Ducks vs Red Wings Recap: 2.15.2013
Certainly not the third period we were looking for. The effort was there most of the night, but turnovers were the Red Wings’ undoing in this game. The Ducks scored 4 of their 5 goals off of turnovers. Yes, injuries are a problem, but our key injuries are to forwards and the problem was on defense. Howard did what he could, but there were too many turnovers to overcome.
More after the jump:
The first goal by Anaheim appeared to be Kronwall’s fault because he looked the most ridiculous standing there with his back to the play, but the goal scorer was Zetterberg’s man. Kronwall was responsible for the d-bag standing behind the net. Not saying he was in perfect position, but if Zetterberg has his man, that goal isn’t scored. However, it was more of a great play by the Ducks than a bad play by Zetterberg. As for their second goal, that’s just terrible luck. White’s stick explodes and goes right to Perry. Congratulations to Perry on his first NHL goal, by the way. At least I’m assuming it was his first goal ever since he celebrated like it was.
Goals 3, 4 and the empty netter were from neutral zone turnovers.
Great game by the Griffins tonight. Tatar is making Ken Holland look foolish for signing Samuelsson and I love it. Not so much that Ken looked bad, but that Tatar is taking advantage of his ice time. What little he’s given, that is. He and Andersson looked great tonight.
Speaking of Andersson, congratulations on your first goal, kid.
Un-fun Fact: The Wings are 0-2-1 when Tatar scores a goal.
Really not much else to say here. Turnovers killed us. Next game is Sunday in Minnesota where the Wings will have a chance to make up for their last two games.
LGRW
Oh, one more thing: I give Corey Emmerton all kinds of crap on this blog and talk about how he doesn't do anything. Well, the last 5-6 games he's played, I've really liked him. He's finishing checks, working hard in the corners and tonight we saw him block three straight shots from Sheldon Souray. The first two hurt him, but he kept going back for more. Outstanding work. Keep it up.
Random Abby hate seems a bit silly. He is a good 4th line center being thrown into the top-6. It's not his choice, that's Babcock.
On a different note, what is the deal with Tootoo? He hasn't been the agitating rat ball that he was supposed to be.
I agree on Emmerton. I wasn't high on him but lately he's proving himself quite well. If this team was fully healthy Kenny would have to dump Mursak down to GR. I doubt he'd be claimed, but I thought the same thing about Ritola and he isn't as good.
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Kyle Quincey has 0 points this season after 14 games. Abdelkader, now 2 games into his stint on the top line and PP unit, has 1 point in 14 games. Cleary, now 14 games into spending most of his time in the Top 6 and on the PP, has 1 point. Tootoo has as many points right now as Quincey, Abby, and Cleary combined, all of whom are playing with the top lines and on PP units. Our rookies who are putting their heart into driving themselves to stand out are the only non-Burnner or Euro Twins (Nyquist and Tatar Euro Twins 2.0?) producing a reasonable number of points relative to TOI.
I said this two seasons ago and last season- I think Babcock is a lot more hype than reality. Shoot me if you must, but this team has been winning games the last couple seasons and this one IN SPITE of his coaching. Time to try someone else who will put guys wasting space where they belong and guys working their butts off and generating chances where they belong.
Kronwall needs to step it up, badly. And Abby / Cleary on the top lines... just not working.
@moorecha I remember when everyone was excited about Abby. He was supposed to be the new Maltby. Seems like he's regressed.
@Jordan_Reis @moorecha He's got no offensive upside and mediocre defensive/physical upside. I mean, he could be a really good checker/agitator/fighter, but he either chooses not to or has been told not to do that anymore. We put our checkers on the top lines and bury the young offensive players.
