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MabusIncarnate

1/11 GDT - Red Wings at Kings - 10:30 PM EST

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When a defenseman pinches along the halfboards attempting to keep the play alive in the offensive zone (which Smith has been very good at this season), the winger is supposed to read that and cover the point. That first goal was more so on Tatar for not getting back to cover Smith and even Larkin for his (rare) awful backcheck, than it was Smith, but hey, why stray from the narrative, Smith sucks right?... Now that second play, later in the first when Smith got shoved from behind into the boards, could have easily been a penalty, however Smith did seem to go down way too easily, and I would assume that's the same thing the ref seen as well. I blame him for being weak on the puck there, and causing that 3 on 1, but the first goal was not on Smith.

I agree to an extent, but a defensman who pinches also needs to make sure to at least tie the play up long enough for the weak side forward (in this case Larkin) to react. Looking back over the highlight Smith tied his guy up and it actually looks like the puck was along the boards long enough for Larkin to get into position, so never mind on that account. Based on the backcheck during the two-on-one, though, it seemed like Larkin was exhausted and had nothing left in the tank. If that's the case then, as unfair as it may seem, the onus has to be on the defensman to be aware of how long the forwards have been on the ice and not pinch in those situations. Usually when it comes to Smith I try to be an outspoken defender of the guy because he's often wrongfully blamed for things, but in this case I think the blame is warranted. Not because the pinch was executed poorly, or was ill-advised based on the positioning of the other players (neither of which are true), but because it was the end of the shift for the forwards (and if not then shame on Larkin for such a lazy backcheck).

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Just saw the highlights. LOL at Mike Green on that first goal. Not the best way to defend the 2 on 1.

Yeah, he just slid a bit too fast. his stick is in good position to take away the pass until the last second then open up the lane. Larkin should have been back covering and the timing would have worked out.

Anyway, the next play in the NHL.com highlights Green does a good job covering a 3-on-1 so he learned from the mistake, took away the passes and let Howie play the shooter.

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Echolalia, I agree with what you're saying except for one thing. It's not the defenders responsibility to know exactly how long each forward has been on the ice, or how much gas they have left in the tank. That's completely on each individual forward and player, it's on them to make the safe change while the puck is deep in the offensive zone. If you're too gassed to backcheck, you should be too gassed to forecheck, and if that's the case, get your ass of the ice..

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Yeah, he just slid a bit too fast. his stick is in good position to take away the pass until the last second then open up the lane. Larkin should have been back covering and the timing would have worked out.

Anyway, the next play in the NHL.com highlights Green does a good job covering a 3-on-1 so he learned from the mistake, took away the passes and let Howie play the shooter.

I agree with this, but you gotta give it to Kopitar as well. He's a really good player and made a great play. Most players don't do what he did there.

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I agree with this, but you gotta give it to Kopitar as well. He's a really good player and made a great play. Most players don't do what he did there.

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Was going to say that too. It wasnt all that much the Wings fault rather than the Kings just doing a damn good job creating the breakaway and finishing it up. Kopitar read that play really really well. Just hung on to the puck super long.

But actually looking back at it, why the hell did Green slide. There no reason to slide - he shuda just kept screening Kopitars vision.

Edited by kickazz

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So cynical...

He played very well after signing his contract, this slump is quite recent.

apparently if you sign a 4 mill plus contract you aren't allowed to slump or go through a bad stretch. it's not like guys like Crosby , Stammer or Toews - the 3 best players in the world - would ever go through something like this.

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In the pre-game banter on The Ticket's radio coverage of the game, Ken Kal mentioned that Detroit had not lost in the new year, having a four-game winning streak. That piqued my curiosity as to what the record for the most wins to start a new year is. Heck, it's Wednesday; I even included Lockout seasons.

So...

That ties them for the second longest winning streak to start the new year, joining three other seasons with four.

The Club Record: 6, 1972-73.

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