Lots of talk about the refs tonight but it's not as simple as that, which might be an unfortunate thing. Expanding on a thought I tweeted earlier...
The Red Wings probably didn't play well enough to win this one. They spent too much time on their heels in the second period even though they came out of that one still up by a goal. They let Jimmy Howard keep them in it rather than playing their puck possession game.
That said, did they play so much dirtier of a game than the Sharks that they deserved three times as many penalties? I think the two teams played a very similar game as far as infractions went, it's just that Detroit got called for theirs.
I don't really have a problem with the boarding penalty to Todd Bertuzzi in the third period. I do think Joe Pavelski "sold" it - which really bothers me - but I don't mind the call. That is, if the same call had been made when Justin Abdelkader was hit earlier in the game.
If you're going to call that slash by Patrick Eaves late in the third period, you'd better have been calling it up to that point.
I harp on it all the damned time but it's not the penalties that are a problem, it's the inconsistency in what's called a penalty. This isn't Calvinball, the rules don't change at random. Make up your mind as to what constitutes a penalty and stick to it.
But, as Mike Babcock said, you're not taking penalties if you have the puck. If the Wings hadn't rolled over in the second period, maybe they're looking at a bigger lead heading into the third and San Jose's PPG doesn't matter.
Now they're saying it's Modano and Draper as the healthy scratches. I'll hold off on taking anything as fact until the final lineup cards are in.
Now they're saying it's Modano and Draper as the healthy scratches. I'll hold off on taking anything as fact until the final lineup cards are in.
I hate to lose Draper's experience and face-off expertise, but I hate to lose Miller's scoring, too...between a hard place and a rock.
I think Abdelkader's improved faceoff prowess and the return of Zetterberg, who can play at center if needed, made Draper expendable. Miller will be needed for the PK.
Looks like AFN has decided to carry "Biggest Looser" instead of the hockey game. Maybe next time.
Wings with a chance to make a statement early on this PP.
Rare that Lidstrom misses a hold-in.
Well, that was a pretty pathetic PP. Bad start.
Niemi bobbling the puck a bit already?
Nick! Great shot.
Well, the game just picked up here on AFN. Just missed the Lidsy goal.
Howard really solid positionally, fighting the puck a little, coming up big though.
Awful call on the Sharks. Wings better take advantage.
Solid first period, probably about everything the Wings hoped to do.
OK. I'll take what we have for the start of this series. From tha last 10 minutes I saw, it looked like a little rust still needed to come off. The Wings should come out better in the 2d.
Wings survived that. Great shift by the Sharks.
Terrible defensive sequence but Howie bailed us out.
Ugh. Bad feeling here.
Evener. The shark was already falling...
Glad to be wrong. Solid PK again.
Worth it, Jimmy. That's a penalty you take.
Not sure how that eneded in 4-4. Stupid reaction by Howard.
Cut to Bert looked bad but he didn't seem concerned on the bench. Hope it's not much.
Was surviving that period enough for the Wings? On their heels almost the whole time but still up.
Almost made it 2-0. Good last shift. Looks like the sharks started to slow down in the last five minute. If the Wings can hold on or score in the 1st 5 minutes of the 3d, we should be OK. Howard has carried this team for the first 35 minutes.
Sharks don't look like they're pressuring as much as in the second. Tired, holding back, or the Wings just holding them off?
Pavelski sold the penalty and then got the PPG. Guess that's what the Wings have to fear.
Howard had no chance. I can't fathom how the refs made that call...
Here we go with these phantom f*cking calls...
Another solid PK. Wings owed one now?
Another solid PK. Wings owed one now?
Seriously? With these refs?
I go back and forth between a horrible feeling and confidence. Part of me thinks this'll be over in the first two minutes of OT.
I don't even know what to say at this point.
Couldn't get the clear. Jesus christ.
Have to give some credit to the other team's offense but that was another ref engineered victory.
DEJA VU LOL. Those powerplays must be nice san jose. NHL Network both picked Detroit to win and wouldnt even give a player pick for sanjose to win. Did they not see sharks dominate the wings. Wings didnt deserve to win, good road game though.
Was going to make a long comment...decided against it. Advice to Wings: Do better next time!
This isn't Calvinball, the rules don't change at random.
I have nothing to add to everyone's disappointment, I just wanted to say how awesome this reference is.
http://www.solitaryw...in/cb_rules.htm
There is humor amidst the cursing. Great reference indeed. "No one questions the masks."
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