ECQF Game 2 GDT : Red Wings 1 at Tampa Bay Lightning 5

[rick zombo 3,739]

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/topic/77405-ecqf-game-2-gdt-red-wings-at-tampa-bay-lightning-300-est/

[dirtydangles 1,328]

Abby will provide net front presence in front of Hodor. Also allows us to bump a few guys down lines to create depth.

[themcityblues 249]

I always like how the guys not playing are going to be the saviors. Wasn't that long ago that Babs was being criticized for putting a no skill guy like Abby in the line up. Good Times.

Abby has continued his linear development. He hasn't stopped getting better. He's good -- he's not the Abby of 3-4 years ago. I bet 30 teams in this league would love to have a guy like him. He deserves to win cups, either with Detroit or not. Let's hope the rest of the team has the desire to win like Abby. We need competitors right now.

Edited April 18, 2015 by themcityblues

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

How did Abby become such a important part of this team

Because we've never been able to land a scoring winger in the top 6. We tried with Cole, but he got hurt.

Mike says Abby is playing Game 3. We could use him.

We could have used him in game 3 in the 2009 SCF also.

[themcityblues 249]

Looks like I'm the minority. I thought they were dominated and atrocious today. I saw more holes than plugs. I'm not sure what I missed that makes people feel positive about this team. They weren't great in game 1, either, but they had the necessary pieces to win (depth from Glendening, star player stepping up in Datsyuk, and fabulous goaltending by Mrazek). Today showed me... uh... what exactly? That they can't score and that they can't stop Tampa from scoring? I thought today was brutal for their playoff run chances. I am glad Petr is starting again, since I felt the entire team collapsed like a wet bag.

Edited April 18, 2015 by themcityblues

[Fonzarelli 73]

This series will be a carbon copy of last year's. Abby will help but I think he will get a lot of penalties. This is what the Wings don't need. I'll be curious to see if Babcock changes anything. I have my doubts. I don't know what he sees but if he watches and sees what we see, he'd blow his stack. He sees it from ice level. He needs to see it from above to know that Ericsson is a clunk, who has very slow reaction time. He'd also see that Zetterberg is struggling big time with his skating and overall play.

[themcityblues 249]

Ericsson is a big, shut down defenseman who fights for space and cancels out forwards. His value is diminished to virtually useless when his offensive linemates and defensive pairing are irresponsible with the puck. But yeah, easy to point the finger at the slow fat guy when the whole system breaks down rather than acknowledge the team's plethora of problems.

I was never a Franzen basher, but he wasn't exactly lighting it up while he was in there. We had Cole for only a few games. His speed was a refreshing change, but he wasn't a game changer. Abby was on one heck of a hot streak when he went down, it would be nice if he kept it up.

All you would have to do is put him in front of the net and he'd be valuable. This team desperately needs net presence. I expect to see Abby in front of Bishop in game 3. He'll probably create space and chances for our little worker bees (Tatar, Nyquist).

Edited April 18, 2015 by themcityblues

[GoWings! 179]

Because we've never been able to land a scoring winger in the top 6. We tried with Cole, but he got hurt.

We could have used him in game 3 in the 2009 SCF also.

Yup. Should've had Draper sit out the rest of that Cup.

[gowings00 545]

How did Abby become such a important part of this team

We are collectively clinging to anything to make us feel better about our chances. I'm not so sure Abby will suddenly make us competitive against TB.

Home ice should help, though. Especially with the refs.

Edited April 18, 2015 by gowings00

[kickazz 5,459]

How did Abby become such a important part of this team

I mean this isnt 2009 anymore. Abdelkader is actually a pretty decent player now that listens to coaches, leadership core, creates space and scores goals fed to him by the superstars. His net front presence is a bit under par with Holmstrom (except he doesn't go down as easy as homer did), almost as good as homer but not quiet as good at that job.

That's what happens when you play with superstars. Babcock's decision to continually put Abby with Pav or Z the past two years, despite fans thinking it was a dumb idea, actually ended up helping Abby develop into a good player.

The only reason I'm looking forward to Abby returning is so Datsyuk gets a legitimate winger on his line because Z is not getting it done and maybe its better that Z centers a line and Abby can score goals off Zetterberg feeds. I dont know, here's to optimism

Edited April 18, 2015 by kickazz

[matt198913 932]

I really think Smith should get a shot in this series. He is physical plays with an edge, and judging by the end of this game a welcome change to what we saw today.

[kickazz 5,459]

I really think Smith should get a shot in this series. He is physical plays with an edge, and judging by the end of this game a welcome change to what we saw today.

Well, we as fans may not be happy with Detroit's performance but Babs and the rest of the team feel like they accomplished spliting it 1-1. I don't know if a Defensive change is on their minds quiet yet. Maybe if we lose game 3 horribly. But that wont happen and hence there wont be a change

Edited April 18, 2015 by kickazz

[matt198913 932]

Well, we as fans may not be happy with Detroit's performance but Babs and the rest of the team feel like they accomplished spliting it 1-1. I don't know if a Defensive change is on their minds quiet yet. Maybe if we lose game 3 horribly. But that wont happen and hence there wont be a change

I actually thought they played a very good first 30 minutes. I think Smith adds physicality which you're not getting from 28 or 47 right now.

[kipwinger 8,520]

Smith has fewer hits per game than Kindl. Not sure why you keep saying he's physical. He's empirically not.

[themcityblues 249]

Smith needs to be in for his offensive abilities. I've always thought that when Smith made the cringe-worthy pass, he was still valuable for how much he influences the game in the offensive-zone. I doubt this team will win the series with 2-1 games. Put Smith in and hope it helps the offense. That penalty he took on the bench was not an indication of an unmotivated player, just a dumb player. Smith may be dumb but he has talent and deserves to be out there, regardless of how awful he is with the media, and even if he makes the terrible pass every now and then.

Edited April 19, 2015 by themcityblues

[kickazz 5,459]

Smith has fewer hits per game than Kindl. Not sure why you keep saying he's physical. He's empirically not.

Hits does not equate to physicality. Multiple things equate to physicality. That would be like saying Zetterberg is not a physical defensive forward just because his hits per season is on the low end.. because Zetterberg actually does have a reputation of being pretty physical when asked to be matched up against offensive superstars (Crosby, Malkin, Toews matchups).

Edited April 19, 2015 by kickazz

[kipwinger 8,520]

Smith needs to be in for his offensive abilities. I've always thought that when Smith made the cringe-worthy pass, he was still valuable for how much he influences the game in the offensive-zone. I doubt this team will win the series with 2-1 games. Put Smith in and hope it helps the offense. That penalty he took on the bench was not an indication of an unmotivated player, just a dumb player. Smith may be dumb but he has talent and deserves to be out there, regardless of how awful he is with the media, and even if he makes the terrible pass every now and then.

He's contributed less offense than any defenseman on the team. Are you guys just picking stuff at random? If you want more offense, why wouldn't you bring in Kindl? He did, after all, have more points in fewer games than Riley's brother.

[themcityblues 249]

Smith is a bit gritty (gets emotional and invested in the game) which would be great for game 3. Maybe he doesn't hit, but he's involved in big moments.

Now that I think about it... why the f*** isn't he in this series?

He's contributed less offense than any defenseman on the team. Are you guys just picking stuff at random? If you want more offense, why wouldn't you bring in Kindl? He did, after all, have more points in fewer games than Riley's brother.

I guess it's similar to the point above. People say he doesn't hit, so he must not be physical. Likewise, he doesn't put up points, so he must not be an offensive asset. I disagree with both of those beliefs. I see Smith skate well, make good carry-ins, make the occasional stretch pass, involve himself in scrums to protect himself and his teammates, and jump into the slot in the O-Zone when everybody is down low and the puck squirts out. He creates space for other players and creates opportunities even if he doesn't end up on the box score.

I admit Smith is dumb and makes terrible plays, but I think what he does offer is vastly underrated.

But eh... yeah... bench Smith as if it will magically solve this teams' defensive woes so we can all fantasize that the Wings will win the next game 1-0. Good luck with that.

Edited April 19, 2015 by themcityblues

[kickazz 5,459]

Smith needs to be in for his offensive abilities. I've always thought that when Smith made the cringe-worthy pass, he was still valuable for how much he influences the game in the offensive-zone. I doubt this team will win the series with 2-1 games. Put Smith in and hope it helps the offense. That penalty he took on the bench was not an indication of an unmotivated player, just a dumb player. Smith may be dumb but he has talent and deserves to be out there, regardless of how awful he is with the media, and even if he makes the terrible pass every now and then.

Smith's offensive abilities arent going to carry this team because his offensive ability isnt as great as people keep giving it credit for. He's not Niklas Lidstrom and not a game changer. We need people in general to step up.

[kipwinger 8,520]

Hits does not equate to physicality. Multiple things equate to physicality. That would be like saying Zetterberg is not a physical defensive forward just because his hits per season is on the low end.. because Zetterberg actually does have a reputation of being pretty physical when asked to be matched up against offensive superstars (Crosby, Malkin, Toews matchups).

OK enlighten me. Which things make smith physical?

[kickazz 5,459]

OK enlighten me. Which things make smith physical?

Why are you asking me about Smith? Ask the guy supporting Smith. I'm merely pointing out that you can't take just take one stat, "Hits" and define it as physicality in hockey.

[themcityblues 249]

Smith's offensive abilities arent going to carry this team because his offensive ability isnt as great as people keep giving it credit for. He's not Niklas Lidstrom and not a game changer. We need people in general to step up.

So who takes Smiths' spot and who'm has a better chance at "stepping up"? Marchenko? He's solid but he's timid and won't change the series. I think Smith could be a factor in a series-critical goal. Unfortunately we may never find out. This team is rolling over and dying and that's something Smith doesn't do. Babcock cares about the "system", but we won't win low-scoring games against this team.

Edited April 19, 2015 by themcityblues

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Because we've never been able to land a scoring winger in the top 6. We tried with Cole, but he got hurt.

We could have used him in game 3 in the 2009 SCF also.

To this day I blame Babs for losing that series. Never change a winning line-up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So who takes Smiths' spot and who'm has a better chance at "stepping up"? Marchenko? He's solid but he's timid and won't change the series. I think Smith could be a factor in a series-critical goal. Unfortunately we may never find out. This team is rolling over and dying and that's something Smith doesn't do. Babcock cares about the "system", but we won't win low-scoring games against this team.

Do you remember 2013 against Chicago? If Smith was brought in I agree with you, he'd factor in on a series-critical goal that Tampa Bay scores when Smith coughs one up the middle.

[matt198913 932]

To this day I blame Babs for losing that series. Never change a winning line-up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you remember 2013 against Chicago? If Smith was brought in I agree with you, he'd factor in on a series-critical goal that Tampa Bay scores when Smith coughs one up the middle.

Do you mean his game 2 winner?

[kickazz 5,459]

So who takes Smiths' spot and who'm has a better chance at "stepping up"? Marchenko? He's solid but he's timid and won't change the series. I think Smith could be a factor in a series-critical goal. Unfortunately we may never find out. This team is rolling over and dying and that's something Smith doesn't do. Babcock cares about the "system", but we won't win low-scoring games against this team.

Why do we even need any defensemen to score a goal? What we first need to have is our own offensive guys scoring goals or taking quality shots (which they arent) and then we can talk about offensive minded defensemen. Currently our defense cant even play defense so why is there even any talk of defensive scoring?

Marchenko does a better job defensively and is a more mature player than Smith is. Hence why he's in the line up. Babcock isn't worried about why his defensemen arent scoring what he wants is a player that wont add to the high amount of turn overs and make dumb mistakes both on and off the ice. And the reality is, Smith's "off ice" clutch move in Montreal was probably Babcock's last straw.

And since when is our team rolling over and dying? You're acting like Smith is some god like player that is going to come in and clutch the series. Smith if anything has had most of the worst stats on the team this entire season and Babcock seems to be quiet fed up with his immaturity and lack of smart play. This team didnt lose today because Smith wasn't in there. They lost because Tampa is that much better. They lost because our offense can't get it going and takes weak shots. They lost because Tampa's defense plays tight. They lost because our defense didn't help out Mrazek when needed. Smith is a nonfactor.

The amount of support Smith gets, if only he lived up to it. Jeez.

Edited April 19, 2015 by kickazz