I saw that in the previous thread.  Could be a typo, or maybe just D-Mac’s old bones need a rest after a tough season and the playoff grind.

Here’s something I was going to post in the previous thread about Rafalski, but since I wouldn’t mind hearing peoples’ opinions of it (plus I like the sound of my own voice), here it is.

You know, I’m probably just overreacting, but we 19 are about nothing if not overreaction, so bear with me.  Here’s a thought for you: If we end up getting bounced out of this series and Rafalski doesn’t play, and we find out that it was an injury that he could have played through with pain, but chose not to either grit his teeth and bear it or take the needle, then as far as I’m concerned a whole new possibility that I had previously ruled out becomes pretty alluring-- re-signing Hossa.

We would have to trade Rafalski.  This is not as much a problem as one might think.  He has three years left at a reasonable salary for a top-pairing defenseman, and a team that is on the playoff bubble, and doesn’t think it can go the whole way but just wants to play a few games (think Florida, especially if Bouwmeester leaves this summer) in the postseason to keep the fans happy, would be willing to put up with him not playing through pain, could take the cap hit, and could offer a pretty nice return (anyone want Shawn Matthias back?), maybe even a first-round pick.

Meanwhile, even if Lilja doesn’t come back from injury, or does and only plays to third-pairing caliber, Ericsson is far cheaper than Rafalski and has shown he is a capable, if not as offensively-minded as Rafalski (yet), partner for Lidstrom.  Furthermore, as Lidstrom mentors him, he will improve and a full season manning the blueline with The Perfect Human will be invaluable to his development.  Finally, Ericsson lacks one glaring flaw of Rafalski’s-- he isn’t nearly as easy to knock off the puck or toss around like a rag doll. 

Capwise, we clear Rafalski’s six million dollar a year cap hit and have space to re-sign Hossa.  Aside from retaining the best offense in the League and having a strong backchecker, there are several points here.  First, Hossa obviously wants to stay with us provided the terms are reasonable-- maybe an average cap hit of five a year would be enough.  And you know he’s a character guy, and he’ll play through pain.  It’s obvious to anyone who’s watched a minute of this series that Hossa is playing injured and is in some pain, yet he’s giving everything he has and more, working like a dog for goals and for that big silver cup, not taking a single second off even though every second means more pain.  Meanwhile, Rafalski can’t even deal with some playoff pain enough to skate, let alone play in four games in a crucial series?  I’ve been thinking about this since I saw the news this morning that he was out, and it’s just made me angrier and angrier.  We won’t win or lose this series based on Rafalski, but it really is a slap in the face that while Hossa (the European, incidentally) is showing grit and perseverance worthy of his uniform while Rafalski (the North American) is taking time off and coasting while his team fights to keep him in the playoffs.  One of these players is playing like a Stanley Cup Champion, the other is a goat.  And I know which one I’d rather have on my team.

Or maybe it isn’t like that at all, and Rafalski’s genuinely being kept out for a very good reason.  Still, something to consider when we finally find out what’s going on.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 05/07/09 at 05:25 AM ET

I’ll keep this short Andrew, mainly because I’m so *#$%@& stressed out right now I have no idea ho w I’m supposed to get through this day and then wait until 22motherfucking30 to watch this game.

If Rafalski’s injury is one that he could have played through?  Get rid of him. And I’d say that about anyone.

But I don’t think that’s the case.  I just have to believe that if he could play, he would.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 05/07/09 at 05:35 AM ET

Don’t you guys sleep? Are you nocturnal at playoff time?

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 05/07/09 at 05:37 AM ET

Dunno about the Chief, Red Winger, but I suspect that The Pentagon never closes, and he sometimes updates the blog at weird hours throughout the year.  As for me?  I’m going to lunch (it’s noon where I am).

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 05/07/09 at 05:56 AM ET

If Rafalski’s injury is one that he could have played through?  Get rid of him. And I’d say that about anyone.

But I don’t think that’s the case.  I just have to believe that if he could play, he would.

Agree with this.  It’s making quite an assumption to call Rafalski a malingerer, because in the playoffs there is never a straight answer regarding injuries.  I’d love to be able to confidently question his character because it would give an easy scapegoat, but it isn’t that easy.

Don’t you guys sleep? Are you nocturnal at playoff time?

Posted by Red Winger from The Soo on 05/07/09 at 06:37 AM ET

One word:  STRESSEDthehellfreakingOUT.  Explains everything.

********

So, Boston now down 2-1 to the Whalercanes after an overtime loss ...

Because thinking about my own team makes my stomach hurt, I’ve decided that what I want to happen in the playoffs from the standpoint of good hockey is Chicago and Detroit in the conference finals, Boston and Washington in the East, and Detroit beating Boston in the Cup finals.

But, my alternative strategy is Anaheim losing to Vancouver, Carolina beating Washington, and Vancouver winning in five games over Carolina so the Cup is awarded at about 2:00 am.  I think the ratings for that scenario would be epically bad - but better, I want to see how many “O"s Alanah puts in the “WOOOOOOO!!!!” post she would be compelled to make after the game. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/07/09 at 06:03 AM ET

To clarify:  by this

I think the ratings for that scenario would be epically bad ...

I don’t mean that I want the league to suffer (although I kind of do), but mostly it’s just intellectual curiosity.  How bad can ratings truly get?  You have a southern market and a lower-interest Canadian market, and the games start incredibly late for the higher-seeding team, no Crosby, no Ovechkin, no baby Blackhawks ...

I’m wondering what kind of “thoughts” the NHL marketing “brains” would come up with.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/07/09 at 06:09 AM ET

Chief, you’re just defending Rafalski because he’s your doppelganger and he comes from Michigan to boot. 

Seriously though, in all honesty I’m with you guys-- I don’t think Rafalski would be ruling himself out without very good reason, and I don’t think he’s slacking at all.  It’s just bugging me like crazy not knowing what’s keeping him out, and that was an interesting exercise in conjecture that keeps us from having to, you know, think about THE GAME…

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 05/07/09 at 06:10 AM ET

Dunno about the Chief, Red Winger, but I suspect that The Pentagon never closes,

Jeebus jumpin...I didn’t know that’s where our leader worked.

Any chance I can convince him to send a B-52 over the Duck’s dressing room tonight, just to deliver a ‘care package’?

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 05/07/09 at 06:24 AM ET

Dare I say it?

Tonight is a must-win.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 05/07/09 at 06:26 AM ET

Andrew, please do us all a favor and don’t go making “if we lose this series” predictions and speculations (that goes for you too, Baroque).  Not on game day, people...we have enough to worry about.  Like the does the officiating now worry you guys as much as the play from Anaheim as it does me?

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 05/07/09 at 06:30 AM ET

On a funnier note - I had the oddest hockey dream last night.

It was Detroit and Anaheim, of course, game four - but for some reason it was being played in an open amphitheatre instead of the normal rink.  And the San Diego chicken was dancing around in the aisles and behind the glass to get the crowd fired up, despite the fact that he kept being followed around by someone in a Red Wings jersey carrying a sign (like a protest sign - on a stick) that said “THIS IS A CHICKEN.  THIS IS NOT A DUCK.” He didn’t say anything, though.  It was a silent protest.

Well. in the game, Detroit was winning on a goal by Franzen (shocker, I know) when Corey Perry kicked - I mean actually dropkicked - the puck into the net to “tie” the game, and there was an extensive review during which he got more and more agitated, until one of the officials told him that the goal was being disallowed for sure, because of the “distinct kicking motion,” but they were trying to decide whether he held the puck long enough to get a penalty for that - at which point he dropped on the ice and actually started throwing a temper tantrum.  Crying, screaming, kicking his feet, the whole three-year-old-up-past-his-naptime deal.  (The looks of disgust on the faces of his teammates were priceless.) The trainer finally came out with a blankie and got him off the ice for a time out. 

So, the game goes on with Anaheim cheap-shotting like fiends (as usual) and Detroit shooting like crazy (as usual) and still only hanging on to a one-goal lead (as usual) because Osgood was fantastic.  With only a minute to go in the game, Hudler is ready to shoot at the open net, when Pronger comes in to permantly fuse him with one of the ads on the boards ...

He tries to hit him ...

You hear a shattering sound, like a ziploc bag of rigatoni being crushed on the driveway with a brick ...

And Pronger drops as if shot with a stunned look on his face as Hudler scores the empty-netter.

Extensive replays show that the butt end of Hudler’s stick caught him between the legs and the sound was his protective cup shattering like an eggshell.  The camera (I have no idea if I was at this game in the crowd, watching on television, or just floating around above the action) panned across the crowd, and every single man in the crowd was hunched over with sympathy pains, and every woman was either giggling or trying not to - and someone was heard to say, “now that’s the kind of head shot we need to get out of the game!”

Then I woke up.  So I don’t know if Pronger had to be taken to the hospital with his “lower body injury” or not. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/07/09 at 06:36 AM ET

You hear a shattering sound, like a ziploc bag of rigatoni being crushed on the driveway with a brick ...

Metaphoric beauty.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 05/07/09 at 06:41 AM ET

Andrew, please do us all a favor and don’t go making “if we lose this series” predictions and speculations (that goes for you too, Baroque).  Not on game day, people...we have enough to worry about.  Like the does the officiating now worry you guys as much as the play from Anaheim as it does me?

Sorry.  I’ll shut my whore mouth.  And yes, the officiating does bug me.  A lot.  If the league had to contract to enough teams that the competent officials could cover them, there would be about eight teams.

Pentagon, eh?  Does that make the Chief a REMF, I wonder? 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/07/09 at 06:44 AM ET

Oh, Baroque, he’s NOT going to like that when he reads it…

Drew, I’m a natural pessimist.  That way I’m pleasantly surprised when things go my way.  Just articulating the possibility.  Better have another shot, it’s a long time to the puck drop.

Baroque, you remember WAY too much detail from your dreams.  But if I may attempt amateur analysis, the meaning of your dream is as follows: Corey Perry is a punk-ass bitch.  And Sasquatch is a cheap shotter, and Hudler and Franzen are both clutch.

What?  Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 05/07/09 at 07:03 AM ET

Any chance I can convince him to send a B-52 over the Duck’s dressing room tonight, just to deliver a ‘care package’?

Ummm...look at where I’m from and do a recent history search on google and you’ll understand why I just sprayed coffee all over my desk....

However...don’t think I’m not considering it....

Posted by 42jeff from Minot AFB, ND on 05/07/09 at 07:31 AM ET

Ummm...look at where I’m from and do a recent history search on google and you’ll understand why I just sprayed coffee all over my desk....

However...don’t think I’m not considering it....

Posted by 42jeff from Minot AFB, ND on 05/07/09 at 08:31 AM ET

Could you plausibly call it a “test flight?”

Baroque, you remember WAY too much detail from your dreams.  But if I may attempt amateur analysis, the meaning of your dream is as follows: Corey Perry is a punk-ass bitch.  And Sasquatch is a cheap shotter, and Hudler and Franzen are both clutch.

Oh, I know that - I’m just irritated that I woke up before I could hear the comments in the interviews afterwards.  “Head shots.” Heh.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/07/09 at 07:38 AM ET

The ability to email you is not a option that is enabled for me, IwoCPO. I wasn’t sure if Zudeima was speaking facetiously, since the “black aces” remark left me wondering.  Are Abdelkader and company-in fact-being recalled?

Someone remind me why Chelios is playing?
Slow as a turtle on valium. Forechecking him hard and rubbing him out along the end boards resulting in coughing up the puck-like taking candy from a baby.

Posted by rjman48 from Royal Oak on 05/07/09 at 07:40 AM ET

Oh, Baroque, he’s NOT going to like that when he reads it…

He knows I don’t mean anything bad by it.  It is possible to be RE without being MF, afterall.  He just doesn’t strike me as the desk and paperwork type.  Something more active seems to be more in keeping with his personality.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/07/09 at 07:40 AM ET

Pentagon, eh?  Does that make the Chief a REMF, I wonder?  LOL

Nice.  REMF, that fricking slays me.

I don’t think you can actually be a REMF if you are an enlisted person though.  Although maybe???  I mean, he is pretty high up the enlisted food chain.

Posted by ITDeuce on 05/07/09 at 07:40 AM ET

He knows I don’t mean anything bad by it.  It is possible to be RE without being MF, afterall.  He just doesn’t strike me as the desk and paperwork type.  Something more active seems to be more in keeping with his personality

Of course I didn’t take offense.  And the MF thing is a compliment.

As for the RE part of it, most of us have to deal with at least one tour in that capacity. This is mine.

I’m back to the real Navy, back to sea where a MF’ing Sailor belongs, next January.

Oh, and Gabe and the rest of you bitches in San Diego? Stand by.  Next season’s A2Y get togethers will be in SOCAL, maybe on my back porch.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 05/07/09 at 07:50 AM ET

Guys, I’m sorry, but does anyone really think Rafalski is being a pussy, sitting on the sidelines with a hangnail?

Just relax, I take Rafalski’s word, and the team’s word, that he’s too hurt to play.

Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 05/07/09 at 07:51 AM ET

Oh for fuc[k]ssake.  No Rafalski again.  What, Is Babcock doing, saving him for the next series?  That is ridiculously presumptuous.

If it is not a concussion that motherfuc[k]er needs to take a shot and friggin play.

The Wings are having a ridiculously difficult time generating any speed on the attack.  Outlet passes, hell, passing in general is proving difficult.  Wings need to take advantage of thier speed; as it is one of the few advantages they seem to have over the friggin poultry.  In case no-one has noticed, the Ducks are pretty friggin good.  The Wings need all-hands on deck.

Yes, I am still friggin pissed, irritated, disgusted, irate, upset, mad as hell about that idiot mutherfuc[ker] Watson, and the League for that most assinine call, and the Legaue’s assisine rules.  Intent to blow. - - thats what she said, leaving you all blue.

Thanks, Gary.  Assinine Mutherfuc[k]er.

Adversity, I don’t remember it ever being so adverse.

Fuc[k]ing Wings need to start the game on-time.  They need to get a gawddamn lead and keep fuc[k]ing scoring.

I do not think they will have any chance to win this series if they lose tonight.

G.D.T. later.  Bitches.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/07/09 at 08:18 AM ET

Actually, Mac was one of the Griffins top players in the playoffs, I thought. Who knows why he was left off.

Posted by rjman48 from Royal Oak on 05/07/09 at 08:20 AM ET

Raffy has won 3 Cups, so I would give him more credit than suggesting he’s sitting out with a minor injury. He’s been to hell and back 3 times, I’m sure with injuries to go with that. I can’t imagine that even if he was playing chicken that the Wings wouldn’t have him see a physician to get properly checked out. Which leads me to why tonight’s game is so important.

Not only would a win tie the series, but the two day layoff until Game 5 would obviously benefit Raffy and his recovery. A win tonight tying the series, and a potential shot in the arm with his return would be great timing and I think would give the Wings a big mental edge.

As for tonight, I’ve got no feel for the game. I felt bad going into Game 3 and my premonitions proved right. Hell, I even had nightmares the night before Game 3, so I knew bad stuff was going to go down. Hopefully the Wings take the 3rd period from last name and extend that into a 60-minute effort tonight. They must if they decide they want to win this series.

Desperate is the word of the day folks. This group responded well to adversity all season and obviously in the postseason last year. That same intensity needs to be present tonight, or else it might get ugly. The Ducks will know what to expect and will be ready. Wings score first, this game is theirs. Ducks score first? I will vomit and soil myself repeatedly in the dark corner of the Hasek.

Go Wings!

Posted by OHWingsFan40 from Oregon/Bowling Green, OH on 05/07/09 at 08:21 AM ET

Wings score first, this game is theirs. Ducks score first? I will vomit and soil myself repeatedly in the dark corner of the Hasek.

Please don’t ruin the rest of my ignorant day with that thought.

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 05/07/09 at 08:30 AM ET

Babbles via Khan(!):

“If we hadn’t been through it before and didn’t understand what the playoffs are about, you might get caught up in that,” Babcock said. ”We’re being tested right now, we got to find out if we’re mentally hard enough and want it bad enough.”

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/07/09 at 08:30 AM ET

I do not think they will have any chance to win this series if they lose tonight.

A chance? Yes.  But I don’t want a chance.  I want a motherf*^&%ing Skate. To.Throat.  If there’s no 60 minute effort tonight...?  I don’t know what to say.  The Wings must win as a team.  Win. One. Game.  Tonite. (You gotta problem with how I spell?) Motherf&^%ers!

Posted by calquake on 05/07/09 at 08:31 AM ET

Dave Dye, Detroit News:

For the Red Wings, tonight should be about desperation.

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.

One of the 21 exceptions took place in the opening round when Washington overcame a 3-1 series deficit to beat the New York Rangers.

So it can be done, but that’s a very difficult route to take. The winner tonight quite likely will win the series.

“The desperation level has to be in everybody,” Wings forward Dan Cleary said

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/07/09 at 08:35 AM ET

Very interesting that Downey is called up in that group.  That to me is a statement in and of itself.  Would any of us have expected he’d be called up?

Posted by Primis on 05/07/09 at 08:35 AM ET

Ummm...look at where I’m from and do a recent history search on google and you’ll understand why I just sprayed coffee all over my desk....
However...don’t think I’m not considering it....
Posted by 42jeff from Minot AFB, ND on 05/07/09 at 08:31 AM ET
Could you plausibly call it a “test flight?”

How about throwing in a couple of F16s and calling it a “Photo Op”?

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 05/07/09 at 08:42 AM ET

Actually, Mac was one of the Griffins top players in the playoffs, I thought. Who knows why he was left off.

Posted by rjman48 from Royal Oak on 05/07/09 at 09:20 AM ET

I was wondering the same thing.  Why no D-Mac?

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 05/07/09 at 08:52 AM ET

Osrt is trying to get the REMF to the DEMF.  And Chief, I never understood the allure of being at sea to those in the Navy.  Away from your woman/family, often sharing a bunk, and STANDING IN LINE to get anything done.  I just don’t get it. 

Now hockey I do understand.  And I don’t think Raffi is being a giant cameltoe.  He is really hurt and really missed, IMHO.  He may not get as cranky and angry as Homer when he is out, but I do believe seeing all the missed passes and breakouts is driving him up the wall. 

The next (three) games are huge.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 05/07/09 at 08:53 AM ET

It’s making quite an assumption to call Rafalski a malingerer, because in the playoffs there is never a straight answer regarding injuries.  I’d love to be able to confidently question his character because it would give an easy scapegoat, but it isn’t that easy.

I’m thinking Rafalski has something broken.  I don’t know, just weird that there was no news about it after the Columbus series.

Baroque, your dream is hilarious!  I could totally see Perry throwing a tantrum on the ice. 

I had a good feeling about game 3 and that turned out to be horrible so now I’m scared to death.  Please, can we have 60 minutes of hockey from our team?

I would also agree with Calquake about the coaching.  Babcock has seemed outcoached in this series and unable to come up with answers.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/07/09 at 09:44 AM ET

Very interesting that Downey is called up in that group.  That to me is a statement in and of itself.  Would any of us have expected he’d be called up?

they’re just people to practice against.

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

Andrew is in Europa where it’s always Noon and sunny.  Chief has no excuse except caffeine and Red Bull.

Chief......you heading back to sea?  SoCal next year.  You can use my porch...if you help me re-build it.  F%#$@ termites.

Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 05/07/09 at 10:13 AM ET

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.

Just numbers......
Learn to ignore stats taken out of context.

How many of the teams leading 3-1 were the top seeded team?
How many of the comebacks were the lower seeded team?

What is the record since the lockout and major rule changes,
broken down by seedings?

AND

It’s the playoffs...bitches
Nobody sits unless they are vulnerable to career ending, or life threatening risks.
There are no ‘Jagr with a hangnail’ players in the Red Wing Org.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don�t live up to my expectations on 05/07/09 at 11:23 AM ET

Osrt is trying to get the REMF to the DEMF.

Jeebus Voox, your memory is scary good. Pacifiers for everyone(!)

Posted by Osrt on 05/07/09 at 11:52 AM ET

Oh, and Gabe and the rest of you bitches in San Diego? Stand by.  Next season’s A2Y get togethers will be in SOCAL, maybe on my back porch.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 05/07/09 at 08:50 AM ET

Yippieeee

Posted by Surfer Ken from San Clemente on 05/07/09 at 02:39 PM ET