Post-Game Talk: great game

[HIFE]

It was a good game but not great, the Wings should have buried Toronto early. They hung around like as Ken Daniels said 2 weeks ago, "thanksgiving leftovers."

I ended up being one of the lucky pups I congratulated earlier in the day! I linked with a friend at 6:35 who had two extra tickets because his buddy had closer seats, yo I scrambled immediately snatched the tickets and rode to the game. What a blast!

My 1st time watching a Canadian NHL team live...it was different. I guess I could describe it in two words- take over! The Maple Leaf fans were louder, more boisterous, enthusiastic, whatever adjective to describe how much fun they brought to the game. Nice to see JLA over 60% full! That much good energy I knew would result in the TML fans not being denied a goal. Beside the loss I felt happy for the many visitors that I'm sure had a great time and excellent experience here in the Motor City.

Toronto played a solid road game showing a lot of heart. Detroit had a huge advantage in shots/possession but the Leafs made it close and earned the win by the fact we could not capitalize on the numerous amazing chances. I had a thought that Carlyle has copied much from Babcock, but why not? If combining hard work, skill, and a dependable system works..why not imitate it? Leafs fans do you finally see, Colton Orr was not needed last night.

I thought our entire team played good hockey. Jurco, Helm, especially Gus, Tats n' Dats, our forwards were buzzing. Smith, Ericsson, etc. the D were confident. Sheahan played a prominent role, the Glendening line was awesome. To pick on something would be the semi-mediocre performance of our Captain, Franzen, and Weiss, but we've been winning steadily even without (2) of them contributing massively. That may be a key to the Red Wings ability to this season though, that each spot filling the roster is healthy and dominant when on the ice. I feel a little bad for Z that his body isn't willing to do what his mind is capable of.

In some ways it is easier to analyze a game on television than in person. I'm curious to read the PG comments because I'm not sure what to look for as an answer to this loss.

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-p...fense-----twice--doesn-t-score-024409201.html

Sheahan's nice moves that ultimately didn't go in.

 

[Bench]

Is it fair to say hockey fans are "over" the shootout yet?

The Wings and Howard suck at them now, no doubt, but I can't even bother to care about it.

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

Is it fair to say hockey fans are "over" the shootout yet?

The Wings and Howard suck at them now, no doubt, but I can't even bother to care about it.

I can't speak for fairweather fans, but it seems like a lot of the people who post on hf, in general, are over it.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Just watched the game.

Honestly one of those losses that don't bother me at all. One of these teams is legit, the other is clearly not. Wings could have won by 4 or 5 goals easily. Reimer was good, but he was also lucky. Wings were kinda due a game where the puck just doesn't go in, it happens to all teams and we haven't had one of those in a while.

The only thing I was disappointed in was the powerplay. I don't know why the units were changed, let Pav have one and Z the other. Also they need to stop letting guys like Kindl/Franzen be major puck carriers on it, it only leads to turnovers.

On to the next one.

 

[Bench]

I can't speak for fairweather fans, but it seems like a lot of the people who post on hf, in general, are over it.

Sounds about right.

I understand the argument that ties are anticlimactic and that over 82 games it's unrealistic to extend the game much longer. But there are other ways to produce a more likely winner than taking turns doing breakaways.

That said, I'm pleased the Wings get another point. The NHL season is a marathon, and the Wings keep finding ways to stay ahead in the standings. Wins in the shootout look great in the headlines ("Wings win 4th straight"), but they don't really represent your chances in the spring.

And hey, Nyquist back on the board with a goal. 13 goals and 4 assists for the "playmaker."

 

[joe89]

**** happens. We'll be a top team if we play like that.

Though it's really painful to watch Zetterberg try to score, at least with some other guys it's expected they won't bury their chances. Franzen is surprisingly snakebitten aswell for no good reason, I think he'll have one of those 10 goals in 10 games stretches soon.

 

[14ari13]

I am fine with the point here. I would have liked to win,but I do not think having too much focus on us is good.

 

[One Blurred Eye]

Meh, they controlled the whole game. Reimer was great. Shootouts are pointless and mean nothing outside of playoff seeding if teams are that close.

I'm no fan of the shootout, but they don't affect just playoff seeding--they can determine who actually makes the playoffs altogether (also, though I suppose not necessarily of benefit to teams who win shootouts, draft position). The ROW tiebreaker only comes into affect when teams are tied in points; you drop a bunch of shootout points to division and conference rivals and miss the playoffs by a lone point--suddenly those lost shootouts mean something. At the very least two home playoff dates, which is a few million in revenue, which might cost a team a key signing or whatever (though admittedly this probably isn't that much a concern for Detroit at the moment). Detroit's shootout ineptitude nearly cost them a playoff spot last year though, and stuck them with the Bruins in the first round. Maybe if they'd won a few more of those silly skill competitions, they'd have drawn a better matchup and made a better showing of it. And who knows, squeaking out two points from a turd of a game like this one might give a morale boost to a team like Toronto that might burn us down the road. Love it or hate it, the shootout is part of the game for now and something you have to be able to succeed in at least some of the time.

Now I don't think the SO losses will be quite as meaningful this year with this much improved team, they should take care of more of their business during regulation and OT (as they have for the most part) but last year every one of those lost points was so damned excruciating. If again we find ourselves stuck with an undesirable first round matchup that we end up losing in short order, by way of a difference of a couple points in the standings, and we find ourselves also with an ugly 2-10 shootout record or thereabouts, I'll be very disheartened. The points were there, and there's no reason this team shouldn't be able to grab half of them at least. I'd love as much as anyone for shootouts to be taken out altogether, but as it stands they're a major factor in determining the success of teams' seasons and dismissing their importance, however obscene we find the concept, strikes as an invitation to misfortune.

 

[jerrymac]

Yes I read through the PG discussion and finally get it HOWARD was the reason we lost! It makes such sense how could I not see it in front of my own face?

C'mon now, we need at lease one anti Jimmy post per page.

On another note, I feel like I'm the only (or of the very few) that isn't concerned with Z. He's been slow no doubt, but he's been winning battles, still sees the ice well and making some nice passes. Of course, it's also possible I'm not judging him objectively.

 

[Gyldenlove]

Is it fair to say hockey fans are "over" the shootout yet?

The Wings and Howard suck at them now, no doubt, but I can't even bother to care about it.

It feels like such a pointless thing to do. It doesn't exist in the playoffs, so it feels weird that it carries so much importance in qualifying for the playoffs. At this point I would be much happier just having the game end in a tie after overtime, or maybe play 3 minutes of 4 on 4 and 3 minutes of 3 on 3 overtime and then end in a tie. The shootout is just boring.

 

[BF3]

We badly outplayed them and lost. Happens. Got a point.

 

[Squirrel in the Hole]

Is it fair to say hockey fans are "over" the shootout yet?

The Wings and Howard suck at them now, no doubt, but I can't even bother to care about it.

I know I am, but...

Whether we like it or not, the shootout is part of the game, and teams ignore it at their own peril. And, we seem to be ignoring it.

Successful teams in the shootout have star players that do well (Datsyuk), but you also need a "shootout specialist" (Jussi Jokinen, TJ Oshie, Brad Boyes type of player). Aside from Big Bert and his spin-o-rama, we've never had one.

I think Babcock should identify someone and focus them on the shootout. This won't directly fix Howard's "issues", but if we score more often in the shootout, it might not matter as much.

 

[Big Poppa Puck]

Why are we so atrocious in shootouts?


Me and Flyers fans around here argue all the time about which of our teams is actually worse in the SO.

 

[jerrymac]

I agree that it would be better without a shootout. I still think the casual fan likes the shoot out though, which is a large chunk of fans. I know if I'm watching the game with someone less invested into a team/the NHL they'll almost always cheer for a shootout.

 

[Flowah]

Actually I want to say he was quite good at it three years ago, obviously he is God awful at them now.

Overall great game, Reimer stole two points for the Leafs, still love the way we played. Far superior team will lose sometimes in hockey, just one of those nights.

Yeah I thought I remembered him being super good at breakaways, penalty shots, and shootouts. Now he blows, but he used to be good at it. Was it the pad size changes?

I can't even be mad about the shootout. You shouldn't crush a team that badly in possession and chances and let it get to a shootout. This game should have been handily won in regulation and the team needs to bear down and finish some of those glorious chances. We had outright breakaways and open nets and just couldn't put the puck in there.

 

[RedWingsForPresident]

This game is literally proof that the NHL needs to get rid of the shootout. Toronto should have lost 8-0 and end up winning getting 2 points towards a playoff spot because they were better at breakaways.

Detroit seriously needs to consider putting Mrazek in net for shootouts. It could honestly cost us a division title or home ice advantage losing all these shootouts

 

[ricky0034]

This game is literally proof that the NHL needs to get rid of the shootout. Toronto should have lost 8-0 and end up winning getting 2 points towards a playoff spot because they were better at breakaways.

Detroit seriously needs to consider putting Mrazek in net for shootouts. It could honestly cost us a division title or home ice advantage losing all these shootouts

there's a reason nobody ever does anything like that

it's not exactly easy to hop in net and stop shooters one on one after not playing all night

 

[hyduK]

should have capitalized a bit more, but **** happens. solid game overall.

 

[DeYarmond Edison]

I was upset at Howard last night.. I mean he is awful when it comes to a shootout situation.. But it's not like our high profile players are any better.

 

[ArGarBarGar]

there's a reason nobody ever does anything like that

it's not exactly easy to hop in net and stop shooters one on one after not playing all night

Julie the Cat did it.

 

[DeYarmond Edison]

Julie the Cat did it.

That's what this team needs. I think Detroit Sports would agree.

 

[14ari13]

Zetterberg
People complain about him, but actually this game due to his unearthly pass we scored our lone goal.

We outplayed the Leafs. But did we really?
Leafs scored 3 goals. The one that the buzz beat just a split of the last second. No goal.
In OT the puck passed Howard just to be stopped by Nyquist on the very goalline.
Those games happen. The Leafs play for their lives, they Are red hot. But do they give 110% every night now? How long can this last?
We scored a lot lately, but were kept to one goal here. No PP goals on 4 PPs.

Howard.
It is not easy to be the Wings goalie because sometimes the goalie has to stay sharp while not facing many shots. He maybe gets bored ANS loses the focus. This happened to many of our goalies including the superstar goalies like Hasek and joseph. Osgood too.
He was not great, but I fully understand his position.
As another poster mentioned and backed it up with the facts and stats, Babcock should let the opponenets shoot first.

WE ARE FIRST IN DA CONFERENCE Breathe in, enjoy, Breathe out. Repeat.

 

[ArGarBarGar]

Zetterberg
People complain about him, but actually this game due to his unearthly pass we scored our lone goal.

He had a good look on that pass, but still looked slow and a step behind most of the night.

We outplayed the Leafs. But did we really?
Leafs scored 3 goals. The one that the buzz beat just a split of the last second. No goal.
In OT the puck passed Howard just to be stopped by Nyquist on the very goalline.
Those games happen. The Leafs play for their lives, they Are red hot. But do they give 110% every night now? How long can this last?
We scored a lot lately, but were kept to one goal here. No PP goals on 4 PPs.

The Leafs scored 1 goal. Come on, let's not get into the "coulda shoulda woulda" territory.

Howard.
It is not easy to be the Wings goalie because sometimes the goalie has to stay sharp while not facing many shots. He maybe gets bored ANS loses the focus. This happened to many of our goalies including the superstar goalies like Hasek and joseph. Osgood too.
He was not great, but I fully understand his position.
As another poster mentioned and backed it up with the facts and stats, Babcock should let the opponenets shoot first.

I don't think lack of shots were an issue tonight. He stopped what, 18 shots out of 19? He was fine in regulation and overtime, but just could not make a save in the shootout. I'm willing to give him some slack since we never seem to score in the shootout, either, but he has to have one shootout where he gives the Wings a chance to win even if they don't score more than 1 goal. He's gotta do it at least once if the offense isn't there.

WE ARE FIRST IN DA CONFERENCE Breathe in, enjoy, Breathe out. Repeat.

Hellz yeah.

 

[TheOtherOne]

.
We outplayed the Leafs. But did we really?
Leafs scored 3 goals. The one that the buzz beat just a split of the last second. No goal.

Lol are you kidding? Yea and the wings scored 40 goals if not for the ones that were stopped. That's hockey.