It doesn’t mean anything, but Brendan Smith skated with the main squad today. Can’t see him getting in the lineup because as badly as the Wings’ D screwed up Tuesday, none of those guys are getting yanked.
Anyway, there’s also the fact that Babcock doesn’t think they’re having trouble going to the middle. As I pointed out yesterday, the Ice Tracker tells a different story, at least as far as shots are concerned.
Via Ellen Etchingham, on ways forward from outrage against the current state of supplementary discipline in the NHL today. While you’re at it, make sure you read this more depressing background piece by David Shoalts.
This morning, I tossed out the idea of including the removal of a lineup spot for the team of the suspended player for the duration of the suspension. It’s not as concrete as Ellen’s looking for, maybe, but it’s a concept that goes beyond saying “fix it more better!”. It’s been done at lower levels, too.
I also threw together a rough (rough!) draft of a possible discipline worksheet based on the CBA’s existing language. The necessary language is already in place—the problem is interpretation and implementation.
Addition: I’ve also in the past suggested a head contact ban instituted on a scale from simple minor all the way to ban, with steps like double minor, major, 10 minute misconduct, suspension, etc. in between. Treat it like a high stick, where the players are held responsible for the use of their bodies like they are for the use of their sticks. But where minor/incidental contact with the head doesn’t mean the hammer comes down on you.
Anyway, what ideas do you have?
The Goal: If the Wings do end up going out of the playoffs to the Predators, Nashville’s second goal last night will be the moment I’ll go back to as The Moment. In a year full of plenty of bad defensive plays, that one takes the cake. It’s honestly hard to imagine a positive way forward from there. That’s the kind of play you see during a pee-wee intermission scrimmage, not from men collectively making $14.2 million.
Not far behind it is the way three Wings flow to the left side of the ice on the Predators’ first (counted) goal.
Fruitless Dominance: The Wings owned this game territorially pretty much from start to finish. At least, they owned everything but the homeplate in the Nashville end.
And it counts for jack. Because they couldn’t crack Pekka Rinne, who they’ve turned into a composite of the NHL’s all-time goaltending greats by taking the majority of their shots from the outside. Take a look at the Ice Tracker (take out the Predators and check just the Shot box). If that doesn’t make you said, you’re a disgustingly cheery person.
The Predators were on the road to victory every minute of ice time it was tied at zero.
Zetterberg: Followed not too far back by Jimmy Howard, Z is the one Wing to consistently show up on virtually every shift so far in this series. I hope this at least shuts up his detractors. Though I will say I was pretty annoyed by the late penalty. That was unfortunate.
Quincey: Had his best game of this tour as a Red Wing. A pity it was wasted.
Lidstrom: Looked disturbingly human. I don’t want my last sight of him on the ice to be him losing the puck at the blueline. Please bring back android Nick, Nick.
I’ve Got Nothing More: I don’t know what else to say about this game. The Wings need to find a way to dominate Game 5 in a way that’s actually fruitful. Or get dominated in the same way the Predators were and squeak something out. Anything else, and they’re done. And we’ve got some big questions.
You know.
This is where Ian White sees somethings shiny to his right and ignores the perfectly good, nearly as shiny thing right in front of him.
This is where three Red Wings chase Martin Erat like he stole their wallets.
Now he stole Jimmy Howard’s wallet too.
This is where they all realize Kevin Klein is about to steal their car. The wallet thefts were just a ruse hiding the bigger plan!
This is where Kevin Klein steals their car while Martin Erat counts the money he stole as he stands in the corner.
That’s what Ian White is asking while Nick Lidstrom skates away shaking his head and Jimmy Howard double-checks the cash he hides in his pads.
We don’t know, Ian. We don’t know.
Ugh.
If it is a cover-up, everybody’s on the same page.
Alright, so it’s Game 4. And it’s the most important game of the series so far.
The Preds have a chance to take a 3-1 lead and set up a potential series clinching win in Game 5. That’s their number one consideration tonight and is sure to have them playing their best.
Keys to the game for the Predators:
The USS Hall Gill sailed today but it was just test maneuvers. He won’t play.
The Wings need to avoid going down 3-1 to the Predators, needless to say. As bad as they are on the road, they can’t afford to face an elimination game in Nashville. So, this is a must-win situation for them.
Keys to the game for the Wings:
It was an optional skate today (which worked last time, if you recall. Sunday doesn’t count. There was no skate.). Babcock hasn’t settled on lines, but the media’s telling us to expect Top Line Cleary and Third Line Bertuzzi.
Apart from the three dudes named above, the Wings as a group need to be at their best from the start. They need this.
