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Abel to Yzerman

Probably Not The Best Day To…

by IwoCPO on 12/01/08 at 03:22 PM ET
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...hear this, courtesy of Helene St. James.

“Who’s the hardest working team in the National Hockey League?” he said. “Well, in the past I’ve been able to say without any question, here. I don’t think that’s the case right now.”

That’s Uncle Mike doing the talking, and he wasn’t done yet.

As has become his usual routine with the Diggers, he threw in a jab at the goalies too.

“We gave up seven goals on 38 shots the last two games,” Babcock said. “I think that’s pretty self-explanatory. We’ve got to do a better job in that area. We have to play better defense, but we’ve also got to get saves, and then that helps you go.”

Here’s a mind-numbing newsflash for you:  neither of our goalies has stolen a period much less a game.  It’s just not happening.  It never does.  Ever.  Hasek didn’t do it.  Cujo didn’t. Osgood, suicidal Manny.  Nobody.  The Wings aren’t built that way and we’ve come to understand that.

It was cool when the defense was stifling.  But it’s not and now it’s a worry.  Now we have to be concerned with bad, bad, bad goals and not just one.  But a few, in a short period of time.  And that sucks.  Because, not stealing a game is one thing.  Giving it away is another.  And while our Conk is blocking no one and Ozzie is waiting to be “awesome again”, the poultry actually have two goalies playing real well.  One of them is French and won’t be available.  The other? 

SECOND STAR—JONAS HILLER, G, ANAHEIM DUCKS Hiller highlights

Hiller posted a 2-0-0 record with a 0.50 goals-against average, .984 save percentage and one shutout as the Ducks (14-8-3, 31 points) won three consecutive games and improved to fourth place in the Western Conference. Hiller made 26 saves in posting his second career shutout as the Ducks defeated Chicago 1-0 Nov. 28 and turned aside 36 of 37 shots in a 4-1 victory at Carolina Nov. 30, tying a Ducks’ team record by earning standings points in eight consecutive road games. Hiller improved to 6-1-1 with a 1.94 goals-against average, .936 save percentage and two shutouts in 10 appearances this season.

Awesome.  I can’t remember the last time a Wing goalie “turned aside 36 of 37 shots…”.  Hell, I can’t remember the last time a Wing goalie “only let in 2 goals when we’re used to seeing 3 EVERY FRIGGING NIGHT BITCHES.”

Oh yeah.  And now that bastard instigator Sleek is comparing us with last year’s underachievers, the year-long hungover MF’ing poultry.  It’s like getting in trouble at the same time your little brother does.  I’d rather just take the whole wooden spoon myself, rather than be lumped in with his dumb ass.  You know? 

For both the Ducks and Red Wings, the current-year versions have been surrendering way more goals than they did last year—each team is giving up around 2/3 an extra goal-per-game, with some of that comes from a declining penalty kill. Each team has found a way to generate wins despite a shakier defense, though, mainly through an improved team offense.

Sleek brought up the fact that the Duckies are getting regularly outshot, yet they’re still winning.  Can you imagine the horror if the Wings were getting outshot every night, with our goaltending?  Holy hell. 

So, here’s what I want for tonite…with 90-foot Chris in net.  I’ll take a win, but what I really want?  Could I have a shutout?  Is that too much too ask? Well that plus a Sasquatch tantrum that leads to a Wing 90 second 5-3…twice.  That would be neat.

Really a win is all I want.  No, it’s not.  I want a dominating win.  A stress-reliever.  A win that says all is well.  A win that will let us all breathe easy until Thursday and the Sedin sisters. 

And if I can’t have that? If that’s too much to ask?  I feel a manifesto coming on.  I see it building on the horizon, a turbulent, rolling thundercloud of goalie-hating angst that not even puppies and firetrucks or hookers could stave off.

We’re not doing a poll today.  I may not even dedicate the live blog.  It may just be titled:  “Comments Below”, or “Write something if you want”, or “Wake Up Andy, Dwight’s Drilling Angela.”  I just don’t know.  See you tonite.

——
Updated 1610 EST:  Giguere is, in fact, available tonite if Carlysle wants to use him.

...or the coach can call on veteran Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who has been on the ice just once in the past week because he was attending to a serious family concern in his hometown of Montreal.

Carlyle, who customarily protects the identity of his starting goalie at all costs, said Sunday night only that Giguere would likely be “available” to face the Red Wings.

Hiller wasn’t quite sure what to make of the prospect of perhaps being in net for a second consecutive night, with a two-hour airplane flight in between.

“For sure, my legs are a little tired right now,” Hiller said Sunday night. “Hopefully, I get a stretch and massage so I’ll be ready for (Monday). Until now, we never play back-to-back, me and Jiggy. I don’t know if he’s ready to play, but if not, I’ll be there and try my best.”

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