Morning Skate: We just did this
by Casey Richey on Mar 15, 2010 7:29 AM CDT
in Game Preview
15 comments
Since (as the title states) we just did this last week, this will probably be a fairly short preview.
- Jimmy Howard will likely start in net. Howard struggled badly with rebound control against the Sabres and it cost him twice. If he can control the rebounds better tonight, the better the chance the Wings have at pulling out a victory.
- Needless to say, the Red Wings need to come out with much more purpose than they did last game out against Calgary. Many of you remember seeing a very uninspired and lazy Red Wings team take the ice and lose to Calgary last week.
- Just like last week, this game is huge in terms of Western Conference playoff implications. Vancouver downed the Flames last night by a score of 3-1, leaving Detroit with sole possession of 8th place. Detroit could go up 3 points on Calgary with only 13 games to play. It wouldn't bury the Flames but it sure would boost the Wings.
- The race for 8th seed is turning out to be a two horse race between Detroit and Calgary. St. Louis, Minnesota, Dallas, and Anaheim are all falling off the map in terms of trying to keep pace. St. Louis is 5 points back of Detroit right now and Anaheim 8 points.
- Detroit is 6-2-2 in it's last 10. That's not bad, not bad at all. Calgary is 5-4-1.
- Miikka Kiprusoff will likely start for Calgary. Hopefully, Finland vs. USA Kiprusoff will show up for the game.
- Pavel Datsyuk now has a goal in 4 of the last 5 games and points in 8 of the last 10. Good numbers from the guy you want to lead your offense.
- Of Tomas Holmstrom's 19 goals, 10 have come by way of the power play. Calgary's penalty kill is 10th in the league but we'll see how much all that matters when #96 plants himself in front of Kipper. Calgary takes close to 15 minutes in penalties per game so the Wings should get a few cracks at the PP.
- Matchsticks and Gasoline is your SB Nation affiliate for Calgary Flames stuff, give it a read.
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Been reading this blog awhile, first comment.
Disclosure: I live in PA (and live in a penguins household, yes it sucks) and don’t get to watch games unless they are on NBC or VS, so my knowledge of Jimmy’s overall play is modest. However, I watch highlights on NHL.com, so I at least see most of the goals he gives up.
To my point: it seems to me that at least half of the goals opponents get on Jimmy come on FAT rebounds. I mean, is it just me? It seems to be happening more often in the last couple games. Do the coaches see this? To anyone who gets to watch the games regularly, have you noticed this poor rebound control (as the post suggests) trend, or have I been mislead by highlights?
Love the blog, cheers.
Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!
I can say something silly until the more knowledgeable peoiple chime in
He does give up rebounds, but usually he directs them better than that to areas past the sticks of the opponents where his teammates can easily clear them away. If the shot is tipped he has more trouble controlling it (unsurprisingly), or if he was moving side to side when the shot came. And as with any goaltender, if the defensemen leave him all alone, someone else will be happy to put the puck in the net if it is sitting there.
Most of the times he gives up a rebound it is more controlled than the ones that result in goals. It’s just a large contrast from Osgood Conklin, who both tended to stop a shot or it got by completely, but they didn’t stop it and give up rebounds as much. It’s a style difference that I’ve seen in a few other young goaltenders, giving up a rebound but intentionally directing to an area of the ice that is safe. When the team wasn’t used to it earlier in the season they really struggled with it themselves, but once they got a better idea of where he was going with the puck there was almost always a Wing waiting for it to come to him and clear it away.
I think Howard has to get into a groove to really play well, and the Olympic break disrupted his rhythm just a bit. Overall I think he’s been very very good.
And welcome! It’s always fun to have a new person in the crowd. Join us for a game thread sometime – even if you can’t see the game, it’s still fun to talk and we’ll try to fill you in on what happens between the highlights.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
peoiple = people
Spellcheck apparently isn’t automatic in the title box. Grrrr …
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
you're pretty much spot on with that, Baroque
All of what you said is pretty much what I responded would have responded with so…sweet! And I like the spelling of peoiple better.
Like you said, he’ll give up the rebounds but the majority of the time they’re to relatively harmless areas.
by Casey Richey on Mar 15, 2010 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions
I think a lot of his rebounds have come as a result of the adaptation from the AHL to the NHL. As he gets another full off-season under his belt with goalie coach Jim Bedard, things should be a little better. Bedard probably worked with him in this pre-season on just the main adjustments and focused on Osgood’s play since he was supposed to be the top man.
by Casey Richey on Mar 15, 2010 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions
waltdetroit
drzz – If you have internet service (i assume as you go to nhl.com), go to atdhe.net, most of the NHL & AHL games can be seen, tho a little grainy
We didn't do it very well last time out
Meaning, in terms of performing against Calgary. It’s nice of the schedule makers to give the Wings a chance to redeem themselves so soon afterwards. Of course, they took one at the Joe…it’s not going to be easy tripping out to the Saddledome and returning the favor, but here’s a chance for a tiny bit of daylight.
I submit that the race for the 8th spot is rather a three team race, as I still don’t think Nashville can stay ahead of the Red Wings or Flames.
I wish I could say that I thought Colorado would fade, and give away 6 points over the last 14 games on their schedule, and miss the playoffs entirely, but they’ve been showing decent staying power.
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
that’s a good point. The spot for last is indeed between those three teams at the moment.
by Casey Richey on Mar 15, 2010 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
won't be around tonight
but will be watching most likely…GO WINGS!…get it donee
TULO = 2010 MVP!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
LETS GO WINGS!
I still think Nashville
…is likely to lose the playoff race. I know they have three points on us, but they’re simply not as strong as Detroit and Calgary. Three points can change real quick in these last few games, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 7,8 seed go to Detroit and Calgary. Course, if the Wings down the Flames tonight (please) then Nashville might be safer. But I still wouldn’t be surprised to see the Wings and Flames make it.
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