its rinne not Rask
- predsthinala

Rinne, Rask, a tall foreign goalie who is really freaking good, plays for a team that wears yellow, starts with an "R". NOT the same person. Sorry yo. But you are right...Rinne has out played Howard.....

We did after the 3rd, could have buried them in the 2nd... 41shots, 58% on the draw, 28hits vs 20.... but one bad play by Ian White, (frank)ed our entire season.

she's (frank)in' over to that crew built on luck, I have never seen a team get so many bounces as the Preds did in the last 3 games, unreal.
- BooBoo997

41 shots, probably 35 of them from the boards or the blue line. 28 hits, did any of them even knock anyone over? Just a lackadaisical effort all around, no one seemed interested. I'll definitely be watching, but if it's like this it won't be pretty with the Preds back in front of their home crowd with a chance to beat a long time divisional rival.

I am happy to see the Wing fans not jump all over Howard, you could maybe fault him for the second goal but you could just as easily blame Lidstrom et al. Stay classy Wing fans, you are already one step up on Vancouver and their goalie hate.

EDIT
sucks to run into hot goalies, but by now Red Wing fans should be used to it, it happens to you a lot.
- ShooterMcGavin

The forwards blew that play on the second goal. Lidstrom is supposed to stay with the forward, but the Wings forwards over-backchecked and left the trailer wide open.

41 shots, probably 35 of them from the boards or the blue line. 28 hits, did any of them even knock anyone over? Just a lackadaisical effort all around, no one seemed interested. I'll definitely be watching, but if it's like this it won't be pretty with the Preds back in front of their home crowd with a chance to beat a long time divisional rival.
- tmanv

The quality of their shots (or lack thereof in this case) is definitely an issue.

41 shots, probably 35 of them from the boards or the blue line. 28 hits, did any of them even knock anyone over? Just a lackadaisical effort all around, no one seemed interested. I'll definitely be watching, but if it's like this it won't be pretty with the Preds back in front of their home crowd with a chance to beat a long time divisional rival.
- tmanv

Nashville is still learning to put there foot on the coffin to close out a series since they have only done it once. that is where all the veterans they have picked up hopefully help with that.

Like I said, 6 for sure, 7 maybe. On the flip side, that is all in Detroit's hands. We know our building will be rocking on Friday. We know the boys will be fired up with the opportunity to clinch. It really comes down to whether the leadership of Detroit can will the team to victory. It's all about emotions, chemistry, and effort. All of which Detroit has when they are running on all cylinders.

Outside of the Weber mishap, this has been the best series (minus the officiating) of all the games I have seen. Detroit's firepower against Rinne has been the deciding factor so far.
- dgutzman

credit for Nashville for hanging around, but I have never seen so many goals by one team off of skates, or bounces, or tap-ins by our poor defence. The only break we really got was tonight's Legwand goal, only to outdone by a bounce off of Bertuzzi's skate right to Bourque.

we're just not getting any bounces, Rinne has been hot, its just a (frank)in' nightmare... and we will all hear (not by Preds fans, but media) how amazing the Preds are...

its just annoying. Kevin Klein has been even better than Rinne, like my god really.... dont know what we did to the hockey gods, but they are certainly shining on the Preds... so take full advantage, god knows we have over the years.

The quality of their shots (or lack thereof in this case) is definitely an issue.
- Striker7

never bought into the "quality" of shots argument. You have to have a goalie stop em' all... I seen two Lidstrom goals from center ice, would you consider them quality shots?....

Preds have two goals directly related to Red Wings skates in this series, you throw pucks to the net as often as possible... goals will go in, but just not for us in this case.

then we like to make (frank)in' bonehead mistakes just for good measure.

never bought into the "quality" of shots argument. You have to have a goalie stop em' all... I seen two Lidstrom goals from center ice, would you consider them quality shots?....

Preds have two goals directly related to Red Wings skates in this series, you throw pucks to the net as often as possible... goals will go in, but just not for us in this case.

then we like to make (frank)in' bonehead mistakes just for good measure.
- BooBoo997

Yeah pucks on net are always a good thing, but as far as quality chances they really only had a few. Again though, quality chances are very hard to come by against Nashville.

never bought into the "quality" of shots argument. You have to have a goalie stop em' all... I seen two Lidstrom goals from center ice, would you consider them quality shots?....

Preds have two goals directly related to Red Wings skates in this series, you throw pucks to the net as often as possible... goals will go in, but just not for us in this case.

then we like to make (frank)in' bonehead mistakes just for good measure.
- BooBoo997

The first skate goal in Game one looked like a pass and not a shot. Yes, I get the bounces might go your way, but when you waste your in zone opportunities by just shooting from the goal line, or when there is no traffic from the blueline, you need a ton of luck. You live and die by that kind of mentality and the Wings are dying by it right now. Wings have space on the perimeter to work for a pass, but they aren't moving enough in the zone. Nashville seems content to let them do what they are doing.

Major brain fart by Howard.

As a Predators fan, I am the last person who things this series is over. Not trolling..I honestly thing game 6 is inevitable. Game 7 most likely.

That being said, Weber aside, if the Wings lose, who does Red Wing nation root for?
- dgutzman

I tend to agree with you about game 6. I think the Wings come out in game 5, leave it all on the table and walk away with the W, but after blowing their load in game 5, drop game 6 at the Joe. No way for game 7.

If/when we lose I'll be pulling for the Preds. Lord knows Trotzy has put in his time. For me, though, hard to hate on a team that plays the game the right way. Fantastic goaltending, solid defense and offensive depth. Not many weaknesses, and you guys will get Gill back just in time to get you over the hump.

Also loving the Kings taking down the 'Nucks. I'll pull for them as well. Won't be pulling for the Hawks or Coyotes, and HELL NO to the Blues.

Yeah pucks on net are always a good thing, but as far as quality chances they really only had a few. Again though, quality chances are very hard to come by against Nashville.
- tmanv

Franzen had a chance to go backhand, but choose to go forhand against a goalie who is 6'4+ in size.

Kronwall decided to do a cute little backhand move.

Hudler fanned on his spin move.

These should have all been goals from these guys... perimeter shots are there and I would agree, there not "scoring chances", but when we did get "scoring chances" there was no finish either.

Plus, if you shoot 40shots... goalies get tired. normally. Wings have been firing 40+ shots for 15yrs, it usually seems to win you games, except in this series.

Major brain fart by Howard.
- MTGrad1

White made the first brain fart... by crossing in behind Lidstrom, then they were all caught. A bad read by White, Lidstrom, Hudler and Howard.

The first skate goal in Game one looked like a pass and not a shot. Yes, I get the bounces might go your way, but when you waste your in zone opportunities by just shooting from the goal line, or when there is no traffic from the blueline, you need a ton of luck. You live and die by that kind of mentality and the Wings are dying by it right now. Wings have space on the perimeter to work for a pass, but they aren't moving enough in the zone. Nashville seems content to let them do what they are doing.
- Striker7

Nashville has two goals off Red Wings skate bounces, a deflection from the top circle, Clearly trying to skate it out front... those were all just shots at the net.

No team in the world, wants to allow 40+ shots from anywhere if they can help it. trust me.

Franzen had a chance to go backhand, but choose to go forhand against a goalie who is 6'4+ in size.

Kronwall decided to do a cute little backhand move.

Hudler fanned on his spin move.

These should have all been goals from these guys... perimeter shots are there and I would agree, there not "scoring chances", but when we did get "scoring chances" there was no finish either.

Plus, if you shoot 40shots... goalies get tired. normally. Wings have been firing 40+ shots for 15yrs, it usually seems to win you games, except in this series.
- BooBoo997

Something about Rinne is he plays better when he sees a lot of shots. he seems to thrive on it

Something about Rinne is he plays better when he sees a lot of shots. he seems to thrive on it
- predsthinala

no question.

He is 16-0-2 this year when facing 35+ shots.

White made the first brain fart... by crossing in behind Lidstrom, then they were all caught. A bad read by White, Lidstrom, Hudler and Howard.
- BooBoo997

White caused the initial breakaway by gliding way over, and then overcompensated on the way back flying right past the guy in the slot. Really had a meltdown of a sequence there, tough as he's been good for the most part.

White caused the initial breakaway by gliding way over, and then overcompensated on the way back flying right past the guy in the slot. Really had a meltdown of a sequence there, tough as he's been good for the most part.
- tmanv

agreed.

I like White though, if we had another few like him but bigger up front, we would be much harder to play against. We need to get tougher, grittier and now.

The skill game we had is now over and its time to get back to having more fundamentally grittier players.

agreed.

I like White though, if we had another few like him but bigger up front, we would be much harder to play against. We need to get tougher, grittier and now.

The skill game we had is now over and its time to get back to having more fundamentally grittier players.
- BooBoo997

Missing Helm is huge too. A game like tonight he would have been far and away the hardest working player, and at home that kind of effort will get the crowd going which usually gets the team going. If only helm was 20 pounds heavier he'd be just what we're missing, he'll throw hits but just can't crash and bang with the size of the guys in the league.

We need a major overhaul in the offseason...Ken Holland can not do what he's done the past 3 years and trick himself into thinking everything is ok with this team. We need to get younger, faster, and grittier...without question! Time to start weeding out the old guys (Lidstrom, yes...I'm sorry...but it's time, Holmstrom)...get some players that actually show up when you need them, unlike Franzen, Filpulla, Hudler, Cleary....and something that exactly resembles a Defense. At least Stuart will be on the next plane for LA when its over..that's some relief...the bad part is though we're still stuck with mental screwups like Ericsson & Kindl. And to top it all off...they need a coach that isn't as stubborn as Babcock and will ACTUALLY make changes when they are needed.

Missing Helm is huge too. A game like tonight he would have been far and away the hardest working player, and at home that kind of effort will get the crowd going which usually gets the team going. If only helm was 20 pounds heavier he'd be just what we're missing, he'll throw hits but just can't crash and bang with the size of the guys in the league.
- tmanv

agreed.

We have had bad injury luck. I still don't think Datsyuk, Bertuzzi or Lidstrom looks 100%. Cleary, I give all the credit in the world too, he is really battling.


@Hockeytown...
But I kinda hope Lidstrom hangs em' up now, go out as one of the best still and get this rebuild on the go.

I still like parts of Franzen's game, but im not going to lie... I think most Wings fans would enjoy a rebuild. I was a much more excited Wings fan in the 90s vs 2000s... when they were up and coming.

It was a great run for 15yrs, but time to get back to a more grittier, blue collar style, hate to agree with Don Cherry, but he is right.

KENNY... please rebuild it.

I want to get back to the feeling of lower expectations and be pleasantly surprised vs high expectationgs and fall short, like the last 3 years.

agreed.

We have had bad injury luck. I still don't think Datsyuk, Bertuzzi or Lidstrom looks 100%. Cleary, I give all the credit in the world too, he is really battling.


@Hockeytown...
But I kinda hope Lidstrom hangs em' up now, go out as one of the best still and get this rebuild on the go.

I still like parts of Franzen's game, but im not going to lie... I think most Wings fans would enjoy a rebuild. I was a much more excited Wings fan in the 90s vs 2000s... when they were up and coming.

It was a great run for 15yrs, but time to get back to a more grittier, blue collar style, hate to agree with Don Cherry, but he is right.

KENNY... please rebuild it.

I want to get back to the feeling of lower expectations and be pleasantly surprised vs high expectationgs and fall short, like the last 3 years.
- BooBoo997

Yeah I feel for Cleary, he's been as good as you can expect with the injuries he's got. I don't think we need a 'rebuild', but definitely some shaking up. Some of the young guys are ready, Nyquist is fine to play as far as I'm concerned - a full season may be tough but he looks great playing with Datsyuk (a waste IMO having him on the 4th line tonight). Smith is ready, no point keeping him in the AHL next year. Not sure why Stuart gets so much flak, I really like him, and he's about as rugged a guy as there is on Detroit.

Still not counting them out at all, came very close to taking the Sharks out last year after being down 3-0, but it's a tall order against Pekka. Would just love to see them bring the intensity that they are capable of instead of mailing it in.

Yeah I feel for Cleary, he's been as good as you can expect with the injuries he's got. I don't think we need a 'rebuild', but definitely some shaking up. Some of the young guys are ready, Nyquist is fine to play as far as I'm concerned - a full season may be tough but he looks great playing with Datsyuk (a waste IMO having him on the 4th line tonight). Smith is ready, no point keeping him in the AHL next year. Not sure why Stuart gets so much flak, I really like him, and he's about as rugged a guy as there is on Detroit.

Still not counting them out at all, came very close to taking the Sharks out last year after being down 3-0, but it's a tall order against Pekka. Would just love to see them bring the intensity that they are capable of instead of mailing it in.
- tmanv

I want to believe they will come out flying, but I seen too many nights they don't to make me feel they will next game. There is a lot of young parts that is true, and I agree on Stuart... but there are still too many Hudlers, Filpullas, Holmstroms, etc that just simply have to go....

anyways, I will mostly watch the next game as it could be Lidstrom's last. But Ive lost all hope to be honest, just watch the boys play it out.

I personally, want a full on rebuild or LARGE injection of youth and youthful free agents over 6'1.... ha.

I want to believe they will come out flying, but I seen too many nights they don't to make me feel they will next game. There is a lot of young parts that is true, and I agree on Stuart... but there are still too many Hudlers, Filpullas, Holmstroms, etc that just simply have to go....

anyways, I will mostly watch the next game as it could be Lidstrom's last. But Ive lost all hope to be honest, just watch the boys play it out.

I personally, want a full on rebuild or LARGE injection of youth and youthful free agents over 6'1.... ha.
- BooBoo997

Haha a youthful free agent over 6'1 with some skill would cost the rest of our cap space - if such a player even existed. UFA list is garbage, if major changes are going to come it would have to be via trade, and that could go any number of ways.

I am happy to see the Wing fans not jump all over Howard, you could maybe fault him for the second goal but you could just as easily blame Lidstrom et al. Stay classy Wing fans, you are already one step up on Vancouver and their goalie hate.

EDIT
sucks to run into hot goalies, but by now Red Wing fans should be used to it, it happens to you a lot.
- ShooterMcGavin

An Edmonton fan comes on the Detroit board to take a dig at Vancouver......hater gonna hate......and losers gonna lose.

Stay strong Detroit......you're still the team everyone aspires to be......I feel your pain.