After thinking about this for most of the day, there are a few things from today's loss that are sticking with me.
The Red Wings absolutely survived this one. It was in Pittsburgh's hands all game and Detroit just held on enough to get the point. It was a much-needed point but the problem is two-points were much-needed as well.
The offense and defense are still not communicating, leading to some awful turnovers on clearing attempts. Either that or the blueliners are just being stupid. Since the latter has never been a problem before, I lean towards the former being the issue.
Had the Wings been able to clear their own zone more efficiently the offense might have had a chance to get going but as it was there were probably only two or three memorable shifts in the Penguins' zone. Thankfully one yielded a goal or we'd be talking about another game where the Wings didn't even get a point.
Jimmy Howard continues to stand on his head... in the game itself. In the gimmick he's a mess. I know it's an unpopular opinion and I don't think we have much better of an option but I have no faith in Howard once it comes to the shootout. He commits too early and gets burned on the deke. This isn't a problem if Detroit wins in regulation but that's been an issue of late.
I also question Mike Babcock's strategy in the shootout. Jason Williams as the second shooter? If you're going to move Henrik Zetterberg out of that spot, Todd Bertuzzi has to go second. He's earned that with his shootout performance this season, even if Williams was part of the shootout go-to group before he got hurt.
That there are things to take away from this loss at all make it better than the one to Minnesota a few nights ago.
It's a ridiculously-early NBC game today, because you want your Stanley Cup Finals rematch to be at the most inconvenient time for anyone to watch it.
The Freep says that Tomas Holmstrom will not return today and that Brad Stuart, Valtteri Filppula and Todd Bertuzzi didn't practice yesterday. Sweet. So much for getting healthy right on time.
For anyone actually setting aside time to watch the game, this thread will be going. Winging it in Motown will also be doing their "Hockeytown for Haiti" fundraiser thread, with $0.05 donated to the Red Cross for every post made.
Beautiful, beautiful HD. I missed it on Friday.
I agree love the HD, but hate that its on NBC, Datsyuk highstick looked a little phantom to me unless it was on Pierre, which I still believe he is a Penguin
Average power play for the Penguins or solid kill by the Wings? Seems like a matter of perspective to me.
I agree love the HD, but hate that its on NBC, Datsyuk highstick looked a little phantom to me unless it was on Pierre, which I still believe he is a Penguin
Seconded. Didn't hit him with his stick at all. But the NBC guys thought it was a great call. Surprise.
Wow, even the city of Pittsburgh is better than anywhere in North America. Thanks, Pierre.
Hahaha, you guys crack me up. I hate the people on NBC.
Draper can't finish.
No quick whistle there.
How long does Howard have to keep that covered to get a whistle, about 6 whacks and another penalty
Not as good of a kill but the result is the same so I'll take it.
How long does Howard have to keep that covered to get a whistle, about 6 whacks and another penalty
The ref wasn't sure 'cause he was certain the Penguins would score. He took extra long to look in the net to make sure it wasn't there already.
This Verizon commercial with the Caps and Flyers is a better hockey commercial than anything the NHL itself puts out.
Holy hell, Detroit power play. And Pierre has a problem with it.
Did they just say that was a call a lot of people wouldn't like? How does that make sense? I thought it was a dandy call.
I agree with NBC how are these guys even playing against each when they are gonna be teamates in a couple weeks, what a joke I can't stand NBC
Did Emrick just sound surprised that Crosby was out on the PK? I know I was.
Well that was an awful period. The good news is I know I can mute the TV for the next 17 minutes or so.
This Verizon commercial with the Caps and Flyers is a better hockey commercial than anything the NHL itself puts out.
But at least the NHL commercials are better than the Geico one they just showed.
Well that was an awful period. The good news is I know I can mute the TV for the next 17 minutes or so.
Just thought the same thing. Depeche Mode can now heal my ears.
Wings power play looks awful. Maybe they'd rather the Lidstrom high stick have been called?
I'll be damned, another power play?
Wings are getting no rebound chances.
Great defensive coverage there. Sweet.
Shut up, Edzo, no one’s gonna get a TMM penalty. They don't exist.
17 more minutes of silence.
I think this sums up the intermission, "Blahblahblah, Sidney Crosby is God" with a couple of more blahs in there.
LMAO. Did they really just compare Crosby to Draper?
Wings look like they are skating in jello....I hope this is a ploy...save all the energy for the third period, then come out and smoke 'em!
You know who else looks like he's not 100% to me? Zetterberg....Maybe I'm just expecting too much, eh?
Wings continue making stupid mistakes.
Bad call on Pittsburgh. Wow.
This is making me angry.
GODDAMMIT FIL!
Stuie making up for those minus games recently.
Stuie making up for those minus games recently.
Looks like they're giving it to Cleary on the tip. Unrelated: My Cleary jersey should be here at the end of the week.
Howard seeing the puck well.
At least we get a point?
Great, Kronner is hurt. And where's the whistle for Jimmy?
f*cking shootout.
Jimmah!
Howard down way to soon and and awful shot by Williams,
Howard is absolute sh*t in the shootout.
It's too late for me to say anything about today's game, other than we really needed those two points. Although, at this stage in the season, I could say the same about every game from this point on.
Any word on Kronwall? I hope it was nothing major, we just got him back. I thought his leg snapped when they replayed it. It was nasty.
UPDATE: I just found something on mlive, Kronny is ok.
"Defenseman Niklas Kronwall said he is fine after hurting his left knee early in overtime, when he stepped up to hit Jordan Staal and got the worst of that exchange."
I should have mentioned that, sorry.
Comment on this Article
You must be logged in to add your comment.