gdt ECQF Game 3 Post-GDT: at Red Wings 2, Tampa Bay 0

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

Mrazek wasn't much better than Howard. The team played much better defense. Key to the win.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

abby has his hand taped from the beating he threw last game.

And if you have your hand taped, and you drop that glove it's supposed to be an automatic suspension...

abby was willing to fight bole with one hand, and Boyle was goading him into getting a suspension.

Awesome game.

I hope they carry this effort every game.

Also, Jesus are the detroit fans loud and they have amazing annunciation. Effects of making the playoffs for 2.5 decades...

That sounds like something from professional wrestling. Taped hand.

[kickazz 5,459]

Mrazek wasn't much better than Howard. The team played much better defense. Key to the win.

True to a point but I thought Mrazek was better than February/March Mrazek.

[gcom007 1,465]

I think Goose is on the verge of breaking out if he can get over that hump by potting one. He was buzzing all night but he was always just waiting a split second too long to shoot. Definitely the best he has looked in a very long time.

I'd love to see him get going, but he just always looks weak out there. He needs to take a page out of the young Datsyuk playbook and take a summer to put on a s*** ton of muscle and toughen up.

[LeftWinger 4,959]

I'm not going to all of a sudden claim to be on the Smith bandwagon, but he proved why he belongs playing. I'll take him over KFQ or Ericsson all day. This is also why he may generate some interest in trade. Like I said, he should be in over E and now it seems over KFQ, but if you aren't going to play him all the time, trade him. He needs to play.

[marcaractac 3,963]

Mrazek wasn't much better than Howard. The team played much better defense. Key to the win.

While I agree, the clutch saves by Mrazek late in the 3rd were the difference. Those are the kind of chances Howard has allowed in games 1 and 2 that killed the team.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I think Goose is on the verge of breaking out if he can get over that hump by potting one. He was buzzing all night but he was always just waiting a split second too long to shoot. Definitely the best he has looked in a very long time.

He was brutal down the stretch, but he did look very good tonight. He always tends to play better when he's with Z.

[NerveDamage 4,176]

That sounds like something from professional wrestling. Taped hand.

CM Punkin' it

[kickazz 5,459]

I'd love to see him get going, but he just always looks weak out there. He needs to take a page out of the young Datsyuk playbook and take a summer to put on a s*** ton of muscle and toughen up.

Yeah Datsyuk gained like 15-20 pounds between his rookie year and 2006 I believe. Same for Hank. It did not seem to impede their speed either.

[marcaractac 3,963]

I'd love to see him get going, but he just always looks weak out there. He needs to take a page out of the young Datsyuk playbook and take a summer to put on a s*** ton of muscle and toughen up.

I didn't think he looked weak at all tonight. Was engaged, fighting through traffic, drove to the net, and even threw a couple hits.

[Firehawk 305]

Was it just me or did smith make this team alot tougher?

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

True to a point but I thought Mrazek was better than February/March Mrazek.

That's a given...

[LeftWinger 4,959]

BTW, we won and no ### of posts for a victory thread. Guess we started (or ended) a tradition for at least this playoff run...

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I think Goose is on the verge of breaking out if he can get over that hump by potting one. He was buzzing all night but he was always just waiting a split second too long to shoot. Definitely the best he has looked in a very long time.

did anyone else notice during the pre game every one coming in fist bumped Konstantinov, and he was the only one they showed that didn't make sure to get him when he came in the door?

And honestly, I may knock smith, but he has been the closest thing to a young kronwall the last three playoffs. And I usually give him credit for this. But if he got the chance, points will come, but those points don't need to come if he effects a game that much.

Edited April 18, 2016 by jimmyemeryhunter

[marcaractac 3,963]

did anyone else notice during the pre game every one coming in fist bumped Konstantinov, and he was the only one they showed that didn't make sure to get him when he came in the door?

And honestly, I may knock smith, but he has been the closest thing to a young kronwall the last three playoffs. And I usually give him credit for this. But if he got the chance, those points don't need to come if he effects a game that much.

I saw that. Sheahan almost missed him to though. More focused on fist bumping the fans. I really don't think that os anything to look into lol.

Vladdy likely spent some time in the lockerroom with the boys as well. So I take whats shown on camera with a grain of salt.

Edited April 18, 2016 by marcaractac

[Echolalia 2,961]

They just showed a replay of the AA goal. I think he bent it in like Beckham! Looked to me like it was going wide.

I actually thought the same thing when they showed the replay right after he scored.

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

The pp would probably score if Mantha was here. But who knows... It sure wouldn't hurt cause it is terrible.

[gcom007 1,465]

I didn't think he looked weak at all tonight. Was engaged, fighting through traffic, drove to the net, and even threw a couple hits.

He had some good moments, don't get me wrong, but too often he ends up circling around and going backwards instead of pushing through and finishing the play. Datsyuk always had the finesse but he wasn't strong enough early on, but once he bulked up and could fight guys off and keep going, it made him a far more impactful player. I'm not saying Nyqvist is Datsyuk, but I really think if he got stronger, it'd improve his game dramatically.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I want to watch a montage of all the hits Smith had tonight

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

BTW, we won and no ### of posts for a victory thread. Guess we started (or ended) a tradition for at least this playoff run...

No, not necessarily. It's suppose to be for fun. We would have won whether we did or not.

Edited April 18, 2016 by Hockeymom1960

[Hairy Lime 234]

No reason for Abs to take that fight anyways. Boyle likely would have knocked the s*** out of him so why give them anything to feel happy about when the game was won. Just blueball him and keep him frustrated.

Have you actually seen Boyle fight? Let's just say he's not very good at it.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

Have you actually seen Boyle fight? Let's just say he's not very good at it.

He's a big ball of fluff.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I saw that. Sheahan almost missed him to though. More focused on fist bumping the fans. I really don't think that os anything to look into lol.

Vladdy likely spent some time in the lockerroom with the boys as well So I take whats shown on camera with a grain of salt.

yeah, I assumed it was just him paying more attention to the fans on the ice.

which isn't a big Deal, I was just wondering if anyone else seen it.

[gcom007 1,465]

Just realized that in 8 NHL playoff games, Mrazek now has 3 shutouts. That's a playoff goalie.

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

Have you actually seen Boyle fight? Let's just say he's not very good at it.

Hes not a heavyweight in the least but I base it mostly on the fact that Abs himself is a worse fighter. Add in the size and reach difference and Abs would have been tossed like a rag doll.