It looks like talk about the NHL Premiere games not generating any buzz may be true.
I don't claim to have my ear to every news source in Detroit at all times, but I'm shocked at how few reports on the Wings' two games in Stockholm came across my RSS reader this weekend. Yeah, there are the usual blog posts balancing overreaction with panic (I'll get to that in a minute) but mainstream media coverage of what is supposed to be a major event has been minimal.
Me? I have an excuse, I was working all weekend. That's why I didn't get my thoughts together until midway throught Monday. The mainstream media gets paid for this, I can only take their silence to mean that no one cared about these games.
As for whether or not to panic based on what happened on Friday and Saturday, I'm not ready to give up just two games into the season.
What those games reminded me of were back-to-back games in Calgary and Edmonton late in November on a Western Canada road trip. The Red Wings always play horribly in those games and they're scheduled every year. The fact that those kind of games came at the start of the season against the St. Louis Blues is the only difference.
Yes, the number of turnovers and the five power play goals against are things to be concerned about. There are 80 more games to work that out.
Yes, Jimmy Howard as the backup is still a concern. But there's absolutely nothing that can be done for that aside from signing Dan Cloutier or bringing up Daniel Larsson, both of which would require Howard to be abandoned after the team spent five years developing him. It's not gonna happen right now.
The losses were not a matter of needing more grit or any other change to the lineup. They were an issue of consistency. Every line had moments where they played well. They also had giveaways and goals against. We'll see if those even out as the season continues.
So you know how I always complain about those afternoon games on beautiful spring days when I should be out mowing the lawn or something? Turns out that applies to afternoon games on cold fall days, too. I have tons of time tonight to watch hockey but this afternoon I'm supposed to be painting. Unfortunately for my guest room hockey has a higher priority.
So I was wrong about the Wings' neutral site record yesterday. Turns out there's at least one game they played in a non-NHL city that I didn't know about. I blame that for some kind of karmic imbalance that made the Wings lose, not a second line that didn't click or the power play or the goaltending.
Speaking of goaltending, Jimmy Howard gets the start today. This should be interesting.
As of this writing MSU is up 20-6 on Michigan so I guess anything's possible at this point.
I'll probably be catching up to the game a little late, the aforementioned painting has me scrambling a bit today.
Awesome about Howard starting, I was hoping he would start yesterday.
Sadly, I will probably only get to see 5-10 minutes of the game. Maybe I'm bad luck anyways? Let's hope they play better than yesterday, though!
I was thinking Howard was gonna start, not due to a poor performance by Osgood, but just a back-to-back game situation. I was utterly disappointed last night watching the Blues fire back 3 unanswered goals to take the lead and keep it. Hopefully, we come out and stomp them like the Blackhawks did the Panthers after their loss yesterday as well.
We just need to play a full 60 minutes today and we will be fine, not get lazy after half like yesterday.
Any word on Ericsson for today?
I don't care what anyone says, I like what Bertuzzi is bringing...he's working for his spot on that line, give it some time and they will start working better together, as you said, not enough practice with them together yet.
We have Darren Pang on FSN? Sweet.
Ericsson gametime decision, as is Cleary. Unless I've missed something.
MSU has turned stupid, looks like OT in that game.
Interesting, I didn't even think about it, but they just noted Conks will be starting for the Blues. Howard, replacing Conks from last year, now makes his first regular season debut this year against him.
Sweden's national anthem is not meant to be sung at hockey games.
Woohoo! Early goal off Homer!
Oh man, I feel bad for Conks already, but it has to happen this way.
I feel bad for Conklin having to play for the Blues, but that's all.
That was quick. But it's being reviewed.........from the last angle it's off his leg. Goal!
Second line, bitches! 2-0.
Maybe I'm good luck and I should stay home and watch instead? I hope they keep this momentum going! 
The Blues look really rattled.
Damn, that was high. Would've been nice to actually get a PPG.
Commercial gave me time to see that while the Wings were getting off to an early lead, MSU managed to not completely screw up OT and get the win over Michigan. I'll be damned.
Howard finally gets tested but comes up big.
Blues with the 5-on-3. I don't like that call at all. Bad feeling.
And of course they score.
I knew it was going to happen, some bad calls in the first, but we all know it doesn't matter in the end.
Howard looking sharp, solid save and followed the rebound.
And then another power play goal. Of course.
Wings finally get a power play goal. Smart pass by Williams to Kronwall after the faceoff win.
Damnit, what a stop by Conklin.
Anyone want to complain about Osgood after that third St. Louis goal?
Oh, and then another. Jesus.
Pang: "We're gonna have a heck of a third."
Unless the Blues just clog it up and the Wings play like sh*t like yesterday.
Wow. I'm having flashbacks....let's hope we see the Wings we are used to in the 3rd. Stay out of the box, keep up the forecheck, and get the puck to the net.
We have Darren Pang on FSN? Sweet.
I think I heard something this week about Pang doing the game because he is the Blues' colour guy and the same feed is being used in Motown and St. Lou. Maybe it was a dream? Who knows.
Better than the CBC feed with Cassie Campbell doing colour. Since this cannot be stated without being sexist, I'll just shut up.
We have Darren Pang on FSN? Sweet.
I think I heard something this week about Pang doing the game because he is the Blues' colour guy and the same feed is being used in Motown and St. Lou. Maybe it was a dream? Who knows.Better than the CBC feed with Cassie Campbell doing colour. Since this cannot be stated without being sexist, I'll just shut up.
Yeah, they explained it later on. Watching the live blog over at A2Y, there have been tons of complaints about the CBC coverage.
Special teams. So very special.
f*cking penalty kill. Might as well stand aside and let them score if they take a penalty, at least that means slightly more time even strength.
A2Y
That website name needs an update. Gimme A2Z and give the future leader Zetterberg his props...just one man's opinion.
Yeah, they explained it later on. Watching the live blog over at A2Y, there have been tons of complaints about the CBC coverage.
You can add one more complaint, that bitch was annoying.
Meanwhile, I'm disgusted with this mini series over seas.
f*cking penalty kill. Might as well stand aside and let them score if they take a penalty, at least that means slightly more time even strength.
Quoted for f*cking truth. I'm already tired of pathetic efforts.
Obligatory bitching about the refs: Way back when McDonald scored he did so with his feet firmly in the crease and blocking Howard's pad. I'm having flashbacks to Holmstrom getting goalie interference calls when he's not touching the goalie or in the crease. Yay for consistency.
Caveat: The Wings played for absolute sh*t after the first two minutes so it's not like it matters.
The CBC broadcast sucked, FSND was blacked out for us DirecTv types. How in the hell do we drop two in a row to the Blues? Especially in a place where we SHOULD win based on nationality...
I just checked, and this season Detroit's PK has been 55.6%. Shocking.
Obligatory bitching about the refs: Way back when McDonald scored he did so with his feet firmly in the crease and blocking Howard's pad. I'm having flashbacks to Holmstrom getting goalie interference calls when he's not touching the goalie or in the crease. Yay for consistency.
I was upset with the same thing. Dude was in the crease blocking his leg movement. BS!
The CBC broadcast sucked, FSND was blacked out for us DirecTv types. How in the hell do we drop two in a row to the Blues? Especially in a place where we SHOULD win based on nationality...
What's the deal with DirecTV? I have TWC, they don't offer FSD, so I am considering switching to AT&T or DirecTV. AT&T doesn't offer FSD-HD, but DirecTV does. However, they make it sound like they will black out every game if you are out-of-market. This Center ICE package doesn't have much in HD, actually, of the 8 games on right now, none are in HD...not to mention they don't cover much pre or post game. If you live in San Diego and normally get the games on FSD, I'm sold. Sucks DirecTV doesn't have Versus though.
What the hell happened? Ahhh. The last time I heard it was 2-0, not this. But I don't think I want to know anymore...:/ The Wings better drop this habit, though!
What the hell happened? Ahhh. The last time I heard it was 2-0, not this. But I don't think I want to know anymore...:/ The Wings better drop this habit, though!
You stopped watching and the Wings decided it just didn't matter anymore.
Or something.
1. Wings need a backup goalie (legace for old time sake just to get us to playoffs?)
2. Wings need to hold onto pucks longer instead of giving it away aka turnovers
3. Wings need more pressure on the penalty kills
4. Wings need shot blocking presence (lilja)
5. Wings need a hard nose type of player like. Franzen should not be the one initiating scrums. (may, kunitz, guerin)
6. Wings need to stop trying to make the "perfect" plays, its hockey throw it at the net.
Manny fernandez still a free agent goalie? Osgood can handle playoffs.
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