the wings need this one really bad (understatement of the season)

I still stand by glossary suggestion to the chief for game 3: Ned Beatty

Ironic that my security phrase is 18 issue, seeing as Kirk Maltby is on his way out of town (hopefully)

Posted by Jeremy from Grand Rapids on 05/07/09 at 09:08 AM ET

If the Wings lose tonite, and lose this series, we will be forever jaded because the only reason for it will be lack of effort and heart.  And that would hurt.

Spot-friggin-on Chief = +1

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/07/09 at 09:09 AM ET

I’ll tell you one thing: It’s pointless to even be talking or worrying about Rafalski. He’s not on the team right now, and won’t be for the rest of the series. Same goes for Draper. If they haven’t played by now, assume they’re finished.

The team on the ice is the team that’s got to get it done. Even without Rafalski, Lilja, and Draper, the Wings still have more a lot more talent than the Ducks and should be able to get to 4 wins faster. This series may look similar to 2007, but the Wings are more talented now than they were then and the Ducks are less talented. The Wings just aren’t playing good enough. It’s as simple as that.

If the Wings lose tonight (thereby losing the series, guaranteed), it won’t be because Rafalski’s hurt or that the refs handed the Ducks Game 3. It will be because they didn’t get it done...didn’t want it enough. End of story. I’m not even really that worried about the game tonight, because everything is in the Wings hands. If they lose, they simply don’t have what it takes to win the Cup this year. It reminds me of how I felt for Game 5 against Nashville in round 1 last year. There’s a finality to it that makes nervousness and fear pointless. Either they win or they don’t deserve the Cup.

I didn’t read much of A2Y yesterday, but I get the sense in the Wings fan community elsewhere that everyone’s already getting their excuses ready for losing this series. Rafalski and the Game 3 hose-job make very convenient targets, but make no mistake about it: the Wings are where they are right now because they simply aren’t getting it done.

That changes tonight or the season’s over.

Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 05/07/09 at 09:17 AM ET

We will be ok.  If not, you are right Chief, its because of lack of effort and heart.  For me personally it hurts more when they put 100% heart into a game and lose, then when they dont even flippin try.  If we lose this series I am not gonna give a shit.  If they don’t care why the *#$%@& should I?  If I see the same team that played with the BJs and the same team that WILLED their way into Stanley Cup Championship last year, and they lose.  Thats when I get suicidal, but will still be the first one to be looking forward to next year.  This time.  If we pull.  Another 06.  I might.  Just be. Done.

Posted by AxeMaster9 on 05/07/09 at 09:22 AM ET

Ok, if you need something to cheer you up this morning here’s a video of some kid in a SJ Shark’s t-shirt crying about something on the internet and getting yelled at by his dad for being an idiot. (It’s part of a new internet meme called Play Him Off Keyboard Cat where they take videos that have been pretty popular on the internets and add this cat playing the keyboard. It’s totally silly but also kind of funny. http://playhimoffkeyboardcat.com/ )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqAypbgaUKM

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 05/07/09 at 09:23 AM ET

11 to 12 bitches.  11 to 12.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 05/07/09 at 09:23 AM ET

Oh and once again Chief please no Dandenault banner tonight.  its bad karma.

Posted by AxeMaster9 on 05/07/09 at 09:28 AM ET

Twelve hours until faceoff?  FUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK

Posted by cephalopod from Chicago, on the poop deck, not over it yet on 05/07/09 at 09:31 AM ET

Twelve hours until faceoff?  FUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK

Could be later. Hawks/Nucks game starts at 8pm. Do you see it ending on time?

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 05/07/09 at 09:34 AM ET

Either they win or they don’t deserve the Cup.
Posted by Mandingo

Amen.

Posted by Bella from puddle of her own vomit on 05/07/09 at 09:35 AM ET

“We’re being tested right now,” Babcock said. “We’ve got to find out if we’re mentally hard enough and want it bad enough.”

Uncle Mike (courtesy of the other Helene) is basically saying the same thing. We’ll see how much they want it.

Posted by markw from Scotland on 05/07/09 at 09:36 AM ET

oh, shut the *#$%@& up you *#$%@& little bitch, you’re an ignorant dumbfuck cunthead at the best of times.  so go *#$%@& yourself, you give red wings’ fans a bad name.

Posted by hesus on 05/07/09 at 09:44 AM ET

oh, shut the *#$%@& up you *#$%@& little bitch, you’re an ignorant dumbfuck cunthead at the best of times.  so go *#$%@& yourself, you give red wings’ fans a bad name.

Dollars to doughnuts this guy pronounces Lidstrom “Lindstrom”.

Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 05/07/09 at 09:47 AM ET

I know it probably isn’t going to happen but I would love to see Leino in there.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/07/09 at 09:49 AM ET

I don’t understand why Meech isn’t playing. If babs doesn’t have faith in Chelios, then why have him in? We saw what happens when he’s not really into the game on Tuesday when Selanne turned him into a dot on the ice. Now, if he was warmed up, and into the flow, tha may have been different. But they must like Meech. And if they have no faith in him, why, when it came time to decide between him and Quincy (who took a regular shift in the playoffs 2 years ago) did they choose Meech? I know Kenny had know way of knowing how good he was ready to be. But, he did know how reliable he was in ‘07. Also, when Dats asnd Hank are playing together, why is Dats taking the draws? Hank has been killing Getzlav in the dot, and we saw in those dying minute plays what the difference is. Dats lost the draw, and the wingers had to take it (although thats when we scored...fuc##ng ref). Then the next draw dats gets the boot, and hank wins it cleanly. I know Hank makes the better wing, but should still be taking the draw. But tonight is about heart. We need more of Dats bowling over bigger players, we need Hossa using his size at the net, not just Mule and Homer. We need Kopechky to step up and show the power forward he’s becoming. If I WAS to sis someone (besided Chelli) I may sit Malts, and give Abs a shot, just to give more size.

Posted by mormerod19 on 05/07/09 at 09:51 AM ET

Damn, hesus… I mean, I like to job, it’s fun.  And you’re pretty much right about queef, but that’s just rude man.  Rude.

Ducks in six.

Posted by Ogre from Sin City on 05/07/09 at 09:51 AM ET

Very good Chief.  “Don’t waste this” should be posted in the Red Wing lockerroom before the game.
I think after work, I am going to take some of my kids to the outdoor archery range to practice.  We will have targets of Sasquatch to shoot at, to relieve a little stress.

Once again, I predict OT for the Canucks/Blackhawks just because it will piss all us out of state people off to have to see Versus updates for our game.  Thanks Gary.  Ass.

Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 05/07/09 at 09:57 AM ET

The ironic thing is that a little over a month ago, I thought that this great assembly of talent, the greatest post-lockout team and best team that will probably ever be put together in a salary-cap world, would be squandered, wasted, completely blown in one round because of our goalie.  Today, he’s practically the only reason they haven’t been.  The team saved Chris Osgood during the regular season, and now he’s saving them.  They need to stop saving one another and every man play to his ability, and no team, certainly not this talentless bunch of goons, will be able to stand with them.

Let’s.  Go.  Red.  Wings.

!!!!!

(Chief, weren’t you optimistic before Game 3 too?  Just sayin’.)

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 05/07/09 at 09:57 AM ET

oh, shut the *#$%@& up you *#$%@& little bitch, you’re an ignorant dumbfuck cunthead at the best of times.  so go *#$%@& yourself, you give red wings’ fans a bad name.

haha he/she/it has been here before

Posted by AxeMaster9 on 05/07/09 at 10:00 AM ET

Cooly the cow over at PD must not be amusing if it’s posting here…

Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 05/07/09 at 10:02 AM ET

the Wings are where they are right now because they simply aren’t getting it done.

That changes tonight or the season’s over.

And it all has to begin with Datsyuk and Hossa. Enough of the cutsie behind-the-back passes into the center of the ice (and onto a Ducks’ stick). Enough of the 30-footers. Enough of the dingle-dangle crap. They need to power their way into the zone and then power their way to the net.

For inspiration, Hossa can look at a tape of his first few shifts against the BJs in Round 1. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone control a puck better than he did. At times he simply willed his way to the net. And Pavel is perfectly capable of doing the same thing.

Now is the time for Hossa to prove that he really, really wants to win a Cup this year. And it’s time for Pavel to prove he’s really, really worthy of the Hart and Pearson nominations. If these two step up tonight, the Ducks are done in six. If they don’t, well, Mandingo is right...the season is over.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 05/07/09 at 10:03 AM ET

haha he/she/it has been here before

Yep.  Under the names of hesus, hector, polesmoker and jean-benoit.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 05/07/09 at 10:09 AM ET

haha he/she/it has been here before

Speaking of which, “ogre” is actually our friend Puckhead from Jersey.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 05/07/09 at 10:12 AM ET

I have to admit it- seeing these wankers caught using ‘anonymous’ names instead of their normal ones just makes me giggle with glee.

Posted by shanetx on 05/07/09 at 10:17 AM ET

You all held hands, swayed back and forth and made up later...but there was tension. 

looked like Osgood and Lebda went through the same thing last game.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/07/09 at 10:25 AM ET

Here’s my game plan.  Crash the mutherflucking net.  Crash that bitch hard.  Let Hiller know that if the puck is within three feet of him, Franzen, Cleary, Homer and Hoss are going to tear his frickin head off.  Hack that mutherflucker.  Who cares if we get an interference penalty.  Hell, we get that sh1t even if there is nothing to be called.  Why not make it count.  Ducks are doing it and not getting called.  Last night Varlarmov got gang raped several time with no calls.

Crash the mutherflucking net.  When the scrum is sorted out.  This is all I want to see.

Posted by WingsFanInBeanLand from Earth. on 05/07/09 at 10:27 AM ET

I would like to read more about those 11 to 12 bitches you keep mentioning.

Posted by kushiro on 05/07/09 at 10:29 AM ET

Does anyone have to do that in your daddy David’s Association?  No. 

Not exactly the true. Though I will grant you one important difference—the NBA almost always gives teams a significant number of off-days when a series shifts from locations, especially after the first two games, and especially if teams have to cross multiple time zones/take long flights. The NBA playoffs do drag on, and being that the NHL already has troubles with ice quality playing so late into the year, they can’t afford to drag out the post-season any longer.

I would shorten the preseason to five games. Condensed, AHL-style. Something like 5 games in 7 or 8 days, tops. Start it the second weekend of September. Then the regular season can start either the last week or second-to-last week of September.

Get rid of the All-Star Game and break. Nobody likes it anyways, it’s awful.

Schedule it so all teams end the season on the same day. Make that last game all divisional games that way the travel before the playoffs starts is minimal. Then have two days off before the playoffs start.

Go back to a four-division league, with divisional playoffs (but all 7 gamers, no 5 gamers, I hate ‘em). Then the first two rounds would be divisional, and could be on a strict every-other day schedule because travel would be no more than one time zone for each of the first two rounds.

For the final two rounds, you do two days off between games that require a two time zone shift, and three days for three time zone shifts.

In all cases, you start any series for the next round that you can start as soon as you can—less lag time. If we need to get rid of re-seeding to simplify, it’s not my first choice, but fine.

DIVISIONS
---------------
West
- Anaheim
- Calgary
- Colorado
- Edmonton
- L.A.
- Phoenix*
- San Jose
- Vancouver

Central
- Chicago
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Detroit
- Minnesota
- Nashville
- St. Louis

North
- Boston
- Buffalo
- Montreal
- New Jersey
- NYI
- NYR
- Ottawa
- Toronto

East
- Atlanta
- Carolina
- Florida
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Tampa Bay
- Washington

* If Phoenix moves to Hamilton, move them to the Central division.

Two divisions would be more competitive simply because they are unbalanced. Tough shit. That’s how it was before.

Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 05/07/09 at 10:33 AM ET

IwoCPO

WOW! You really got him there with the mutiple name thing! Way to go! That’s your thing I guess eh IwoCPO? Anyone says anything bad about the Wings and it’s “he’s been here before under the name______”

You guys are the best! Why don’t you make it a closed blog for just the 19 and you don’t have to worry about other posters saying bad thing about your wittle itty bitty wed wings.

Again. Show me where it says you can’t post under different names.

Pathetic

Posted by Jimmy from Windsor on 05/07/09 at 10:37 AM ET

Yesterday was tense.  You bitches were sniping at each other, quibbling.  Polonich was lobbing grenades in here, not giving a shit about collateral damage.  Obviously irritated.  Many took the bait. Others sat back and watched.  You all held hands, swayed back and forth and made up later...but there was tension. 

Chief, I wasn’t trying rack up any friendly fire casualties. I’ve been banging on this team from almost the first shift of game 1 of this series about their lack of effort and heart. Yesterday? I guess I must have turned it up to 11. Sorry about the collateral damage.

Though, it looks like I picked up a few converts.

If the Wings lose tonight (thereby losing the series, guaranteed), it won’t be because Rafalski’s hurt or that the refs handed the Ducks Game 3. It will be because they didn’t get it done...didn’t want it enough.

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Mojitoville on 05/07/09 at 10:41 AM ET

Is Thursday official Troll day?  I must have missed the memo.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/07/09 at 10:41 AM ET

Game day.  I get to enjoy my new relationship with Direct TV and watch the Suck announcers skewer another broadcast. 

Back on the Hasek.  I laid low yesterday.  Lot’s of angst building.  Strange doings in the baggage car last night.  Sounds from February 08......yeah that was a funfest.  I sense some pets will not make it through the day.  Whatever it takes.

Voox is pouring doubles and it’s not even lunchtime.  Cementslinger is holding forth in the left rear corner.  I am heading for the roof with a bucket of balls for some R & R.

11 to 12....whatever it takes.

Let’s Go Red Wings !!!!!

Posted by Rumbear from the den.... on 05/07/09 at 10:44 AM ET

Well Jimmy.... try this on for size.  Take your dick out of your mouth long enough to make a coherent argument about the Wings or just STFU.  Because all we hear is… mmph...mmph… mmph… mmph.

Posted by calquake on 05/07/09 at 10:53 AM ET

And Chief, welcome (back?) to SoCal. Yuengling may be a little hard to come by out here, but there are many good breweries out west and tons of incredible microbreweries as well.

I humbly offer to barbeque some brisket, pork shoulder and ribs for an A2Y get together. A litlle mouth-watering preview to distract everyone from the stress waiting for the puck to drop.

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Mojitoville on 05/07/09 at 10:54 AM ET

Just throwing this out there, but why not stick Kindl in for Chelios? I know he has zero NHL experience (at least I don’t think he’s played any NHL games so far) but he has been solid for the Griffs. If Babs is concerned about playing Meech, makes you wonder why they let Quincey go instead of him back in September.

Posted by detroitdan1982 from St. John's, NL on 05/07/09 at 10:55 AM ET

haha Jimmy

Pathetic

Posted by Jimmy from Windsor on 05/07/09 at 11:37 AM ET

Posted by AxeMaster9 on 05/07/09 at 10:55 AM ET

Roses are red, violets are blue.  I’m not schizophrenic and neither am I.

Posted by Ogre from Sin City on 05/07/09 at 11:02 AM ET

makes you wonder why they let Quincey go instead of him back in September.

To be fair, we were counting on healthy Rafalski and Lilja.  Add that to Stuart, Nick Sr and Jr, Lebda, a potential Ericsson (who knew at the time), and Cheli to fall back on.  The ranks are much thinner now and it’s easier to question why having Meech instead of Quincey as a 9th D-man, when it was probably pretty irrelevant at the time.

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 05/07/09 at 11:06 AM ET

Roses are red, violets are blue.  I’m not schizophrenic and neither am I.

Truer words were spoken never.

Posted by calquake on 05/07/09 at 11:06 AM ET

Pathetic
Posted by Jimmy from Windsor on 05/07/09 at 11:37 AM ET

Says the guy who posts messages on other team’s blogs under different names?

I guess if anybody knows pathetic, it’s you…

Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 05/07/09 at 11:11 AM ET

was talking to my dad last night.  he has been a fan since not long after the lockout, and it’s great to be able to talk about the games with him.  he watched the third period (taped) yesterday and when I called him last night he was utterly dumbfounded at why that goal didn’t count.  he understands most of what’s going on, but even for a neither new, neither long-time fan, that kind of call is confusing.

anyway...one thing I said to him is I don’t want an early summer this year.  for me, probably like most of you, regardless of the weather summer doesn’t really start until the playoffs are over (for the Wings).  I’m not ready for that feeling.  not yet.  I want another month of spring.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/07/09 at 11:11 AM ET

oh, and Nathan:  GREAT JOB.  aside from eliminating the Ass.Star Game (never happen) your ideas are fantastic.  if you change it back to historic names for the Conferences and Divisions, it’ll be perfection.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/07/09 at 11:12 AM ET

All the talk about why isn’t Meech in or why aren’t we scratching Kopecky or Maltby is hugely irrelevant.  Those are the guys deciding games, those aren’t the guys who we need to step up to win this series. 

Hossa came here for moments like these, Datsyuk killed the gorilla that was on his back with Babcock’s Elephant-killing stick.  It’s on the big boys, it’s on them to deliver.  Hossa needs to feel no regret after this series or it’ll haunt him more than it’ll haunt us. 

As a friend once said: No prediction, play sixty minutes. Win.

Posted by Heaton on 05/07/09 at 11:17 AM ET

Posted by Jimmy from Windsor on 05/07/09 at 11:37 AM ET

Hey, Jimmy, I’ll slap you silly if I ever see you.

That’s a promise.

Ass munch.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 05/07/09 at 11:27 AM ET

Wow, this does nothing to dispel the notion that Red Wings fans are incredibly spoiled and entitled.

How about some credit to the Ducks, eh? They are far from a poor team, and have a lot of talent. Ducks have two Norris defensemen, one of the best scoring wingers of all time, one of the games best 2-way centermen (Getzlaf), a ROY candidate, and two good goaltenders.  It’s not even close? Riiiiiight.

The reason I didn’t want the Canucks matching up with the Ducks in round 1 is because I knew this Anaheim team was much better than their regular season record indicated.

As for whining about scheduling: boo fricking hoo. The Canucks have always had the worst travel sked of any NHL team (with actual #s to back it up), but you don’t see their fans constantly bringing it up. Just deal with it.

Posted by JesGolbez from Burnaby, BC on 05/07/09 at 11:54 AM ET

As for whining about scheduling: boo fricking hoo. The Canucks have always had the worst travel sked of any NHL team (with actual #s to back it up), but you don’t see their fans constantly bringing it up. Just deal with it.

Actually you do.  I live in Vancouver and it’s all I hear.  Fans.  Radio.  Newspapers.  And even the GM is bitching about it:

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/candb/comments/canucks_schedule_getting_attention/

Get your facts straight before you start making outlandish claims.

Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 05/07/09 at 11:59 AM ET

“We’re being tested right now,” Babcock said. “We’ve got to find out if we’re mentally hard enough and want it bad enough.”

Wrong Mikey, you are being tested and severely outcoached.  It is no secret that the players do what you tell them or they sit.

No lineup changes?
Of course, that would appear desperate.’

No lineup changes?
What is the definition of doing the same things over and over,
expecting different results?

You watch the Pens game last night...?
Learn anything..?

Pittsburgh was totally discombobulated in the 1st period due to
the Caps fierce 2 man forecheck.  They had no time to set up
anything and all their desperation passes were picked off.
Look familiar?
That is exactly what Carlyle has done for 3 straight games.

And your Wing forecheck...?  One player skating around waving
at the puck carrier while the other 4 turn their back to the play with
little attempt at intercepting the breakout.

The Pens would have been annihilated last night except for the
Stripes continuously throwing the Washington centers out of the
faceoff circle.  Look familiar? 
Minor penalties were somewhat (understatement) lopsided....
Engineered Parity?  Wings, as always, will have to overcome that.

You need a new Plan A, Mikey, and should consider a good Plan B..

Because

Ozzie has been stellar for 7 straight playoff games,
and due for a bad game…

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don�t live up to my expectations on 05/07/09 at 12:03 PM ET

Get your facts straight before you start making outlandish claims.

Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 05/07/09 at 12:59 PM ET

Burn bitch

Posted by AxeMaster9 on 05/07/09 at 12:06 PM ET

Wow, this does nothing to dispel the notion that Red Wings fans are incredibly spoiled and entitled.

Wow. Another Wing hater heard from now that Detroit’s down in a series.  Are we spoiled and entitled?

You’re damn right we are. When Vancouver’s won as much as the Wings, every year, so consistently that it’s now become the norm, then maybe you’ll know the feeling.  I seriously doubt that will ever happen, however.  You can dream though, eh Jes?

But until then, you’ll just have to deal with the second and third hand pleasures of taking pot shots from afar.

Go Hawks...now I have a reason.

Again, Wing haters have no credibility over here.

“Gretzky to Detroit? It could have happened ... and I would have still hated Detroit just as much. Joe Pelletier has a look at what could have been.”

From July 17, 2008...hypocritical much?  Boo frigging hoo Jes?

Unfortunately, the Canucks are then scheduled to play SIX straight away games versus Calgary, Washington, Detroit, Buffalo, Chicago, and Columbus.

Yes, the Canucks get fux0red over by the schedule makers once again. Instead of making one nice Eastern seaboard sweep, the Canucks have to travel across the continent again in November to play the two New York teams. As if the Western teams don’t have enough travel to do!

Come on back anytime Jes.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 05/07/09 at 12:07 PM ET

Ahh, so your one of those bandwagon Wings fans that I see around here. Lovely. I bet you also cheer for the Patriots and Red Sox.

The GM’s job is to make things easier for his team, and Gillis has a legit beef re: travel and schedule. Why is it a bad thing that he’s trying to do good for his team? At least Gillis is backing up his claims with some research, and is trying more useful than “waah, we travel too much”. The Canucks are also mitigating their travel schedule, which is something most teams would not bother with.

Media: they bitch about EVERYTHING. That’s their ‘job’, and who gives a rat’s ass what Tony Gallagher and his ilk think about anything. The media here, as you know, is generally terrible when it comes to opinions. Win = Plan the Parade Route, Loss = All is doomed!

Fans: Fans complain about many things. Canucks fans are notoriously polar. That said, scheduling is way down on the list of complains Canucks fans have. We hear it a lot more from ‘entitled’ fans like those in Detroit and Toronto (OMG, we have to play on BOXING DAY!!). One post does not a point make.

--

IF the Wings lose, blaming the ‘lack of heart’ is a weak excuse and insulting to the Ducks. The Wings outplayed the Ducks last game, and still lost (and got jobbed). That happens in the playoffs, and it’s not a case of ‘wanting it more’.

Posted by JesGolbez from Burnaby, BC on 05/07/09 at 12:07 PM ET