Oh Ye of little faith.

Posted by Jeff E. from Columbus on 02/14/09 at 10:05 AM ET

Enh.  The game on the 27th was Gary Bettman’s gift to you (Datsyuk and Lidstrom ‘suspended’), and the game last night was getting Detroit on the road in the second of back-to-backs.

Still, if there’s one kind of team you don’t want to see in the first round of the playoffs, it’s the team with a great goalie, one great forward, and then a bunch of detritus.  The goalie stands on his head, the one great forward puts up a point a night, and the detritus scrape together a goal a game among it to make the series full of 2-1, 1-0 and 3-2 nail-biters.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 02/14/09 at 10:13 AM ET

I was in the movies...when I got a text

Oh, you’re one of those.

Posted by shep on 02/14/09 at 11:05 AM ET

As HD said, Bethany, don’t get too giddy about last night’s win. The Wings were out of gas half way through the first period...playing their third game in four days. And they probably were arm weary from firing a total of 94 shots in the last two games.

Throw in the fact that they also didn’t have Homer’s big butt sticking in Mason’s face or Mule’s big body to counter some of the giants you guys put on the ice. And if Stuart wasn’t out, Cheli never would have been playing on back-to-back nights (and his gaff leading to your first goal never happens).

Even with all of that, it still took a great save by Mason in the final seconds to win it for you. There’s no doubt that Mason is a super goalie, but let’s see what happens next month on the 7th when both teams have had at least a day off. Of course, you’ll get another shot at a tired Wings team on the 15th, but, hey, that’s the way Lil’ Gary’s scheduling gnomes like it.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 02/14/09 at 11:22 AM ET

Seriously… any more excuses you Wings fans want to make?

The Jackets wanted that game more.. plain and simple.  Their goalie played well but so did the defense in front of him and they got timely goals.  Not to mention they shut down the Wings vaunted PP.

Tired, back 2 back..blah blah.  Every team has a tough schedule. I’m sure the Wings players aren’t making excuses.. some of their fans should follow suit.

GO JACKETS!

Posted by Excuses are like assholes on 02/14/09 at 11:35 AM ET

Seriously… any more excuses you Wings fans want to make?

There’s a difference between “excuses” and facts, Mr. Excuses-are-like-assholes. Yes, there’s no doubt the BJs wanted that game more than the Wings. And they played like it for a full 60 minutes. Kudos to them. But the facts are that the Wings played without one of their top four defensemen and two of their top six forwards (the very ones who would have made life miserable for Mason).

Tired, back 2 back..blah blah.

It wasn’t just a back-to-back game, it was their third game in four days. You can dismiss that as being meaningless, but it definitely is not. That’s just a fact!

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 02/14/09 at 11:59 AM ET

I hope somebody slapped you in the face for not turning your phone off in the theatre.

Posted by Garth on 02/14/09 at 12:22 PM ET

sorry this is just a regular season game not playoffs. i dont understand when people make a big deal when they beat a team that is strong that will make the playoffs aka wings, sharks, bruins. its just a loss. sorry blue jacket fans just soak up your win because the regular season means nothing.

Posted by nhlfan on 02/14/09 at 12:55 PM ET

Bethany:

Get over that superstition and watch your fricken team!

I think it is great to see the Jackets playing well.
They have a good GM, a good coach, and good players.

Last night they played Hitch’s system well, worked their butts off, and EARNED that win.  I hope, for their fans & franchise, they make the playoffs.

Of course, If the Wings play them I hope the Wings Kick butt.

Posted by w2j2 on 02/14/09 at 01:16 PM ET

Geez, you guys killed me with the comments while I was at work!! 

Jeff ~ I had faith they could do it, just thought I was bad luck last night

HockeyinHD ~ I didn’t realize we had only one goal scorer, I realize Nash is our main guy, but he didn’t score on you guys last night, Chimmy, Torres, and Williams, all grinder types.  We won games with a majority of our team out of the line up and we lost with them in...it’s just who wants it more, and last night we did.

Shep ~ Yeah, I am one of those, but I do it in my purse, and most of the time I am in the very back row, so no worries.

OlderthanChelios ~ I am not giddy at all.  I don’t think my post even sounded giddy.  Like I told HockeyinHD. It doesn’t matter who is in and who is out, everyone goes through injuries, and goes through back-to-back games (for the record we have the most in the league).  The schedule is obviously not ideal for anyone, but I am sure we got a tired Red Wings squad, and that’s fine.  But, we still won the game and got the two points.

Garth ~ Nope, nobody did.  I am quite discreet and text from the inside of my purse.

NHLFan ~ The fact remains we are in a race, and regardless of it being the regular season we NEEDED the two points.  So be bitter if you want, but the fact still remains we needed the points and we got them.  And, if the regular season means nothing then why do we play it?  Oh right, to get playoff positioning...I remember now.

w2j2 ~ I will never get over that superstition...ever.  The Jackets are impressing me.  I am quite happy with the way things are going. 

And for the record, I will be disappointed/mad if the Wings don’t win the Presidents Trophy...I have a bet going with a friend of mine...and I would really like to win it.

Posted by Bethany on 02/14/09 at 04:45 PM ET

Of course, you’ll get another shot at a tired Wings team on the 15th, but, hey, that’s the way Lil’ Gary’s scheduling gnomes like it

Up to this point in the season, the Jackets have had one of the worst schedules in the league in terms of back to backs. They’ve played in 14, the most of any team (three other teams have 13, the Wings have 9, least is two teams with 6). If you discount the games in which their opponent was also in a back to back, the Jackets have gotten the short end of the stick in 11 games (tied for most with Anaheim, the Wings have 8, least is two teams with 4).

That’s what the scheduler has taken away, but how about what has been given? The Jackets have played in 7 games where their opponent was in the second of back to back games and they were not, such as last night (most is two teams w/12, Wings have 8, Caps have the least with an incredible 1 game).

Looking at the big picture, a fair assessment of a team’s ‘schedule reamage factor’ could be the number of games it has benefited from the opponent being on the second of back to backs, less the number of games where the situation was reversed. So in the Jackets case, 7-11 for a SRF of -4. This is tied for second worst in the league. Edmonton is -5, the Wings are +0, Montreal and San Jose are the least reamed at +5.

Note that the situation will change by the end of the season. The Jackets will end up -2, the Wings -4. So even though at face value, the Jackets have a rougher schedule than the Wings (20 back to backs vs. 16), since they play more ‘even’ back to backs (5 vs. 2), and more where their opponent is in back to backs (13 vs. 10) than the Wings, it could be argued that their schedule is in fact easier than the Wings’.

Don’t ask me about who ends up the best/worst, I haven’t extended the other 28 teams to the end of the season yet.

Posted by shep on 02/14/09 at 05:19 PM ET

Excuses, excuses for why the wing-dings din’t win last night. I don’t seem to recall any whining on our part when we had 7-8 starters out of the line-up. We dug in our heels and still won games. All I have to say to you...Boo Hoo.

Posted by Rick on 02/14/09 at 05:20 PM ET

...I am sure we got a tired Red Wings squad, and that’s fine.  But, we still won the game and got the two points.

Well, I guess you can overlook the reasons you won and smile about the victory. Enjoy it while you can.

I don’t seem to recall any whining on our part when we had 7-8 starters out of the line-up.

Where did this whole “excuses” and “whining” nonsense come from? What HD and I both pointed out were the facts of the situation last night. You won. Your team played an up-tempo game for a full 60 minutes. But the Wings were worn out playing in their FIFTH game in SEVEN days. The BJs were playing only their second game in that same span.

As I said, we’ll see who’s smiling after the game on the 7th when both teams are well rested. And hopefully both Stuart and Mule are back by then so we can see how both teams fare when they have most of their regulars in the lineup.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 02/14/09 at 06:25 PM ET

I didn’t realize we had only one goal scorer,

Only one great one.

I realize Nash is our main guy, but he didn’t score on you guys last night, Chimmy, Torres, and Williams, all grinder types.  We won games with a majority of our team out of the line up and we lost with them in...it’s just who wants it more, and last night we did.

In games not the second of back to backs the Blue Jackets are 23-16-2.

In games that are the second of back to backs the Blue Jackets are 4-7-3.

I’m sure that’s just a coincidence, though.  I’m sure any NHL team should be able to play games on consecutive nights and not experience any declination in play due to fatigue, leaving only ‘who wants it more’ as the prime determinant of success.

This is what comes of handing blogs out to anyone.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 02/14/09 at 06:49 PM ET

the Wings were worn out playing in their FIFTH game in SEVEN days. The BJs were playing only their second game in that same span.

The Jackets were actually playing their third. That doesn’t invalidate your point, but it does shrink it a bit.

Posted by shep on 02/14/09 at 07:04 PM ET

HockeyinHD ~ I’m not disrespecting the Red Wings in any way shape or form.  I give them credit when credit is due.  We won the game.  That is what matters, and now the game is over.  It’s time to move on, no need for disrespectful comments here.

Posted by Bethany on 02/14/09 at 07:40 PM ET

HockeyinHD, a pretty low shot if you ask me.  If you wish to discuss how I chose the bloggers here at KK, feel free to email me.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 02/14/09 at 07:48 PM ET

HockeyinHD ~ I’m not disrespecting the Red Wings in any way shape or form.  I give them credit when credit is due.  We won the game.  That is what matters, and now the game is over.  It’s time to move on, no need for disrespectful comments here.

I’m not saying you’re ‘disrespecting’ the Red Wings, whatever that means.  I’m saying that the idea that games are won and lost on the basis of ‘wanting it more’ when one team is coming off a back to back (and more generally a heavy recent schedule) while the other is not is, quite frankly, silly.  And to forestall the obvious, this isn’t a ‘Wings fan annoyed at a loss’ thing.  It’s a ‘Hockey fan annoyed at another hockey fan making what they percieve to be a substantially inaccurate statement’ thing.

If you want to crow about winning games when another team is on fumes, or missing 2-3 top half players, or both… hey, knock yourself out.  It’s a largely free internet… just don’t go fetal when someone happens to point out what they feel is shallow and somewhat uninformed about that position, that’s all.

HockeyinHD, a pretty low shot if you ask me.  If you wish to discuss how I chose the bloggers here at KK, feel free to email me.

My opinion regarding whom you choose to blog here and/or how you make those choices is irrelevant.  My opinion regarding what they actually blog is not, unless you’d rather not have me comment on Bethany’s posts in the future.  If that’s the case, feel free to email me and I’ll make sure to refrain from doing so, and she can resume her blogging unmolested by any unwanted attention.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 02/14/09 at 09:06 PM ET

HockeyinHD, Why would I not want you to comment?  I have always respected your comments but wanted you to understand I am not just handing out blogs to anyone.

Bethany is doing a fine job and if anyone wants to challenge what she writes, that is fine with me and I am sure with her too.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 02/14/09 at 09:17 PM ET

The Jackets were actually playing their third.

From Saturday the 6th to Friday the 13th is seven days...so what I posted was correct. If you want to expand it to Friday the 5th, then the BJs had played three games in eight days compared to the five games the Wings had played in those same eight days. But the bottom line is the same. The BJs were well rested on Friday while the Wings were worn out. Again, no “excuses”. No “whining”. That’s just a fact.

Bethany is doing a fine job and if anyone wants to challenge what she writes, that is fine with me and I am sure with her too.

Okay, I’ll take you up on that, Paul. I’ve always enjoyed Bethany’s “rants” but I have to say I was pretty put off when she said she decided to turn off her TV and go watch Friday the 13th simply because the Wings were being competitive against her BJs. I mean, come on, who writes a blog about their team and decides that it’s better to get text-message updates at a theater than to actually watch the damn game. I’m trying to imagine The Chief doing something like that and it’s not even registering on the radar.

That being said, I respect the fact that you’ve seleted a pretty enthusiastic group of individuals to contribute their opinions here. If you think Bethany is qualified to do so, then I’m 100% behind you. But please give HD a little credit when it comes to questioning her commitment to her team.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 02/15/09 at 12:08 AM ET

Your boys played well tonight.  It was an utter catastrophe for my boys, though.

Posted by David Lee from Greensboro, NC on 02/15/09 at 12:17 AM ET

Are these posters for Detroit real?  C’mon, this is a joke right? 

Detroit is 2nd in the West and unless Chicago somehow catches them, are guaranteed a playoff spot.  You’re really that upset about what someone says about the Blue Jackets beating the Red Wings? 

I think the “guys out of the line up” is one of the weakest “facts” posted though.  Every team has guys out of their line up at some point, and many for extended periods of time, especially during this time of the season.  I’m sure every team that Detroit has beat this year has been at full strength, playing at home, and after 2 or 3 days of rest.  That’s the only way it’s legitimate, right? A win is a win.

And for the couple of comments about waiting until both teams have had the same amount of rest when they play again, aren’t the Red Wings supposed to beat the Blue Jackets?  I mean they’re obviously the superior team.  The Blue Jackets only have one hot goaltender, one true scorer, and then a bunch of “detritus”.

Posted by Jeff E. from Columbus on 02/15/09 at 12:46 AM ET

Man, you Detroit people get awful defensive for being fans of the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Didn’t any of you whiners have something better to do on Valentine’s day?

Great win for the Jackets, and tonight was an even stronger game. Here’s hoping we can keep riding the BELIEVE TRAIN on Monday.

Posted by BZArcher on 02/15/09 at 01:02 AM ET

OlderthanChelios ~ Just to clarify a few things, not that I really feel the need to anymore, because it’s like beating a dead horse.  One, I was at work until 8:30 and had been working and going to school since 8 in the morning.  When I got home, I immediately turned the game on, the second I did the Wings scored.  Whether you like it or not, my superstition is that if we are winning and get scored on as soon as I turn the television on you can bet your butt that I will be turning that sucker off, and heading out to do something else.  Two it has been a rough week, not that it is any of your business, and I thought I earned a night off.  So if that “put you off” that is fine.  You’re entitled to your opinion as is HD.  But, I’m done with the comments here.

Happy Valentines Day.

Posted by Bethany on 02/15/09 at 01:05 AM ET

When I got home, I immediately turned the game on, the second I did the Wings scored.  Whether you like it or not, my superstition is that if we are winning and get scored on as soon as I turn the television on you can bet your butt that I will be turning that sucker off, and heading out to do something else.

Well, I guess you proved you are one powerful babe, Bethany. You turned off the TV and went to a movie and, lo and behold, your BJs pulled out a win. That mojo is obviously more powerful thanThe Chief staying out of his own game-time blog because the Wings won one while he was on duty somewhere.

When fans and bloggers think they actually influence the outcome of a game because of their actions, I think we’ve reached a very creepy point.

I think HD’s original point that was you’re an Internet “jounalist”, Bethany. How can you possibly post a blog about your team when you choose to go to a movie instead of actually watch the damn game. That way you won’t have to say, “Apparently there was a beauty of a save on Zetterberg in the remaining moments of the game.” Instead, you could have said, “Wow! Mason got his glove up a fraction of a second before Zetterberg tied the game.”

I’m sorry you’ve been sick, but if you’re going to be your team’s spokesperson at KK, try watching the games. That way we’ll all have a lot more respect for whatever “rant” you choose to put out there.

And congrats on your dominating win over the Canes tonight. I hope you stayed home to watch it.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 02/15/09 at 01:45 AM ET

From Saturday the 6th to Friday the 13th is seven days...so what I posted was correct. If you want to expand it to Friday the 5th, then the BJs had played three games in eight days compared to the five games the Wings had played in those same eight days.

You seem to be counting Friday’s game for the Wings but not the Jackets? In order for five in seven to be correct, you are talking about these games:

Feb 7 EDM
Feb 8 PIT
Feb 10 NAS
Feb 12 MIN
Feb 13 CBJ

Starting and ending on the exact same days, this is the slate for Columbus:

Feb 7 SJS
Feb 10 COL
Feb 13 DET

The Wings were playing their fifth, the Jackets their third over identical spans. Your original statement was incorrect. Although if you have a calendar saying that last Saturday was the 6th, maybe we’ve found the source of your confusion?

Posted by shep on 02/15/09 at 12:37 PM ET