Have to wonder just how bad Detroit is that Vancouver could assert their will on them so utterly. I can't recall the last time I saw the Canucks tilt the rink like that (I missed the Sabres game).
GOOD
- Jake Virtanen had a whale of a game, easily his best in the uniform, and for once looked very much like a player you'd not be surprised to learn was drafted 6th overall. Seemed to constantly find open ice with his speed, and peppered the net with shots. Some low percentage hoper shots such as we've become accustomed to him taking, but a few dangerous looks in there as well. Here's hoping it's a young player finding his legs and confidence and not just a Detroit team too apathetic to play defense.
- Bo Horvat played a pugnacious game and was rewarded for his toil with a couple of nice assists. Was very effective on the forecheck.
- Noted sniper Dorsett struck again to keep his point streak alive. That line played well all night and had a few dangerous chances.
- Hutton played a ton and looked confident with the puck.
- Baertschi finally gets the monkey off his back and immediately pots a 2nd. He's been a ghost to start the year so lets hope this lights a fire under him.
- Markstrom looked very big and very competent. Can't fault him overly on the shot that went in.
BAD
- Pouliot had a couple of pizzas in his own zone, offsetting his assist and workmanlike effort on the PP.
- Vanek took a silly penalty and Sedined a good two on one opportunity.
- Stetcher got hurt.
- Boeser only managed a single point.
This is a rather alarming winning streak out of nowhere for a team that has no business winning a lot of games. Have to hand Green some credit for getting the team to play with hustle and confidence after that disastrous home stand.
Well, take this into consideration: Players HATE Sunday afternoon games. The energy is NOTORIOUSLY low and we often see complete no-shows by one of the teams involved.
I'm not taking anything away from the Canucks, who I have no doubt can skate with the Wings (even though that's' not saying much) but Detroit was a total no-show.
There is a problem with the Detroit Red Wings, a big problem.
They are the most stale franchise in all of pro sports. when I was a kid they were THRILLING, dramatic, dynamic, they were from F***king Detroit Rock City and had the coolest logo ever. I remember games against the Leafs, Blackhawks or Blues were WARS, and they had distinctive players with personalities that they expressed through how they played.
I say that for years they were the most entertaining thing to watch in all of pro-sports
Then somewhere between the "dead puck" era, Mr. Anti-entertainment Mike Babcock's "We don't fight, we play defense and block shots" coaching and Hollands "Keep em' in the minors till they are 30" philosophy, they have become the most stale, boring, lame franchise in sports today.
There is ZERO emotional content in their game, this team is so far away from the team that went to war against the Avalanche in what can be described as a "gang-rumble" on ice, it boggles the mind.
It's not just about fighting, it's about risk-taking, reckless abandon, actually caring about bringing the crowd out of their seats.
Babcock turned this franchise into an Olympic hockey team, that played systems without emotion, they preyed on teams who were faithful to the NHL product and played a wild entertaining style.
Because that's really the point at the end of the day. Hockey and the NHL aren't one and the same. The NHL is a BRAND of hockey, a BRAND of entertainment.
The NHL brand ALWAYS stood for a wild and violent but also sublimely artistic emotionally charged entertainment,
Over the last 20 years that has been the struggle, the game is not what it was, it is being pushed toward becoming Olympic brand hockey, but the reluctance of fans to embrace that have resulted in a half-a$$ed presentation that is neither fish nor foul.
Personally, I could care less about the Olympics, I think anyone who gets swept up by nationalism in 2017 is a raving idiot, and I find the on-ice product to be much closer to soccer than the NHL style of hockey I grew up on.
And no team represents this half-a$$ed Olympic style like the Red Wings, they are boring to watch, boring to read about and where they were once the Iggy and the Stooges of hockey, Raw Power on ice, Kick out the jams M**ther F**kers, MC5 bad a$$ team from a bad a$$ town. A team that represented thier city better than anyone are at the point where they are the most UN-Detroit style team I can think of..
This team needs to fire EVERYONE, top to bottom, trade EVERYONE top to bottom.
If Liitches kids are runing things then let them work on a new era,
Because right now watching the Red Wings is like watching a zombie that JUST WON'T DIE!!!
