gdt 10/11/14 GDT: Game 2 | Ducks 3 @ Red Wings 2

[hooon 1,089]

The point is that's not the ONLY reason they scored.

They missed a penalty

Kronwall tripped on boards

Howard had a wide open look and missed

E forgot he could skate and move into better position

But yet it's all on just the missed call...any of the four things go different and there is no goal.

I got all caught up in the non-call, but in the replay Ericsson's blunder is the worst. He just stands there, and at the VERY end makes a slight effort to start skating... then kind of stops again. He easily could have gotten in there and prevented a decent shot if he just took a couple steps forward. He wasn't even in position to protect a pass really. Not sure what he was doing out there.

[PumpIron 40]

Jimmy Howard zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz couldnt save a beachball

[Ekmanc 586]

Smith also kinda sucked tonight, a lot of really weak passes along the boards that directly caused scoring chances for the ducks.

[Guest DeGraa55]

I got all caught up in the non-call, but in the replay Ericsson's blunder is the worst. He just stands there, and at the VERY end makes a slight effort to start skating... then kind of stops again. He easily could have gotten in there and prevented a decent shot if he just took a couple steps forward. He wasn't even in position to protect a pass really. Not sure what he was doing out there.

I completely agree. Just a whole series of blunders there . But 80 games to go. They look good through two games!

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

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Edit: that's a hint for y'all to add song titles

Edit again: decided to add some song titles

Cleary is a warrior-babs

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Consistently mediocre maybe.....

I didn't get to watch any of the preseason/camp stuff but from what I read it sounded like at least Babs was impressed with Mrazek. I hope they get him in some games soon.

Mrazek is in Grand Rapids, so that's probably not very likely. Jimmy has been quite consistent throughout his career until his poor season a year ago. It's just short-term memory to state otherwise.

Edited October 12, 2014 by GoWings1905

[wings_fanatic 677]

Solid game tonight. I still do not like Kindl at all, I find he loses every single puck battle that there is. Quincy had a very strong game which is nice to see. I thought Smith had an okay game but had a couple plays I think he would like back. He needs to remember he is at his best when his legs are moving. The top line is starting to get going... they generated a lot of chances tonight and looked impressive. The same can be said for the kid line... only a matter of time until they get on the scoreboard.

Howard had some nice saves tonight, however it comes back to the timely save idea. At the end of the day, he simply was not good enough tonight. He really needs to learn how to handle the puck. Either handle the puck or stay in the net. Anything is better then confusing your team everytime you come out of the net. He costed us a goal, but did not cost us the game. He needs to be better though.

Overall, I am really liking what I am seeing from the team. They are competing really hard and their speed is amazing. Bare in mind we are looking quite impressive WITHOUT Pav in the lineup.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

it's just that every scoring chance is in the back of the net. I never noticed a single big save from him. We were dominating in the 3rd and he lets in two on there only two decent scoring chances. Obviously a good team is going to push hard and you have to expect your goalie to make a save on a good scoring chance at least once a game. but none today and we lose

I don't disagree entirely. The Red Wings were controlling play, so it is frustrating to see the Ducks score twice and ultimately win in the third.

It's not fair to pretend it never happens, though. Jimmy had a very good third period the other night against Boston and that was a one-goal game.

[The Datsyukian Deke 127]

Besides the winning goal controvery...

...I cannot remember when I actually was in such a good mood after a loss. Maybe that's because of the overall game we played, which I really really enjoyed. And that's the main part. We lost because of two stupid mistakes around the net costing us two goals, but overall I saw a LOT of things I really liked:

- 2nd game, 2nd time Cleary a healthy scratch..keep up the good work Babs, keep it up..

- Franzen really looks in the best shape since..I can't even remember. No floating, works defensively..nice!

- Kindl was at least solid, no major mistakes, and Q played really well.

- When did we play like this for the last time? Hitting all over the place, I loved it!

- Speed and creativity on offense, especially our young guys.

- I really like the new PP tactic. That should bring a lot of goals..especially when you imagine a healthy Pavel in it..

- Hank looks completely healthy. Not at 100%, too much time without real competition, but that's just a matter of time.

So overall...let's just continue like this, cut the mistakes, execute it a little better, and it's going to be a great season.

Edited October 12, 2014 by The Datsyukian Deke

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

Story of the game is that their goalie was very good and ours was average. The shooters for the Wings were poor, aside from that Nyquist shot.

Of course that one play at the end sticks out and cost us at least a point, but there's more than just one play that lost the game.

Too many stupid turnovers too. Ruined a game where we otherwise controlled the play.

Jimmy Howard zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz couldnt save a beachball

He can, he just can't do it as well as the opposing goalie on most nights.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I got all caught up in the non-call, but in the replay Ericsson's blunder is the worst. He just stands there, and at the VERY end makes a slight effort to start skating... then kind of stops again. He easily could have gotten in there and prevented a decent shot if he just took a couple steps forward. He wasn't even in position to protect a pass really. Not sure what he was doing out there.

For the most part, I think it was the right play. He was covering the right side of the net in case Getzlaf passed to Kesler. If the pass goes through, Ericsson is in good position to block the shot, especially if you add in a push-off from the crease to cut down the angle. Kesler wasn't that far off the post so it wouldn't take more than one good stride/push to get up into Kesler's grill. This is also why Ericsson was on the right side of the net, and not situated between Getzlaf and Kesler like a typical two-on-one would be.

At the same time, Ericsson needs to respect Getzlaf, which is also why he played the two-on-one so close to Jimmy. Getzlaf had half the crease/net to work with before he's in Ericsson's reach. If Ericsson commits any more to Kesler, Getzlaf has even more space, which is a no-no.

The one thing I would have liked to see is Ericsson close Getzlaf into his side of the ice by diving out on top of the crease as Getzlaf approached. At that point, cutting the top of the crease off would have effectively prevented any pass attempts cuz Getzlaf is already in so tight, but it would also cut down Getzlaf's space even more. He'd still get a point-blank shot off, but that space over Jimmy's shoulder would have been a smaller target.

Edited October 12, 2014 by Echolalia

[roboturner 562]

I think Howie is a nice guy, I really do! He's played in the NHL for like what, 5-6 season? That's a major accomplishment!

But he's 30 years old, it's not like he's going to be getting any better from here on out. His still atrocious puck handling skills show he isn't really committed to trying to improve (I mean how hard would it be to spend 5-10 mins passing the puck back and forth with someone a couple times a week??).

I don't think there's any reason to continue to have our goalie of the future playing in the AHL just for the hell of it, especially if he's the better option to win us games. Who cares if he's currently in GR? Are they barred from calling him up? I'm mean sure give Howie a little bit more time to see what happens with him, but if it just continues like this I'd rather just have Mrazek start getting some serious NHL time. Why not?

Edited October 12, 2014 by roboturner

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

Again and again...the officiating in the NHL is of a spectacularly amateurish level compared to other major sports, It is so inconsistent that its hard for casual fans to be sure what the rules are or know what's going on and it turns them off. Hell I've been watching ice hockey for 20 years and I still can't tell when the f***-bags in the middle are going to make calls or not....and absolute joke in terms of consistency and professionalism, and there are so many games I've watched over the past 5 years where the officials have decided the outcome more than the players.

Apart for Bettman's golden boys, I don't even think its bias, just incompetence.

That said, wings were good again tonight, and if they can maintain those energy and skill levels, they'll be a lock for the playoffs

No. Officiating sucks equally in all three sports (don't watch baseball enough to know or care).

Every time I'm ready to proclaim NHL referees the worst, I think of NBA and NFL referees and retract the thought. Same thing with the other two sports. Referees are like players. They're human and will make stupid mistakes.

What sports really need is to get rid of refs and replace them with computers that never make any mistakes. But that's obviously not happening right now, so we're stuck with what we have.

I think Howie is a nice guy, I really do! He's played in the NHL for like what, 5-6 season? That's a major accomplishment!

But he's 30 years old, it's not like he's going to be getting any better from here on out. His still atrocious puck handling skills show he isn't really committed to trying to improve (I mean how hard would it be to spend 5-10 mins passing the puck back and forth with someone a couple times a week??).

I don't think there's any reason to continue to have our goalie of the future playing in the AHL just for the hell of it, especially if he's the better option to win us games. Who cares if he's currently in GR? Are they barred from calling him up? I'm mean sure give Howie a little bit more time to see what happens with him, but if it just continues like this I'd rather just have Mrazek start getting some serious NHL time. Why not?

If Mrazek is better, than he should start.

This franchise doesn't owe Howard anything. It's the same franchise that benched better goalies like Hasek, Joseph and Osgood at some point in their careers.

[wings_fanatic 677]

No. Officiating sucks equally in all three sports (don't watch baseball enough to know or care).

Every time I'm ready to proclaim NHL referees the worst, I think of NBA and NFL referees and retract the thought. Same thing with the other two sports. Referees are like players. They're human and will make stupid mistakes.

What sports really need is to get rid of refs and replace them with computers that never make any mistakes. But that's obviously not happening right now, so we're stuck with what we have.

If Mrazek is better, than he should start.

This franchise doesn't owe Howard anything. It's the same franchise that benched better goalies like Hasek, Joseph and Osgood at some point in their careers.

Well said. IMO this is an important year for Howard. If he continues to be just average, then that is not good enough. Not when we have a really good goalie in the minors and he can play the puck too.

[wings_fanatic 677]

By the way, I have gamecenter so can't watch post game. Can anyone fill me in on what Babs said in his presser? I am interested to see if he chooses to ignore the bad call like he usually does or if he places blame on the ref.

[LeftWinger 4,934]

I don't usually defend Big E, but to me it looked like he did all he could do by taking away the pass for the easy slam dunk from Kesler. What I am not sure if I saw or not is if Jimmy tried to poke check the puck off Getzlaf's stick. E had the pass and had to allowed the goalie to take the shooter (like a two on one.) Francine had his man all the way to the net. Getz was close enough, I believe that Jimmy could have poked at the puck and knocked it free. Other than that, it was a perfect shot from a great player who gets paid to score those perfect goals. I would have been more upset if it was a 4th line grinder that burned Jimmy, but its hard to stop Getzlaf in a situation like that, just as it would be hard to stop Pav or Hank in that same situation. When you get paid $7m+ you have to score goals like that, it had to be perfectly placed and it was...most other players either put it right into Jimmy or sail it over the net. Again, if E runs at Getz, then Kesler has a slam dunk...E did what he could have, IMO.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

By the way, I have gamecenter so can't watch post game. Can anyone fill me in on what Babs said in his presser? I am interested to see if he chooses to ignore the bad call like he usually does or if he places blame on the ref.

Babs was pretty mild. He said something along the lines of "the refs don't try to make mistakes, but they did there." Also said the Wings at worst should have started overtime on a PP. Which is all true, even though it would be nice to just see him go off a rampage.

[wings_fanatic 677]

Babs was pretty mild. He said something along the lines of "the refs don't try to make mistakes, but they did there." Also said the Wings at worst should have started overtime on a PP. Which is all true, even though it would be nice to just see him go off a rampage.

I figured that would be about what he said. I wish just one time he would pull a Tortorella and go on a rant of how that is just unacceptable to have a game end like that. I think for big key missed calls like that refs should be fined like they are in some soccer leagues in Europe.

[Vladiator 116]

Crappy way to lose a pretty much well played game by the Wings. 3 of 4 goals scored against the Wings this season have been the direct result of bonehead plays in the D Zone (Big E, Howard and Smith). I'm feeling A LOT better about this team than before the start of the season. They are using their speed and winning a majority of puck battles. Looks like Babs finally saw the light and moved Goose up with Mule and Z. That line was dominating tonight once Goose was put on it. Luke is looking like Helm 2.0 (that includes not being able to finish on breakaways).

BTW....EPIC GDT FlashyG

[joesuffP 1,746]

lets keep track of how many times howard outplays the opposing goalie. so far he's 0-2

[GoWings1905 2,694]

lets keep track of how many times howard outplays the opposing goalie. so far he's 0-2

Based on what, the "eye test"? .941 save percentage for Jimmy compared to .917 for Rask. Oh, and Jimmy's team won the game too. If you are really being truthful, it's 1-1.

Edited October 12, 2014 by GoWings1905

[joesuffP 1,746]

Based on what, the "eye test"? .941 save percentage for Jimmy compared to .917 for Rask. Oh, and Jimmy's team won the game too. If you are really being truthful, it's 1-1.

You think he outplayed Rask? Debatable. Rask definitely was the busier goalie with higher quality scoring chances. Jimmy still let in his signature back breaking goal but the team responded. Always an uphill battle with jimmy in net Edited October 12, 2014 by joesuffP

[GoWings1905 2,694]

You think he outplayed Rask? Debatable. Rask definitely was the busier goalie with higher quality scoring chances. Jimmy still let in his signature back breaking goal but the team responded. Always an uphill battle with jimmy in net

How was it a back-breaking goal? It happened in the first period of a scoreless game. Back-breaking would imply the Wings couldn't recover from it, which they clearly did. And I would contend that wasn't even a goal that was Jimmy's fault anyways. Jimmy was good in the third period against Boston and it gets overlooked because he didn't blow the lead and people couldn't jump all over him for it.

[number9 3,297]

Ppl complained about Osgood. Ppl complained about Hasek. Ppl will complain about Howard. He's not bad, but he's also not the best, but he's ours, and for that I like him.

Till Mrazek is ready, that's my stance.

[wings_fanatic 677]

Ppl complained about Osgood. Ppl complained about Hasek. Ppl will complain about Howard. He's not bad, but he's also not the best, but he's ours, and for that I like him.

Till Mrazek is ready, that's my stance.

The difference being Dom and Ozzy won the big ones. They were big time players for big time games. What has Howard done since becoming our starter? He has never taken us past the 2nd round. Even the years where we had Lidstrom, Rafi, Kronner and Stu as our top 4 D, Howard never took us past the 2nd round and, in some cases, costed us playoffs games (See game 3 both years against San Jose). He was sub par against Nashville. Thats why this year I think is the year where Howard either proves himself, or we make a change.

On another note, I find it humorous how often the Red Wings are screwed against the Ducks. Think about it:

2008: Lidstrom scores in the last minute of the game to tie it, only to have Dan Ohalloran waive the goal off... awful call

2009 playoffs: In the last minute of one of the games, the Wings scored to tie the game, but the ref said he intended to blow the whisle...awful call

2013 playoffs game 6: Last minute of the game and Quincy is tripped and there is no call, Ducks score to tie the game.

There are probably more examples but these are the big ones. That is a lot of bad calls against the same team. Not just bad calls, but bad calls that costed us the game or could have costed us the game.