Alright I was trying to avoid this, but I just can’t do another post until I address the Wings game last night. Just ANOTHER third period collapse for the Red Wings. They had a fucking 4-2 with 1:30 to go, blew that, and lost in overtime….at home nonetheless. This all fucking started when Steve Ott was awarded a phantom goal in the shootout on January 16. I say phantom because there is absolutely no replay of the goal going in. Since then, this is what they have done with their leads
Dallas Jan 16: led 2-0 after 1st, lost 3-2 in a shootout
Washinton Jan 19: led 2-1 with 9 minutes to go, allowed 2 goals in 45 seconds to lose 3-2
Minnesota Jan 21: led 3-1 with 11 minutes to go, allowed 2 goals in 1 minute, but won in a shootout
Los Angeles Jan 23: led 2-0 after 1st, and 2-1 going into the 3rd, lost 3-2
Phoenix Jan 26: led 4-2 with 1:30 to go, lost 5-4 in OT
Even if they had of gotten two points more points out of all of those mishaps, they would be three points up on Calgary instead of one. I think I know what the issue is. After months of playing with grinding players all over their lineup, they finally have almost all of their regulars back. This makes them a much faster and more dangerous team offensively. So a month ago when everyone was out, they had to rely on hard work for 60 minutes in order to pump out a win. Now, they are finding that they are getting more chances, more shots and more puck possession. They are stuck playing their classic puck control style and have moved away from playing the grinding defensive game that made them successful with such a battered lineup.
Thanfully, a lot of the other teams competing with them are going through tough times right now as well. If this had happened a month ago, the Wings would have found themselves six or seven points out of the playoffs. Instead, they are in eighth and have the ability to extend their lead on the Flames tonight against Minnesota. But like every game in the West, there are no easy games. Their upcoming opponents are Minnesota, Nashville, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Anaheim and LA. In the next six games there are five against Western opponents fighting for playoff spots. Fuck I hate the West. 6 – 12 in the East is Philly, NYR, Florida, Montreal, Boston, Atlanta and the Islanders. The West is LA, Nashville, Detroit, Calgary, Dallas, Anaheim, Minnesota.
The Wings better quickly forget about their collapse last night as they face the Wild in Minnesota tonight. Chris Osgood will start, and if they win, I wouldn’t be surprise to see him get more action. Jimmy Howard has not been bad by any means, but they need something to change here.
