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GDT - W.C. Semifinals, Game 4: Red Wings (1-2) at Ducks (2-1) (10:30)
by Jeff OKWingnut on 05/07/09 at 01:04 PM ET
Comments (24)
Adversity, nervousness, pressure, and the “screwed factor”; all make for a long friggin day in the Hasek. Dave Dye, Detroit News, has seen fit to throw a little gas on that fire: “This game has become seemingly crucial for the Red Wings, trailing 2-1 in the series. NHL teams with a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven playoff have won 91.1 percent of those series (215-of-236), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.” Here is some more real heartburn for you: (1) DET has a series record of 10-18 all-time when trailing a best-of-7 match-up two games to one, (2) ANA has never lost a best-of-7 series when holding a two games to one lead.
So is tonight a “must win” game? Will Datsyuk, Homer, or Hossa put something on the scoresheet aside from goose eggs? Equally important, will the flipping Wings start the game at the opening whistle? While tonights result won’t decide the series, for the Wings to have a realistic chance of prevailing, they need a win. If they don’t win, it won’t be for a lack of talent; Chief: “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.” Babcock, via the LA Times: “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.”
I’ve always had a tendency to shine my spotilght on the painfully obvious, biggest game of the season tonight, Bitches. More below.
POST Season Team Stats (rank):
DET: 5-2 (w-l), .714 point% ( tied 2), 3.57 g/g (1), 2.14 ga/g (tied 5), 1.62 5-5 f/a (3), 30.6 pp (1), 70.8 pk (14), 40.7 s/g (1), 29.0 sa/g (4), 52.8 fo% (3).
ANA: 6-3 (w-l), .667 point% (4), 2.89 g/g (tied 5), 1.89 ga/g (2), 2.00 5-5 f/a (1), 26.5 pp (2), 79.0 pk (10), 27.7 s/g (13), 41.7 sa/g (16), 46.6 fo% (14).
PLAYOFF Player Stats:
DET Skaters:
POS Player GP G A PTS +/-
RW Johan Franzen 7 4 4 8 6
D Nicklas Lidstrom 7 3 5 8 5
RW Daniel Cleary 7 2 5 7 8
C Henrik Zetterberg 7 4 3 7 5
RW Jiri Hudler 7 2 4 6 1
D Brad Stuart 7 1 4 5 0
C Valtteri Filppula 7 0 4 4 3
RW Tomas Holmstrom 7 2 2 4 0
RW Marian Hossa 7 2 2 4 0
D Niklas Kronwall 7 1 3 4 -2
RW Mikael Samuelsson 7 1 3 4 1
C Pavel Datsyuk 7 1 2 3 0
D Brian Rafalski 4 1 2 3 5
D Jonathan Ericsson 7 1 0 1 4
RW Tomas Kopecky 7 0 1 1 -1
D Brett Lebda 7 0 1 1 1
D Chris Chelios 3 0 0 0 -1
C Darren Helm 7 0 0 0 -2
LW Kirk Maltby 7 0 0 0 -3
DET Goalies:
Player GPI W L GAA PCT
Chris Osgood 7 5 2 1.96 .926
ANA Skaters:
POS Player GP G A PTS +/-
C Ryan Getzlaf 9 3 11 14 5
D Chris Pronger 9 2 6 8 5
D Scott Niedermayer 9 2 5 7 4
RW Corey Perry 9 4 3 7 4
RW Bobby Ryan 9 4 1 5 3
C Ryan Carter 6 2 2 4 1
RW Teemu Selanne 9 3 1 4 0
D Ryan Whitney 9 0 4 4 0
LW Drew Miller 9 2 1 3 5
C Rob Niedermayer 9 0 3 3 5
D James Wisniewski 9 1 2 3 4
RW Mike Brown 9 0 2 2 0
C Andrew Ebbett 9 1 1 2 0
C Todd Marchant 9 1 1 2 3
D Francois Beauchemin 9 1 0 1 3
C Erik Christensen 7 0 1 1 -1
D Sheldon Brookbank 9 0 0 0 0
C Josh Green 2 0 0 0 0
C Petteri Nokelainen 5 0 0 0 0
RW George Parros 7 0 0 0 0
ANA Goalies:
Player GPI W L GAA PCT
Jonas Hiller 9 6 3 1.74 .955
Average TOI:
DET Skaters:
GPI TOI
D Nicklas Lidstrom 7 26:56
C Johan Franzen 7 19:46
R Daniel Cleary 7 17:32
L Henrik Zetterberg 7 22:37
C Jiri Hudler 7 15:35
D Brad Stuart 7 24:59
R Mikael Samuelsson 7 17:35
D Niklas Kronwall 7 25:44
L Tomas Holmstrom 7 16:13
R Marian Hossa 7 19:28
C Valtteri Filppula 7 17:00
C Pavel Datsyuk 7 20:19
D Brian Rafalski 4 21:54
R Tomas Kopecky 7 9:51
D Jonathan Ericsson 7 20:25
D Brett Lebda 7 14:26
C Darren Helm 7 8:52
L Kirk Maltby 7 9:47
D Chris Chelios 3 8:04
ANA Skaters:
GPI TOI
C Ryan Getzlaf 9 25:26
D Chris Pronger 9 27:35
D Scott Niedermayer 9 27:08
R Corey Perry 9 22:23
R Bobby Ryan 9 20:20
C Ryan Carter 6 11:45
D Ryan Whitney 9 22:45
R Teemu Selanne 9 14:54
C Rob Niedermayer 9 16:28
D James Wisniewski 9 19:57
L Drew Miller 9 16:44
R Mike Brown 9 8:48
C Todd Marchant 9 20:40
C Andrew Ebbett 9 13:26
D Francois Beauchemin 921:51
C Erik Christensen 7 10:38
C Petteri Nokelainen 5 9:08
R George Parros 7 5:32
D Sheldon Brookbank 9 11:28
C Josh Green 2 9:02
Injury Report:
DET:
Andreas Lilja (D) Concussion (Sidelined indefinitely)
Kris Draper (C) Upper body (Day to day)
Brian Rafalski (D) Upper body (Day to day)
ANA:
Bret Hedican (D) Back injury (Sidelined indefinitely)
Brad Larsen (LW/RW) Hernia (Sidelined indefinitely)
James Wisniewski (D) Chest injury (Day to day)
HOT and NOT:
DET Hot:
Nicklas Lidstrom (D) 6 pts in last 4 GP
Brad Stuart (D) 4 pts in last 4 GP
Dan Cleary (LW/RW) 6 pts in last 5 GP
Johan Franzen (LW/C) 8 pts in last 7 GP
Jiri Hudler (RW/LW) 2 pts in last 2 GP
Henrik Zetterberg (C) 7 pts in last 7 GP
Mikael Samuelsson (RW) 2 pts in last 2 GP
DET Not Hot:
Tomas Holmstrom (RW/LW) 0 pts in last 3 GP
Marian Hossa (RW) 0 pts in last 3 GP
Valtteri Filppula (C/W) 2 pts in last 6 GP
ANA Hot:
Chris Pronger (D) 6 pts in last 4 GP
Scott Niedermayer (D) 5 pts in last 5 GP
Ryan Getzlaf (C) 8 pts in last 4 GP
Corey Perry (RW) 7 pts in last 6 GP
Ryan Carter (C/LW) 2 pts in last 2 GP
Teemu Selanne (RW) 3 pts in last 4 GP
Jonas Hiller (G) 2-0-0, 1.49, .963 in last 2 GPI
ANA not hot:
Ryan Whitney (D) 0 pts in last 5 GP
Andrew Ebbett (C/LW) 0 pts in last 4 GP
Bobby Ryan (RW/LW) 1 pts in last 5 GP
Jeff Sagarin NHL Ratings, from USAToday.com:
To make predictions for upcoming games, simply compare the RATINGS of
the teams in question and allow an ADDITIONAL .25 goals for the home
team. Thus, for example, a HOME team with a rating of 4.43 would be
favored by .57 goals over a VISITING team having a rating of 4.11.
Or a VISITING team with a rating of 4.56 would be favored by .42 goals
over a HOME team having a rating of 3.89NOTE: Use whatever home advantage is listed in the output below.
In the example just above, a home edge of .25 was shown for
illustrative purposes. The home edge will vary during the season.
NHL 2008-2009 through 2009 May 6, Wednesday - conference semifinals
HOME ADVANTAGE= 0.35 RATING W L SCHEDL(RANK) VS top 10 | VS top 16 | ELO_CHESS | PREDICTOR
2 Detroit Red Wings = 4.75 56 33 4.00( 20) 15 12 | 25 15 | 4.72 2 | 4.79 2
8 Anaheim Ducks = 4.37 48 43 4.06( 3) 14 19 | 21 26 | 4.34 9 | 4.41 6
From TSN.ca Icechips:
Defenceman James Wisniewski (lung contusion) is doubtful for tonight’s Game 4. Brendan Mikkelson is the likely candidate to replace him. - LA Times
Nick Lidstrom, via the OC Register blog:
“I think we have to have more urgency early in the games,” said Red Wings defenseman and captain Nicklas Lidstrom, who was in the right place at the right time when he scored the game winner in Game 1. “I don’t think we’ve had the quick starts that we wanted.”
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Comments
“I think we have to have more urgency early in the games,” said Red Wings defenseman and captain Nicklas Lidstrom, who was in the right place at the right time when he scored the game winner in Game 1. “I don’t think we’ve had the quick starts that we wanted.”
Huh?
He got his own rebound, didn’t he? How is that “being in the right place at the right time”?
Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 05/07/09 at 01:17 PM ET
Oh snap GDT is up. It’s on now.
Posted by Mark from Ithaca on 05/07/09 at 01:18 PM ET
Oh snap GDT is up
I just threw up a little in my mouth.
Posted by WingsFanInBeanLand from Lidstrom's head telling him 1 more year on 05/07/09 at 01:27 PM ET
It’s time for the eurotwins line.
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 05/07/09 at 01:42 PM ET
Uncle Mike, via Eric Stephens at NHL.com:
Despite holding a 145-93 shot advantage that includes a decisive disparity in each of the first three games, Detroit has managed to put only seven of them past Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller.
“Anytime you’re not scoring, you go through that,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “The first thing you say is are you getting to the net. Well, we’re getting to the net. But in last night’s game, we didn’t get any second chances or not enough second chances.
“There was a real good play where shorthanded, the kid made a real good save on (Marian) Hossa and the rebound was laying right there for Pav (Pavel Datsyuk). We didn’t get it. Same thing when (Brad) Stuart made a play. We didn’t get it. So you have to get some of those, especially when a guy’s going.”
The Ducks have only eight goals, but they have a 2-1 advantage in a tightly played series where every game has been decided by one goal. They managed to hold on for a 2-1 Game 3 win Tuesday night even as Detroit outshot them, 18-3, in the third period.
It’s that kind of one-sided play that has Babcock believing his team is due to break out.
“I’m a big believer that over time, you’re going to get a tip that goes in or you’re going to get a rebound that comes to you eventually,” he said. “Right now, that’s not happening but that’s just part of the process. Stay with it. Good things will go your way.”
Coach, I hope your beliefs are validated.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 05/07/09 at 01:42 PM ET
Great job as always, Jeff.
Mandingo’s “If they don’t win, they don’t deserve the Cup” koan calmed me down for all of three hours. Now I’m as jittery as an OC crack whore. Can’t wait until I get home and I let the vodka take over.
Posted by Bella from puddle of her own vomit on 05/07/09 at 01:44 PM ET
Okay, the Wings have had a bipolar season. It’s strange to see that lack of urgency when you most expect it.
This team still deserves the benefit of the doubt. They may be slow starters, but when they get going they are a machine. They have also faced more adversity than any other team in the last five years.
I’m cautiously- confident right now. I won’t predict a score, because that’s just bad luck. But we have a veteran-laden team that knows what to do.
Now, if I wake up tomorrow and we are down 3 -1, then I begin vomiting all over the place, and the chances of staying off the tequila before noon is practically non-existent.
But we won’t think such things right now.
We are the fans of the Detroit Red Wings. No one should have more confidence than us.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 05/07/09 at 01:45 PM ET
VooX, a drink please. At this point it doesn’t matter what it is. I just need something to stop the shaking, hot flashes and sense of impending doom.
Posted by Aimee in Austin on 05/07/09 at 01:46 PM ET
I just need something to stop the shaking, hot flashes and sense of impending doom
I see you’ve met my ex-girlfriend.
Does she still have blond streaks in her hair?
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 05/07/09 at 01:52 PM ET
Alright 19, I need so fashion/good luck adivce.
For the first eight games of the playoffs, I would wear my white Hank jersey every game day. Well, it’s now lost two straight, so I’m thinking of swapping it out for one of my others. Should I go to my Hossa Winter Classic, red Datsyuk, red Lidstrom (with the C), red Yzerman, or continue to stick with Hank?
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 05/07/09 at 02:05 PM ET
Should I go to my Hossa Winter Classic, red Datsyuk, red Lidstrom (with the C), red Yzerman, or continue to stick with Hank?
you wear your Datsyuk jersey and I’ll wear mine. maybe we can generate some sort of vortex of good luck.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/07/09 at 02:10 PM ET
And my math= fail. Seven games, not eight.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 05/07/09 at 02:10 PM ET
I’ll still be sporting my Konstantinov jersey. 4 cups with that bad boy and counting!
Posted by Incognetis from Delaware... Hi... I'm in... Delaware on 05/07/09 at 02:12 PM ET
“I think we have to have more urgency early in the games,” said Red Wings defenseman and captain Nicklas Lidstrom, who was in the right place at the right time when he scored the game winner in Game 1. “I don’t think we’ve had the quick starts that we wanted.”
Not to disparage The Perfect Human but he should stop with the “I think…” stuff. I’d love for him to start saying, “I believe…” Sorry, I pick up speech quirks intermittently.
I want hunger from the Wings for a whole sixty minutes. To hell with statistical probabilities. Just go out there and get the win, Wings!
Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 05/07/09 at 02:14 PM ET
Not to disparage The Perfect Human but he should stop with the “I think…” stuff. I’d love for him to start saying, “I believe...” Sorry, I pick up speech quirks intermittently.
Still not good enough. “We will have more urgency at the beginning of the game and we will get a quick start.”
That’s what I want to hear.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 05/07/09 at 02:18 PM ET
Alright 19, I need so fashion/good luck adivce.
For the first eight games of the playoffs, I would wear my white Hank jersey every game day. Well, it’s now lost two straight, so I’m thinking of swapping it out for one of my others. Should I go to my Hossa Winter Classic, red Datsyuk, red Lidstrom (with the C), red Yzerman, or continue to stick with Hank?
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 05/07/09 at 03:05 PM ET
Hard choice. I’m going with Datsyuk myself. # 13 is lucky for me. Bitches.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 05/07/09 at 02:20 PM ET
I think I’m going to bust out the red Cleary for tonight, and maybe the white Osgood as well.
We could use a little luck, any luck…
Posted by Primis on 05/07/09 at 02:22 PM ET
Still not good enough. “We will have more urgency at the beginning of the game and we will get a quick start.”
That’s what I want to hear.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from The Land of Myopic Poultry Fans on 05/07/09 at 03:18 PM ET
LOL! Just pointing out the obvious in his many dealings with the press and on the Cup DVDs but yes, more assertions and convictions from Lidstrom that this Cup season is for real and they will get it done.
Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 05/07/09 at 02:25 PM ET
Sporting my unnamed sweater with the “Believe” patch that I sewed on it myself (and I’m not domestically talented).
Voox, another vodka please. My own stash has run out.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/07/09 at 02:44 PM ET
I am going with the away Yzerman sweater, it is the only sweater I have, and besides the team could use a reminder of the heart and tenacity it takes to win the Cup.
Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 05/07/09 at 03:17 PM ET
I’m going with my black Getzlaf jersey. Hasn’t done me wrong yet. Can’t find my old Ducks jersey anyway
Posted by Bleys on 05/07/09 at 04:21 PM ET
Thank You, Jeff. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 05/07/09 at 04:37 PM ET
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Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 05/07/09 at 01:14 PM ET