Abel to Yzerman
Next entry: Melrose On Game 3
Previous entry: And Later That Night When The Ship's Bell Rang? That Was A Game 3 Live Blog, Brother
Done
by IwoCPO on 05/13/08 at 04:06 AM ET
Comments (56)
This series ended the minute Doc Emerick finished this sentence, “Richards is back on defense.” A blink of an eye later, even quicker, and Zetterberg had twisted him, flashed to his left, deked and roofed it.
And Marty Turco slid on his ass toward the golf course. Perhaps, in that tiny span of time, Turco gave thought to what he’d said earlier in the day.
“We don’t think much of them on a personal, character level. We think that’s to our advantage.”
Well, Marty. Advantage Wings. We, speaking for 19 of us, don’t think much of you on a few different levels. In fact, we think more of Dan Ellis. Hell, Three or Four looked better. 4, 4 errr, 2 (thanks Ryan), 5 and you might even sit for the sweep. Your ineptitude against the character-deprived Wings may have bought you a ticket right out of Dallas. Hell, right out of the conference. No team in the West is gonna want that guy with that record against the Wings, not when you consider the road to the Cup is heading right through Detroit for at least the next five years.
So Marty? Any other advantages we should know about before the Wings broom your ass into the offseason? Just checking.
Let’s get this out of the way real quick. That performance last night, on horrible ice that’s been terrible for more than a decade but no one in Gary’s league office seems to care, was the best I’ve ever seen from a Red Wing playoff team. But you can’t view it as a single game to have that perspective. If you do, you’re not giving Mike Babcock the credit he deserves.
It stands as the best because of the circumstances. This was the clincher and everyone knew it. Dallas wins and it’s a series. Wings take it and it’s a formality. It was the definitive game of the Wing season. It showed killer instinct, shutdown defense, a puck possession clinic the last thirty minutes and a goaltender who can’t lose, who won’t rattle and who deserves every bit of accolade he’ll never get from mainstreamers who can’t see what Chris Osgood brings to this team, this year.
Yes. Datsyuk and Zetterberg carried the Wings last night, which is exactly what we said they’d have to do. In hostile territory, on bad ice, at a time when your best players have to be the ones pressing the skate down, the Wings’ best players proved there is no duo in hockey better than them; including the tandem we’ll see in about a week.
Dallas laid 46 hits on the Wings last night, and it seemed like Brian Rafalski absorbed about 30 of them. And each time, he held on to the puck until the train got there, holding it until the last second, then flipping it away, dishing it and taking the punishment. He was amazing. Chris Chelios, on Dallas’ first goal, seemed to have been out there for five minutes. Every second of that shift was a war for him. He was drilling anything in sight, blasting Modano’s stick out of his hands, hitting the ice, recovering, chopping, checking, tiring but still hustling. Any Wing who watched that would not let this team lose last night. It was the shift of the year for a Wing defenseman. Dallas scored, but it didn’t matter.
Best I’ve seen. Better than ‘02. Better than ‘97. Nearly as good as a ‘98 team playing for more than a Cup. Contradictory I know. Deal with it.
We’ll watch the ECF, interested in a longer series hopefully. Curious as to what Pittsburgh will bring the next round. But this morning, it really doesn’t matter. Because there’s not a team out there who can skate with Detroit the way they’ve played since Uncle Mike sat the Czech Miracle of Insanity. Something’s going on in that room, something we’re not--yep--privy too. And I dig that.
Doc and Edzo and the Douche Canoe. Barry and Bob and the rest. The cool pick will be Pittsburgh next round. We understand that. The novelty is too good to pass up. But deep down, here’s what everyone knows. The Wings aren’t going to lose this thing. There’s gonna be a parade in Detroit this June and that frigging Cup’s coming home. Because when the skate is on the throat, this team knows what to do with it.
Don’t tap. Don’t waiver or worry. Just press that bastard down.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
I found myself wondering exactly what Rafalski had said to tick off the entire Dallas team.
Unless he’s nominated for a Selke, a forward back on defense is so, so very very bad - when Zetterberg looked up and saw Richards, I swear I saw his eyes light up like the entire Vegas strip.
(About as bright as Datsyuk after his hat trick.)
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/13/08 at 05:36 AM ET
Is it just me or has health and quality of life generally improved since they benched Lilja? I don’t get the heart races, breathing issues and temper tantrums as often as when #3 did his magic in his own end.
My cats seem happier, too.
I thought Lebda looked pretty good out there yesterday for being the Wings’ worst dressed player.
Posted by lilja4ever on 05/13/08 at 05:45 AM ET
Also,
Hat trick for Dats.
Pretty good for a playoff choker, don’t you think Thhhhommas?
Posted by lilja4ever on 05/13/08 at 05:57 AM ET
Don’t mean to harsh on your groove, but it was 4, 2, 5.
But it doesn’t matter, because that game was just downright impressive. The Stars finally played a good game, but it didn’t matter because the Wings were even better. Last year, or the year before, or even in the first round, the Stars would have gotten a win with the game they played. But now? Obviously not.
There is no line in the league that can cope with playing against the Red Wings top 5. I look forward to hearing colour (yes, colour--I watch CBC) commentators wonder whether Malkin is playing hurt, because he looks so inneffective.
Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 05/13/08 at 06:04 AM ET
...commentators wonder whether Malkin is playing hurt, because he looks so inneffective.
You obviously mean Crosby…
Posted by lilja4ever on 05/13/08 at 06:11 AM ET
Oh, and Glenn Healy (an *#$%@&, but he’s observant and sometimes makes good points), pointed out how with the score 5-2, with two and a half minutes left in the game, and a faceoff at centre ice, the Wings were still playing with urgency. That’s just indicative of the attitude the Wings have had since Hasek was pulled. And you’re right, Chief--it’s the best I’ve seen.
Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 05/13/08 at 06:12 AM ET
Lila4ever: I meant to imply that Zetterberg and Datsyuk will make it look like Malkin’s playing hurt. That effect has already taken place with Morrow, as TSN’s crew wondered if he wasn’t quite right.
I’m aware of the speculation about Crosby playing hurt, but somehow didn’t realise it’d make my point unclear.
Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 05/13/08 at 06:27 AM ET
Lila4ever: I meant to imply that Zetterberg and Datsyuk will make it look like Malkin’s playing hurt. That effect has already taken place with Morrow, as TSN’s crew wondered if he wasn’t quite right.
Got’ya!
Malkin gives me nightmares though.
Posted by lilja4ever on 05/13/08 at 06:34 AM ET
Kind of fun going around to opposing fan boards and seeing things like:
They are a machine.
It’s like the Soviets playing Greece in the Olympics.
Would’ve been nice had Franzen played and potted one, just to seal the deal on Shock and Awe.
Posted by O-Joe on 05/13/08 at 07:08 AM ET
“What they never figured out, and what I know now, was that these men would never break, never lie down, never bend over for anybody. Anybody.”
Just call me Verbal, because I talk too much. With Keaton, Hockney, Fenster, McManus, and the guy that knows Keyser Soze out there, this is a team to inspire terrible fear. If we get our Mule back, watch our enemies scatter before us like ashes on the wind.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from New York's Finest Taxi Service on 05/13/08 at 07:19 AM ET
Interesting perspective on the first Dallas goal- I don’t usually see anything good about the puck being in the defensive end for what seemed like 5 straight minutes.
Maybe the bad Dallas ice is to thank for the puck skipping over Morrow’s stick when he had an open net. A score there may have changed the complexion of that game.
Posted by BobS. on 05/13/08 at 07:29 AM ET
Never forget that pride goeth before the fall, gentlemen. ‘Tis wise to fear the Penguins.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/13/08 at 07:36 AM ET
O-Joe, what board is that from?
Posted by moore00 on 05/13/08 at 07:36 AM ET
Just a note, the puck didn’t bounce over Morrow’s stick, he just missed that. I watched it a few times on DVR.
Posted by moore00 on 05/13/08 at 07:38 AM ET
What makes this team different? Why do they play so intelligent, so disciplined, so unrelenting?
Why do they keep pounding the dead body until the horn sounds?
It is Mike Babcock ... transfigured into a team.
Posted by w2j2 on 05/13/08 at 07:54 AM ET
moore00-
Andrew’s Dallas Stars Page. Link on the left side of this page. Don’t remember which threads contained which quotes.
Posted by O-Joe on 05/13/08 at 07:56 AM ET
O-Joe, what board is that from?
Here go:
http://www.andrewsstarspage.com/appiesboard/viewtopic.php?t=10084
http://www.andrewsstarspage.com/appiesboard/viewtopic.php?t=10071
There are others, too, including in the GDT as Shock and Awe was unfolding before them.
Of course, there are also the obligatory morons in that GDT—specifically the few discussing how they would stand and applaud if Red Bird II crashed and the entire Wings roster was killed.
Posted by O-Joe on 05/13/08 at 08:08 AM ET
Ryan - Well, Morrow’s definitely banged up now after falling on his arm like he did, even if he was fine before. Also, the Versus announcers even noted that the Wings refused to let up in the 3rd and were still pressing, refusing to let up.
OK other stuff.
My wife noted last night that Rafalski hasn’t just been getting hit, he’s been hitting *back* and has slowly developed a mean streak we haven’t ever seen from him. He’s involved in a lot of scrums. I like it. I like that all the Wings are developing mean streaks come playoff time. Only good things can ever come of that.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Datsyuk as excited as he was after his third goal. He yelled and pumped his fists… he never reacts that way.
Hudler needed that goal. He almost fell on the bad ice before he could get it, but he fought on and went to his favorite move, backhand high over the goalie’s left shoulder.
RE: the first Dallas goal, chalk it up to what it really was—a bad move by Babcock. That timeout was ill-conceived and it backfired, giving Dallas a little momentum so they could keep possession and get that first goal. Datsyuk bailed him out though. That was a sign of coaching weakness and lack of faith in his 4th line. Shame on Babcock for doing that.
At this point it’s pretty clear that the Turco talk isn’t just talk—the Wings really *are* in his head (particularly Datsyuk, who owns Turco in a way I’ve never seen a single player own a particular goalie before). I told my wife last night during the game that Turco may be playing himself out of Dallas. She said she can’t believe that because they love him there even when he’s not playing great, but if Game 4 goes like the first 3 games I have to say that I can’t imagine the Stars being willing to still believe Turco can take them over the hump. Him going out East would seem likely to get him away from DET—Ottawa maybe?
Posted by Primis on 05/13/08 at 08:14 AM ET
Because when the skate is on the throat, this team knows what to do with it.
Don’t tap. Don’t waiver or worry. Just press that bastard down.
I agree. Since the series with Bubba jr. (who, ironically played much better than Bubba sr.) DET has finally gotten the message to choke the freaking life out of the opponent. Never, ever let them even contemplate the fact that they might actually win a game.
Proof you say, I’ve got your proof, because MotherFu@#ers thats how I roll:
In the last 9 games (i.e. the winning streak), DET has trailed a total of 7:50!!
From the [url=http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl#clip52544]
TSN Panel[/url] at about 2:10 of the clip.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/13/08 at 08:16 AM ET
sorry the link didn’t work,
here it is http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl#clip52544
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/13/08 at 08:17 AM ET
Couple things here…
One thing I want to point out above and beyond a simple percentage is the face offs. We were in all their heads with it last night, Modo jawing at the linesman & Riberio doing the same except being silly enough to stand and do it after the face offs.
Uncle Mike has to be in their ear about faceoff tactics ala “cheating” according to Enzo. Smart if ya ask me, don’t set your twig unless the linesman makes you, same with setting your feet. You take away the advantage for the home team center and as we saw last night, bug the hell out of them in general. I’m not sure about Uncle Mike reinforcing it, but if he is… that’s Scotty Freaking Bowman-esque. And I god damn like it.
Get in their head early in a series and stay right there.
I won’t roast the Turkey, he basted himself in his own juices before the game last night with his character comment. He can shut up now as we need no more fuel for the fire.
Lastly, Wings toughness or reported lack there of. This team does pick fights. We don’t back down one iota either. Go ahead and run us all night every night and try to maintain composure and stick to what ever system you are supposed to play. But in running us all night, you’ve already altered your system… and we’ve gotcha right where we wantcha.
The eyes and stare of The Captain showing on every face up and down the bench. D & Z’s performance were the epitomy of that glare last night.
5 and counting Chief.
Posted by MOWingFan19 from KC MO on 05/13/08 at 08:48 AM ET
Ozzie seems to be in full Buddha mode. I don’t recall seeing any emotion in any of the interviews I’ve seen of him. Carrying buckets full of water up a mountain, endlessly raking sand, other cliches. And making every necessary save. 1.47 GAA, .935 SV%, and a 9-game winning streak.
Zen and the Art of Goaltending by Chris Osgood. Turkey might want to pick up a copy.
Posted by jrl123 on 05/13/08 at 09:31 AM ET
Never forget that pride goeth before the fall, gentlemen. ‘Tis wise to fear the Penguins.
Couldn’t agree more. As I said when we were 3-0 to the Dive, I’m not giving up my seat. From day 1, the Pens have been the only team that worried me. They’re the ones having the fairy tale season...and I’m worried that we may be playing the Goliath to their David next week.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 05/13/08 at 09:37 AM ET
JRL,
In his postgame interview, Ozstud mentioned “keeping the pedal down”.
The Babcockian Work Ethos oozes out of this team.
Is it Thursday yet?
Posted by MOWingFan19 from KC MO on 05/13/08 at 09:41 AM ET
Chief: Well put. After Zet’s shorty last night, I texted my friend, “that’s the series, right there.” I think this was the game that impressed me the most out of all of them. I thought Dallas might win this game (before it started) as the bad ice, etc. etc. But this team will not lose. What I loved most was Pavel’s face after he got his hattie! What a game, boys, what a game. My friend text me back that we should now call Dallas the Super Novas. A star that is flaming out.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/13/08 at 09:42 AM ET
Not enough has been said about the performance of Drake, Sammy, Flip, Cleary, and Draper last night.
McCarty is playing with more discipline than he ever did before.
The Dallas team gave their all, or what is left after 2 very tough series. The Wings could have made them look a little better by deflecting a few more into their own net and still come out with W#9.
I was just a little disturbed to see Ozzie take himself out of the play on the first shot 5 times (old habits..?), and relieved that the team came through and covered his ass each time.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs dont live up to my expectations on 05/13/08 at 09:46 AM ET
Kyzer Soze references Andrew? Damn, you must be lifting weights and feeling alive!
That was a sign of coaching weakness and lack of faith in his 4th line. Shame on Babcock for doing that.
Que? That line was already out there for a full shift and desperately iced it. If Morrow didn’t sit on Lebda’s stick that pass doesn’t happen and there is no goal. And Babs becomes a genius.
Also, Helm made a great defensive play in the corner and got the puck calmly up to Mac, who flubbed the clear. That’s when the desperation kicked in--on that shift. The only thing Helm didn’t do on that shift was win the faceoff.
Great write up Chief! This team showed amazing killer instinct last night; maybe our playoff slogan should be “Welcome to the Slaughter House”?
To be hones, I would run Raffy too. He’s already small and when he’s crouched down in a skating position he must look like an Oompa to those Neanderthals. Either way, both the Loompas were great yesterday; I think I even saw Jiri show some bite and go a little rougher on his checks. Good stuff kid.
Turco out of the team and the Conference? I don’t think so. He’s too good against most other teams that I don’t see that as a good move; who would they trade him for anyway?
B: My hubris snorted some coke last night and is ‘feeling goddamn alive’ right now. If the Wings play this kind of shutdown hockey against Pits, they’re done for as well. I remember being scared of Phili on our way to the first cup; then we romped on them. This is a very similar scenario in my mind.
And yes, Melrose will pick Pens in 6 or 7 because he is the spiritual leader of the Douche Canoes.
Posted by Osrt on 05/13/08 at 10:02 AM ET
Not enough has been said about the performance of Drake, Sammy, Flip, Cleary, and Draper last night.
Agree HTT. Drake especially was a force; this is the first time he’s been this close to the cup and is ready to eat anyone who gets in the way.
Anyone know if he broke his nose?
Posted by Osrt on 05/13/08 at 10:06 AM ET
A fantastic game to be sure, and an excellent writeup Chief.
Rafi seems to be hit alot all year, but I agree with Primis wife. He was definately hitting back. Dodging when he had the puck, and hitting back in the corner battles. That was the one element he didn’t make up for when we lost Schneider.
Outstanding game from the Circus. Dats and Z are always good, but any time they had a little extra rest between shifts, they came out absolutely flying. I like the way Babs has managed them, they were both under 20 minutes of ice.
4 lines has been the story. Helm and Dmac had the lowest ice time, and they each had over 7 minutes. Hudler had 10, and 2nd and 3rd lines played around 14 minutes each. Excpet Filpula, who’s quite the workhorse second only to Z among forward ice time.
RE: the first Dallas goal, chalk it up to what it really was—a bad move by Babcock. That timeout was ill-conceived and it backfired, giving Dallas a little momentum so they could keep possession and get that first goal. Datsyuk bailed him out though. That was a sign of coaching weakness and lack of faith in his 4th line. Shame on Babcock for doing that.
I disagree that it was a bad move. It was an icing with a mixed line stuck on the ice. Cheli, Lebda, Helm, DMac who were out forever, plus Filly who managed to sneak on just before the ice. That was an awful matchup and they needed the time out just to catch their breath and have a chance of surviving. I’m impressed that it took about 1:15 before the goal. Lots of credit for surviving that long.
Not to jump the gun, but Pitt does scare me. They’ve got alot of guns on that team. I think Wings D can shut them down, but it’ll be dangerous and nerve wracking. Even a 2 on 2 for the pens on the attack can be fatal. Gonna be a great series.
But first things first. Knock out Dallas on Wed and keep on rollin.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 05/13/08 at 10:12 AM ET
Barry can stuff it.
Lets push the skate through the jugglar before carrying any thoughts past Game 4. The Sens will definately be looking to add to their netminder disaster. Turkey can only have so many very good regular seasons and not carry that over into the Second Season. Me, I hope he stays where he is for the obvious reasons I like 3 or 4 in CO.
Todd,
Good point about the suporting cast. Nails was all over and looking like the Nails of old. Sammy solid and didn’t try to fake himself out every time he carried the puck into the O zone. I’ve been keen on Flip since day 1 but I’d LOVE to see him and Danny-boy both pot one.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 from KC MO on 05/13/08 at 10:13 AM ET
From day 1, the Pens have been the only team that worried me. They’re the ones having the fairy tale season...and I’m worried that we may be playing the Goliath to their David next week.
Exactly.
The articles about the hockey saviour and the Greatness of Crosby would write themselves - and be purple prose beyond belief.
Pierre the D.C. would be insufferable.
It would validate all the drivel and dreck about “building a team through the draft” which, even with top picks that not even Matt Millen could screw up - if only because there are no wide receivers in hockey - is not a quick and easy method to build a team and not nearly as cookbook as some assume.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/13/08 at 10:13 AM ET
Yes, Pittsburgh worries me but I refuse to think about them right now. We still have Game 4. In regards to the Penguins, hands over my ears and I’m chanting “la-la-la I can’t hear you!”
Oh yeah, another beautiful part of last night, watching Engblom have to say something nice about the Wings after the game and looking like it was killing him to do so.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/13/08 at 10:23 AM ET
The biggest weapon Pittsburgh has to hurt the Wings is a hot goalie.
Posted by w2j2 on 05/13/08 at 10:24 AM ET
Pierre the D.C.
B’s on board.
Like the past two series, I’m only concerned about how the Wings will play. If they play like they did this series, we will beat the Pens in 6 games because they will be able to convert on all those chances the Stars had. If the Wings play like they did yesterday, Wings win in 5––max.
If I’m wrong and we get a solid series...cool (in that drink to dull the pain kindaway). However, I see this as being a variation on the Det-Phili finals a long time ago. We were all terrified about Lindros and the Legion of Doom, who did a really good job against us in the regular season. Come playoffs, we were at an entirely different level.
I really want Franzen back though! Just one more line for my hubris to snort…
Posted by Osrt on 05/13/08 at 10:33 AM ET
even with top picks that not even Matt Millen could screw up
NEVER underestimate The Millan!
Pens are a concern. Good puck movement out of their end. It will be interesting to see what the Flyers bring tonite. A couple of game with the usual Flyers thuggery could soften them up nicely.
If by chance the Flyers pull thru...slim I know...we have the prospect of beating on Sasquatch’s little brother DarryAnn. Now, that could be fun!
Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 05/13/08 at 10:36 AM ET
Sorry for being away so long, everyone. It’s a little difficult to post when you don’t have a computer that works. Isn’t technology great!! But I digress.
What a great series this has been. So much for the big, bad Stars and so much for Turco exorcising his demons. I love the way that our boys haven’t let off of the accelerator ever since they got the wakeup call in Bubbaland. I mean, 9 straight wins in the playoffs? Most of them of the total domination variety? Come on, no one in here expected this. We all thought that they could do something like this, thought that they had the talent to do something like this, but I don’t think any of us expected this team to be this dominating for so long. The little hiccup against Bubba aside, this is the most dominating team, I think, of all of the teams that won the Cup. I’m not trying to put the cart before the horse (there’s a cliche from Bubbaland for ya), but I don’t see anyone beating this team playing the way they are, not even Pittsburgh. I believe the Penguins are in the exact same boat as the Stars before this series started. Everyone (the MSM, I mean) was all ga-ga about how Dallas took out Anaheim and San Jose en route to the Conference Finals while Detroit played an upstart Bubba and an injury-depleted Dive. All of our “friends” in the MSM we’re predicting that Dallas would give the Wings all that they could handle, since the Wings didn’t truly face a challenge yet. But as we all know, both Anaheim and San Jose are and were overrated as far as team depth on offense. The Stars hadn’t had to face an offense like ours yet, and through the first three games, it shows.
As far as the game last night, what can you say about Z and Dats that hasn’t already been said? That last goal of the game last night, where Hank took the puck from FOUR STARS PLAYERS!!! Good God, what a play that was. That play epitomized the series so far and it showed just how much Dallas is screwed, even if they manage to win Game 4, it’s over in 5. The Stars’ first goal of the game was a direct result of Mac not being able to clear the puck off a pass from Cheli that resulted in the extended shift, which led to an icing call, keeping that line on the ice, unable to change. That was really the only bad sequence the Wings had in the game. Second Dallas goal? Garbage, luck, plain and simple. ON TO THE FINALS, BOYS!!!!
Posted by Chris in Hockey Hell from COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE on 05/13/08 at 11:22 AM ET
In his postgame interview, Ozstud mentioned “keeping the pedal down”.
Missed yesterday’s postgame. Just saying Ozzie’s a brick wall mentally.
Posted by jrl123 on 05/13/08 at 11:39 AM ET
As far as Pittsburgh having a hot goalie, so Did Dallas before this series started and we see how that’s worked out for the Stars. Pittsburgh’s defense isn’t as good as Dallas’ regardless of the way they’ve played against us. Gonchar is Pittsburgh’s #1 d-man. He’s their Zubov, and we’ve done a good job neutralizing Zubov in this series. After Gonchar, Pittsburgh’s depth isn’t anywhere near what ours is. Pittsburgh’s offense isn’t even as deep as ours. After Malkin and Crosby (who I admit are both beasts) their offensive depth takes a dive too. I’m not trying to make it sound like I don’t sweat the Pens, I’ve seen them play a bunch this season, I’m just saying that their road to the Cup finals is a little bit more deceiving than most MSM guys will admit. Ottawa was a team in shambles before the playoffs even began, the Rangers are ALWAYS overrated, and Philly has just been the team that makes the improbable run. Now, Philly is missing two of their best d-men in Timonen and Coburn. Pittsburgh likely won’t be a pushover, but it shouldn’t be a series we don’t win. I’m looking forward to it.
Posted by Chris in Hockey Hell from COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE on 05/13/08 at 11:47 AM ET
Everyone (the MSM, I mean) was all ga-ga about how Dallas took out Anaheim and San Jose en route to the Conference Finals while Detroit played an upstart Bubba and an injury-depleted Dive.
All of them, some Wing fans included, just don’t recognize that the Wings seem to only play their best game against very good teams. Those fearful of the Crosby/Malkin hole in the wall gang...take note.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs dont live up to my expectations on 05/13/08 at 11:52 AM ET
The tough thing is trying to figure out how good the Penguins are as a team against the Red Wings, since there aren’t any stats from the series to compare, no mattter how misleading.
Ottawa was a puddle of tapioca by the time they ran into the Penguins, so that wasn’t much of a contest, and the Rangers weren’t as good as Pierre D.C. thought, but more than that is the fact that thinking back to the times I’ve seen the Penguins in the regular season, I don’t know how much of the talent (other than Crosby and Malkin) is because the players are so good offensively and how much is because the other teams in the Eastern conference don’t have nearly the same concept of defense as the teams in the Western conference.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/13/08 at 12:01 PM ET
Baroque, I think that Detroit’s depth at defense is going to be what ultimately takes out Pittsburgh. Your observation about the overall state of defense in the Eastern Conference is dead-on. I guarantee that the Pens haven’t played a team all year that is as deep on the blueline as we are. I’m not even including Dats and Z into the equation. Put Malkin and Crosby out there against our top line, I’d be willing to bet it’s not going to be our top line that sees production drop.
Posted by Chris in Hockey Hell from COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE on 05/13/08 at 12:09 PM ET
FLU? As in the Three or Four variety? C’mon now.
http://www.star-telegram.com/stars/story/638930.html
Only one man I’ve seen play in 20 years who was able to be as good on one leg as many were with 2 legs.. in reference to Morrow being good with one arm. Nuff said.
G
Posted by MOWingsfan19 from KC MO on 05/13/08 at 12:10 PM ET
Baroque, I think that Detroit’s depth at defense is going to be what ultimately takes out Pittsburgh. Your observation about the overall state of defense in the Eastern Conference is dead-on. I guarantee that the Pens haven’t played a team all year that is as deep on the blueline as we are.
Hope so. Malkin is scary good - and he seems to rise to the occasion as well.
I’m not a basketball fan at all, so I might be mistaken - but I remember a few years ago when the Pistons beat the Lakers in the finals, going in everyone was talking about how strong the Lakers were, and how they had dealt pretty well with the defensively-strong San Antonio, and I think it was actually John Salley who picked the Pistons to win because he kept insisting that the Lakers had seen defense, but they hadn’t seen Pistons defense, and that was a whole other animal.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/13/08 at 12:14 PM ET
Thanks for the “flu” link, MoWings. My favorite part of Jennifer’s piece was this…
Is anybody else noticing that every time Versus or Hockey Night in Canada plays Niklas Kronwall’s highlight reel of big hits, complete with appropriate gushing, that he seems to be leaving his feet?
The Red Wings defenseman certainly had both of his twinkle toes off the ice when he leveled Antti Miettinen in Game 1.
What Jenny doesn’t get is that it’s perfectly legal for your feet to leave the ice after the hit, which is exactly what Nick Jr. does. He gets up a head of steam, lowers his shoulder, drives said shoulder into [insert hapless victim’s name here], and then proceeds to drive home the point using an upward-thrusting motion.
It’s that upward thrust that causes his feet to leave the ice and also causes the victim to perform those cute little ballerina twirls as they float back to the ice.
It’s an art form if you ask me...one that Nick Jr. seems to have perfected quite nicely, thank you, no matter what Jenny Poo thinks.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 05/13/08 at 01:22 PM ET
Yeah, back to The Usual Suspects. It’s my safe place.
There’s a lot of talk about Pittsburgh, but I don’t know if the East is decided yet. A home win for Philly tonight and it’s a series again. And Pittsburgh could get hurt yet.
In any case, I don’t mean to sound cocksure, because I’m not, but I’m not overly stressed about Pittsburgh. Apprehensive? Of course. But so is the team, and that’s what counts. And I remember a fearsome Flyers squad in ‘97. They didn’t last long. Cinderella story? I remember a Cinderella story Canes team in ‘02. For fifteen years now, it seems that the only time a Wings team gets knocked out is when they underestimate the opposition. If they respect them, are anxious about the opposition’s abilities, they play their A game and nobody can keep up.
And from a personnel standpoint, it gets better. Pittsburgh is thin on defense. Aside from Gonchar, who isn’t quite the standout defenseman he could be, there is very little to frighten us, stop us, or even slow us down in their defense corps. The scoring isn’t as deep-- there’s a relatively steep drop-off after the big guns, and their secondary scoring is not capable of taking a game if Malkin and Crosby are shut down. And after Gonchar there is virtually no offense from the back end.
Fleury is a hot goalie. So was Turco. So was Theodore. A goalie is only as hot as the defense in front of him. If they’re being undressed, they’re not so hot anymore.
Are they dangerous? Oh hell yes. Are they lethal? Not if the boys play like we’ve seen them play in the past nine games. And besides, our squad is just as dangerous. Underestimate at your own risk.
I will say that I think this has the potential to turn into a Stress Special if we don’t have Franzen back. Besides his offense, we need his stifling defensive play and his physicality, and just the presence on the ice that The Phenom of the ‘08 Playoffs brings-- a presence that the opposition will fear. I still think we can win without him, but with him it’ll be easier on our blood pressure and livers.
But hell...This team has even Gramps believing. Don’t tell me that ain’t wondrous in itself.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from the armory, preparing the heavy firepower on 05/13/08 at 01:40 PM ET
Excpet Filpula, who’s quite the workhorse second only to Z among forward ice time.
wow. even a few months ago nobody would have expected that. Fil has really come into his game.
Datsyuk and Zetterberg just keep getting better and better. hell, everyone on the team (with the exception of Hasek and Lilja) just keeps getting better and better as the playoffs roll along. one thing that worries me about all this winning is you may forget how to recover after a loss. jus’ sayin’....
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/13/08 at 01:43 PM ET
from Floyd Engel’s column:
Imagine if “The Redheaded Genius” decided to make say Sam Hurd, instead of T.O., Tony Romo’s primary target just before the NFC Championship game.
Or if Rick Carlisle opted to jack with his starting rotation just before the playoffs began.
This is approximately what your Dallas Stars have done by completely jerry-rigging every single one of their defensive pairs after losing Game 1 of the West Finals, quietly and quite deftly, I might add.
Before Game 2, assistant coach Rick Wilson’s defensive pairs were:
Nicklas Grossman-Stephane Robidas, Trevor Daley-Mark Fistric, Sergei Zubov-Matty Norstrom with Matt Niskanen rotating in or healthy scratching.
Now, we have Grossman-Zubov (who hooked up for a goal Monday), Norstrom-Niskanen (a throwback to Round 1) and Robidas-Daley with Fistric being scratched.
In fairness to whoever had final say on this, the Stars D pairs had been in flux long before they tinkered—with Philippe Boucher coming in after injury, then out with another injury. Same for Sergei Zubov, only in reverse.
seems to me that’s always a recipe for disaster - getting desperate after one loss and moving everybody around to where they’re not used to being.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/13/08 at 01:47 PM ET
some great comments from Andrew’s Dallas Stars page members:
Tom Hicks doesnt own this team…
This man does:
He could shoot on Marty from the locker room and it’d still go in.
http://www.andrewsstarspage.com/appiesboard/viewtopic.php?t=10072
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/13/08 at 02:06 PM ET
Poking around some, there’s little faith in the Bubba Sr fans....
If Nik JR was truly leaving his feet before impact, Colin and his entourage would have had him watching a game or two. it’s the last second launch that propels his RIGHT THROUGH the opponent.
If that was Robidas on Raffy, would Jenny Pooh still be whining?
Andrew.
Right on about the goalie temperature and defensive competance being directly proportional.
Man, slow days at work aren’t so slow this time of year!
Posted by MOWingsfan19 from KC MO on 05/13/08 at 02:07 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
73 Men Sailed Up For This Live Blog and It Was 19 Who Led Them
Bartender, Statesman, Instigator…Voox
If The Sun Refused To Shine…We’d Live Blog
Jimmy D: “We’d Be Happy With A Top Ten Pick”
Swine Flu Or Not? The Levee’s Gonna Break And We’re Gonna Live Blog It
About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome:
A2Y Stuff
-----------------------------
Wanna Feel Smart?
Does confusion make you sad? When you read words like "enigma" and phrases like "Thanks Gary. Ass", do you wonder why mean people speak in languages you don't understand? Fret no longer friend! The A2Y Glossary will bring you great joy and enlightenment.
-----------------------------
How Others View The A2Y 19
"Hell, I guarantee the content co-opters at Abel to Yzerman were about to link this article under the heading “Bitter Blues Fans” again right up until they just read that last half-sentance. Thanks but no thanks, you Kukla hangers-on."
--St. Louis Game Time
"I realize it’s the slow summer season, but can this guy tone down the tough-guy histrionics? His posts are fatiguing on an otherwise excellent site."
--A2Y Fan, Eternal_Fields
"I constantly marvel at how Bill (IwoCPO) and his disciples at Abel To Yzerman can be so pompous and full of themselves throughout every regular season, but come playoff time they collapse into wavering puddles of stress and nervousness as they anxiously await the impending and unavoidable collapse of the Red Wings in the post-season."
--Mile High Hockey
"I hate them because they are better than us. Of all the frigging teams…"
--In The Cheap Seats
"It's just a shame that the most classless, uneducated, lowbrow fanbase in the league gets this sweep. Red Wing fans don't deserve their team."
--Thhom
"I really don’t care what fans or bloggers think."
--Drew Sharp
"Why is it you Detroit fans are still so classless when you have such a classy hockey team, with such a professional GM and gentlemen players? I understand that the author of this blog is a manner-less cad, but the rest of you should be better."
--A2Y Fan, Jeff Beaumont
"Have you ever *read* A2Y? Its the most opinionated, juvenile stuff i've read."
--Paul Nicholson
"I actually like the Detroit team and have a sh&% load of respect for them, but their fans are the biggest douches next to Canadians."
--KStewy, PensBlog Commenter
"Just when it looks like we have bottomed out, the 19 hit a new low."
-A2Y legend, Hockeytown Todd
"And for the record, I don't hate the Red Wings, I hate their fans."
--Douche Bag at Puck Daddy who isn't Wyshynski
"You’re nothing but a douchebag ****, c3po. Go f**k yourself, and learn something about hockey in the process. Nothing ruins my day more than seeing your byline on the kk page."
--Hector, A2Y fan, statesman, Pittsburgh Chapter of Jonas Brothers Fan Club President
"I can just imagine the kindergarten teacher’s reaction when the tyke blurts out 'Mommy says Gary Bettman is a f*cking f*ckface! He wants to give ‘Rosby the bad touch.' ”
--Bella, of the 19
Head to Hockeytown
Blogs the Chief Likes
It’s safe to say I hate Detroit (I’m a Sharks fan) but damn that even got me a little jacked up. Solid writing.
Posted by Mr. Plank from Isla Vista, CA on 05/13/08 at 04:03 AM ET