gdt ECQF Game 4 GDT : Lightning 3 at Red Wings 2 (OT) - Series Tied 2-2

[LeftWinger 5,129]

Lets hope Glendenning is ok for the next one..it was his absence that caused different matchups that completely screwed our mojo.

But yeah, this game's on Ericsson more than the dirty play on G-dog. the first goal was just inexcusable. trip the guy and take a PK.

That said, another example of the wings taking their foot off the opposition throat.

And whisper it to all the nay-sayers, just like last year Smith has been twice the player in the post season than in the regular. Arguably our best D-man tonight.

Imagine 6 months ago how many people would have anticipated that come the playoffs a line of Miller, Glendenning and Ferraro being arguably our best line; Mrazek being 2 mins away from back to back shutouts in the playoffs as first choice starter; Smith looking as good as anyone on our D; and Abdelkader basically being a key first line forward. Such a shame Cole got hurt as he brings so much of what would improve this team on the front end. Also a shame that because everyone in the NHL knows we need D, and most want to see us crash and burn, that the asking price for the wings to fix their problems is higher than for our rivals. Man, if Suter hadn't had man love with Parise our D would be sorted and we'd be challenging right at the top again. even Niskanen would have made a massive difference...

it was Helms bad decision that caused the first goal, plus it was Helm on Johnson at the other end, not E. So if someone was going to trip him, it would've been Helm. Also, Mrazek was 6 minutes away from back to back shutouts, not 2. I agree E made a mistake on the 2nd goal, but Helm caused the 1st goal, if he doesn't try to be fancy, thus game would've been over in regulation. This loss is on Helm.

[gcom007 1,465]

I don't mean to be hating on Z but 34 isn't old lol damn Lidstrom was 42 and playing damn good for his age. I see slapshots that can't even hit the net most of the time Lidstrom hit the net from far out near the blue line just hasn't been any slapshots. I would love to have a screen player like Holmstrom man how i miss those days. I guess I am just not liking whats happening to us as a team. Also worried the hard reality is Babcock is gone this year that leaves some big shoes to fill.

Lidstrom never had chronic injury issues.

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

I'm STILL with this team even though they utterly wasted an opportunity to make a statement. I truly do think they can win a 2 of 3. Just pissed it away. I think the 'should they revisit Dion Phaneuf this offseason' is answering itself. He'd be a strong addition to the corp and the way this team is built for the playoffs now another strong physical defensive-minded agitator would be perfect. We don't need a top six forward, we need a top three forward. Too many good chances coming from hard work and turning TB over are going wanting. Even one or two of those makes the difference in this series.

They're not far off this bunch but what's missing is really missing.

Onto game 5!

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

Hey what if Lidstrom came and coached the wings next year? (:

[The Greek 323]

2 Words... Assclown Goons.

2 Words... Goon scrums

2 Words... Not Hockey

Nah man, it's hockey. It has a history of fighting, so this kind of stuff must be tolerated. It's part of the game.

[joesuffP 1,746]

It's alright when you think about it like we stole game 1 and they stole game 4. It just makes me sick to think how close we were. Aside from Ericsson letting his man walk straight to the net, our defense played great and we got good goaltending, aside from the first goal. We just seem lacking offensively. Could have run up the score, especially on the PP's that were wasted.

[LeftWinger 5,129]

They were 6 minutes away from a 2-0 win, not 2, not 4. What game were you guys watching? Johnson scored on Helms bad decision with just less than 6 mins to go.

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

Glenny will have a letter on his sweater when pav and z leave.

[kickazz 5,459]

crosby is the best offensive player in the game thats it lol, the best all around player in the game right now is Datsyuk at 100% i hate to say it but i think the best player in the league is Toews

What's your point? He's the offensive player that should be scoring goals. That's his job.. You know who else was just an offensive player? Wayne Gretzky. Gordie How and Mario Lemieux. They were MVP players and considered best in their era. I have no idea what you're talking about.

Toews best player? No... Just No.. Lol. He Toews had 66 points in 81 games this season. That's a worst Point per game than Zetterberg who had 66 points in 77 games. Toews is in his prime and Z is not. Seriously if you think Toews is the best player u have to start watching other teams play. Toews is nothing more than a top 15 player in this league.

Edited April 24, 2015 by kickazz

[gcom007 1,465]

Glenny will have a letter on his sweater when pav and z leave.

No doubt.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Nah man, it's hockey. It has a history of fighting, so this kind of stuff must be tolerated. It's part of the game.

I don't remember there being a fight. Nor is there one goon on Tampa's team. I have no idea what goons you guys are griping about.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

If Luke's out, I want aa up.

[91forever 8]

Lidstrom never had chronic injury issues.

I was making more of an age reference injuries suck but if your hurt that bad shouldn't be playing sorry I would say that about any player even if it was the great one 99. Z isn't the team he is a player regardless if he wears the C.

[GoWings! 179]

Oh yeah.

No. Giving up 3 goals in the final 4 minutes of the game and then overtime, at home, when a win puts you up 3 games to 1 going back to Tampa is not the same as playing a Chicago team(2 cups in 4 years) who is stacked and then losing arguably the best defensive player in the league who is the heart and soul of your team. It isn't the same. This is a monumental choke job. Do you really feel after this game that they are going to take 2 out of 3 in Tampa? Those final 5 minutes were some of the worst playoff hockey I've seen as a fan. I understand it's still 2-2 but that was an absolute morale killing disaster we just witnessed.

[LeftWinger 5,129]

why are you guys blaming Mrazek for the first goal? He played it pretty good, may have cheated a bit thinking Johnson was going to pass it, but Johnson place the perfect shot in the perfect place...and I can't reiterated enough that the play never happens if Helm doesn't try to be cute in the other end...

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

What's your point? He's the offensive player that should be scoring goals. That's his job.. You know who else was just an offensive player? Wayne Gretzky. Gordie How and Mario Lemieux. They were MVP players and considered best in their era. I have no idea what you're talking about.

Toews best player? No... Just No.. Lol. He Toews had 66 points in 81 games this season. That's a worst Point per game than Zetterberg who had 66 points in 77 games. Toews is in his prime and Z is not. Seriously if you think Toews is the best player I have to start watching other teams play. Toews is nothing more than a top 15 player in this league.

TOEWS IS THE BEST ALL AROUND PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE. He doesn't need to produce offense thats why they have Kane.. Gordie was a beast and a mean player who was feared by all is that Crosby? No.. Gretzky was carrying his team all the time. and idk much about Mario Crosby is none of those things he's a cry baby, Toews doesn't need to produce thats not his role on that team, he has amazing offensive talent but he isn't flashy and his line usually is used to shutdown stars

[kickazz 5,459]

I was making more of an age reference injuries suck but if your hurt that bad shouldn't be playing sorry I would say that about any player even if it was the great one 99. Z isn't the team he is a player regardless if he wears the C.

It's not a matter of whether or not he's still injured. It's a matter of why Lidstrom was so good. Not having injuries is better than having injuries. Z's injuries are in the past and theyve slowed him down. That doesn't warrant you to just quit playing the game. If that's how this league ran we would be out of players year after year. Most of the players in thie league play through injuries. It's an 82 game season. The fact that a slow Zetterberg can put up 66 points for the team doesn't go to show much about him but rather how it's embarrassing that our young guys aren't able to surpass him. All of our young guys are well into their prime.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

why are you guys blaming Mrazek for the first goal? He played it pretty good, may have cheated a bit thinking Johnson was going to pass it, but Johnson place the perfect shot in the perfect place...and I can't reiterated enough that the play never happens if Helm doesn't try to be cute in the other end...

It was short side and the only place Johnson could beat Mrazek with a shot. I would have to see it again, but I'm pretty sure the pass was taken away. I'm not faulting Mrazek for the loss, but I do think that's one he probably needs to stop at that juncture.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Man, that was disheartening. We got our goalie of the future, but hoo boy could we use some D help. Ericsson and Kronwall on the tying goal... come on guys, you're the top pair. Series isn't over, but that's a serious f*** up tonight.

[kickazz 5,459]

TOEWS IS THE BEST ALL AROUND PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE. He doesn't need to produce offense thats why they have Kane.. Gordie was a beast and a mean player who was feared by all is that Crosby? No.. Gretzky was carrying his team all the time. and idk much about Mario Crosby is none of those things he's a cry baby, Toews doesn't need to produce thats not his role on that team, he has amazing offensive talent but he isn't flashy and his line usually is used to shutdown stars

Well apparently he's not the best all around player because he was not number 1 for +/- stats . (or any other stat for that matter) Sry but Toews is not at Pavs level even with Pav being 36. Pav is still > Toews. Pav is older too that's what makes the case for Toews weaker. Pav produces more points per game AND he had more takeaways in the season than Toews who played almost 20 more games than Pav did.

Toews is a top 15 player, Pav is a top 10 player. At age 36 too.

Edited April 24, 2015 by kickazz

[The Greek 323]

I don't remember there being a fight. Nor is there one goon on Tampa's team. I have no idea what goons you guys are griping about.

I never said "goon", I just knew what he was talking about. Also, i know there wasn't a fight, but several people said there was nothing wrong coburn manhandling glendenning from behind because this is hockey. It comes from permissive attitudes towards fighting.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

No. Giving up 3 goals in the final 4 minutes of the game and then overtime, at home, when a win puts you up 3 games to 1 going back to Tampa is not the same as playing a Chicago team(2 cups in 4 years) who is stacked and then losing arguably the best defensive player in the league who is the heart and soul of your team. It isn't the same. This is a monumental choke job. Do you really feel after this game that they are going to take 2 out of 3 in Tampa? Those final 5 minutes were some of the worst playoff hockey I've seen as a fan. I understand it's still 2-2 but that was an absolute morale killing disaster we just witnessed.

It's a morale killing if they can't overcome it. And if they can't overcome it, then screw them. This team blew a 3-1 series lead a few season ago. They need to man up sometime.

As I said, I don't feel as bad about losing as I used to, because in cases like this, the loss is deserved. They screwed themselves.

[GoWings! 179]

Toews is a total ****** but he is a really good player. He's got 2 cups and he can flat out snipe. Although I believe Kane is a better player than him. It hurts to see Zetts making horrible decisions and he is extremely slow. But that's the way it goes when you keep having surgeries and we all start to age.

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

Toews also kills a lot of penalties hence why they were number 1 I believe? I'm no t canadian and i'm not a Hawks fan but when i rate whos the best player in the league i look at there all around game and age.. Toews is number one no doubt I wouldn't even put Croby at number two yeah he's a flower in the regular season but what has he done in the post season? Nothing an Malkin is better than him, and i'm talking about all around game not pts..

[91forever 8]

It's not a matter of whether or not he's still injured. It's a matter of why Lidstrom was so good. Not having injuries is better than having injuries. Z's injuries are in the past and theyve slowed him down. That doesn't warrant you to just quit playing the game. If that's how this league ran we would be out of players year after year. Most of the players in thie league play through injuries. It's an 82 game season. The fact that a slow Zetterberg can put up 66 points for the team doesn't go to show much about him but rather how it's embarrassing that our young guys aren't able to surpass him. All of our young guys are well into their prime.

ok fair enough. let me backup how about I reword my statement to maybe he should sit and heal before he's put back into the line. I wasn't saying he should never play again as in quit the game, just that maybe he shouldn't be playing if he's in such bad condition. I am a Z fan in the end either way but I hate seeing him just not where he use to be.