4/9/15 GDT Red Wings 3 @ Canadiens 4 *Warning post #888 & 906*

[WingsAlways 486]

I'd rather play a tight checked series, low scoring series against Montreal than lose by 4-5 goals every night to Tampa.

We just shut Tampa out 4-0. Granted they weren't playing their best hockey, but in all fairness neither were we.

[Ekmanc 586]

We just shut Tampa out 4-0. Granted they weren't playing their best hockey, but in all fairness neither were we.

We can do that to any team on occassion but Tampa have a lot of offensive threats and they score A LOT. I think we'd have much bigger problems with them.

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

I think the Rangers saw their first round opponent tonight in Ottawa and their fans should be scared to death.

[joesuffP 1,746]

We actually are a good defensive team when we play our game and our goaltending is decent. The frustrating part about Howard is it's always those dumb goals from the icing line. He played a great game but he still lost us this one. The goal on the 5 on 3 was bad too. I think he just gets rattled and overthinks

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

24 straight playoff appearances.

Awesome.

[chaps80 1,591]

Lmao so true Tampa is stacked offensively and we struggle defensively and against unproven Bishop? I hope he chokes but it's not like he's some nervous kid lol

I think Bishop will be fine. The guy can just stand there and take up 99.9% of the net.

[Franzine 739]

Smith will never do such a stupid thing again.

Brendan Smith?

[Aethernum 276]

Say what you will about how our team looks. I don't care - we're in.

So I'm just going to sit here and cackle maniacally while I watch the Kings get eliminated from the playoffs. Because seriously, f*** those guys.

[matt198913 932]

I really think Mrazek is going to get his shot on Saturday night. He plays great hes the goalie

[joesuffP 1,746]

If I'm matching up against us the gameplan is throw it at Jimmys feet.... Says a lot that Babs is still not sure who he's going with. Honestly, I have no idea. I'd be happy and excited to see Mrazek start but going with Jimmy is probably the smarter move

I think our defense has played great especially Ericsson. He was probably our best dman today

[gowings00 545]

I wonder if Jimmy is literally not seeing the puck at all. Some of his softies are because of no or slow reaction. I'm looking for anything to explain it these days.

[Nightfall 871]

It's one thing if the Wings were a fringe playoff team all season, but they were'nt. They were challenging for the Conference. Then the past month and a half they became a disaster. It's to be expected that fans will feel this way.

If it was just this I would be ok with that. It is every little thing though and its just about all negative.

Holland is a joke.

Smith sucks.

Erickson sucks.

Babcock should be fired.

Tank it!

On and on it goes. The record gets played so much here it is getting old. Part of the reason why I went elsewhere and why I will keep my visits sporadic.

[CMatt89 63]

Listened to the game from Montreal radio Seeing as how i couldn't find it here in detroit. Quite impressed to be honest. Very good commentating and color.

[rick zombo 3,739]

I wonder if Jimmy is literally not seeing the puck at all. Some of his softies are because of no or slow reaction. I'm looking for anything to explain it these days.

I was blown away in the Carolina game to see that he wears contacts. Maybe he needs a visit to Dr Rahmani.

[Nightfall 871]

You're more than welcome to join your buddy Crymson if you hate it here so much. Just enjoy the negativity. The positive posters are boring anyway.

I already did. Why do you think I haven't been back in a while?

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

I already did. Why do you think I haven't been back in a while?

I figured you were hiding because the goaltending was too poor to defend.

[WingsAlways 486]

I wonder if Jimmy is literally not seeing the puck at all. Some of his softies are because of no or slow reaction. I'm looking for anything to explain it these days.

I'd sure give him my eyeglasses but sadly I've already thrown them on the ice. The refs needed them worse than I did.

[Nightfall 871]

I figured you were hiding because the goaltending was too poor to defend.

Or because I support the refs more often than I am against them?

No to either of those.

I just prefer to discuss hockey and the red Wings in a more constructive light with members who know what they are talking about. This forum, sadly, has jumped the shark.

[gowings00 545]

I was blown away in the Carolina game to see that he wears contacts. Maybe he needs a visit to Dr Rahmani.

Yeah....that's what got me on this track. I was also looking at his mask to see if it was new. The soft goals have just been atrocious. Maybe he's been hanging out with Cleary a lot and has gotten "foggy glass" eyes.

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

Just got back from watching the game with some friends ...

Absolutely pathetic games by smith and howard ... Another turnover leading to a goal early on by smith and end that idiotic blunder on ethe bench that could of cost us the season ... I've said it before he needs to replaced by marchenko ouellet ... We need someone back there who makes less mistakes

And wow howard letting in those 2 softies late in the game ... As far as I'm concerned mrazek starts Saturday and takes over in the playoffs ... Yes he's 23 but when he's on his game watch out ... Howard will never steal a series for us

I'm sorry but we need to deal him in the off season while he still has value and can be moved ... It's time to go with mrazek and a proven veteran goalie who can play 25-40 games if need be

Howard will never win a cup

[number9 3,297]

Guys... we can't tank anymore

[roboturner 562]

There are more positive things being said about the Wings in opposing teams' subreddits. I love this forum, I think there are a lot of intelligent people and the moderation is on point but lately, it's been so negative. Do you guys realize that we at currently complaining that we don't like the WAY that our team clinched for the 24th year in a row? That's ridiculous and entitled and spoiled. This team is not "average at best" they are better than average as proven by their record this year. I have not been alive long enough to see them miss the playoffs. Think about that and then put yourselves in the shoes of literally ever other team and try to imagine behaving the same way as you are now.

It is 100% understandable to be critical of aspects of the team play, but to claim the sky is falling after every loss or bad goal is completely absurd. I'm sorry, I love you guys but it's disheartening to see so many "fans" express more hatred toward their own players than they do to the Hawks. We're better than this.

/endrant

You are my hero.

Seriously, people, can we have a little perspective? We lost a game, in overtime, to one of the best teams in the NHL, despite outplaying that team for the majority of the game. And that point continues a playoff streak that goes back to when, like, half our team wasn't even born yet. There are teams in today's NHL that didn't exist when we were making the playoffs every year.

The goal of the regular season is to make the playoffs. Period. There is no extra credit for finishing higher in the standings or with bogus "momentum." You don't get an extra game or two head start in your first series. Once you're in, everyone is on even ground and anything can happen. We accomplished our ONLY goal for this regular season. Cherish that. And buckle up because I think the Wings can surprise some people, goaltending notwithstanding.

Guys, I understand the sentiment that you're trying to get across. I really do. And I love the playoff streak, it's an extremely impressive feat. But...

When the term "backing into the playoffs" is used, it's not so much that it's just upsetting that this is how they got in; It's that this is not the time of year to be having the problems that this team is having. There is no time to 'fix' it. Poor breakouts, bad passing, inopportune giveaways, defensive breakdowns, soft goals, bench penalties, and just plain old not winning games.

You might think momentum is bogus (and I might agree depending on the extent), but I have an extremely hard time imagining that these problems are just going to take care of themselves in a situation where you are only going to be playing against the better half of the league. And if that's what you are hoping is going to happen due to some magical 'blank slate', then you're probably going to be disappointed (as will everyone else).

The Wings have been in the de facto playoffs for the past few weeks. They've managed to get by with a few wins, a few overtime points, and a number of losses; But it was mainly the points they had already amassed that got them in. Because if they had to start from a 'clean slate' a month ago, they'd be on the outside looking in by now.

It's not about being pessimistic or optimistic or making a warm and fuzzy prediction (which isn't actually a prediction, at that point it's just wishful thinking), It's about taking an honest look at the situation, and making an honest assessment.

Hey, I'd love for them to flip the switch and make a run, and for most of the season that looked like a possibility. And if it happens, GREAT!!! But if not, I won't be surprised (due to the aforementioned issues)

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

I'd rather play a tight checked, low scoring series against Montreal than lose by 4-5 goals every night to Tampa.

Doesn't matter right now who we face if we get no goaltending

[chaps80 1,591]

If it was just this I would be ok with that. It is every little thing though and its just about all negative.

Holland is a joke.

Smith sucks.

Erickson sucks.

Babcock should be fired.

Tank it!

On and on it goes. The record gets played so much here it is getting old. Part of the reason why I went elsewhere and why I will keep my visits sporadic.

It just seems to be the same guys making the boneheaded plays out there. Defensive lapses, can't sustain pressure, bad goaltending. Babcock with his line combos that don't make sense. I honestly think the Wings need a coaching change (pretty much the only big shakeup thats really possible at this point), and pretty soon a new GM. Holland's glory days are over IMO.

[WingsAlways 486]

Guys... we can't tank anymore

Hank it!