Abel to Yzerman
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And Lightfoot Saved Us
by IwoCPO on 10/28/09 at 11:37 AM ET
Comments (76)
Because that’s what Gordon does and then he asks for so precious little in return. Just a thought now and again for the poor bastards who rode the E. Fitzgerald until her keel split in two like a frigging twig, and maybe a cheap beer if you see him at some non-descript UP watering hole.
And we owe him. Oh yes we frigging do.
But we owe a few other fellas just as much. What an interesting turn of a stomach last night, eh? Do you know the exact thing the 19 absolutely did not need last night? An early soft goal. Do you know the precise follow-up that would send us careening down a road toward a massive, collective inhalation of vomit? A second softy.
Well, that’s what you got Motherfu**ers. Because that’s how we’ve been rolling lately. And the 19, I’m sorry to say, was on the very cusp of blowing the hell up. Oh yes. Yesterday, actually all week, was a day of infighting, sobbing bitchfests and grade-school squabbling. And I’m proud to say I was right in the middle of it. Here’s a newsflash, a little bit of insight for you. Ready?
I do not take it well when people pick on my Uncle Mike. Sometimes, when it’s dark, I let those people irritate me. And every single time? I like to pretend i’m 11 and get sucked into those conversations like a toolbag.
Well, guess what? The Babcock Naysayers are at a disadvantage. While they may be smarter because they watch hockey games other than those featuring my Dynasty? They don’t have the kind of access my interns do. And you know the result of that access?
The Mike Babcock Consolidated Quote of the Day (MBCQOTD)
“Yep I sat Helmer. Love that kid but I sat him because he was playing like a fourth-liner not a third liner and a third liner’s what I need him to be Ansar a third liner with some grit and a sense of humor sometimes because when things get tough I like to flick him on the ear on the bench. Flick. Flick. Flick. What? Me? Eyes on the ice. I’m an Olympic coach Ansar. O. Lim. Pic. You gonna doubt me? Well you just roll the dice Sally. Roll ‘em and then pick ‘em up and put them in your pocket next to your Mentos.”
Good points Mike. All of ‘em.
Interesting. I spend three straight days defending Babcock against the evil hordes. And then he benches Helm and I literally have no idea why. I couldn’t figure it out and here’s the thing...I saw Darren Helm doing what Helm typically does. He was running people, skating hard, being a nuisance. That, honestly, is all I ever expected out of the kid...at least at this stage.
But Uncle Mike? I guess he saw something else, and I guess he saw it because he knows more about hockey than I do.
“There’s an opportunity for a young guy to watch, (and) he’ll be fired up to come back,” Babcock said. “Sometimes, a shot over the bow is a good reminder for guys.”
Helm has one point (an assist) and a minus-1 rating in five games since returning from a one-month absence because of a sprained AC joint.
Babcock said Helm’s play has been “fine,” but “not at the level I’m used to having him.”
He then added, “There would be a lot of guys who can be accused of that.”
A few things in there. Yes, Helm will be fired up to come back. But Helm seems to be fired up from the minute he wakes up. Helm jumps out of bed and starts hitting people. Helm doesn’t walk from the couch to the fridge. He sprints and he hits people in his way. It struck me as odd that he’d require that kind of motivation.
A shot over the bow is a naval term and I dig that. But there’s a difference between a bow and a…
“Sometimes just a shot over the bough is a good reminder.”
Watch out. One more shot and that “bough” might break bitches. That’s alliteration. Sorry.
So Mike made his move and benched the kid. In favor of Brad May? Sure. And May did his job. Hopefully he didn’t break his hand in the process. He returned after our initial panic last night so all appears well. But May is no Aaron Downey. He’s more of a Darren McCarty type, only much tougher. May has a bit of offense to him where Downey was inept. Good guy but no offense.
I’m digging May Day.
You’re thinking it today because you’ve been raised to go there. You’re thinking it but you’re waiting for someone else to actually say it before you comment. Your hesitation sickens me. You know who has no problem saying it? Uncle Mike. Unprecedented. Two in one post.
MBCQOTD (b)
“Yanked his ass. Yanked. Him. Said to Todd, ‘GimmeJimmy.’ Rhymed it. Woops. I mean Brad. Stupid haircut Brad. But I said ‘GimmeJimmy.’ Does that mean there’s a goalie controversy? I don’t know Helene. What’s a controversy? You tell me Helene. Define it for me. I pulled the starter and put another person in goal and that person played well. Did he play great Ansar? No. But he played well and the other guy sat and stewed in his ballcap with his pen and pretended to do the faceoff chart that nobody ever looks at. Frescas on me bitches. Frescas alllllll around.”
Jimmy Howard looked like an NHL goalie last night. Oh, he was scary and a little reckless. But I’ll be bitch slapped if the kid didn’t make some amazing saves, along with a bunch that just have to be made every time. And because of the way Babcock reacted after the second soft Osgood goal? You have to think he’s a little fed up with Regular Season Osgood.
November is the new May. Whoever we have in net can’t afford mental lapses and boredom and whatever else ails Chris Osgood during the heretofore meaningless games between early October and April. Every game, when you decide to bend over for the first month of the season, means a bit more the rest of the way. It looked to me last night that one goalie understands that. Another one doesn’t.
Someone I was angry with earlier in the week just made a good point and I’d like to let you see it. No, it’s not going on the frigging sidebar.
Besides 4 in the third, something deliciously different was going on last night. Three (3) down low goals, Wings seem to have cut the number of shots from the point.
I can dig that and it looks like the Wings, finally, do too. And you know who’s leading that charge? Two guys: Wally and the Unibomber. Frigging Filppula, as many of you hetero-Fil-fawners have pointed out, is becoming a force. His pass to Williams (yep...I was wrong) was a thing of beauty and a picture of why moving, moving, moving toward the net instead of dancing around the perimeter on the PP is so critical to Detroit’s success.
Bertuzzi is going to earn himself a multi-year deal in Detroit. He’s lighter, faster and more aggressive than we’ve seen him. And last night? The elbows were up and that just makes me giggle. Sooner or later he’s gonna start scoring and then? Stand by. Because this guy is comfortable and he’s right there. That close.
So Jimmah and Wally and Uncle Mike and the Rejuvinoozi all played a part.
But you know what we needed and where we got it from. Offense was a problem going in, eh? Third period scoring an issue? Power play problems? Lack of production from the guys being paid to score?
Datsyuk. Finally. And if you think there is one other single ingredient as important as him? There isn’t one. His offense feeds everything. Need evidence? Look no further than last June and a loss to a team that never could have contained him if healthy. There should be a hologram of his ankle x-rays under the names of the Pittsburgh players engraved on the Cup.
Many things went right last night as the Wings finally took an “elite” goalie to task. They sucked quick and early then mounted a comeback. So much went right. And, really, so little was proven.
Sustained superior performance is all that can right the ten-game open hander. A little streak of consistent periods (great, now I can’t even use that word without squirming), then a couple wins, and then a five or six gamer. If last night meant anything, it has to be the beginning of something consistent.
I think it can, but only stupid people believe for certain that a win tomorrow night in Edmonton is guaranteed.
Still...screw it. I’d start Howard. You?
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
Rejuvinoozi? Love it.
Start Howard...Ozzie is our ace in the whole for the playoffs, but let’s give Jimmah some time on the ice to see what he is really made of.
Posted by John from Pittsburgh, PA (Wings fan for life!) on 10/28/09 at 11:55 AM ET
Still...screw it. I’d start Howard. You?
Yup. I am a huge Ozzie booster, but why should goalies be treated so differently from skaters? Helm isn’t performing up to Uncle Mike’s standards? He sits. So start Timmay the rest of this roadie and the first game back at JLA. That will send a message to Ozzie to get his head out of his arse and keep his friggin paddle on the ice. My 83 year-old, blind in one eye mother could have stopped those first two last night.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 10/28/09 at 11:56 AM ET
Still...screw it. I’d start Howard. You?
Sounds like a plan to me. Jimmah looked somewhat confident out there last night. It can’t hurt.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 10/28/09 at 11:58 AM ET
Chief, great post, a lot of excellent points made.
Howard starts tomorrow night at the Oil Can. He’s had 2 solid games, basically started last night’s game and kept the Wings in it. The whole Osgood and cheap goal thing is starting to get on my nerves. He’s beginning to look like the goaltender the Wings got rid of in 2001, rather than the one who played great the last 2 playoff runs.
Another point on Ozzie, the Wings have little confidence in him again. Uncle Mike was spot on in making the move when he did, and I think it’s a big sign when Mike has more confidence in an unproven rookie goalie over a 3-time Stanley Cup winner, and the Wings played better once they saw Jimmy was capable of making the stops an NHL goalie should make.
This isn’t the year for Ozzie to shit the bed like last season, this team can’t afford that. I don’t know if he’s putting added pressure on himself because of the lost scoring or what, but he needs to get his act together.
It’s clear to me though that Jimmy, and even Uncle Mike know that this is the chance for Howard to step up and show what he can do. His window of opportunity opened last night and I feel that Jimmy took advantage of it. Start Howard tomorrow, if he plays well, start him again Saturday in Calgary where Ozzie will have family and friends present. I think that would send a message.
Posted by OHWingsFan40 from Oregon/Bowling Green, OH on 10/28/09 at 11:58 AM ET
Babs said Howie starts, according to his pre-trip plan. Ozzie goes on Saturday in Calgary. Probably with Ozzie’s dad watching, but as Ozzie’s from Peace River and his dad’s an elementary school principal in Edmonton…
Shot across the boughs of holly.
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 10/28/09 at 12:00 PM ET
There should be a hologram of his ankle x-rays under the names of the Pittsburgh players engraved on the Cup.
Fantastic.
And I’d start Howie too, the Jimmah! was always good, just lacked confidence, I want to see win after his first W.
Sitting Helm was stupid. It worked. Do it to Abby.
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 10/28/09 at 12:01 PM ET
Also: Ozzie’s wearing one set of pads in practice and a different set (and brand) in games again, and he didn’t really stabilize last season until he ditched the old Itechs for the Brian’s pads he’s currently nursing as he attempts to “break in” his Bauers (yes, that’s three brands, and the pads look cosmetically different, but custom gear tends to work as the goaltender wishes, regardless of the brand name) in practice. Thus the five-hole issue, just like last season.
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 10/28/09 at 12:02 PM ET
Now I’m kicking myself for crashing after the 2nd period. Caught the highlights and there were some beauties.
At times, Babcock is one crazy MFer. I wonder if on these long road trips he calls Hasek way over in the eastern bloc and asks to be read a bed time story. There was no hesitation or mistaking his anger after Ozzy’s 2nd fckup.
I will say I don’t ever want to see Leino stuck on a line with Draper again. I don’t think they ever connected a single pass, and Drapes just doesn’t think the game on offense fast or creative enough to keep up.
Who starts in Edmonton? I don’t care. I just want them focused.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 10/28/09 at 12:11 PM ET
Dom’s got a thigh (not groin) injury. No dice for a while.
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 10/28/09 at 12:14 PM ET
Just when I thought I was starting to get this blogging thing down and catch up to the big boys, the Chief puts out an epic post that sets the bar so high I can’t even see it, damnit.
Posted by moore00 from the Ohio State University on 10/28/09 at 12:14 PM ET
George...you’re a mountain of information, but you lost me on sentence 3.
Wait, you only have 2? Uh...maybe after the fifth comma. Goaltending gear does what now?
Chief? Love the post...but I’d be careful on calling this a beginning. Sure they battled like the ‘07-’08 Wings, and took the game for themselves. Let’s see how they close out the rest of the road trip before calling it a “beginning”. Frankly, while confidence has been restored, I’m still nervous as hell.
Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 10/28/09 at 12:14 PM ET
Ozzie’s wearing one set of pads in practice and a different set (and brand) in games again, and he didn’t really stabilize last season until he ditched the old Itechs for the Brian’s pads he’s currently nursing as he attempts to “break in” his Bauers (yes, that’s three brands, and the pads look cosmetically different, but custom gear tends to work as the goaltender wishes, regardless of the brand name) in practice. Thus the five-hole issue, just like last season.
Great info, George. I’m not a goalie, I don’t play one on TV, and I’m not even a pharmacist, but still, even I know that is a recipe for disaster.
You think Tiger uses one putter in practice and another in tournament play? Hell no.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 10/28/09 at 12:16 PM ET
Great summary and insight , Chief.
In Uncle Mike we trust.
A “W” tomorrow? It’s gonna happen.
Howard in net at Edmonton? Yep, according to Uncle Mike’s post game invterview last night.
Tuzzi an asset? Pleasent surprise? Indeed, to me. I had images of ‘a slug’ when we signed him last summer, didn’t like it. Now? He appears lean and focused. And, yes, enjoying hockey again.
Fil having a coming out party? No, a coming out season. We’re just starting to see the good.
And Pasha? What can be said? Awesome, just awesome. NO ONE can match him when healthy. No. One.
Helmer gonna be fired-up to be Babs 3rd-liner next game? Ha, no question. Can’t wait.
May Day? Please stay healthy. No busted hands. We gotta have ‘the stand-up-for’ guy.
Jimmah? He’s REAL hungry for ice time, wants to prove something to Babs. It could be happening.
Ozzie? Ozzie is Ozzie. Not worried. But need someone to tie some smelling salts to the cage before each game.
And our “Thanks” to Mr. Lightfoot.
AND Jobu. We’re onto something here, 19. We’re on to something, Jobu.
A “W” tomorrow? It’s gonna happen.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/28/09 at 12:20 PM ET
I’d start Jimmy again in Edmonton, then barring a clusterf**k, again against the Calgoons, then again against the Bruins. Ozzie’s finally got to get it through his head that these regular season games DO matter. Those 2 goals he allowed were so bad, there aren’t any superlatives to describe them. If anyone’s bow needs a shot across it, it’s Ozzie’s. I don’t give a shite if Ozzie’s dad, mom, sister, brother and great-niece’s dog is in the crowd during the Alberta excursion, he needs to realize that we need a chance to play with a lead for a while and he needs the help us out with that.
Posted by Chris in Hockey Hell from COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE on 10/28/09 at 12:21 PM ET
A shot over the bow is a naval term and I dig that. But there’s a difference between a bow and a…
McCoskey“Sometimes just a shot over the bough is a good reminder.”
Watch out. One more shot and that “bough” might break bitches. That’s alliteration. Sorry.
McCoskey was just starting the holidays a little prematurely. He got into the egg nog a little too much while decking the halls and donning his gay apparel.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 10/28/09 at 12:26 PM ET
Stick with Jimmah for one more. Get Ozzie some time to wander around in his mental playground in time to play against Calgary. Now that the Wings have proven that they don’t hate the kid and are actually willing to score goals in front of him, I say let him have another start and capitalize on the momentum. Ozzie understands the game, he’s a smart guy. We’re not crushing his soul to make him sit against the Oil.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 10/28/09 at 12:29 PM ET
Another point on Ozzie, the Wings have little confidence in him again. Uncle Mike was spot on in making the move when he did, and I think it’s a big sign when Mike has more confidence in an unproven rookie goalie over a 3-time Stanley Cup winner, and the Wings played better once they saw Jimmy was capable of making the stops an NHL goalie should make.
Posted by OHWingsFan40 from Oregon/Bowling Green, OH on 10/28/09 at 11:58 AM ET
Concur.
The ‘confidence in the goalie’ was the switch last night. It was a slow motion flip but as the game progressed, the confidence in the goalie and the resultant “drive” of the entire team became more and more obvious.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/28/09 at 12:30 PM ET
Have any of the 19 around Belleville checked this place out?
http://www.newlawnsodfarm.com/corn-maze.html
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 10/28/09 at 12:35 PM ET
Never change a winning lineup (stole that one from Gramps)!
Howard plays. Helm still sits.
Change it when it falters.
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 10/28/09 at 12:41 PM ET
I actually think that the first ten minutes the Wings played after they pulled Ozzie was the best they performed in the whole game. Yes, a scoreless ten minutes in the first period was better than a four goal outburst in the third, take that shit to the bank, son.
Pulling Ozzie turned on the light switch in the Wings that they weren’t playing like they should have been. Once they ramped it up, it gave Jimmy some confidence that the guys were going to play well in front of him. Besides, if they didn’t, oh well, a goalie can’t erase a two goal deficit. Jimmy was riding high on this nirvana he was in, so when the Wings did falter enough to let the Canucks fight back and get some outstanding scoring opportunities, he was ready for it. The Wings looked back and saw that they were allowed to take some chances now because they could trust that Jimmah wasn’t going to let them down. They stopped playing tight and started playing Red Wings hockey.
This is what happens when a team’s confidence in their goaltender and a goaltender’s confidence in his team meet up.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 10/28/09 at 12:51 PM ET
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 10/28/09 at 12:51 PM ET
And, again,
Concur.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/28/09 at 12:57 PM ET
Classic Chief. Well done, and accurate:
So much went right. And, really, so little was proven
Never change a winning lineup (stole that one from Gramps)!
Howard plays. Helm still sits.
Change it when it falters.
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson’s ice cream truck on 10/28/09 at 12:41 PM ET
Agreed. But Uncle Mike isn’t a subscriber, so who the “fuch” knows.
I’d start Jimmah, no question. I wouldn’t have been shocked to see the Wings mail it in after those two softies given up by Ozzie—that was pathetic and potentially game-ending. Even after giving up that lame-ass 5-3. The Wings coulda packed it in any number of times last night, but kept finding a way to win.
Huge kudos to the team and coaching staff for that comeback.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 19 on 10/28/09 at 12:58 PM ET
Never change a winning lineup (stole that one from Gramps)!
Howard plays. Helm still sits.
Change it when it falters.
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson’s ice cream truck on 10/28/09 at 12:41 PM ET
Offhand, I can think of five reasons why Uncle Mike shouldn’t change a thing. Work on defense and rebound control, sure, but there’s no need to tinker with the lineup. Jimmah included--if he doesn’t start against Edmonton, I’ll be disappointed.
Posted by Bio on 10/28/09 at 01:02 PM ET
Chris & Myself....
We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!
Epic post, Chief. You’re still the king.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 10/28/09 at 01:02 PM ET
I’d still put Helm in over Abdelkader. If that turns out to be a reason that Datsyuk goes back to not scoring, Filppula can’t connect on a pass, or Bertuzzi stops actually hitting then you can slap me open-handed, provided you can prove that replacing a guy on the fourth line is the reason.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 10/28/09 at 01:04 PM ET
I wonder if Pasha is gonna continue to fire pucks at the net like a mad man. After his 2 goals he was trying like hell to get that hat trick. Anyone know how many shots on goal he had?
Posted by ITDeuce on 10/28/09 at 01:04 PM ET
Anyone know how many shots on goal he had?
Posted by ITDeuce on 10/28/09 at 01:04 PM ET
Box score has him at 4 ("on goal”; but there were several good ‘at goal’ attempts, too).
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/28/09 at 01:21 PM ET
Anyone know how Ryan Johnson is doing today after his “crash” last night?
No doubt quite sore, but anything long term?
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/28/09 at 01:36 PM ET
I say start Jimmy for a while, let Ozzie stew on that. However, I’d like to see Jimmy work on his rebound control, it’s like he’s made out of rubber, hands included.
Posted by John W. from pulling fish out of a hole in the ice on 10/28/09 at 01:42 PM ET
Great post Chief. Woke me out of my slumber.
Start Jimmy. My 9 year old has had his photo on his bedroom wall for 3 frickin years. It is now or never for him. I am pulling for him.
Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 10/28/09 at 01:43 PM ET
Anyone know how Ryan Johnson is doing today after his “crash” last night?
No doubt quite sore, but anything long term?
Nothing other than a statement that his teammates are relieved that he was not seriously injured.
Any word on Brad May? Did anyone see him on the ice after the fight? There was much speculation in the LB that he hurt his hand.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 10/28/09 at 01:45 PM ET
Also: Ozzie’s wearing one set of pads in practice and a different set (and brand) in games again, and he didn’t really stabilize last season until he ditched the old Itechs for the Brian’s pads he’s currently nursing as he attempts to “break in” his Bauers (yes, that’s three brands, and the pads look cosmetically different, but custom gear tends to work as the goaltender wishes, regardless of the brand name) in practice. Thus the five-hole issue, just like last season.
This is something to think about. I bought new skates two seasons ago and I’m just now getting used them. They bothered me every game and I almost went back to my old ones. But then again I don’t get paid millions to stop a puck so that might not fly in the NHL.
Posted by YYZerman on 10/28/09 at 01:50 PM ET
Updated Jobu for you all to enjoy.
Posted by WingsFanInBeanLand from Earth. on 10/28/09 at 02:16 PM ET
Updated Jobu for you all to enjoy.
Nice work, WFIBL, you are pshop master.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 10/28/09 at 02:22 PM ET
Start Howard. Start Howard until Osgood goes nuts. Like Cannonball Helm nuts. Mad Homer nuts. Hasek wearing a kimono chasing butterflies in the fields of whatever country he’s from nuts. He needs to be so effing fed up with Uncle Mike’s mind games that he checks into playoff mode early.
Posted by Rob from Ann Arbor, MI on 10/28/09 at 02:32 PM ET
Updated Jobu for you all to enjoy.
Posted by WingsFanInBeanLand from Earth. on 10/28/09 at 02:16 PM ET
Note: from prior post;
can we get a large size file on that Jobu image? I would find a way to make a t-shirt out of that
Posted by FranzensMouthguard on 10/28/09 at 11:34 AM ET
If we make this happen,
I’ll put my order in for 2 - Large Ts now.
Awesome.
(originally) Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/28/09 at 11:49 AM ET
Someone want to run with this idea? Might make great ‘A2Y 19 Team Ts’?
I’d be in for a couple.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/28/09 at 02:43 PM ET
Beautiful WFIBL. We need that on a shirt. Fo shizzy.
Howard reminded me of a young Ozzie. He relied a lot on reaction time, athleticism and, later, aggressive pursuit of the shooter to cut down their angle and vision. The saves were amazing but he was also left flopping around the crease without a clean recovery from the first save. All good though. He had good positioning and saw things well.
I would start him next game.
However, for those who are calling for Ozzie to sit in the dunce corner and think about why it’s bad to shit on ice. Why exactly do you think that would help him get better? Sure as hell didn’t work last season. And I’ll bet you that game didn’t rattle him. He’ll be fine.
ManCrush and Dangle are ruling the passing lanes right now. J-Willy shoots on net. Leino is looking to hit people. Jonny got away with a lot last game; boy needs to work on lateral movement because he’s getting stepped around way too easily.
jimmah? Jimmah, Jimmah? JIMMAH
Posted by Osrt on 10/28/09 at 02:47 PM ET
Hang on here,
Let’s don’t set ourselves up for disappointment.
One win in 4 games is not the return of a dynasty.
We have a rookie netminder with his first win, but still a 3.03 GAA
He played great last night, no dispute, but again 3.03 GAA
And a slumping, seasoned vet that may be in need of Dr Romani...3.40 GAA
Only a die-hard Vancouver fan could tell you if the Canucks brought their A game last night.
The next game in EDM is against a team that has not scored in the last 7 periods, and has been decimated by the Flu. Looks easy, right.....well, maybe if we change the roster a little and tinker with the lines, right Babs....That should make it even easier, right.
Are you sure that Babs can convince the Wings they need to be playing their best....
If it is that certain, what the hell happened the 3 games before last night?
The team +/- is still -32 and we have given up 3.28 GPG (25th in the league), yet only scored 2.97 GPG (16th).
Just lower your expectations, sit back and enjoy....
This kind of excitement is only acceptable after winning 6 out of the next 7,
And,
Oh, yeah
Almost forgot…
Drink a lot before Saturday’s game.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from A. K. A. NostraGrampus on 10/28/09 at 02:52 PM ET
Sorry, still not sold on Howard.
In fact, I feel like his play in the 3d solidifies my distaste for the man.
The Nucks’ 3d and 4th goals were crazy soft. Like basic, “do your job *#$%@&” soft. Our offense finally stepped it up but Howard almost negated that effort. Sure, he made some good saves here and there. But consistency is the key and he was not.
Mule’s down. Cap space is open. Lets find us a bonafide backup. As I’ve mentioned, I will not blame Ozzie, but it would be foolish to not recognize his shortcomings in the regular season. Lets get a guy who could support him. Howard came close, but he’s just not there.
That being said I feel so much better right now. It’s kind of pathetic how much my day-to-day mood rises and falls with the Wings’ last performance.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 10/28/09 at 02:52 PM ET
Chief, this is why I read A2Y. This is why I need the 19, despite my summer and early fall of denial.
Posted by Incognetis from Exile in Alabama on 10/28/09 at 02:53 PM ET
Jonny got away with a lot last game; Posted by Osrt on 10/28/09 at 02:47 PM ET
The whole Defense was lucky last night, that is why I question if it was VAN’s A game.
My brother brought up a good point after the game last night.
Our D, when a check is coming, is just randomly dumping the puck, not even passing.
They need to work on eating the puck, when necessary like Cheli and Lils. Maltby, Cleary and Drapes are the best at not doing something stupid when there is nothing to do with the puck. I have noticed Bertuzzi is pretty good at that also, but our D..? Work on it.
?...Anyone else notice Bieksa spinning left last night when turning right would have kept him in position...I began wondering if he can spin right.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from A. K. A. NostraGrampus on 10/28/09 at 03:03 PM ET
I say start Jimmy for a while, let Ozzie stew on that.
I don’t disagree. Shutting down Ozzie for 10 days last year really lit a fire under his ass, so why not do it again? Only this time, do it NOW so that he shows up for the rest of the season AND the playoffs.
And I’ll also agree with JJ in that I would put Helm in over Abdelkader.
I still think Abby should be in GR getting the big minutes he needs. We can alternate May and Eaves on the fourth line (am I the only one who has liked the Helm/Maltby/Eaves line?) and give Eaves a chance to show what he can do, plugging May in when needed or when Eaves falters and if an injury comes up we can bring Abby back to the D. Last year we couldn’t afford to have a 13th forward on the roster, forcing Meech to play a bunch as a forward, so why do we need to have 14 forwards just because we can afford to, with Franzen out?
Posted by Garth on 10/28/09 at 03:06 PM ET
Mule’s down. Cap space is open. Lets find us a bonafide backup....Howard came close, but he’s just not there.
And he’s never going to get there if people give up on him after he plays pretty well in a win in the 10th game of the season.
Norris, your a guy who’s opinion I always respect but you’ve lost me here. I find it hard to call any goal “crazy soft” when you’re playing 2 men down and trying to guard against those cross ice passes.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 10/28/09 at 03:09 PM ET
Osgood’s pads situation is silly. Wow, lot of S’s in that sentence.
I couldn’t even see the hole in his pads on the first goal. He better work that shizz out.
Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 10/28/09 at 03:09 PM ET
My brother brought up a good point after the game last night.
I think it’s about time you introduced Hockey Town Rod to the rest of the 19. I’d be interested in what he had to say.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 10/28/09 at 03:10 PM ET
The Nucks’ 3d and 4th goals were crazy soft.
Kind of like their 1st and 2nd eh?
Look, it ain’t great. In fact....it’s rather crap, but he did make the saves needed for the win. No it’s not Christmas...it’s not even an effing winning streak, but at this point, the man gave the Wings the win.
Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 10/28/09 at 03:13 PM ET
Norris, your a guy who’s opinion I always respect but you’ve lost me here. I find it hard to call any goal “crazy soft” when you’re playing 2 men down and trying to guard against those cross ice passes.
Fair. I suppose I should give him credit for the 5-3; those stupid penalties were not what we needed. I just think people are getting a bit ahead of themselves here. Jimmah’s performance is being touted as though he stole the game. I just don’t see it. He was adequate. I’ll give him slightly better than mediocre. But I just don’t think that’s enough. The guy was out of position too often, per usual. His angles didn’t seem quite right, per usual. Sure, it’s his first win - but why are we OK with that?
I think a bigger reason for Howard’s success last night was our offense and defense realizing they had a kid who was often out of position backing them up and they turned it up a notch. I’m not ready to hail praises on the guy, and I’m certainly not ready to hand over the crown. I think we need a more capable backup in order to truly feel safe. You may have a point that I’m giving up on him too early, but it’s not only because of last night. It’s what I’ve seen from him in the past. One decent night won’t change that for me, especially when his decent night involved giving up 2 goals, at least one of which was wicked soft, and being out of position far too often.
I hope I’m wrong.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 10/28/09 at 03:20 PM ET
I think it’s about time you introduced Hockey Town Rod to the rest of the 19. I’d be interested in what he had to say.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 10/28/09 at 03:10 PM ET
Erik reads and is a fan of A2Y, but committing himself to the asylum seems to be a tough decision for him to make. He knows as much about hockey as I do.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from A. K. A. NostraGrampus on 10/28/09 at 03:23 PM ET
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Note: from prior post;
can we get a large size file on that Jobu image? I would find a way to make a t-shirt out of that
Posted by FranzensMouthguard on 10/28/09 at 11:34 AM ET
If we make this happen,
I’ll put my order in for 2 - Large Ts now.
Awesome.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/28/09 at 11:49 AM ET