Good move. Even if he's not 100%, it's fine. Got to give the team the best chance to get 4th since it's looking pretty clear that they're not going to win a series without home ice. Unless they hit that playoff "switch" and magically turn their away game around.
Not that last night's performance was on Conklin in ANY way, shape, or form.
Sure, Howard probably would have stolen the game. Sure, if Conklin were the #1 goalie on a team, he would be expected to make some of those saves.
But a 2 on 0 breakaway? A 2 on 1? These were extreme defensive lapses. They seriously hung him out to dry. I hope people on this team and on this board realize just how badly the defense played last night and don't try to pin this on Conklin who has for the most part, played as expected for a backup these past few games. 5 points in 4 games.
Not that last night's performance was on Conklin in ANY way, shape, or form.
Sure, Howard probably would have stolen the game. Sure, if Conklin were the #1 goalie on a team, he would be expected to make some of those saves.
But a 2 on 0 breakaway? A 2 on 1? These were extreme defensive lapses. They seriously hung him out to dry. I hope people on this team and on this board realize just how badly the defense played last night and don't try to pin this on Conklin who has for the most part, played as expected for a backup these past few games. 5 points in 4 games.
I agree that the game can't be pinned on Conklin. Stuart had a terrible first period and White looked like crap on the break away feed.
That being said, I definitely did not like the way the 4th CBJ goal went in.
It's tough for us to see the forest because during the season we're standing close enough to the tree to taste it. But when the smoke's cleared and we look back on Conklin's season, if we really examine the games, we hung the poor guy out. Sure he had some lapses but his defense had far more. If we play well in front of him, he does fine. We're just so used to Jimmy stealing games and making incredible stops that we expect it from every goalie. Conklin hasn't been as horrible as people are saying but that's just the trend among online Wings fans. If someone lets us down in any way, they're the worst player in history and should be sent to the ECHL.
It's tough for us to see the forest because during the season we're standing close enough to the tree to taste it. But when the smoke's cleared and we look back on Conklin's season, if we really examine the games, we hung the poor guy out. Sure he had some lapses but his defense had far more. If we play well in front of him, he does fine. We're just so used to Jimmy stealing games and making incredible stops that we expect it from every goalie. Conklin hasn't been as horrible as people are saying but that's just the trend among online Wings fans. If someone lets us down in any way, they're the worst player in history and should be sent to the ECHL.
I could not agree with this more. Sure, there are some stops that you wish Conklin would have come up with but online wings fans seem to rarely attritbute enough blame on the players who allowed these chances to happen all game long while Conklin was in net. Well, unless those players were Hudler, Ericsson, or Kindl etc
We're at the point the season when I can say this...Friday is the most important game of the season...Howard has to go. If it was the playoffs, he'd probably play.
Is Howard even 100%? I doubt it. He probably wasn't even close to it when he came back the second time; you could just tell. His recovery from the butterfly was slow. His lateral movement was even slower. His glove hand was having a hard time reaching to get to the corners (probably didn't want to stretch) he needed to get to. Same with his blocker side.
During his return, he was relying on positioning and rebound control (hoping to swallow it up). Being out of the game for awhile, that didn't serve him to well his second return from injury.
I fear this groin injury was much worse than they lead on. If he was ready, there was no reason not to play him yesterday. I think the whole "I don't want to play him against Nashville as a first game back" is just BS. Howard did just fine against Chicago with his return from his broken finger (I do belive that was his first game back). A different injury? Of course. But I still think he's not ready, not even if they wait until after the Nashville game. This "day to day" Injury turned into weeks. It's much worse that anticipated. I'm sure he'll be rushed, even if they wait 1 game before the playoffs.
Basically, the Wings will be going into the playoffs with a broken goalie. Let's just hope Howie holds up.
It's tough for us to see the forest because during the season we're standing close enough to the tree to taste it. But when the smoke's cleared and we look back on Conklin's season, if we really examine the games, we hung the poor guy out. Sure he had some lapses but his defense had far more. If we play well in front of him, he does fine. We're just so used to Jimmy stealing games and making incredible stops that we expect it from every goalie. Conklin hasn't been as horrible as people are saying but that's just the trend among online Wings fans. If someone lets us down in any way, they're the worst player in history and should be sent to the ECHL.
This team has to play better defensively. If they play bad defence as last night, they are out quickly.
1st goals were Stuarts fault
3rd was White's
4th was Lidstrom's
Conklin can't be blamed for any, but he did not stop them either.
Kinda hoping Babcock made them practice defensive coverage during their last practice. If there was any team in any game to make sure they have it down pact at home its tomorrow. They can be defensive and ease Howard into the game. Hopefully they aren't rushing him back.
We're at the point the season when I can say this...Friday is the most important game of the season...Howard has to go. If it was the playoffs, he'd probably play.
I hope this isnt rushed, we obviously need jimmie for the playoffs, but rushing him back too soon could also have some lingering effects later on in career.
Not that last night's performance was on Conklin in ANY way, shape, or form.
Sure, Howard probably would have stolen the game. Sure, if Conklin were the #1 goalie on a team, he would be expected to make some of those saves.
But a 2 on 0 breakaway? A 2 on 1? These were extreme defensive lapses. They seriously hung him out to dry. I hope people on this team and on this board realize just how badly the defense played last night and don't try to pin this on Conklin who has for the most part, played as expected for a backup these past few games. 5 points in 4 games.
There's "pinning the game on Conklin" and then there's simply criticizing Conklin.
I agree that it was the team's fault we lossed. The Wings played like ****. If Howard played and saved our bacon, I'd still say we played like ****.
But Conklin still sucked. It doesn't have to do with pinning the game on him. He just sucked.
We're at the point the season when I can say this...Friday is the most important game of the season...Howard has to go. If it was the playoffs, he'd probably play.
Agreed. If he's healthy, he has to play. Partly because we need to win hockey games heading into the playoffs, and partly because Howard needs to get into game shape.
Is Howard even 100%? I doubt it. He probably wasn't even close to it when he came back the second time; you could just tell. His recovery from the butterfly was slow. His lateral movement was even slower. His glove hand was having a hard time reaching to get to the corners (probably didn't want to stretch) he needed to get to. Same with his blocker side.
During his return, he was relying on positioning and rebound control (hoping to swallow it up). Being out of the game for awhile, that didn't serve him to well his second return from injury.
I fear this groin injury was much worse than they lead on. If he was ready, there was no reason not to play him yesterday. I think the whole "I don't want to play him against Nashville as a first game back" is just BS. Howard did just fine against Chicago with his return from his broken finger (I do belive that was his first game back). A different injury? Of course. But I still think he's not ready, not even if they wait until after the Nashville game. This "day to day" Injury turned into weeks. It's much worse that anticipated. I'm sure he'll be rushed, even if they wait 1 game before the playoffs.
Basically, the Wings will be going into the playoffs with a broken goalie. Let's just hope Howie holds up.
I don't buy that. The Wings were in no position to rush Howard back and the Wings don't rush players back, period.
I think this is the classic scenario that fans like to point to. When a player comes back and isn't good, they say 'They rushed him back!' if he comes back and plays well, it's silent. If a player comes back and re-aggravates the injury, people think he was rushed back as well. But after 5-6 practices, MRI's, doctors and trainers clearing him? If you're able to tell someone will re-injury themselves and they can't, you're sitting on a goldmine.
If Howard is 100%, and has gone 100% in practice c couple games, then play him. If he, in any way shape or form, is not 100% he shouldn't play. Seeding is not nearly as valuable as having a fully healthy Howard and this team cannot afford to have him go down again.
The only time they are actually legit contenders is when Howard is on his game.
With the exception of Helm, it would appear that they'll be at full strength by the end of the regular season...Howard getting back is massive.
A tricky five game stretch to finish...all 5 games against potential playoff teams from both conferences. Who thought the Panthers game on Sunday would be big for both teams at this stage in the season? They'll be trying to hold off the charging Caps so winning tonight is very important. At worst, these games will be good tuneups for the playoffs...all the games will be meaningful to an extent.
With the exception of Helm, it would appear that they'll be at full strength by the end of the regular season...Howard getting back is massive.
A tricky five game stretch to finish...all 5 games against potential playoff teams from both conferences. Who thought the Panthers game on Sunday would be big for both teams at this stage in the season? They'll be trying to hold off the charging Caps so winning tonight is very important. At worst, these games will be good tuneups for the playoffs...all the games will be meaningful to an extent.
Panthers are a tricky team, they've got less regulation losses than detroit but like 16 ot losses, they're not clutch but they're in it in almost every game.
Panthers are a tricky team, they've got less regulation losses than detroit but like 16 ot losses, they're not clutch but they're in it in almost every game.
It's almost a guarantee that Fleischmann, Kopecky, Samuelsson and Matthias will each score against us. So we need to score at least 4 goals to push the game in shootout.
Detroit Red Wings@DetroitRedWings
Lineup notes: Jimmy Howard is expected to get the start in net. Jakub Kindl will play, while Kyle Quincey will be a healthy scratch.
Very interesting. I wonder if he'll even want to resign with the Wings in the off-season. Maybe he's destined to be offer-sheeted (word?) at this point.
