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Yesterday was a review on the Disney (ESPN) earnings call and thoughts on Seider’s next deal. Today, let’s hit the ice again against the Habs.



Detroit has been playing tough teams in terms of Boston, Florida and New York and late starts have made life difficult for the team in almost every contest. No shots for the first 10 minutes, 12 total shots after 2 periods. The Winged Wheel just looks wholly unprepared for whatever team is against them. Combine that with goaltending that consistently allows for 3 or more goals in the club favored Ville Husso and a lack of defensive structure far too many times and it can lead to disaster.

Tonight, Detroit faces a Habs squad that the Wings surpass (thus far) in goals for and goals against. That’s a rare combination. The team just needs to be ready to play when the game starts. This has become a tired call to arms, but unfortunately remains a massive sticking point. When the team “clicks”, they are a completely different group than the scattered and overwhelmed bunch that the Rangers took to task for most of the first 40 minutes of play on Tuesday.

So, who is responsible in making sure this changes? This has been the question. Does the room need to switch from Kenny G pregame music to vintage Metallica? Are they not breaking out the smelling salts? Is it time to use caffeinated water in the coffee maker? (Vintage Drew Carey show). Whatever it is, someone has to get ahold of it.

We’ve debated the issue ad nauseam and it’s up to the organization to change the conversation. The fact that in 15 minutes of up tempo play Detroit turned a 5-0 deficit to a 5-3 deficit in the third period seemed to show that there is a capability there. It’s just endlessly frustrating to wait and see for it to come to fruition.

Let me know your thoughts, who needs to rein in the group and get them ready? What do you change? I remember even in middle school the defensive linemen would put on helmets and head-butt everything in sight. Yelling, slapping shoulder pads, grabbing face masks, it was chaos. At the highest level of hockey, dipping your toe in the water doesn’t cut it. It’s time to dive in at puck drop and be ready to go.

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