33 replies to this topic

[YzerFan19]

The Wings look to even the series this afternoon. They'll do so without Tomas Holmstrom and Brett Lebda, who are both still out.

The only big lineup change is that Valtteri Filppula has been bumped up to the second line, with Robert Lang taking over fourth-line duties (though Mike Babcock refuses to call it a demotion).

Random stat: Detroit has made the Western Conference Semifinals eight times, winning the series five of them. They won their only previous second-round matchup with San Jose, a four-game sweep in 1995.

[YzerFan19]

Anyone else think Dom should have had that?

[YzerFan19]

Anyone want to bet Osgood sees ice time this series?

[skyguy52]

Anyone want to bet Osgood sees ice time this series?

I'm just gonna say the SHARKS look much better than the WINGS. The SHARKS have a size and speed advantage, that again has the WINGS in a hole. A goalie change may help, but I think the problem is much deeper than that.

[YzerFan19]

Woohoo! Zata gets the Wings on the board!

[skyguy52]

Cleary, again, is the WINGS best player so far, with Zetterman, a close second. That's NOT gonna be enough. The WINGS have picked it up a notch, but the SHARKS are taking care of business rather well with a one goal game. The WINGS are gonna have to get creative now, with half the game gone.

[skyguy52]

Another DET PP, Schneider takes the shot from the point, and a SHARK gets the rebound and clears. Not gonna do it guys ... Anyone else have some thoughts?

[skyguy52]

Another DET PP, Schneider takes the shot from the point, and a SHARK gets the rebound and clears. Not gonna do it guys ... Anyone else have some thoughts?

LIDSTROM is having problems -- 3 giveaways this game already -- he's clearly off his game. Anyone else care to comment?

[skyguy52]

Another DET PP, Schneider takes the shot from the point, and a SHARK gets the rebound and clears. Not gonna do it guys ... Anyone else have some thoughts?

LIDSTROM is having problems -- 3 giveaways this game already -- he's clearly off his game. Anyone else care to comment?

WINGS beating themselves at this point -- DRAPER with another penalty -- despite the good effort of CLEARY, who in my opinion is & has been one of the FEW 2-way, smart-minded WINGS, this series.

The SHARKS playing a very well positioned game, despite brief episodes of WINGs offensive threats, clearing the puck from their Zone, and keeping the WINGS from a concerted effort in the OFFENSIVE zone.

[YzerFan19]

Looks like another game where the Wings are solid for all but a couple minutes, and those minutes are killer. We'll see if they can find the net and even this up.

[skyguy52]

Looks like another game where the Wings are solid for all but a couple minutes, and those minutes are killer. We'll see if they can find the net and even this up.

Well, I gotta say it this time YzerFan .... I disagree with you that the WINGS are playing a SOLID game, but don't have the game in hand. It is True the SHARKS scored early, but it can't be disputed, that the SHARKS are, rather efficiently, keeping the WINGS at bay. I don't see the WINGS as overpowering here, in the least.

[YzerFan19]

Dan Cleary! Shorthanded goal! Woohoo!

[skyguy52]

Dan Cleary! Shorthanded goal! Woohoo!

Great effort by none other than CLEARY ... SHORT-HANDED YET. Maybe the effort is beginning to pay-off. Evened up now. Lets hope the WINGS can continue to build off it.

[YzerFan19]

Sharks have really gotten a lot of pressure in this period. Wings can't let them keep it up, we're practically in sudden death already.

[YzerFan19]

PAVS!!!!

[skyguy52]

Sharks have really gotten a lot of pressure in this period. Wings can't let them keep it up, we're practically in sudden death already.

SHARKS seem to be out-working, out-positioning the WINGS, especially the latter part of this 3rd period. HASEK keeping WINGs with a chance.

[skyguy52]

Sharks have really gotten a lot of pressure in this period. Wings can't let them keep it up, we're practically in sudden death already.

SHARKS seem to be out-working, out-positioning the WINGS, especially the latter part of this 3rd period. HASEK keeping WINGs with a chance.

Great work by Zetterman to give the WINGS a timely goal! Hopefully, that will inspire DATSYK, and the WINGS who've worked hard to keep their Playoff hopes ALIVE. I was afraid that the SHARKS were gaining momentum, over-powering the WINGS up to the point of Zetter's goal.

[YzerFan19]

I'll take it. Gotta get one in San Jose now. Or two.

But, hey, now my Game Five tickets are good.

[skyguy52]

Sharks have really gotten a lot of pressure in this period. Wings can't let them keep it up, we're practically in sudden death already.

SHARKS seem to be out-working, out-positioning the WINGS, especially the latter part of this 3rd period. HASEK keeping WINGs with a chance.

Great work by Zetterman to give the WINGS a timely goal! Hopefully, that will inspire DATSYK, and the WINGS who've worked hard to keep their Playoff hopes ALIVE. I was afraid that the SHARKS were gaining momentum, over-powering the WINGS up to the point of Zetter's goal.

Just to clarify, DATSYK did get the game-winner, and kudos to him for doing so. But my point above, was to point to ZETTER's hard work to set DATS in front.

Way to go guys! ! ! We're back in this ! ! !

I thought HASEK redeemed himself, after a very poor start today. I hope the TEAM effort today, a GREAT come-back WIN gives the WINGS a lift as the play shifts back to SAN JOSE and the SHARK TANK.

I don't think there is any doubt that SJO is a much better team than were the FLAMES. The WINGs are a much better team too, than what they appeared to be in the opening 10 minutes of this game.

GO WINGS! ! !

[skyguy52]

The Wings look to even the series this afternoon. They'll do so without Tomas Holmstrom and Brett Lebda, who are both still out.

The only big lineup change is that Valtteri Filppula has been bumped up to the second line, with Robert Lang taking over fourth-line duties (though Mike Babcock refuses to call it a demotion).

Random stat: Detroit has made the Western Conference Semifinals eight times, winning the series five of them. They won their only previous second-round matchup with San Jose, a four-game sweep in 1995.

I meant to comment on this earlier. I wonder if this may be a sign that LANG's play may be under the microscope? As everyone should know from my earlier comments here, I haven't been a big fan of LANG's performance. Several other WINGS have consistently showed a better work ethic. This is despite a couple of Timely goals & assists by LANG in the latter part of the regular season & once or twice in the series with CALGARY. The WINGS do need to shuffle their lines up a bit, for no other reason, to get some balance back in their play. I think this falls back on WINGs coaching staff to find match-ups that neutralize SJO and Thornton and company.