Lightning/Red Wings open thread, game six
The whiny Tampa Bay Lightning return to Detroit for game six. This series should have ended in Tampa, but alas, it did not and we have at least one more game to play and thankfully it is in the D. The game is on channel 355 for DIRECTV users, but I don't know about the other companies.
#LGRW
Could also be that the wings have thrown out the same stale roster every year. We need new blood.
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Hell of a series. Back and forth, and just downright physical. Just when you think one team takes the momentum, the other team comes in and decisively takes the next game.
I'm sure every Red Wings fan on this blog would disagree, but a game 7 is every hockey fan's dream.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:00 PM ^
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April 27th, 2015 at 10:09 PM ^
Welp, I was worried about this. Tampa should have been finished Saturday but they weren't, they had life and I just had this awful feeling they'd not let the opportunity slip. Now my other awful feeling is that Stamkos or their power play or both are finally going to wake up Wednesday...
And this is going to be unpopular, but I feel like Babcock has issues motivating this team since the last Cup run. The complacency in games where they have a chance to finish a team is maddening. See Games 6 and 7 vs Pittsburgh in '09 and Games 5-7 vs Chicago in '13. I know those were good teams who weren't going to simply go away, but teams pinned to the mat rarely get up entirely on their own.
I hate to admit it, but I agree. I'm not sure if it's a "motivation" issue, though. I hate sports cliches, but the proverbial "killer instinct" is one that I believe in. And every team I like is terrible at it.
Red Wings
Michigan (football and basketball)
Tigers
Lions
And not just because none have won championships lately (aside from MBB B1G titles and F4), but they have had clear opportunities to do so much more, even been in the driver's seat, and just let it slip away.
Yeah, I guess that's more what I meant than motivation. There just doesn't seem to be that desire to crush the opponent. And I agree on that for some of those other teams as well.
I don't know if it's necessarily motivation, but I too have noticed a distinct change in how the team responds to Babcock and their level of discipline and energy since the Cup. They were able to hide it for a year because they added Hossa, so they could overcome all of their screwups and and lapses. But since that season, they haven't been to a conference final, nor have they ever looked like they belonged there. And it looks to me like talent is only half the problem. It used to be that guys had career years in Detroit and guys that we traded away didn't do jack shit after they left. Now the opposite seems to be happening.
I expect that Babcock will win another Stanley Cup someday, but it won't be with Detroit. His days as a Cup contender in Detroit are over.
April 28th, 2015 at 11:04 AM ^
For the longest time I was convinced that "something happened" in the locker room between Games 5 and 6 of the 2009 Finals. I didn't think this at the time, but a few years down the road, because Game 5 of that series really was their last high-water mark for a while. They so thoroughly demolished Pittsburgh in that game, then came out so flat-footed in the following two games, with the Stanley Cup on the line. And then it wouldn't be until 2013 Anaheim that they'd have a truly impressive playoff series win. I realize stars get old, but man, the way that drop happened so suddenly and precipitously, I was sure there had to be some sort of incident that caused sudden dissension in the ranks.
Now I think it's more just his coaching style has gone stale with that particular roster of players, and perhaps fresh faces might be beneficial for all parties.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:28 PM ^
they give each game. My God, they play like demons possessed. But playoff hockey is such a strange interlude of passion and lucky bounces. Mrazek has been masterful. Even tonight he was incredible. The Wings are an enigma at home. They are better on the road and better be Wedesday night. Or another short postseason looms.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:32 PM ^
Hope the Red Wings win the series. Even as a Blackhawks fan I will be cheering for the Red Wings. I'd love to see a Stanley Cup Final between the two. It would be truly epic. Go Blackhawks, and I hope to see you Red Wings in the finals.
I actually appreciate that.
As much as I despise the Blackhawks, I love watching their brand of hockey. I would love to see a cup final between the two. The series 3(?) years ago in the WCSF was great.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:41 PM ^
...they'll be looking back regretting a lot of things (mostly the game 4 debacle), but tonight's 1/7 PP performance will be near the top.
April 28th, 2015 at 12:38 AM ^
Don't forget the Wings totally stole game one. 2 goals on 4 shots;14 for the game. Honestly, the series has been a wash. For every Detroit fan who says this should have been over, TB fans can rightfully say the same thing.
April 28th, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^
I guess I forgot the part where Detroit were nearly shut out three games in a row (and were shut out two of the three). Mrazek stole one game, as hot goalies often do in the playoffs. All of Tampa's goals last night came off turnovers or poor transition play, largely unforced. Their Game 4 win came via an 8-minute stretch of capitalizing on an injury and Detroit getting lazy with the lead. I'm not saying Detroit has dominated by any means, but I wouldn't call it a 50-50 wash either.
Yeah, you clearly forgot.