Pretty important game, huh?

And Ericsson will either play like last year’s playoffs in the rage of being benched or try things too hard and playing bad. I’m hopiing for the first.

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 03/09/10 at 09:12 AM ET

For a split-second as I was getting up this morning, I had a horrible thought—what if this game’s on Versus?  Then I had to race out of bed and check the schedule.  It’s not.  Crisis averted.

Uncle Mike is riding Jimmah again tonight, Good.

Re: Jimmah: this went up yesterday, so it might already be old news to some of you, but Jimmah is the most consistent goalie in the league (when “consistency” is evaluated with the standard deviation of per-game save percentage.)

Posted by Lola from down by the bay on 03/09/10 at 09:20 AM ET

If you play well over a stretch of time, you earn the right to feel good about yourself

Earn it, bitches. Excuses and throw away games don’t put points on the board.
I’ll be out of the LB tonight, so we just might have the same result as Sunday.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 03/09/10 at 09:29 AM ET

If the Wings can win I think maybe we can start getting our hopes up again.

If they lose, we’ll know nothing has really changed in the least.

Hey Lola, did you notice 3 of the 5 goalies listed on that Hockey or Die list are Americans (Howard, Anderson, Quick)?

Posted by Primis on 03/09/10 at 09:47 AM ET

The obligatory well done Okie should be added to my previous post.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 03/09/10 at 10:02 AM ET

Re: Jimmah: this went up yesterday, so it might already be old news to some of you, but Jimmah is the most consistent goalie in the league (when “consistency” is evaluated with the standard deviation of per-game save percentage.)

Pass that along to TPSH. Bet he’d have a field day with that one.

Posted by 42jeff from Minot, North Dakota on 03/09/10 at 10:07 AM ET

Allow me to be the first to say that I really hope Kipper chooses to be crappy tonight and that Iginla doesn’t choose this game to break out of his goalless streak vs Detroit.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 03/09/10 at 10:09 AM ET

Allow me to be the first to say that I really hope Kipper chooses to be crappy tonight and that Iginla doesn’t choose this game to break out of his goalless streak vs Detroit.

Ok, you can be the first.

How exactly Zetterberg has 5 pts in the last 3 games? His play is very sub-par lately.

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 03/09/10 at 10:14 AM ET

DET:  175 GF, 178 GA
CGY:  166 GF, 165 GA

Goal Differential/Game:
DET = +0.01
CGY = -0.06

Posted by sd on 03/09/10 at 10:19 AM ET

Essence, lat three games: 2 G, 3 A (+2).

CHI - 2 A (Even)
NSH G (E/N)  (+2)
VAN 1 G, 1 A (Even)

Hard to call that sub-par, Herm.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/09/10 at 10:19 AM ET

Hard to call that sub-par, Herm.

I talked about his stats and you used his stats as an argument. Aside from that, I watched the last two games and Hank is not playing very agressively, is keeping the puck for less time and playing too much on the perimeter.

His stats are fine, but I still think he’s not playing the way we expected him to.

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 03/09/10 at 10:24 AM ET

@ SD - - sorry you missed yesterdays post, regarding the GF, GA, I couldn’t understand it either - - but found an answer.

I was checking the standings and the team stats after yesterdays games:

7 Nashville 65 35 25 5 75 5-4-1 Lost 2
8 Detroit 65 31 22 12 74 5-3-2 Won 2

9 Calgary 65 32 24 9 73 5-4-1 Won 2
10 St. Louis 65 30 26 9 69 6-4-0 Lost 1
11 Dallas 64 28 24 12 68 4-5-1 Lost 3
12 Anaheim 65 30 27 8 68 5-4-1 OTL

Paging Bill - The Peloton of suck(!)

Anyway - - according to TSN.ca, DET are 175 GF and 178 GA.  DET have played 65 games, so, DET are 2.69 g/g, and 2.74 GA/G.

BUT, if you look at NHL.com stats:  DET are 2.63 G/G (18), 2.62 GA/G (10).

Just for good measure, I checked The Hockey News:

DET 171 GF (19), and 170 GA (21)

WTF?

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 19 on 03/08/10 at 08:46 AM ET
—————————————————————————————————————-

^^ THN numbers break down as follows ^^

2.63 G/G, and 2.62 GA/G which is consistent with NHL.com

And I thought hockey was Canada’s game?

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 19 on 03/08/10 at 08:51 AM ET
——————————————————————————————-

^^ Noting my confusion from above ^^ I wrote to Scott Cullen, all things stats at TSN, to get the lowdown.

Amazingly, he penned me back, in short order, thank you Scott(!)

  The difference between the standings and a team’s actual stats comes as a result of the shootout.  Teams that win a shootout get an extra goal in the GF category in the standings, whereas in the official goals per game, that extra goal isn’t included.  Likewise, the losing team in a shootout has an addition goal under GA in the standings, but not in the official team stats.  I realize it’s very confusing to anyone who bothers to look at it…apparently the league doesn’t expect there to be too many fans doing that.

Who knew?  Apparently no-one besides Scott.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 19 on 03/08/10 at 10:12 AM ET

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/09/10 at 10:25 AM ET

I talked about his stats and you used his stats as an argument. Aside from that, I watched the last two games and Hank is not playing very agressively, is keeping the puck for less time and playing too much on the perimeter.

Might have to do with his line-mates?

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/09/10 at 10:26 AM ET

Jesus.  And we were all worried about Jimmah’s CONSISTENCY at the start of the season…

This is his STFU.  We’ve been boring him in the minors, now that he has a regular spot in the Big Show, he’s shown us what he can do.  Suh-weet.

Jarome Iginla has not scored a goal in his last 19 games against the Detroit Red Wings.

And he’s a thirty-goal scorer this year, too.  Just another reason why TPH should have the Norris on friggin’ LOCKDOWN.

Sterling work as always, Okie.  A must-win in regulation, here…this is four points where it COUNTS.

More CAPITALS, anyone?  LOUD NOISES.

BTW, Monkey, if you’re around check your PMs.  The photos are there.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 03/09/10 at 10:28 AM ET

Might have to do with his line-mates?

I’d think that way if all those passes were aimed at WIlliams for a none-timer or to the crease so Cleary buries it. But whatever, he’s scoring and that’s the big deal.

And talking about linemates, check the percentage of ice-time each combination is having (last 3 games):

32.9%  DATSYUK,PAVEL - FRANZEN,JOHAN - HOLMSTROM,TOMAS
27.1%  DRAPER,KRIS - EAVES,PATRICK - HELM,DARREN
20.2%  CLEARY,DANIEL - WILLIAMS,JASON - ZETTERBERG,HENRIK
19.7%  BERTUZZI,TODD - FILPPULA,VALTTERI - MILLER,ANDREW

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 03/09/10 at 10:39 AM ET

“One-timer”. You got it.

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 03/09/10 at 10:40 AM ET

Allow me to be the voice of reason - Go Flames!

Posted by dash_pinched from Rumour Mill Bay on 03/09/10 at 10:53 AM ET

“One-timer”. You got it.

Nah, if you’re talking about J-Will, ‘None-Timer’ is about right.

And HERM, I see you’re as fond of CAPITALIZATION as I AM.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 03/09/10 at 10:59 AM ET

If the Wings can win the cup is ours.

If they lose, the suicide pact is back on.

I fixed that for you, Primis.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 03/09/10 at 11:02 AM ET

Allow me to be the voice of reason - Go Flames! 
Posted by dash_pinched from Rumour Mill Bay on 03/09/10 at 10:53 AM ET

Paul,

Ban please.

Thanks,

Jeff

Posted by 42jeff from Minot, North Dakota on 03/09/10 at 11:08 AM ET

Nice job, Okie, as always.  You superstitious bitches got your wish, Paul is doing the LB tonight.

Instead of posting the LB, I’ll be reading Twilight and getting in touch with my inner emo teenage girl.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 03/09/10 at 11:10 AM ET

George at Snapshots had a great find, from ESPN of all places.  LeBrun believes Uncle Mike may be doing his best-ever coaching:

We’ve got two Western Conference tilts with playoff race implications. I love this time of year.

In Detroit, the Red Wings are coming off huge wins over Central Division foes Nashville and Chicago, and hang on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the West by one point over the Flames.

“We just won four out of five,” Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock told ESPN.com Monday. “And now, let’s be honest, we need to win four out of five again.”

Another stretch of games like that and the Wings will leave the eighth spot behind them.

“Nashville came in [Friday], if they beat us they were going to be seven points up,” said Babcock. “I looked today and they were one point up. So suddenly they’re in the mix with us. Our job is to get as many teams in the mix ahead of us as much as we can.”

After playing more of the season with a lineup absolutely devastated by injuries, with Babcock doing some of the best coaching of his career, now the veteran Wings are healthy and ready for a run. If I were the Coyotes, Kings, Avalanche and Predators, I’d be looking in my rearview mirror.

“We’re trying to reel them in, that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Babcock. “In saying all that, are we the team that just won four out of five, or are we the team that was winning one and losing one? I’m not trying to be hard on us one bit, we’ve been hurt all year long. But our lineup is good enough to play hard every night now.”

This is new territory for the Wings of the past decade. Usually March means finding a way to stay focused and not getting too bored with a big lead in their division as they await the playoffs in April. This year every game in the stretch run will have meaning.

“You’re under the gun way more,” said Babcock. “And yet what I’d say to you is that I believe in our experience, I believe in us knowing how to play, I believe in the level we can get our game to—we should be fine. But you and I are both going to watch and find out.”

Who’s kidding whom? The Wings are going to make the playoffs, and it’s likely not going to be as the last seed.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/09/10 at 11:12 AM ET

How many teams over the past few years have wreaked havoc on top seeds when they came into the playoffs amidst a hot run? 

Now let’s make the team the Red Wings.  I am finally starting to shake off the pessimism…a little.

Posted by 42jeff from Minot, North Dakota on 03/09/10 at 11:15 AM ET

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 19 on 03/09/10 at 11:12 AM ET

Gramps… care to comment on Uncle Mike’s performance?  You have been one of his biggest critics, despite never offering an alternative coach you’d like to see replace him.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 03/09/10 at 11:23 AM ET

Taken from an AP article

Detroit, the very symbol of American industrial might for most of the 20th century, is drawing up a radical renewal plan that calls for turning large swaths of this now-blighted, rusted-out city back into the fields and farmland that existed before the automobile.

Operating on a scale never before attempted in this country, the city would demolish houses in some of the most desolate sections of Detroit and move residents into stronger neighborhoods. Roughly a quarter of the 139-square-mile city could go from urban to semi-rural.

Near downtown, fruit trees and vegetable farms would replace neighborhoods that are an eerie landscape of empty buildings and vacant lots. Suburban commuters heading into the city center might pass through what looks like the countryside to get there. Surviving neighborhoods in the birthplace of the auto industry would become pockets in expanses of green.

What do the 19 think about this plan?

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 03/09/10 at 11:32 AM ET

Hey, did you guys know that Nashville goalie Dan Ellis is a *#$%@&?

http://tweetphoto.com/13337353

(found at Pensblog)

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 03/09/10 at 11:33 AM ET

“I think we’ve been playing more straight ahead, going hard to the net, getting the puck to the net and creating scoring chances that way instead of ending up in the corners too much,’’

Translation: “Mule is back”.  Thanks Lids.

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 03/09/10 at 11:34 AM ET

Well voox ( w00t!), Gramps has also said that with what Uncle Mike has had to deal with this year he has done a good job.  Or maybe that was me, sometime in the way back machine I offered that if the Wings finish up in the playoff run he should be considered for coach of the year.

CGY is as good on the road as Detroit is at home?  I didn’t know that.  CGY’s record at home must stink.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 03/09/10 at 11:37 AM ET

What do the 19 think about this plan?

read about that last night. I think it’s a really awesome idea, if they can actually do it.

Oh and I’m pretty superstitious but I always end up overthinking my superstitions and finding ways to contradict them, which leads to me just being confused. So whatever works I guess.

LGRW

Posted by Nati from school or work, either would apply on 03/09/10 at 11:39 AM ET

Did you ever wake up someplace not knowing where you were..
wait, start over.
Did you ever wake up someplace in bed not knowing where..
wait, start over.
Did you ever wake up someplace in bed alone not knowing where you were?

That’s what happened to me this morning a few hours ago, so to regain my bearings I went straight online to the A2Y, where I know I’m free to pursue a life of religious fulfillment and to be the Douchebag I was always meant to be.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 03/09/10 at 11:42 AM ET

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 03/09/10 at 11:32 AM ET

Coming from somebody who’s county is a little more than approximately 25% farmland, I can appreciate this plan.  There’s no denying Detroit has blight.  Clearing it for greener pastures would be a good step.

I’m just not sure how, exactly they’re going to move all those people.  Seems like this is going to take one hell of an eminent domain case and I’m usually not agreeable to those.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 03/09/10 at 11:50 AM ET

To quote ediliac, one of the “soft-euro” of the “19”

I think you mean “Eurotrash,” Jeff. 

Sorry, for a second there I felt like I was channeling Mike Milbury. I also felt the overwhelming urge to punch Jeremy Roenick in the nuts, and to trade my new car for a hoagie.

Posted by Incognetis from Delaware... Hi... I'm in... Delaware on 03/09/10 at 11:53 AM ET

Sorry, for a second there I felt like I was channeling Mike Milbury. I also felt the overwhelming urge to punch Jeremy Roenick in the nuts, and to trade my new car for a hoagie.

Posted by Incognetis from Exile in Alabama on 03/09/10 at 11:53 AM ET

Pfft.  I think you’re overvaluing the hoagie.  Trade the car for two hoagies and a fourth-round draft pick.

Posted by Lola from down by the bay on 03/09/10 at 11:56 AM ET

What do the 19 think about this plan?

It’s been happening for years already.  Abandoned lots being turned into parks, grass growing through cracks in the concrete, ashes from torched buildings causing weeds to grow.  The city council’s just now catching up, and organizing it.  I’m sure they’ll find a way to screw it up somehow.

And f*ck Dan Ellis.  I thought he was classy, the way he played in the postseason in 2008, but now I hope Keith Ballard gets traded to Nashville in the offseason.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 03/09/10 at 11:57 AM ET

Khan(!) has the lineup for tonight:

Forwards Todd Bertuzzi (charley horse) and Pavel Datsyuk (flu), who didn’t practice Monday, will play tonight against Calgary, as expected.

Here are the lines and defense pairings for Detroit:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Cleary-Zetterberg-Williams
Miller-Filppula-Bertuzzi
Draper-Helm-Eaves

Lidstrom-Rafalski
Kronwall-Stuart
Ericsson-Lilja
Lebda-Meech (scratched)

Howard (starting)
Osgood

And some wisdom from Uncle Mike:

“I’ve been in the playoffs a lot and there’s nothing you can do to make this like the playoffs,’’ Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “But there’s got to be a sense of urgency or you’re going home. We all know that as much fun as the regular season is you have more fun in one week in the playoffs than you do in 82 games in the regular season.’’

He said of his team’s focus: “It’s way easier now than it was three months ago. If you’re not excited to play hockey now … come one, let’s get going. It’s time to play. Every year we normally talk about the team we’re playing has something to play for and we don’t. We got something to play for.’’

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/09/10 at 11:59 AM ET

Pfft.  I think you’re overvaluing the hoagie.  Trade the car for two hoagies and a fourth-round draft pick.

Hold out for the rotting corpse of Rocket Richard and a contract for a shoe-beating.  And don’t forget to sign the corpse to a fifteen-year $75 million deal.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 03/09/10 at 12:01 PM ET

That is exactly right Paul, which is why DennisPolanich, whose real name is John OBTW, says he isnt convinced just yet. In 24 hours we could all be in a major mood trough.

What am I talking about? I shouldnt have tried posting after traveling all afternoon and evening.

Posted by RWBill from Back aboard the Hasek. on 03/09/10 at 12:47 AM ET

Just think of me as Lithium for the 19. 

Seems like Uncle Mike doen’t want to get his hopes up either and is asking the same question I am.

“We’re trying to reel them in, that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Babcock. “In saying all that, are we the team that just won four out of five, or are we the team that was winning one and losing one?

And maybe I’m not the only Eeyore among the 19…

If the Wings can win I think maybe we can start getting our hopes up again.
If they lose, we’ll know nothing has really changed in the least.
Posted by Primis on 03/09/10 at 09:47 AM ET

LET’S GO RED WINGS!
LET’S GO RED WINGS!
LET’S GO RED WINGS!

How is that for CAPS, Andrew?

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 03/09/10 at 12:03 PM ET

“I think we’ve been playing more straight ahead, going hard to the net, getting the puck to the net and creating scoring chances that way instead of ending up in the corners too much,’’

I was glad to see J Williams go to the front of the net with stick-on-ice and deflect in a nice goal.  He’s had a couple of goals lately, but only 9:40 of playing time vs Chicago.

Looking at that TOI is revealing about where the players - forwards - are in the mix of the analytical adding machine brain that is Mike Babcock.

Datsyuk 20 min
Franzen 19 min
Zetterberg 17 min
Cleary 16 min
Filppula 16
Miller 15 min
Holmstrom 14
Helm 14
Eaves 12
Draper 11
Bertuzzi 9:50 (not available the last 25 minutes)
Wiliams 9:40

Williams is way down on the Forward TOI.  There were 4 PKs and 1 4x4, I don’t think that’s too many or out of the ordinary so as to skew the TOI that much.  Eaves and Helm and Miller’s time is only 1:30 PK, still leaving a couple of minutes more on the ice than Williams.  I think that reveals some sort of deeper evaluation of their contributions by Babs (sorry for the captain obvious remark).

Hey - Detroit only had :30 of PP time the entire game.  was that 4x3?

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 03/09/10 at 12:05 PM ET

Then there is this tidbit from CBC.ca:

Calgary (32-24-9) is one point behind Detroit (31-22-12) for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Both clubs have 17 games to play, so there’s plenty of time for significant movement in the standings. Still, the game may play a crucial role in deciding which of the two teams qualifies for the post-season.

With a victory, the Flames will not only leap ahead of the Wings but also hold a two-win advantage over Detroit, the first tiebreaker if needed.

The teams will meet again at the Saddledome in Calgary on March 15.

Big time game tonight.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/09/10 at 12:12 PM ET

Instead of posting the LB, I’ll be reading Twilight and getting in touch with my inner emo teenage girl.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 03/09/10 at 11:10 AM ET

“and his hair was PERFECT.”

I have no freaking idea why a Warren Zevon lyric popped into my head when I read that.
None at all. Maybe it was the clothing thread from the last LB

Posted by dougie on 03/09/10 at 12:12 PM ET

I’m just not sure how, exactly they’re going to move all those people.  Seems like this is going to take one hell of an eminent domain case and I’m usually not agreeable to those.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas

JJ, unless the laws have changed, Michigan has one of the worst eminent domain laws, from a private property perspective. Poletown v. City of Detroit was one of the reasons I took an interest in the law. How could a city and the largest company in the world just decide to steal an entire neighborhood and get away with it?

That said, there are areas of the City where a just a few homeowners remain in an area of hundreds of homes. It costs the City so much money in police/fire/snow removal, etc. for those areas. I would not have a problem with using eminent domain to relocate those remaining few homeowners to other parts of the City.

The tough question is what is “fair value” to those few remaining home owners. Pure market value is likely less than $6,000. But to get a comparable house in more viable neighborhood could be 4-5 times that amount.

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 03/09/10 at 12:18 PM ET

Draper, Red Bull, and Eaves with the game winning goals

Posted by Gunnar from Ada, MI on 03/09/10 at 12:21 PM ET

OMFG Peter Griffin is outside my door tapping with the key “Housekeeping?  Housekeeping?  HouseKEEPING?”

OBTW, commercial flying shortly after watching Airplane! and Zero Hour! is not recommended.  You’ll either be a nervous wreck or realize people are staring at you for laughing at inappropriate times.

The White Zone is for loading and unloading.  Is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane? He’s coming in too low, he’s all over the place.  How ‘bout some coffee, Johnny?

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 03/09/10 at 12:24 PM ET

Apparently, I should have done some reading before posting. In 2004, the Michigan Supreme Court called its 1981 Poletown v. City of Detroit opinion erroneous and halted eminent domain for economic development. But I don’t think using eminent domain to close down parts of the city would be for economic development.

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 03/09/10 at 12:26 PM ET

fuch Dan Ellis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp2eTuoUz3Y

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

Posted by selke13 on 03/09/10 at 12:27 PM ET

Nice job, Okie, as always.  You superstitious bitches got your wish, Paul is doing the LB tonight.
Instead of posting the LB, I’ll be reading Twilight and getting in touch with my inner emo teenage girl.
Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 03/09/10 at 11:10 AM ET

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 03/09/10 at 12:32 PM ET

lolz Dennis

I love that one

Posted by 42jeff from Minot, North Dakota on 03/09/10 at 12:36 PM ET

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA got to send that to my daughter, who’s txt definition of emo to me in the 2008 SCF was “.. like gothic and sad and depressed like slit my wrists and leave me in the tub.”

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 03/09/10 at 12:36 PM ET

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 03/09/10 at 12:26 PM ET

Of course, you could always just bulldoze around those people and tell them they’re welcome to stay and pay taxes, but they’ll be considered “rural”, meaning emergency services will be located far away from them and may not be able to respond as quickly as they may like.

As long as this is what happens AFTER the attempt to get them to move to a different area of the city and they’re offered fair compensation.  If that fair compensation really is only about $6,000, then it kinda sucks for those people on an investment perspective, but that’s an inherent risk.  $6k will pay rent or make a nice down payment on a nicer and more centrally located place.  I don’t know about Michigan, but when they built the Kansas Speedway and went all eminent domainy on the people around here, they offered 125% of fair market value (which still wouldn’t buy them too much in a big city, but was a fair fortune, all things considered.  Of course, the people who refused still got screwed to the wall, but, like most Americans, my sorrow for the plight of those people has not kept me from enjoying the wonderful economic developments that happened on their former properties.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 03/09/10 at 12:41 PM ET

Great job Jeff.  Should be a good game tonight.

Urban to semi rural…WTH is that?  Didn’t we use to call rural Detroit, Dearborn?  Another boondoggle for politicians to collect federal $$ and keep the party going.

Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 03/09/10 at 12:53 PM ET