Would someone tell Willie we are playing for the future. Play LaBate, Rendolic and all the young guys instead of playing the Sedins every second shift just to eke out a meaningless win (and in this case an OT loss).
Willie is so focused on winning like the next face off when the organization must be focused long term. Development of the young players (a task Willie seems to feel is not in his job description) should be his primary concern given the present position of the team. His reliance on vets is simply out of sync with the team needs.
Liked
Boucher - guy has game. Concerns about his skating seem ill founded. Stays in the play with ease and reads his offensive chances well. Moreover, seems to be able to work himself inside the play to get scoring chances. Should be tried with the Sedins IMO. Very handy with the stick
Granlund - increasingly showing he is a smart player and has an excellent shot. Can see the criticism of his defensive game but only 2 short of the club lead in goals. Think he is having season he can build off.
Gaunce - much better. Forced the play well and carried the puck better. Looks close to ending a miserable drought in goals. Has to sustain this and Willie needs to play him down the stretch. Thought his line lacked much finesse but overall were effective.
Sedins - far and away the best players on the ice. Get them rest and they are still a force
Edler - solid two way game.
Stecher - started slow but as tghe game went on was up providing support and moving the puck really well. His vision and passing are just excellent.
Did Not Like
Sbisa - play is falling off badly. Looked like a player that had the flu and probably does. Appeared to have no legs and was sluggish in skating and moving the puck. Coverage simply not adequate. Like to see him moved and there are plenty of teams that need depth defense.
Hutton - could like him at times but again making critical mistakes that led to open chances. Often tries to do to much and rushes into trouble. Has been absolutely outplayed by Stecher and that may be causing him to try to overdo it.
Other points
Larsen was better. Not good but not so obviously bad. Seemed to create a little more room for himself and played with confidence. Still had trouble handling players deep in his end.
Real ragged game with both teams continually handing over chances. Passing and puck movement by both teams was often brutal. When the Sedins came out and started controlling the play the contrast with most of the play was clear.
Detroit looked like a very bad team (should never have won this game and wouldn't have without a sensational game from Mzarek) and may spend longer in the woods than we do. At one point looked like the Wings had some young talent on the way. But players like Mantha, Tatar and Larkin (and what happened to this player) have really faltered. Others like Anthanasiou are awful.
Don't think you can criticize Miller on any of the goals. Miller has played well enough but still hope he is gone by this time tomorrow.