Don't Look Now...

by Casey Richey on Nov 6, 2009 6:00 PM CST in News Comment 4 comments

Actually, do look now. Things are starting to return to normal for this team as the season progresses. Following a 3-4-2 start, the Red Wings have turned it around by going 4-0-1 in their last five games contests. Four of the five teams they've played in those games were playoff teams last year, including knocking off last year's regular season conference champions in both the East and West. In fact, Detroit has earned points in 8 of its last 10 games--totaling 13 of a possible 20 points. What's behind the reason for the recent winning ways? Let's take a look at a few things:

Coaching: You had to know that Mike Babcock could only tolerate the poor performance for so long before whippin' the boys into shape. To me, the biggest sign of this was yanking Chris Osgood from the net against Vancouver after surrendering two quick goals. Babcock showed that it doesn't matter how Cups you have; if you don't play well enough to be in there, you won't be. Same has been true as line-ups have been juggled very often to accommodate the up and downs of the players.
Better execution: The first half of the season so far was filled with sloppy passing and ineffective chances in the offensive zone. The stars have stepped up following the loss of guys like Valtteri Filppula and Johan Franzen to injury and others to illness. In the past five games, Pavel Datsyuk has 8 points and is really finding his stride while carrying the team. That Henrik Zetterberg guy isn't that bad either...
Just a matter of time: The least statistically tangible of the bunch, this is more for our own personal sanity. This team is too good to sit under .500 for too long so it's good to see that indeed the team is more on track than the beginning. A lot of new guys-so maybe the old saying that chemistry has to be built before you can win is ringing true. Bertuzzi's starting to factor into the equation and so is Williams. Datsyuk/Zetterberg can get the puck to these guys or benefit from their passing so it's good to see them getting going.
Tightening of defensive/goaltending: Don't know if I have to go further than saying the defense is playing much much better and so is Chris Osgood. Being pulled like that in Vancouver will do a lot for motivation and drive any sort of complacency out the window. Nick Lidstrom is solid as always and the other guys are starting to come around in his footsteps.
Hopefully it lasts is all I have left to say

What do you think about it?

Poll

What has been the reason for the turnaround?

Coaching

11 votes

Better execution

31 votes

Just a matter of time

50 votes

Tightened defensive/goalie play

85 votes

Other (comment below)

3 votes

180 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 4 comments |

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Comments

defence play

I saw the game in Calgary and commented that it was the best defencive game the Red Wings have played. They did a good job as a team keeping Calgary to the outside thus reducing scoring chances. The offensive seemed to be secondary. They didn’t try to do anything fancy, basically, shoot the puck in and be effective at forechecking (i.e. work hard). The scoring chances will and did come. They followed that recipe even more successfully against the Sharks.
It was interesting to read a comment that Steve Izerman was asked by Bowman to become a better two-way player, which resulted in a loss of points for him but greater success for the team. The Red Wings seem to be learning that lesson also.

by howefan on Nov 7, 2009 3:28 AM CST reply actions

Defense has kinda been their Achilles...

I think it goes back a couple years to when they decided to pick up Brad Stuart when Jason Campbell was available at the same time. I don’t think we really miss Cheli all that much, as his age was starting to show. We need at least 1 more solid defensmen. With the offensive injuries it’ll be interesting how that plays out, some1 either needs to step up, or they need to acquire somebody with goal scoring prowess. And that’s Yzerman, you know Stevie “Y”, maybe he could come outta retirement, & maybe Murph…lol

by LTownDown on Nov 8, 2009 9:20 AM CST up reply actions

I voted "other"

My coworker finally got a magnet schedule from Belle Tire (they were out at the beginning of the season) and we put it up in the main office in the usual spot where the current schedule has resided for the last three years.

The magnet went up the day before the game in Calgary. :)

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Nov 7, 2009 3:57 PM CST reply actions