's play in the 1st period didnt help, but was in no way what cost us the game. Boston forced us to the perimeter and forced our forwards to go on one man rushes -a classic Red Wings post season syndrome. Cant blame the refs for this one either because Red Wings got as many power plays as the Bruins and managed absolutely nothing, while the Bruins scored two.

It was hard watching the Bruins run Kindl and Smith into the boards every chance they got, but very significant for how the Red Wings simply cannot match them physically on any level. I hope Babcock has a new gameplan in store for game 3.