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

[gowings00 545]

i can't believe we're actually arguing how much of an impact Smith would be in our lineup. This should be a true indication of how far away from a Cup we really are. We might as well be arguing how great of a Red Wing Uwe Krupp was.

[matt198913 932]

i can't believe we're actually arguing how much of an impact Smith would be in our lineup. This should be a true indication of how far away from a Cup we really are. We might as well be arguing how great of a Red Wing Uwe Krupp was.

I just think Smith brings a physical edge to our team and can chip in offensively. Amazing that he got a total of five minutes of PP time with that shot this year and had 3 pp points. Its my opinion that he hasn't been given the chance to grow offensively and maybe that's because of his shortcomings defensively. However it is tough to grow when your D partner is constantly changing and your forced to play a completely different style. Put him in for game 3 and actually play him to add some punch to your team.

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

Simple. It's all in on Tuesday. Are they going to make a series out of it or is this like Boston last year when they stole game 1 and stunk the last four.

No excuses, game three Tuesday 7:30

[VM1138 1,921]

The only physical edge Smith gives us is poorly timed penalties for lashing out in frustration.

[AtomicPunk 296]

That was just a lackluster, no energy effort by the boys today. No speed, no backchecking, not a lot of support on dump-ins, and I despise this "pass it backward" thing they seem to be failing at. Get to centre, pass it back to the defensemen whether they have speed going or not, possibly turn it over in your own end...and I watched Stephen Weiss the last few games and I do not see how he is contributing at all other than letting the other players catch their breath and eating a few minutes. He stole the puck once today (then handed it to the other team) and I saw one good body check, but no puck possession, no speed, no obvious "intensity", not a threat to score at any time, I just am not feeling he has any positive assets at all right now other than being an active player to jump over the boards when it is his turn.

[Rivalred 630]

Terrible game

[cnot19 191]

I've long been a andy brickley supporter now I've also become a john forsland fan as well. In my opinion brickley breaks downs plays with the best of them

[RyanBarnes! 293]

For next game I would like to see Howard and Smith in the lineup. Howard is more experienced than Mrazek and I think Marchenko is out of position more times than not. It is hardly a coincidence that his -3 is worst on the team.

[derblaueClaus 1,668]

For next game I would like to see Howard and Smith in the lineup. Howard is more experienced than Mrazek and I think Marchenko is out of position more times than not. It is hardly a coincidence that his -3 is worst on the team.

+/- is a dumb stat to measure an individual players effort. Take the third goal from yesterday for example. Marchenko has its man, but Weiss is floating around staring at the puck, while his man, Sustr, rushes into the slot and scores the goal. That is hardly Marchenkos fault but the result is a -1 for him regardless. I thought Marchenko was abysmal in Game 1, which is understandable, it was his first playoff game. He looked much better in Game 2 so he isn't the one who should sit, at least not because of his +/- . Would Smith be an improvement ? I already made my point more than once about that in other threads.

[kylee 727]

I just wanted to say a big bright spot from the first 2 games has been Danny Dekeyser that dude has seriously stepped up his physicality and overall game.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

For next game I would like to see Howard and Smith in the lineup. Howard is more experienced than Mrazek and I think Marchenko is out of position more times than not. It is hardly a coincidence that his -3 is worst on the team.

Mrazek is starting the next game as he should.

[wings4thecup06 504]

That was just a lackluster, no energy effort by the boys today. No speed, no backchecking, not a lot of support on dump-ins, and I despise this "pass it backward" thing they seem to be failing at. Get to centre, pass it back to the defensemen whether they have speed going or not, possibly turn it over in your own end...and I watched Stephen Weiss the last few games and I do not see how he is contributing at all other than letting the other players catch their breath and eating a few minutes. He stole the puck once today (then handed it to the other team) and I saw one good body check, but no puck possession, no speed, no obvious "intensity", not a threat to score at any time, I just am not feeling he has any positive assets at all right now other than being an active player to jump over the boards when it is his turn.

I agree with your assessment of Weiss, but I disagree with your overall sentiment of how the wings played. Besides from the first period, I thought we did a lot better job of creating chances, sustaining zone time, getting cycles going, and at least getting shots off.

2 things contributed to the reason the Wings lost. Bishop played outstanding, and the the Wings made a couple of costly mistakes that they got burned on. Mrazek was good.

As for what others are saying about Smith, I wouldn't mind seeing him in. He would definitely step up his physical play, and I think this series is going to get more intense. We need someone to sit Callahan on his ass otherwise he's going to injure someone at some point.

DK has really stepped it up physically and is absolutely punishing Stamkos (I've got nothing against Stamkos, i quite like him, but seeing DK level him a couple times has brought a smile to my face). Quincey has a physical element to his game too. But the more the merrier IMO.

Marchenko has been fine, but nothing special.

I would still go with Mrazek 100% right now, especially as 3 of the 4 goals he allowed weren't his fault at all. If he stinks in game 3, then I'd go with Howard. But right now I'm sticking with Petr.

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

Imagine if we started this series with Abby AND Cole

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

Yes let's put smith in and see how many times he turns the puck over, I'll get hammered at noon just so I don't have to watch another 5-1 bashing.. Split Datsyuk and Z up and hope Z can actually lead this team with the return of Abby scratch Weiss obviously and keep the D-Pairs the same this time actually box Tampa out of the slot and keep your man and we'll win.

To me Z didn't even start skating hard until the third period when the game was already over, he also turned the puck over that led to the Johnson breakaway(Hate that Kid) the pass wasn't great but still it just shows Z hasn't elevated his game at all, if he can't find his game then kiss our Habs vs Wings matchup goodbye.

Edited April 20, 2015 by MrazekFanBoy

[Fonzarelli 73]

Sorry to sy it, but Z is done. Fini. As for Mr. holland. Look at what Stevie has done in 5 short years. His team is big and fast. Your team is small and slow. They have very little skill in comparison. His team is focused with lots of skill. Very well coached I might add. They play with intelligence. Your team, Mr.Holland, is just the opposite.

[wings4thecup06 504]

Sorry to sy it, but Z is done. Fini. As for Mr. holland. Look at what Stevie has done in 5 short years. His team is big and fast. Your team is small and slow. They have very little skill in comparison. His team is focused with lots of skill. Very well coached I might add. They play with intelligence. Your team, Mr.Holland, is just the opposite.

I'm sorry. So Z is done because? He hasn't stepped it up yet in the playoffs? He was doing just fine earlier in the season. He'll come around.

And our team is slow? Tatar, Nyquist, Helm, Jurco, Smith, Glendening, Miller, Datsyuk, Ferraro.....are these guys slow? Does our team lack skill? I would say not.

And is Babcock not one of the best coaches in the league? What about how well our PK has done this season under the tutelage of Tony Granato? And how good has our PP been this season?

You cannot for a second say that this team is slow nor poorly coached. A little undersized, perhaps, but we are by no means what you are describing us to be.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Sorry to sy it, but Z is done. Fini. As for Mr. holland. Look at what Stevie has done in 5 short years. His team is big and fast. Your team is small and slow. They have very little skill in comparison. His team is focused with lots of skill. Very well coached I might add. They play with intelligence. Your team, Mr.Holland, is just the opposite.

Mr Holland hasn't had a top 14 pick in 24 years. Tampa has had plenty. Stop comparing the two situations as they are complete opposites.

[Fonzarelli 73]

Mr Holland hasn't had a top 14 pick in 24 years. Tampa has had plenty. Stop comparing the two situations as they are complete opposites.

Yes, and As I said, the teams are complete opposites.

[Fonzarelli 73]

I'm sorry. So Z is done because? He hasn't stepped it up yet in the playoffs? He was doing just fine earlier in the season. He'll come around.

And our team is slow? Tatar, Nyquist, Helm, Jurco, Smith, Glendening, Miller, Datsyuk, Ferraro.....are these guys slow? Does our team lack skill? I would say not.

And is Babcock not one of the best coaches in the league? What about how well our PK has done this season under the tutelage of Tony Granato? And how good has our PP been this season?

You cannot for a second say that this team is slow nor poorly coached. A little undersized, perhaps, but we are by no means what you are describing us to be.

. By themselves they are quick and talented until they play another team that is quick and talented. Then, you can see that they don't get to the puck first, you see mistake after mistake (too many men on the ice numerous times), interference galore, mindless execution. I sit and marvel what Tampa is doing and doing easily against, I'm sorry again, an inferior team. I have loved the wings for over 50 years, even amidst the Harkness years. Holland needs to assess and retool. A good example is Ericsson. A poorly skilled defence man, playing on the top pairing.

[marcaractac 3,963]

Sorry to sy it, but Z is done. Fini. As for Mr. holland. Look at what Stevie has done in 5 short years. His team is big and fast. Your team is small and slow. They have very little skill in comparison. His team is focused with lots of skill. Very well coached I might add. They play with intelligence. Your team, Mr.Holland, is just the opposite.

Stevie also i inherited the likes of Stamkos and Hedman. Put Stamkos out there not 100% and they fizzle out of the playoffs like they did last year.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Yes, and As I said, the teams are complete opposites.

Ok so why bring up the fact Holland isn't doing a good enough job? He's done a fantastic job considering what he's had to work with in regards to drafting. He could have been a little better with trades and FA signings but I would like to see any other GM make the playoffs for 20 years.

Detroit 24 Straight Playoffs

Pittsburgh 7 Straight Playoffs

Crosby and Malkin won't even be around if the Pittsburgh made the playoffs for 24 years straight, and there farm already sucks right now.

[kickazz 5,459]

Ok so why bring up the fact Holland isn't doing a good enough job? He's done a fantastic job considering what he's had to work with in regards to drafting. He could have been a little better with trades and FA signings but I would like to see any other GM make the playoffs for 20 years.

Detroit 24 Straight Playoffs

Pittsburgh 7 Straight Playoffs

Crosby and Malkin won't even be around if the Pittsburgh made the playoffs for 24 years straight, and there farm already sucks right now.

Can't think of many orgs that take 6th and 7th draft picks and turn them into Conn Smyth winner or Hart Trophy candidates either. Hollands done well with what he's had to work with. What we're going thru right now we should have long ago in the mid to late 2000s since we didnt have good draft picks even then (due to our continuous winning history). But we lucked out because our crappy late picks (Pav and Z) turned out to be steal picks (unpredicted superstars) and got us the 2008 cup. Unfortunately we haven't had "lucky" late picks like Pav and Z in this decade and now we're facing the challenge we were supposed to last decade.

Edited April 19, 2015 by kickazz

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Can't think of many orgs that take 6th and 7th draft picks and turn them into Conn Smyth winner or Hart Trophy candidates either. Hollands done well with what he's had to work with. What we're going thru right now we should have long ago in the mid to late 2000s since we didnt have good draft picks even then (due to our continuous winning history). But we lucked out because our crappy late picks (Pav and Z) turned out to be steal picks (unpredicted superstars) and got us the 2008 cup. Unfortunately we haven't had "lucky" late picks like Pav and Z in this decade and now we're facing the challenge we were supposed to last decade.

I don't think we are far off. If we could add Green and another Dman in the off season we are right back on track. Missing Franzen and Cole right now is really hurting this team as well. Those guys score 20+ a year and bring a somewhat physical game, which our current 2nd line could use.

[Fonzarelli 73]

All good arguments. Basically, holland is building a team to just make the playoffs. They are not built to win a cup. Let's face it, hockey fans, that is the pinnacle for the players. I agree the streak is stupendous and will not be replicated in my lifetime, if ever.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

+/- is a dumb stat to measure an individual players effort. Take the third goal from yesterday for example. Marchenko has its man, but Weiss is floating around staring at the puck, while his man, Sustr, rushes into the slot and scores the goal. That is hardly Marchenkos fault but the result is a -1 for him regardless. I thought Marchenko was abysmal in Game 1, which is understandable, it was his first playoff game. He looked much better in Game 2 so he isn't the one who should sit, at least not because of his +/- . Would Smith be an improvement ? I already made my point more than once about that in other threads.

I did not say Marchenko should sit bc he is -3, I said he should sit bc he is out of position more often than not.

Mrazek is starting the next game as he should.

Yes he is but I'm not sure he should because you say so.