Mark Spizzirri: GAMEDAY: Predators vs. Red Wings, Act IV; join me on NHL Home Ice @ 3:05 ET

Time for us to yet again keep making the same mistakes we've been making for the past 3 seasons....wait a period and a half to start playing, taking too many stupid penalties, leaving Howard out to dry by having all 5 of our guys clumped up together in a ball in the D-zone while the team acts like they are on the power play, getting just about no help from our 3rd and 4th lines, having Stuart & Ericsson make about 40 mental errors, and last but not least, having a too hands off approach Coaching Staff, in terms of them not doing anything to correct said mistakes. Did I miss anything???

Here's hoping Ken Holland fixes the many holes and inconsistencies this team has in the off season.....

I expect the Wings to find a way to take this game. But I would also expect another close one. Both the Preds and Wings have shown ability to bounce back after slow starts and make games close.

The biggest X factor to me, is the absence of Hal Gill & how the Wings exploit it (especially on the PP). If Detroit can set up the big trees in front of Rinne, with no Gill there to move them on the second PK line, the Wings have a big advantage on the Power Play.

It's hard not to predict another 3-2 contest tonight. But it could get ugly if Trotz really does jumble the lines and it backfires as some are speculating. Not playing Colin Wilson is a tell-tale sign that Trotz doesn't think offense is the key to this series. And he's probably right. But shuffling around lines (especially with some of the Pred's youth) can cause communication problems. Be interesting to see what he does.

The start is very important tonight. Wings need to stop waiting for Nashville to score first or Howard to stand on his head to wake up and get going. Even in game 2, they started slow forcing Howard to make point blank saves before getting it going. They have done that a lot this season and especially late in the season but that needs to stop if they want to get passed the 1st round.

PK has been good compared to the season but i still feel like it could implode at any time. PP is a real problem that they have not fixed this season or in the playoffs. Either it's one shot and out or they pass the puck around not shooting until someone makes a bad pass or gives it up for an easy clear. Preds know the Wings use the points for all their shots on the PP and are blocking the lanes giving the Wings nothing...they need to adjust and play more down low to open up the points.


Offense like you said Mark needs to take the damn puck to the net and ram it down Rinne and the preds throat. Defense needs to make quicker and smarter passes out of their zone to cancel the Preds forecheck, cut down on turnovers and use it to maybe get some odd man rushes.

Personally i would put Bertuzzi with Filppula and Zetterberg to give them that big body that can create problems for Rinne to see pucks and make it harder for the Preds defense to box them out. Lets face it Rinne can see over Hudler's head from his knees and my sisters could box him out from the front of the net or knock him down in corners to take the puck away.

Time for us to yet again keep making the same mistakes we've been making for the past 3 seasons....wait a period and a half to start playing, taking too many stupid penalties, leaving Howard out to dry by having all 5 of our guys clumped up together in a ball in the D-zone while the team acts like they are on the power play, getting just about no help from our 3rd and 4th lines, having Stuart & Ericsson make about 40 mental errors, and last but not least, having a too hands off approach Coaching Staff, in terms of them not doing anything to correct said mistakes. Did I miss anything???

Here's hoping Ken Holland fixes the many holes and inconsistencies this team has in the off season.....
- Hockeytown4life

....and breathe! Hell of a run on sentence there, but if I were a fan I'd agree. Unfortunately for you, I want this all to continue to happen!

In to the hands of the hockey gods we go.

Along with the stupid penalties we take, we need to reduce the number of stupid turnovers. Getting a little too cavalier and cute with the puck (Bert's a big-time offender) resulting in an easy turnover. Overall, I think the Wings are doing a good job of keeping sticks in the lanes, keeping the wingers to the outside and creating havoc in the neutral zone. We do need a more aggressive forecheck though. A little too easy for Nashville to come out of their zone. Tonight is about as close to "must-win" as you get. We can't go down 3-1 heading back to to Nashville. That's just a recipe for disaster.

Don't see the Preds taking two in a row at the Joe. They did what they needed to on this trip.

What I really want to see is for both teams to play better hockey. This series has been very sloppy on both sides IMO. Don't even get me started on the amount of ticky tac calls the refs have been giving out to each side. Let them play!

Along with the stupid penalties we take, we need to reduce the number of stupid turnovers. Getting a little too cavalier and cute with the puck (Bert's a big-time offender) resulting in an easy turnover. Overall, I think the Wings are doing a good job of keeping sticks in the lanes, keeping the wingers to the outside and creating havoc in the neutral zone. We do need a more aggressive forecheck though. A little too easy for Nashville to come out of their zone. Tonight is about as close to "must-win" as you get. We can't go down 3-1 heading back to to Nashville. That's just a recipe for disaster.
- drice97

i don't see you guys taking that many penalties again. I saw an interview with babcock and he seemed pretty pissed that Z and Dat were spending to much time on the PK.
first one to 3 goals win

Don't see the Preds taking two in a row at the Joe. They did what they needed to on this trip.

What I really want to see is for both teams to play better hockey. This series has been very sloppy on both sides IMO. Don't even get me started on the amount of ticky tac calls the refs have been giving out to each side. Let them play!
- PoileRulezzzYo

I thought the 3rd period of game 3 was the only period thus far that the refs actually let them play. and I like our 5 on 5 chances

I thought the 3rd period of game 3 was the only period thus far that the refs actually let them play. and I like our 5 on 5 chances
- benderboots

True. They did let them play in the 3rd. I would just like to see a little less of the other garbage called throughout the game.

I thought the 3rd period of game 3 was the only period thus far that the refs actually let them play. and I like our 5 on 5 chances
- benderboots

So do i...Wings were #1 in the league 5 on 5

True. They did let them play in the 3rd. I would just like to see a little less of the other garbage called throughout the game.
- PoileRulezzzYo

Agreed. WAY TOO MUCH of the questionable calls. I think that's what actually contributed to the game 1 "extra-curriculars." Players had no idea what was a penalty and what wasn't = increased frustrations, which of course boiled over.

As an aside, this has been one of the "cleaner" series thus far. Not that the bar is set real high this year, but considering all that's gone on with the other series... ours is pretty sedated; Bertuzzi/Weber scrap not withstanding.

Agreed. WAY TOO MUCH of the questionable calls. I think that's what actually contributed to the game 1 "extra-curriculars." Players had no idea what was a penalty and what wasn't = increased frustrations, which of course boiled over.

As an aside, this has been one of the "cleaner" series thus far. Not that the bar is set real high this year, but considering all that's gone on with the other series... ours is pretty sedated; Bertuzzi/Weber scrap not withstanding.
- drice97

For sure. Some of these series are out of control. I have no issue with some of the extra stuff, but someone is gonna get hurt out there before the end of this.

Actual NHL number

212-789-2000

Ask for Shanny

Agreed. WAY TOO MUCH of the questionable calls. I think that's what actually contributed to the game 1 "extra-curriculars." Players had no idea what was a penalty and what wasn't = increased frustrations, which of course boiled over.

As an aside, this has been one of the "cleaner" series thus far. Not that the bar is set real high this year, but considering all that's gone on with the other series... ours is pretty sedated; Bertuzzi/Weber scrap not withstanding.
- drice97

This might be the only series where each teams fans are somewhat cordial to one another as I too agree.I cannot figure out why all the small stuff is being called...kind of over the top. The playoffs are a time to swallow a whistle a little and let the game play out..... unless of course you are in the Philly/Pit series...geesh...that is out of control.

Actual NHL number

212-789-2000

Ask for Shanny
- mrpaulish

Careful though...he could make a video of you and give you a one game suspension.

Agreed. WAY TOO MUCH of the questionable calls. I think that's what actually contributed to the game 1 "extra-curriculars." Players had no idea what was a penalty and what wasn't = increased frustrations, which of course boiled over.

As an aside, this has been one of the "cleaner" series thus far. Not that the bar is set real high this year, but considering all that's gone on with the other series... ours is pretty sedated; Bertuzzi/Weber scrap not withstanding.
- drice97

You can thank TIM PEEL. The worst ref in hockey.

For a game that they really needed to come out flying in they have come out really flat. Need something big here to get them going, powerplay goal would be huge.

I was worried after a decent start Nashville would score on a breakaway or something but nope....I am guess Detroit is now going to fire it on net instead of the deflection tries like they did all period. Zetterberg got away with one for sure (I think he might have high sticked Erat.)

Holy (frank) what a boring couple of periods. Nyquist seems to be the only one with any jump and he's stuck on the fourth line. At least the Preds look as uninterested as the Wings or this would be ugly.

Amazing how we always leave guys wide open cause our guys are way out of position....ugh!

Should be 3-1 Preds. Can the Wings get any more benefit from garbage officiating?

Should be 3-1 Preds. Can the Wings get any more benefit from garbage officiating?
- sigep predfan

I don't have a dog in this fight and I'll say the refereeing is brutal both ways. I think his is one of the worst series I have watched as far as refereeing goes ever. Maybe a couple Edmonton series with Kerry Fraser.

I think Weber will look good in Edmonton and Suter will look good in Detroit.

Should be 3-1 Preds. Can the Wings get any more benefit from garbage officiating?
- sigep predfan

Officials have been terrible, and Legwand's goal should have counted (I hate the intent to blow the whistle rule), however, to say this has been slanted only in Detroit's favor is ridiculous. Did you not see Legwand's hand on the puck in the crease earlier?