GDT 3/14 GDT : Red Wings 2 at Flyers 7

[Dominator2005 558]

Smith wasn't that bad...

[LeftWinger 4,934]

NM, it's not worth it...

Edited March 14, 2015 by LeftWinger

[derblaueClaus 1,668]

NM, it's not worth it...

[wings_fanatic 677]

So Brendan smith on the first pair for two goals against at even strength today. Can everybody who thought that was a good idea raise your hand...and then go purge yourself of other bad ideas.

You obviously haven't been watching games closely lately. Smith has been one of our best players the last few games and most consistent. He is skating well, moving the puck quickly, joining in the rush, and playing pretty good D as well. Kronners has looked far more comfortable with Smith than Ericsson.

Kronners- Smith

Danny D- Zids

Quincy- Marchenkio

I would sit Ericsson for a game and keep that as my top 4 I really like that.

[chaps80 1,591]

Just watched the highlights. My god. Schenn's goal to open the third was a pure embarrassment. Howard just stood there with his legs open, did'nt even try to stop it.

[Rivalred 630]

Didn't see the game and just checked the score, looks like I didn't miss much

[SDavis35 140]

Howard had a .809 save% today. That's a problem when it's your starting goaltender.

Howard was not in top form today, but only one of those 7 goals could he have possibly stopped. Our Defence was the problem today and has been for several months now. If our defensive game doesn't get it together we will not be going anywhere in the playoffs. Howard is not THE problem. 19 players hit the ice today, all 19 were not good enough to win in this league.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

So Brendan smith on the first pair for two goals against at even strength today. Can everybody who thought that was a good idea raise your hand...and then go purge yourself of other bad ideas.

As opposed to Ericsson doing the same exact thing there over amuch larger sample size? Probably not a great indicator when the team allowed seven goals and turned in their worst defensive performance of the season.

Edited March 14, 2015 by GoWings1905

[chaps80 1,591]

You obviously haven't been watching games closely lately. Smith has been one of our best players the last few games and most consistent. He is skating well, moving the puck quickly, joining in the rush, and playing pretty good D as well. Kronners has looked far more comfortable with Smith than Ericsson.

Kronners- Smith

Danny D- Zids

Quincy- Marchenkio

I would sit Ericsson for a game and keep that as my top 4 I really like that.

Sit Ericsson for the season. He can join Andersson on water bottle duty.

[chaps80 1,591]

Howard was not in top form today, but only one of those 7 goals could he have possibly stopped. Our Defence was the problem today and has been for several months now. If our defensive game doesn't get it together we will not be going anywhere in the playoffs. Howard is not THE problem. 19 players hit the ice today, all 19 were not good enough to win in this league.

Everyone blames the Defense. Other goalies in this league on worse teams steal games. Howard just can't seem to do that. From what I saw, quite a few of those goals were stoppable. Good on Babs for leaving him out there. Maybe he's sick of his half assed play as well.

[amato 3,210]

I'm still upset about this game.. Not necessarily the result but definitely upset with the piss poor effort.... Ugh. Gotta pick it up starting next game.

[kickazz 5,459]

Didn't get a chance to watch the game. Did Babcock try putting Pav and Z on the same line? I'm wondering if that's something that could help bring energy to the team. Have Shehean center the second one with Cole and Tatar?

[Zion 93]

I can't believe people forget that. Everytime he has a bad game, I think... "Well, only 3 more years..."

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Didn't get a chance to watch the game. Did Babcock try putting Pav and Z on the same line? I'm wondering if that's something that could help bring energy to the team. Have Shehean center the second one with Cole and Tatar?

Mikes great idea today was to put Andersson between Nyquist and Pulks, and move Sheahan up.

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

Lines for next game

Nyquist - Zetterberg - McGrattan

Tatar - Datsyuk - Scott

Abdelkader - Sheahan - Cleary

Miller - Glendenning - Lesnar

[hillbillywingsfan 792]

Everyone blames the Defense. Other goalies in this league on worse teams steal games. Howard just can't seem to do that. From what I saw, quite a few of those goals were stoppable. Good on Babs for leaving him out there. Maybe he's sick of his half assed play as well.

Yeah it's never Howard's fault.

[ami 273]

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/topic/77258-312-gdt-blue-jackets-3-at-red-wings-1/page-22#entry2581241

[mvanpop 98]

So Howard has less than a .900 save percentage in four of the last five games... The only one not was a .94 against Edmonton. Not exactly assuring no matter how the rest of the team has played

[RedWingsRox 614]

Never thought I'd say it but I miss Hudler ... he is playing lights out.

And the Flames are actually an entertaining team to watch even when they're down 2 goals, they find ways to come back.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Yeah it's never Howard's fault.

Everyone blames the Defense. Other goalies in this league on worse teams steal games. Howard just can't seem to do that. From what I saw, quite a few of those goals were stoppable. Good on Babs for leaving him out there. Maybe he's sick of his half assed play as well.

That wasn't Bab's thinking:

"Today's game had nothing to do with Howie. That's why I didn't take him out," Babcock said. "It had nothing to do with Howie. It had to do with it was our problem."

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/03/red_wings_once-dominant_penalt.html

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Maybe at this rate , Marchenko stays when fit and not sent back to GR's. I would give Nic a rest for the Florida trip. DeK & Q , Zids & E with Smith and Alexy.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Never thought I'd say it but I miss Hudler ... he is playing lights out.

And the Flames are actually an entertaining team to watch even when they're down 2 goals, they find ways to come back.

Well I'm not surprised with the loss, Wings just suck in early games.

Agreed the Flames are damn entertaining to watch and the definition of blue collar hockey, hard working tough and physical.

[twopups 19]

Just watched the highlights. My god. Schenn's goal to open the third was a pure embarrassment. Howard just stood there with his legs open, did'nt even try to stop it.

LOL exactly the same as in a shootout.

[wings_fanatic 677]

That wasn't Bab's thinking:

"Today's game had nothing to do with Howie. That's why I didn't take him out," Babcock said. "It had nothing to do with Howie. It had to do with it was our problem."

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/03/red_wings_once-dominant_penalt.html

That is Babs being smart. He didn't pull Jimmy because he knew he was playing Petr in today's game. There was no point putting Petr in and risking him losing confidence before today's game. He knows Jimmy has not been good enough much like Jimmy knows. I bet today's game sees a big from from Zetty leading the way like the captain does.

[kipwinger 8,492]

I do and I still think it's a good idea. Smith was our best D-man out there today, admittedly in a team effort where my grandmother probably would have been our best player (and she's dead). But using this game of all games to pick on Smith is strange to say the least. Same goes for the people who complain about Howard btw. This teams problems are certainly not named Jimmy Howard or Brendan Smith.

Smith wasn't that bad...

You obviously haven't been watching games closely lately. Smith has been one of our best players the last few games and most consistent. He is skating well, moving the puck quickly, joining in the rush, and playing pretty good D as well. Kronners has looked far more comfortable with Smith than Ericsson.

Kronners- Smith

Danny D- Zids

Quincy- Marchenkio

I would sit Ericsson for a game and keep that as my top 4 I really like that.

So, Smith that wasn't that bad, and he's been our best defenseman lately huh? Lets just see if that's true. During the last three games, Smith has been an absolute dumpster fire 5 on 5. He's been wholly, or partially, responsible for 3 goals against, and one breakaway. If this is him being "good", then I don't want to see him being bad.

Don't believe me? Here's the video.

Here's Brendan failing to either tie up Anisimov's stick, or take the body and put him into the boards, and thus allowing him to take a pass behind the net and make a play out front for a goal. The fact that Zidlicky was worse on the play doesn't mean Smith was good. (Note: Pay attention to the replay, you get a good look at Anisimov making a routine play right in front of Smith's face).

<iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=777725"frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe>

Here's Brendan leaving the eventual goal scorer to "help" take a guy that Kronwall already has, and who's safely steered away from the play, leaving the aforementioned goal scorer all alone in front of Jimmy.

<iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=779663"frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe>

Here's Brendan throwing the puck away, and then drifting clear across the ice to challenge the guy Dekeyser already has, allowing the play to be made from the spot he should be in.

<iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=779702"frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe>

And finally, in his best game of the last three, here's Brendan bungling a routine play, turning the puck over in the defensive zone, and allowing an excellent scoring chance that Mrazek bailed him out on.

<iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=781009"frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe>

Third pair defense are rarely to blame for losing streaks, and this is no different. But you are all insane if you think Smith has played well the last three games. He hasn't. I don't blame him for the failures of our PK, but he's EASILY been our worst defenseman 5 on 5. Here's the evidence. Disagree with me? Go find the videos to prove it.

Edited March 16, 2015 by kipwinger