GDT ECQF Game 3 GDT : Lightning 0 at Red Wings 3 - DET Leads series 2-1

[greenrebellion 415]

As correctly pointed out by the fellas over at Winging it in Motown, this is almost the exact same lineup that was getting manhandled in March. Very risky move by Babs to go back to it right now. I guess we'll see if he's as good as every says he is.

I think it is foolish to believe there is some magical combination of lines that suddenly turns this team into a top tier force...we simply lack the depth and personnel to compete with the Lightning, especially given how inept our top young guys like Sheahan, Tatar and Nyquist have looked.

[kipwinger 8,754]

I think it is foolish to believe there is some magical combination of lines that suddenly turns this team into a top tier force...we simply lack the depth and personnel to compete with the Lightning, especially given how inept our top young guys like Sheahan, Tatar and Nyquist have looked.

I agree. I don't think we can compete with them no matter how we arrange the lines. But I do think that you can arrange players in order to maximize your potential, even if the ceiling on that potential isn't as high as another team.

Babcock's job is to make the Red Wing be as good as they can possibly be. If that's still not good enough to beat Tampa, so be it. But if we're not the best "us" that we can be, then he's doing something wrong. So far, I honestly don't even think he's done a bad job. We had some key injuries, and you had to know that Tampa was coming out strong. Now we're in the adjustment phase. We're very much in this series, but we need to find a way to get guys like Tatar, Nyquist, Sheahan involved. I agree they've looked bad. But we know they aren't bad. So whatever the problem is, fix it. That's partially the coach's job.

I'm eager to see what he does from here on out.

Edited April 21, 2015 by kipwinger

[rick zombo 3,739]

I think it is foolish to believe there is some magical combination of lines that suddenly turns this team into a top tier force...we simply lack the depth and personnel to compete with the Lightning, especially given how inept our top young guys like Sheahan, Tatar and Nyquist have looked.

There have been teams in the past that have beaten the Wings that have lacked the depth and personnel ON PAPER to compete with them.

This Wings team lacked the depth and personnel to beat Anaheim in 2013, but they did. This is essentially the same team only they're supposed to be better. Unless you consider losing Brunner a major blow to depth.

All I'm saying is there most certainly is room for magical combinations in this series and it can make a difference. That and maybe Mrazek.

[PenaltyShot 96 521]

Happy birthday to me! I'll be at the Tigers' game tonight furiously refreshing my phone for Wings updates. A double win would be a nice gift, boys

Welcome back Abby. Kick some ass tonight, yeah? LGRW!!!

[kipwinger 8,754]

Happy birthday to me! I'll be at the Tigers' game tonight furiously refreshing my phone for Wings updates. A double win would be a nice gift, boys

Welcome back Abby. Kick some ass tonight, yeah? LGRW!!!

They usually announce the Wings' updates over the loudspeaker at the ballpark. It's always fun to hear them announce a goal and the baseball fans go crazy.

[55fan 5,133]

Happy birthday to me! I'll be at the Tigers' game tonight furiously refreshing my phone for Wings updates. A double win would be a nice gift, boys

Welcome back Abby. Kick some ass tonight, yeah? LGRW!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Here's to a Wings win for you.

I think Abby coming back will be a boost, not only because of what he brings in terms of net-front presence and size, but also a boost to the morale of the team having someone with more experience in there.

[Manny>Ozzie(by a long shot) 55]

According to NHL.com the game is at 7:00, not 7:30

[chaps80 1,591]

Just win. Please. That is all.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

It's like 7:11ESTish lol

Glow sticks, rally towels what they using if anything?

[Echolalia 2,961]

Tommy Wiseau of The Room is picking Detroit to win the Cup. If that isn't good karma I don't know what is.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/the-room-s-tommy-wiseau-picks-the-stanley-cup-playoffs-063118528.html

[HockeytownRules19 902]

Don't know if glow sticks will be handed out as well... but it looks like its a rally towel game

http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=764475

[55fan 5,133]

Don't know if glow sticks will be handed out as well... but it looks like its a rally towel game

http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=764475

Some guy from the Kings came in and took all our glow sticks. Mumbled something about Vegas. Not sure what that's all about.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Nervous about Smith being back in, having flashbacks to the Chicago series. Hopefully Babs watches his minutes. Abby should make a difference, we have some OK depth now, but Andersson will make the 3rd line.... uh less than dangerous lets say. Petr's gonna have a big game, LGW!!!!

[WingedWheel91 271]

Guys, I still don't understand the "it will take a miracle to win this series" attitude.

Game 1 - we got heavily outplayed and won on the road against the best home team (by far) in the NHL without our best power forward.

Game 2 - we got slightly outplayed and lost on the road against the best home team (by far) in the NHL without our best power forward.

Game 3 - we play at home against the worst road team (by far) in the NHL playoffs with our best power forward

Game 4- we play at home against the worst road team (by far) in the NHL playoffs with our best power forward

Series is 1-1... 3 games remaining in DET, 2 games remaining in TB.

I know 1 player (unless Crosby, Ovechkin, Weber) doesn't usually make or break a team - but we can actually roll 3 respectable lines tonight with Abdelkader's return. Furthermore, Sheahan is much more effective as 3rd line Center, and Nyquist and Tatar are back playing with world class Centers who have historically made them more productive.

I posted earlier that I would love to see a JURCO - SHEAHAN - GLENDENNING line, but Babcock actually knows these players a lot better than we do.

Storylines are so fragile... If we take this game its 2-1 and were all the sudden 1 game away from putting these guys on the ropes!

Lets go.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Gentlemen do we see a Zetterberg-Stamkos matchup?

Yep.

Coach Mike Babcock will match Zetterberg's line against Steven Stamkos' unit.

"I just felt (Ryan) Callahan, (Alex) Killorn and Stamkos got a free ride in their building just for the fact that (Tyler) Johnson was playing against Pav or we had (Luke Glendening) against them and they were trying hard to keep Glennie away from guys," Babcock said. "So Stamkos played against (Riley) Sheahan and to me that didn't work out very good for us. It was too much free ice.

[Ekmanc 586]

Tonight is the series really, we win tonight and put some serious pressure on TB or we're most likely screwed.

[kickazz 5,459]

Ah so it will be Stamkos vs. Zetterberg? I'm pumped for this. Z's got to bring his A game and shut that mofo down and reclaim his title as NHL playoff beast (beard). I'll be at the game chanting:

LETS GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LETS GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LETS GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LETS GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited April 21, 2015 by kickazz

[Ram 240]

Tonight is the series really, we win tonight and put some serious pressure on TB or we're most likely screwed.

Disagree. It's a huge game yes, but it's 0-0 and best three of five from this point forward.

Will save "This is the series" for Thursday.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Ah so it will be Stamkos vs. Zetterberg? I'm pumped for this. Z's got to bring his A game and shut that mofo down and reclaim his title as NHL playoff beast (beard). I'll be at the game chanting:

LETS GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LETS GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LETS GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LETS GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make sure you get that building going. Would love to hear a lively Joe tonight and the team really rallies behind that.

[Rivalred 630]

Please win for a special someone as they are recovering from 2 major surgeries

Please and thank you

[matt198913 932]

Get the job done

[Aznknight 139]

Wings score 4 and they win.

TB goals doesn't matter cuz it's a win. Bishop can get a hatty for all I care.

[Nevermind 363]

Someone needs to change the time in the title to 7 EST. Wouldn't want anyone to miss part of the 1st.

[chaps80 1,591]

Some guy from the Kings came in and took all our glow sticks. Mumbled something about Vegas. Not sure what that's all about.

LOLLLLLLLLLLLL

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

Tonight is the series really, we win tonight and put some serious pressure on TB or we're most likely screwed.

I was going to say the same thing. This team must play on the front foot to be successful. They can't be wasting home games trying to catch up to Tampa and not go down 3-1. Draw the line in the sand tonight or don't draw one.

Since shootouts cannot burn us any further this season I'll say the game goes to overtime and instead of losing a shootout 3-1 the Wings win in OT on a goal by Marek Zidlicky.