GDT ECQF Game 7 GDT : at Lightning 2, Red Wings 0 (Tampa wins series, 4-3)

[RedWingsRox 614]

Final comment. At the start of the series, I didn't think we'd get past TB given how we played leading into playoffs. But once the series started and we were more than keeping with them, it looked like we could take this. So mighty disappointed that it slipped away from us, blew game 4 and game 6.

Last game for Babs ... seriously, he is a bit overrated. I don't think he got more out of this roster than they are on paper ... they are a 1st round one and done type of team which is exactly what happened. Not a bit bummed out if he decides to take a 'different challenge'.

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

Honestly we need to re-evaluate a lot of players' roles. Helm, for instance, is not a top 6 player.

On another note, am I the only one really leery about Blashill? If Babcock is part of the problem, I'm not sure bringing in a clone is the right move. If we need an overhaul from strategy on up to players, bringing in a coach with an identical strategy isn't the way to start.

yeah there's so many good coaches out there currently, I'd like to see Torts or Bylsma

[lomekian 201]

Here's the thing about Nyquist and Tatar. Yes, we need to be patient. But we have to be realistic as well and not rely on them. As of right now, we know neither one is a playoff performer. Therefore, when building this team, Holland needs to make sure we have two goal scorers (ideally) who we can rely on to replace them. Dat depth, tho.

Defense was actually a bright spot tonight. I have no issues with any of the players tonight. But over the whole season? Ericsson needs to be a #4 again. Kindl and probably Smith need to go. They are simply too inconsistent. But I'm tired of the offense disappearing by taking one-and-done-shots. I'm tired of...well...everything.

Agreed.

Tatar and Nyquist will never be Dats and Z, but they equally are the best goalscorers we have when the euro-twins aren't 100%. If Pulks can translate his game and that shot, and Mantha can step up, either will be relatively expendable in a year, but unless its for a good deal, it doesn't make sense to trade them now.

As for the D...its a mystery how playoff Smith and Reg season Smith are so different, but I don't think we should trade him unless part of a package for something obviously better. His wheels on the back end are increasingly important in the modern NHL, and Kronner & Ericsson aren't getting any quicker.

As for Kindl, if only someone could give some of Smith's courage and toughness. They are like the cowardly Lion and the scarecrow...but its more plausible for a borderline idiot to eventually get smarter than for a ***** cat to become a tiger...(mixed metaphors I know).

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

http://gfycat.com/PeacefulEvilCockroach

Killorn basically holding Quincey the whole play, then takes him down to ground... not a hook?, not interference?

Not holding? Yup, disgusting

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Honestly we need to re-evaluate a lot of players' roles. Helm, for instance, is not a top 6 player.

On another note, am I the only one really leery about Blashill? If Babcock is part of the problem, I'm not sure bringing in a clone is the right move. If we need an overhaul from strategy on up to players, bringing in a coach with an identical strategy isn't the way to start.

He's a clone in the way he talks, but GR plays a different style. More physical, better transition game. Plus, he's a new voice for the veterans, and a guy the kids will trust.

[MTU_Huskies963 398]

If Tampa thought the wings held and interfered, Montreal is on an entire different level they'll be whining after game 1

[PenaltyShot 96 521]

So in what game do you think subban breaks Johnson's wrist?

Tomorrow. In the parking lot. Nancy Kerrigan style

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I unfollowed Cotsonika on Twitter to make myself feel better

Cotsonika is like Hulk Hogan when he joined the nWo the last few days on Twitter.

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

Mrazek will be a monster next year if we make the playoffs, after a full season under his belt I'm eager to see what he can do.

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

God I'm so f*** pissed right now

Undeserving overrated tampa bay lightning win

Such bulls***

[kickazz 5,459]

Stamkos has been criticized in the playoffs before. Difference is, he's young and has upside. Of course he shouldn't retire. Zetterberg probably shouldn't retire either, but there's really no upside there. He's hit his peak and needs a Nyquist or Tatar to take over like he and Datsyuk did when the previous generation stars got old.

Glad to see someone use logic for once. It's just been amusing to see people rant about Z playing poorly when in reality A LOT of players on the roster did poorly. This tunnel vision blame game is getting old. What I'd like to know is:

Where the hell was Zidckey's offense?

Where the hell was Nyquist?

Tatar, stop pretending to be Datsyuk and take the damn shot

Jurco... Is this guy a ghost?

Once those things have been addressed we can complain about Zetterberg. I don't know why people keep expect a lot out of this 34 year old guy. I expected Nyquist to do a lot better than he did, that's more of a concern to me than an aging star. Like some others have already suggested, Zetterberg can still be useful just like Yzerman was towards the end of his career. He cud be a third line center and excel at it for all that matters.

But when your young players can't stick it out through playoffs. That's something that actually needs work and a solution. Nyquist needs to bulk up this off season imo. He's too easy to squeeze out in the corners.

Edited April 30, 2015 by kickazz

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

If Tampa thought the wings held and interfered, Montreal is on an entire different level they'll be whining after game 1

Let them whine eachother out .. 2 teams I f***en hate

Going for the winner of nyr/Wsh to win

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Not holding? Yup, disgusting

Honestly i just see Q losing a puck battle. He goes down and looks like he has the Tampa player's stick clamped under his arm to hold him there. Then three Wings out front are puck chasing.

[Duck Guy 86]

There goes any chance of my dream finals ducks vs wings

[Guest Playmaker]

So Stamkos gets a pass for not scoring how many years in a row, but not Nyquist or Tatar? Zetterberg is not healthy. I'd bet on that.

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

I say play Z on the second line next year with Sheahan and Nyquist, First line Tats Abby and Datsyuk, third Franzen Helm and Jurco fourth Luke Landon and Miller

[vladdy16 2,154]

Walked outside after the game and it was raining. My first thought was it was the tears of Wings fans, but it wasn't raining hard enough for that.

[kickazz 5,459]

I say play Z on the second line next year with Sheahan and Nyquist, First line Tats Abby and Datsyuk, third Franzen Helm and Jurco fourth Luke Landon and Miller

Franzen may not appear in a game ever again unfortunately. I hope he does.

[LeftWinger 4,948]

Stamkos the leagues second best goal scorer put up 0 goals in a 7 games series against a team with a weak defense. He's definitely not a world class player and should retire too by your logic. >.> Retire at the age of 25 too! Wooo!

settle down, Stamkos was second in goal scoring in the regular season. Z struggled all year long with his health. He is hurt and he is permanently hurt. Stamkos got extra attention all series long. Z is just too washed up...at least to be a center, maybe get him a young center to play with he can resurrecte his career for the next 4 years. But his playoff performance is in no way related to Stamkis'. They underwhelmed for two different reasons.

[puckbags 863]

Honestly we need to re-evaluate a lot of players' roles. Helm, for instance, is not a top 6 player.

On another note, am I the only one really leery about Blashill? If Babcock is part of the problem, I'm not sure bringing in a clone is the right move. If we need an overhaul from strategy on up to players, bringing in a coach with an identical strategy isn't the way to start.

Helm would've been a 3rd line guy If we were healthy, we were forced to have him in the top 6. No Cole, no Mule and Weiss turning out to be a total hack forced us to play guys where they shouldn't be. Think of our team up front if we are healthy, we would've had a 3rd line with Helm, Shaehan and anyone else really. We are deep on D in terms of NHL caliber guys..Marchenko proved tonight he is NHL ready, Kindl should be in the NHL, Ouelette is arguably ready, Hell we even have a bottom pair guy like Lashoff in the minors who has played at the NHL level. Is Howard trade bait? I hate Phaneuf but I feel like he is another Maple Leaf reclamation project ( Larry Murphy), if we can unload Weiss it would be optimal. Nyquist and Tatar as much as I like both of them are essentially the same player, move one of them and get a different kind of guy up front. Aim high, shoot for Malkin, I dunno. I just feel like the D and Z era is coming to end, I know the feeling, it feels similar to the Yzerman, Shanny, Fedorov era. I am a big supporter of Holland but it's time to remove the filter and make a big move. I love being in the playoffs every year, been a fan for 25 years but losing in the first round is like making a strike first frame of bowling and then throwing it in the gutter for the rest of the game.

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

So Stamkos gets a pass for not scoring how many years in a row, but not Nyquist or Tatar? Zetterberg is not healthy. I'd bet on that.

Stamkos scored last year lol, and why did they bring Z back so soon if he wasn't healthy, I agree he wasn't 100% but he was definitely good enough to play

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Kronwall suspension killed us. Just gonna say it

[VM1138 1,921]

Agreed.

Tatar and Nyquist will never be Dats and Z, but they equally are the best goalscorers we have when the euro-twins aren't 100%. If Pulks can translate his game and that shot, and Mantha can step up, either will be relatively expendable in a year, but unless its for a good deal, it doesn't make sense to trade them now.

As for the D...its a mystery how playoff Smith and Reg season Smith are so different, but I don't think we should trade him unless part of a package for something obviously better. His wheels on the back end are increasingly important in the modern NHL, and Kronner & Ericsson aren't getting any quicker.

As for Kindl, if only someone could give some of Smith's courage and toughness. They are like the cowardly Lion and the scarecrow...but its more plausible for a borderline idiot to eventually get smarter than for a ***** cat to become a tiger...(mixed metaphors I know).

I knew they weren't fast but holy cow they looked slow as all get out this series. I want to keep Kronwall but if we can replace Ericsson with someone halfway decent at defense and speed we'll be sitting pretty.

[kickazz 5,459]

settle down, Stamkos was second in goal scoring in the regular season. Z struggled all year long with his health. He is hurt and he is permanently hurt. Stamkos got extra attention all series long. Z is just too washed up...at least to be a center, maybe get him a young center to play with he can resurrecte his career for the next 4 years. But his playoff performance is in no way related to Stamkis'. They underwhelmed for two different reasons.

Glad to see you went from "he should retire" to "get him another center to play with". Looks like you settled down on that one

[puckbags 863]

None of the other pictures I googled were appropriate.

Need to photoshop Weiss hanging from the sign