Wings Recap...a little late I know!

Posted 9:12 AM ET | Comments 3

(I was out sick yesterday so I apologize for no post on the Wings game from Monday night but here are some thoughts on that)

If there is such thing as a moral victory the game against the Wings on Monday was one such game. This was a frustrating game to watch as a Preds fan as chance after chance was stoned by a red hot Chris Osgood. Osgood is in the midst of a career year and with Hasek playing well again Detroit's duo in goal looks pretty tough.

With the exception of the first period I think the Preds outplayed the Wings the rest of the way but Osgood just wouldn't let us back in. I honestly cannot remember a game against the Wings when i saw us sustain pressure in their end for such extended periods of time. When we were five on five we seemed to really control the tempo of the play and kept on their side of the ice...and against this puck possession team that is saying something.

I'm not sure if our power play was awful or if the Wings penalty kill was just that bad. The Wings were outstanding on the PK never letting us get set up and really challenging the shooter. That coupled with Osgood's play forced the Preds to go 0-7. (the Preds by the way played great as well not allowing the Wings a goal in six attempts)

Dan Ellis played well and really gave this team a chance a win which is just what he is supposed to do. He didn't leave too many rebounds out there for the Wings but he did dodge a few bullets when the Wings misses a couple open net chances (the same could be said for us). I know he would love to have that first goal back and you can't fault him on the penalty shot...it was a great move.

Marek Zidlicky has become a huge liability. I guess his D has always been a little suspect but it was excused when he was putting up points. Now, however, his offensive output is nearly gone and he appears lost and out of position much of the time. Our D, once considered the strength of this team, has become a huge weak spot. While I appreciate a D man jumping up in the play on occasion I feel our guys do it way too much.

Avs in town tomorrow night...get to the rink if you can it should be a great match up!

Filed Under: predators red wings predjoe osgood dan ellis defense

blueline

December 12, 2007 11:10 AM ET | Delete
Good job by Dan in goal. Glad you pointed out that our pk did a great job as Wings entered game 3rd in the NHL on pp (and 6th on pk), as pointed out game night by Pete and Terry. Interestingly, I left the game feeling pretty positive overall and did not sense despondence from Pred fans as they left the building. While it was an exciting game for all, I bet a Pred goal late in the third followed by a victory, would have lifted the place off its foundation.

predswilrule

December 12, 2007 4:41 PM ET | Delete
i too thought we played well enough to win most games. but the wings arent most teams. i will say this. i like our dmen pinching and being aggresive cause you cant beat detroit being pasive. we just cant make the type mistakes we made early.

predjoe

December 12, 2007 4:51 PM ET | Delete
I love to see the D pinch in too...it adds another layer that makes us tougher to defend but we have to pick our times and we need to be sure that the point gets covered.

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