Detroit Red Wings

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I cant wait for tonights game. Hope it's a fun one.

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Standings
Atlantic Division
W L OTL Pts
Detroit 28 11 9 65
Tampa Bay 30 15 4 64
Montreal 30 13 3 63
Boston 25 16 7 57
Florida 20 15 10 50
Ottawa 19 18 9 47
Toronto 22 23 3 47
Buffalo 14 31 3 31

Sure is amazing to see Detroit on top of the Atlantic...

 

Real bummer Florida lost that one. Plenty of games left, but they have to turn the close ones into wins, which they have largely been unable to do all year.

 

nice to see u over here on the hockey boards, dline. don't be a stranger *DRINK*

i'm actually pulling for the panthers this year. i like fresh faces in the big dance, assuming it's not at the expense of my team getting in.

 

Yeah, I'd love to talk hockey more, but I barely have time to talk football. I started a Panthers thread at the start of the year and received the usual, "Panthers fans are 'blah'", etc. , and was too tired of having to put those thoughts to rest to actually address them.

Now that we're halfway through the year, they're in the hunt, they just have to close out these games. For the last several years, they've consistently played in some of the most OT games and close-call games, they just rarely ever win them. They're not going to get a playoff spot 1 point at a time. I will be the first motherfucker in line for playoff tickets - I'd much rather be buying them than saying, "close but no cigar".

I think the Panthers becoming a contender would be good for the sport - it would add diversity, and people down here will really support the team if it finally starts winning. It seems this may be the year they're getting that momentum. If they hadn't increased ticket prices, they might be seeing more fan support, which is a bummer. That's not to say there aren't fans - there're always Panthers fans, and most pretty fervent. The problem is getting them to a game on Wednesday night, when the drive itself is usually as long as the game is. I have no doubt that stadium will be full even with the prices if they're legitimately looking at the playoffs.

As far as how they're performing, the Panthers' young guns are starting to come into their own. If they can finally put a real defense in front of Luongo, I think they'll have what they need. Ekblad is a nice piece, but he's not a defense. I think they're right around that sweet spot, as far as having and getting the talent together, but still trying to find it.

 

I do think this is the first genuine step forward for the group even though I think they'll fall a few pts shy of the postseason. Ekblad is years ahead of where I thought he would be from what I've seen, even the better dmen normally take quite a few years to settle in. I hope he gets the Calder. Huberdeau's struggles should keep Dale from screwing up this extension too much, Bjugstad is a stud, and many of the other pieces are progressing well. They'll have continuity at the blueline (I'm a huge fan of that) next year with Petrovic hopefully taking a stride and Strombone1 has plenty of gas left in net.

I would like to see what happens with few consecutive years of winning. I hope Vinnie guts the front office though. They've tanked for the talent, and Dale is already wasting some assets (Shore trade was a stinker imo) but it's possible he's learned his lessons and navigates through next offseason well. FLA has the pool, and they have something everybody else wants, cost-controlled players with extra cap space availlable. They're going to have opportunities.

Hopefully Vinnie wants to take the franchise up a notch, the stage is set pretty well if he's going to keep up his commitment to the hockey side of the house.

 

I think a lot of credit should go to Gerrard Gallant. He does well at getting the most from his team and works the lines really well. I just like his style behind the bench. I think he has the attention and respect of his players... thats important.

 

The Red Wings have given up 4 goals in each of their last 3 games. That's not acceptable in my opinion. They really need to clamp down and stop so many turnovers and quality scoring chances to Mrazek. Mrazek needs to jam it in another gear also... I just hope he has another gear or two.

Offensive production is really starting to gell and I like the ability of the top lines to control the play and the puck. I just dont want that defense to lack because all the attention goes to the offense.

PK has been not up to the bar it set for itself earlier on either. Wings have to tighten up and stay loose.

 

Tonight when the Wings take on Tampa, Pavel Datsyuk will tie Ted Lindsay for 11th all-time in games played by a Red Wing.

So now you know...

 

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Petr Mrazek has allowed 21 goals in his last 6 starts. Does that make him a 'not ready for prime time player'?

 

yes, it does - especially considering he didn't finish 2 of those games.

 

According to Helene St. James, Gustavsson will play a conditioning game in Grand Rapids tomorrow.

Thats a good break. If he's anything like he was during the second half last season, it will be very welcome.

 

Mrazek not so hot eh? is McCollum completely out of the picture moving forward?

 

I heard he looked good when he got his chance yesterday. I personally dont see him getting much work with Detroit unless the injuries continue which is too bad for him, he has been paying his dues for a while now. He's probably the 1st in line when the train leaves for Grand Rapids tho.

 

number 4 on the depth chart behind a young enough, strong, and signed #1 and then being the 2nd best prospect isn't a great spot to be in. wonder if McCollum has any value on the trade market.

 

matty, the more time goes on, the more doubt i have about mrazek. i just don't see this guy improving like his fans seem to think is a given - and if they already think he's ready, well... no comment.

i'm starting to wonder about mrazek's trade value.

 

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