Sorry, Dallas--Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 2

by Casey Richey on Apr 8, 2011 9:27 PM CDT in Game Recaps

Our bad.

The game could not have started any uglier as a Pavel Datsyuk turnover lead to a pass from Patrick Sharp along the boards to Brent Seabrook. Seabrook came in from the blueline to the faceoff dot to have an easy one-time goal as Johan Franzen's defense was nonexistent and the Blackhawks were up 1-0 just 0:37 into the game.

Ben Smith scored his first NHL goal off a Valtteri Filppula turnover forced by Patrick Kane. Kane's stick forced the turnover and Smith was all alone on Jimmy Howard and ripped a shot past him at 6:07 of the first period. Brian Campbell scored the third goal of the first period after a pass from Michael Frolik gave Campbell a good path to the net, outdeking Howard and scoring his 5th goal of the season.

The first period was ugly, follow the jump for the rest of the game, discussion and video.

With Ruslan Salei in the box for hooking, Brent Seabrook sent a pass from his own crease to the blueline to find a cherry-picking Marian Hossa. Hossa snuck in behind Nicklas Lidstrom and Brad Stuart and as the puck came to him, he had a breakaway on Howard. Howard gave up his fourth goal of the game as Hossa scored his 25th of the season.

Drew Miller scored his 9th goal of the season off a cross-ice pass from Johan Franzen at 19:38 of the 2nd period. Miller's goal could have served as some momentum going into the third and although the Wings came out a little bit stronger in the 3rd, it seemed they had already packed it in. Tomas Holmstrom added a meaningless goal (his 17th of the year) late in the 3rd period.

The Red Wings close out the regular season against the Blackhawks again on Sunday at 12:30 PM ET on NBC.

:: THREE POINTS FOR DISCUSSION ::

Is it time to panic with this performance or was it just the case of a team (CHI) needing a big win and playing a team (DET) that had very little to play for? I think it's more of the second option. There's a lot that you can point to but I tend to think that the team played rather reserved and for a reason.
Do Jimmy Howard's teammates hate him? Very little chance for him on all four goals.
Did Ruslan Salei play himself out of a starting job tonight? Salei had some turnovers and had some bad plays in tonight's game while Jakub Kindl and Jonathan Ericsson (yes, really) have been stepping their game up.
BONUS: Is there anything to play for on Sunday or do the Wings mail it in?

:: VIDEO ::

Poll

Who was the Red Wings' Player of the Game?

Drew Miller

14 votes

Justin Abdelkader

10 votes

Thurston Mebbich

55 votes

Other (Write-in)

13 votes

92 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 38 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Like I said, I'll take the blame.

Overconfidence sucks. Sorry guys.

by marlonbrando_ on Apr 8, 2011 9:28 PM CDT reply actions

PotG

The refs.

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Apr 8, 2011 9:28 PM CDT reply actions

now, honestly. come on.

not for this one. the wings needed no help from the refs and i thought the refs seemed to recognize that :P- i don’t remember a lot of calls at all and only salei’s hook, which was fairly egregious, on detroit. nothing wrong with the hawks’ goals. no waved off goals for the wings. nope, refs had nothing to do with this one. the hawks played well and even if they hadn’t… the wings beat themselves tonight.

by Papusica on Apr 9, 2011 1:54 AM CDT up reply actions

I wasn't being facetious

The refs did a heck of a lot better than any one Wing. They let them play and rightly so. It wasn’t like a game earlier in the season where they just weren’t calling obvious scoring-chance-killing penalties. I enjoy the games that go without the new standard penalties that hockey fans don’t even pick up during the course of the play.

Also, it’s a double hit in the prediction game if the refs win PotG. Another Hossa soccer goal and I would have liked my chances.

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Apr 9, 2011 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions

ohhhhh.

gotcha! i thought it was sarcasm but it was deadpan truthfulness lol.

by Papusica on Apr 9, 2011 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

If Chicago is still a possibility for 1st round opponent come Sunday

The boys better bust their asses. You can’t go from possibly knocking a team out of the playoffs to playing them in the first round fresh off two wins against you.

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Apr 8, 2011 9:38 PM CDT reply actions

So I was watching the yotes sharks game and Drew Remenda

Said that Hawks clinched a spot? Only if Dallas lost I presume right…if the Stars win, then hawks have to win Sunday (or get a point…) or Dallas have to lose…I think..Am i right?

by bharatwaj5 on Apr 8, 2011 9:42 PM CDT reply actions

Yes,

Hawks only clinch tonight if DAL loses or goes to a shootout.

Preemptive Palomino, lets talk political stuff elsewhere .
Second City Hockey, It's not just about Hockey, it's Blackhawks Hockey!

by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Apr 8, 2011 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Right

Nashville clinched a spot with their win. Anaheim is currently losing to LA 1-0 after the first.

Winging It In Motown

@Amerinadian19

by Amerinadian on Apr 8, 2011 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Alas, release the floodgates of hell

Let the Blackhawk trolls be unleashed and talk shit about us…

Go for it

by DetroitSports on Apr 8, 2011 9:51 PM CDT reply actions

ok

i’d like to order another serving of:

played rather reserved and for a reason

delivered to 1901 W. Madison, Chicago. Let’s say, 11:30 Central Sunday morning.

We like our people!

by cliffkoroll on Apr 9, 2011 1:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Meh

Not all of us.

This game was a combination of two things. DET not wanting to risk anything it did not need to, which is fine AND smart (given how this season has been for them. It was also the Hawks are back to rolling two potent scoring lines again with Sharp back, which they have not been able to do for the past couple weeks. I do not think it is a coincidence as soon as he returned, the Hawks went from scoring like 10 goals in 6 games, to scoring 8 in 2 games with his return. DET IMO was just trying to not screw themselves, while playing a decent team that is fighting for its life. When you mix those together in Hockey, more time than not, this is the type of game you get. If this game was 2 months ago, or in a week from now, it would have been much different for both.

Preemptive Palomino, lets talk political stuff elsewhere .
Second City Hockey, It's not just about Hockey, it's Blackhawks Hockey!

by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Apr 9, 2011 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions

Wow, some of you are actually cool :P

No offense to the uncool blackhawks fans…

Go for it

by DetroitSports on Apr 9, 2011 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I feel dirty.

I got the score prediction right, but I didn’t want to.

by tehGOALIE on Apr 8, 2011 10:03 PM CDT reply actions

Not sure about this....

I think it’s more of the second option. There’s a lot that you can point to but I tend to think that the team played rather reserved and for a reason.

Every team wants to win. It is always nice to enter the playoffs with a winning streak and not a three game losing streak (I am thinking we will lose on Sun…already..). We never even had a chance to breathe on the ice and we are down by 3 – that is just unacceptable…and its not the case of a team wanting more than the other..seriously both teams took the ice to win! This is not something that I expect from a team that is perched on top of the central division. Today, we were just thoroughly outplayed and frankly, I am just unhappy with the effort and I would not say it was deliberate……

by bharatwaj5 on Apr 8, 2011 10:18 PM CDT reply actions

Good post

I agree. It is the effort. The talent is obviously there. Just no heart.

by Docberk on Apr 8, 2011 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Why give effort

When seeding is basically a non-factor at this point. Whatever seed we are, we will have a tough series. It’s not worth it to try to build some momentum with the possibility of a devastating injury to a key player, especially after what happened to Z against Carolina. If it were possible, I’d honestly forfeit the last game because I don’t give a shit about those points. All I want is Cuppy, cuppy, cuppy, and getting four points at the end of the season is not going to change anything about this team unless it’s an injury. While I understand your reasoning about momentum heading into the playoffs, I just don’t think that it’s worth it.

Living in Chicago is great... apart from the Blackhawks fans.

by Cornelious on Apr 8, 2011 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions

At least Try

I am just saying that it helps to have some confidence and momentum going into the playoffs. The team looks pathetic and that is not the way they have been successful in the past.

For the last home game of the season, at least give it your best effort. Especially against the Hawks.

by Docberk on Apr 8, 2011 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Hate is a strong word

I don’t think the players hate Jimmy Howard. i think they have no faith in him whatsoever and that is worse, IMO. When your team mates lose faith in you and have no respect, there is no team unity.

Having said that, the D once again let him down.

Has anyone seen Franzen??? I think he was last seen in Ottawa.

by Docberk on Apr 8, 2011 11:05 PM CDT reply actions

i saw franzen.

i saw franzen lose his man 30 seconds into the game to show how little faith he has in jimmy, as you put it. poor jimmy. i love you, jimmy. and i have faith in you. no hate or lack of faith here. thanks for trying.

i think babs starts taking things from the guys’ lockers until they shape up. cleary’s gum collection? gone. modano’s trash heap? gone. eavesy’s junior trash heap? gone. i guess drapes can keep his bananas for now since he was scratched. but then the next time he plays, if he plays like junk, bananas? gone.

by Papusica on Apr 8, 2011 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Eaves' dog?

by bharatwaj5 on Apr 8, 2011 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions

no.

i’m not heartless.

also, he could swallow me whole…

by Papusica on Apr 8, 2011 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions

how can you lose faith in your goalie if you’re the ones constantly screwing him over?

Winging It In Motown and now covering Hokie baseball at Gobbler Country
On The Twitter at @MrNorrisTrophy

by Casey Richey on Apr 9, 2011 12:32 AM CDT up reply actions

this.

by Papusica on Apr 9, 2011 12:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Well at least Dallas won

We have one more chance to finish off the hawks.. lets freaking do it.

by kylegroombridge on Apr 8, 2011 11:32 PM CDT reply actions

Well...

Yotes won
Stars Won
Ducks Won
.
.
.
Will the real Wings’ please standup on Sunday and try and drive the nails into the coffin?…..that is all I am asking for….

by bharatwaj5 on Apr 8, 2011 11:46 PM CDT reply actions

got a feeling...

we’ll face these hawks in the playoffs. the wings look like they are mailing it in, and assuming that happens, it’ll be wings-hawks 1st round if either nashville or Phoenix loses in regulation tomorrow.

by jeff48109 on Apr 8, 2011 11:53 PM CDT reply actions

Player of the game

was Mike Ribeiro

because he did more to eliminate the hawks than any of the wings did

by Hillbutton on Apr 9, 2011 12:08 AM CDT reply actions

i'll never vote for that douche bag.

can’t we just go with lehtonen or someone else who isn’t a total jackhole? i can see he only faced like four shots on goal but still. someone other than ribeiro. or ott. anyway good luck to them on sunday against the wild. i hear dallas gives vancouver fits so that could prove to be a fun first round match-up. hopefully the wings are more interested in trying on sunday…

by Papusica on Apr 9, 2011 1:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Actually...

The canucks swept the stars in quite embarassing fashion. Playoffs are different though. Also, Ribeiro had a goal and an assist, was 8 of 10 in the faceoff circle, and just the best player on the ice when he hit it. Sorry.

by Hillbutton on Apr 9, 2011 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

i don't know, my canucks fan friend said dallas gives vancouver fits.

she doesn’t want them in the first round. i just took her word for it. i actually substantially prefer the canucks in general, but if they get either chicago or dallas i think it would be a great series as a hockey fan who has no real vested interest in the outcome either way lol.

by Papusica on Apr 9, 2011 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions

im a dallas fan living in vancouver

dallas has a big edge over the last 10 years, but this year, van owned dallas. and of course van knocked dallas out of the playoffs a few years ago when turco had 3 shutouts. im praying you guys can beat chicago, so dallas can sneak in and give me redemption. Ive been taking a lot of shots lately, i want dallas to come through when it counts, and if mo do could have a part in it, all the better

by Session9 on Apr 10, 2011 6:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Sharks can have the second seed as far as I'm concerned

Red Wings went 21-14-6 at home this season, which is really just 21-20 (by contrast, they’re 25-15 away). Home ice does not make a difference to this team, at least it hasn’t helped them play better. Heck even the PISTONS, they of the 50-loss season, have a 21-19 home record.

Rest Datsyuk, Lidstrom and anyone else that may be banged up. If the Hawks make it, they make it.

Back off man, I'm a scientist

SB Nation Detroit --SB Nation's regional hub for all your Detroit sporting needs
Twitter

by Ryan Weiss on Apr 9, 2011 1:53 AM CDT reply actions

Who knows what happens in the playoffs

It’s a whole different animal…home ice is always nice. I think these Wings have just been complacent at home the last half of the year, and I’m fairly confident they won’t let that happen in the playoffs. We’ll find out soon enough!

by tehGOALIE on Apr 9, 2011 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Foam the runway...

Red Wings cleared for landing.

by Employee22 on Apr 9, 2011 7:13 AM CDT reply actions

Eh

It was clear from the outset which team was actually fighting for their lives and which one was just trying to get out of the game without any injuries. The Hawks poured it on early and were the better team for 95% of the game.

However, I’m not using last night’s game as some sort of indication that they are going to flame out in the first round. That may very well happen, but I refuse to believe that the Wings will play with the same disinterest that they’ve shown for the last 2 weeks. I’m wondering why everyone is so freaked out; it’s not like they haven’t tanked at the end of the year before.

As an aside, for any Michigan fans out there, we will have a game thread up for you to follow the Frozen Four final tonight. Good luck to Michigan and their fans!

Winging It In Motown

@Amerinadian19

by Amerinadian on Apr 9, 2011 10:37 AM CDT reply actions

"Just trying to avoid injury" is nothing but an excuse

Poor man coverage and sloppy turnovers do not help you avoid injuries. You don’t have to play intensely to play intelligently. Get your shit together by Wednesday, Wings.

by Rat A Tat on Apr 9, 2011 11:39 AM CDT reply actions

7-6-4 since 1 March

They only had more wins than losses in 3 of 7 months this season. They have a chance to make it 4 of 7 with a win on Sunday, but regardless, that’s pathetic for supposedly one of the best teams in the league.

by bleep bloop on Apr 10, 2011 1:28 AM CDT reply actions