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Red Wings Victory Best Yet This Spring
The Red Wings played well Sunday in Nashville. It was their best playoff-type effort this spring, and the most encouraging performance they have put forth so far to indicate they might make a strong run for the Stanley Cup title.
Consistency is the key. Their play was much more persistent Sunday. Although I am still not sure Chris Osgood is the ultimate answer in goal, he has been very solid so far. And he has been tested, particularly by David Legwand, a number of times, on Sunday.
I think, too, it is encouraging from the Red Wings standpoint that all their lines are contributing. Jiri Hudler has played particularly well. He has great puck skills which often seemed negated by a lack of size and strength, but his performance in the playoffs thus far has been a pleasant surprise. They need Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg to score more, though.
If I’m the Wings, I’m hoping San Jose wins this next series. The Flames are built better for the playoffs than the Avalanche. Also, it would be nice to see the Wings-Avs rivalry renewed.
Random Thoughts
- You know the Tigers’ pitching is struggling when five runs allowed is considered a stellar performance.
- The Pistons loss Sunday was disappointing, but won’t be fatal. I expect them to rout the 76ers Wednesday.
- For the alleged "best backcourt in the NBA," Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton sure didn’t perform like it Sunday. They were the biggest reason the Pistons lost.
- 76ers point guard Andre Miller is fun to watch. What a terrific player in a subtle, yet remarkably, effective way.
- People often underestimate the Spurs because they underestimate Tim Duncan.
- The Tigers sure could use Jair Jurrjens about now, couldn’t they?
Consistency is the key. Their play was much more persistent Sunday. Although I am still not sure Chris Osgood is the ultimate answer in goal, he has been very solid so far. And he has been tested, particularly by David Legwand, a number of times, on Sunday.
I think, too, it is encouraging from the Red Wings standpoint that all their lines are contributing. Jiri Hudler has played particularly well. He has great puck skills which often seemed negated by a lack of size and strength, but his performance in the playoffs thus far has been a pleasant surprise. They need Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg to score more, though.
If I’m the Wings, I’m hoping San Jose wins this next series. The Flames are built better for the playoffs than the Avalanche. Also, it would be nice to see the Wings-Avs rivalry renewed.
Random Thoughts
- You know the Tigers’ pitching is struggling when five runs allowed is considered a stellar performance.
- The Pistons loss Sunday was disappointing, but won’t be fatal. I expect them to rout the 76ers Wednesday.
- For the alleged "best backcourt in the NBA," Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton sure didn’t perform like it Sunday. They were the biggest reason the Pistons lost.
- 76ers point guard Andre Miller is fun to watch. What a terrific player in a subtle, yet remarkably, effective way.
- People often underestimate the Spurs because they underestimate Tim Duncan.
- The Tigers sure could use Jair Jurrjens about now, couldn’t they?
posted by Pat Caputo at
1:09 PM
13 Comments:
Most likely a comment on your blog site has never started with this statement before:
“I was talking to my Mom last night ...”
But I was. And a bigger Atlanta Braves fan you will never see. And she thanked us. For the fine dividends being returned by Jair Jurrjens.
I explained how to pronounce his name, and then she asked why we traded him away.
“It seemed like a good idea at the time, Ma”.
But I am starting to appreciate Renteria now.
Given the Wings game was in Nashville, you most likely watched the game on the CBC. And you probably saw the McClean and his non-Cherry cohort discussing Hasek vs. Osgood. And their questioning the logic of Osgood not be the starting keeper in round 2. I have to agree. I know Hasek’s pedigree.
It’s an interesting conversation to watch.
But I am a big Galarraga fan now!
Hey Pat: I didn't like giving up JJ but the Tiger needed a shortstop because of Guillen's legs. Braves did their homework as JJ has a career WHIP 1.20. If I was the Tigers I would be beefing up the #5 guys and do a trade. The #5 is meant for the AAAA guys or young prospects not to guys that get paid 10 million a year. Are the Tiger catching lighting in a bottle concening Lopez?
They could use Jurjjens, but they sure are using Renteria. I'd still say it's a good trade.
Book,
No more trades with the Atlanta Braves. Renteris is doing extremely well but ... I fear that long after he has filed his retirement papers, JJ and Gorkys Hernandez will be starring down in Dixie.
Yesterday's game was encouraging. It provided the Tigers with a split of six road games against solid teams. I'm hoping they do as well on their next six game road trip. On that trip they face the Yankees and the Twins.
What I'd really like to see is the Tabbies chew up the foes at home. If they really plan on contending, they need to start winning two of three in the home series.
So tonight we find out who the beloved Red Wings play in the second round. I guess I lean to playing them playing the Avs mainly for the nostalgia factor being updated. Primarily, I'm glad they won't face either Dallas or San Jose. At least to the conference finals. Glad to hear the Ducks flew to the summer cottage for the season.
Fred Brill,
Renteria has played better lately, but it seems like the Tigers pitching is going to be their downfall unless it improves. I think Osgood should start. He's earned it. Hasek hasn't. At least you pretty much know what you're going to get with Ozzie.
Caputo
Barry,
Actually a couple of their pitchers have done surprisingly well, but it's the ones that were supposed to do well that are letting the Tigers down. Like the original starting staff.
Caputo
Andrew M. Fanco,
Renteria has come on. He is even showing a little more range in the field.
Caputo
Andrew Winkle,
The Tigers have won or split their last three series. That is tiny bit of speck of light at the end of the tunnel, I suppose. I agree about the Avs.
Caputo
Pat,
You may be right about the AVs but I think that Theodore might be slightly hotter than Kipper right now. I think neither team (Avs or Flames) are able to match up very well against the Wings, though. Thank God the Wings got past the first round hurdle. Also, I'm glad they get a few more days rest because they disposed of Nashville at their place.
Book, does it seem to you that when Chauncey Billups goes against the bigger point guards in the league like Baron Davis, Jason Kidd, Deron Williams and even Andre Miller he seems to not want to challenge them and backs away and his overall game suffers. It seems to me that he still doesn't believe that he is on their level and he can do to them what they do to him. When Andre Miller stepped forward in the 4th quarter it was time for him to do the same and unfortunately he did what I have witnessed before when he is challenged by guys who stare him down -missed free throws, missed shots and no impact on the game when it was on the line. He is an excellent player but it looks like he lacks confidence against the bigger guards in the NBA. Just one man's opinion....
Hollis Keys in Detroit
Book, it would have been tough but not impossible for the Wings to defeat both San Jose and Anaheim and for one am glad that the Ducks took the fall. Now we are rooting for San Jose because Kiprusoff can win a series by himself whereas Nabokov isn't as imposing a goaltender as Calgary has shown. Jose Theodore played well against Minny no doubt but Gaborik and Demitra were and are still M.I.A. Colorado would be better travel wise and interest wise for the Wings and what we saw Sunday would probably show up on a regular basis against the still despised Avs. It would be truly satisfying to send Sakic, Foote and Forsberg home for the summer AGAIN! Where's Adam Deadmarsh and Mike Ricci! Roy! Lemieux! Go Wings and the Avs still....
Hollis Keys in Detroit
Hollis Keys,
I agree. The Red Wings path has been made easier by the ouster of Anaheim, but they still need to play more consistently. Great point about Billups. He is much better against smaller point guards, even really good ones like Nash and Rondo.
Caputo
Tim,
You very well might be right about that. Theodore is playing like somebody who really has something to prove - and is proving it.
Caputo
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