Red Wing Roundup - May 29th
Ashley Gallant | National Hockey League
May 29, 11:52 AM | Hype this story!
Detroit blaming themselves for the loss
According to the Detroit Free Press, the Red Wings aren’t scared that the Penguins will take over the series. In fact, they aren’t even saying that the Pens won because they were that much better, but rather they won because Detroit made mistakes.
“It was us,” defenseman Brian Rafalski said. “First goal was a turnover. Second goal was a power play. Third goal was a bad bounce.”
“We’re still on top,” defenseman Andrea Lilja said. “If we can pull one out in the next game, we’ll be in good shape.”
Mike Babcock was also pointing the finger at his own team. He said that Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg tried to do too much, and added that he played them too much.
Holmstrom hurt?
Winger Tomas Holmstrom suffered a lower body injury last night and was seen limping after the game. Doctors will re-evaluate the injury on Thursday.
Red Wings can’t leave Pittsburgh
With two days between games 3 and 4, the Red Wings intended to leave town on Thursday morning. The NHL stepped in and squashed those plans, saying that they need to be around for the media. The revised plan is to stay in Pittsburgh today and tonight at an undisclosed location.
Lidstrom perfect Yzerman replacement: Messier
Mark Messier was in town yesterday to present Mats Sundin the Mark Messier leadership award, but he also had plenty to say about Wings captain Nick Lidstrom.
“He is the prototypical leader by example,” Messier said of Lidstrom. “I don’t know Nick well enough to know what he does behind the scenes in the dressing room and all those kinds of things, but if you talk about a leader and a consistent leader and leading by example, he’s a prototypical guy like that because he plays consistent.
“He’s the same guy, game in, game out. He’s consistent in his personality, so the guys look at him and he’s always going to be the same guy. He had some tough shoes to fill with Yzerman leaving there, and he’s stepped in there and they haven’t missed a beat.”
Datsyuk in a slump??
The Detroit Free Press is wondering whether Datsyuk is in a slump, considering he has only 1 goal and an assist in 6 games, and nothing in the last three.
Considering he has been one of Detroit’s best players in this series, I wouldn’t be too concerned.
Comments
Tom
May 29, 12:35 PM
Ashley, Clearly the spark for the Pens must have come from Sydor’s passing and joining the rush, something lacking in Letang’s skill set (LOL). Perhaps the Pens will get something from this $2,500,000 stiff. The loss of Holmstrom would be a great problem for the Wings. He and Malone are two of the best crease sitters in the NHL.
Dabich
May 29, 01:46 PM
C’mon, Tom, give Sydor a break. He played well last night.
Tom
May 29, 02:29 PM
DaBich, Sydor played very well for Sydor which is slightly above horrible. He is slow. He passes with no authority and is frequently subject to being intercepted. His passes are innaccurate and frequently miss his intended target. He is passive. His one hit was more of a collapse into the opponent with no effect. He is never proactive or aggressive as a defender. Two blocked shots is nothing to write home about. His one weak attempt to join the rush was a joke. I shudder each time he and Whitney are paired on the ice. He does not have the speed or agility to cover for Whitney. Summed up, he is a $2,500,000 stiff. I hope he and Whitney do not cost the Pens the cup.
Matt Bodenschatz
May 29, 02:42 PM
So Letang’s gaffes in games one and two that resulted in goals (one of which was shorthanded) are better than Sydor’s flawless (albeit uneventful) game last night? Very clearly you’re doing nothing other than trying to start arguments. Watch the games, post objectively — then people will respect your opinions.
Tom
May 29, 04:05 PM
Matt, I try to post very objectively and seek no arguments. First, as to Letang’s two “gaffes.” If I may observe without being seen as an apologist for the kid, the first goal, a short handed goal by Cleary, regarding which Mike Adams accused Letang of “lazily skating back” to cover. I reviewed the play several times, and Letang did nothing in a lazy manner. He came back hard, caught Cleary (the Wings fastest skater) and played him to force a weak backhanded shot which Flower missed. No teammate came back to help, did they? Rather than a “gaffe” it was a fine effort which just did not work. Sydor could not have even come close to that sort of effort against a speedy opponent. The second “gaffe” was a play against Filppula. The kid was in good position. He had to protect the close side of the net. Filppula made an incredible move to his left and, while falling, made an incredible shot which Letang could not reach. If that play was a “gaffe” then each goal allowed against the Wings by others were as well. Just observations rather than general baseless accusations made against a fine player.
I try to post statements with particular observations and to describe them from a defensive point of view. I do go out of my way to point out both good and bad play and to express my opinion as to the best courses for the Pens. Orpik deserved the first star, but got none. I feel that to be an injustice. In fact I believe that the Pens’ management’s treatment of Orpik all year has been unfortunate. I can only hope that it does not cost the Pens this great player in free agency. I have made many observations, good and bad about the other Pens’ defensemen. They are my observations and not any attempt to create arguments. I have always thought that free discussions of varying points of view are healthy. Perhaps I am wrong; however, if I have caused any readers consternation due to my advocacy of the defensive point of view, accept my humble apologies. Since he will probably play no more this season, having been replaced with an expensive stiff, you will likely be spared my comments on Letang’s play.
Dabich
May 29, 07:42 PM
Tom ~ I, too, am an avid Letang fan. The kid has incredible skills for one so young. I truly believe he is the next “Lidstrom.” As long as he progresses in his development, I see no reason why he isn’t the elite defenseman of the NHL in a few years.
I also see that Sydor played a decent game last night. I watched it. I’m not trying to pick a fight with you, I’m just giving credit where it’s due.
Personally, if I were going to sit ANY dfenseman, it would be Whitney. He has played poorly off and on all seeason. HE is the Stiff making the bucks that should be taking flack, not Sydor.
Again, just HMO =D
Tom
May 30, 04:09 PM
DaBich, We could save 6,500,000 with two well placed trades and use the money to keep Orpik and Malone.
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