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Red Wings At A Crossroad
Despite falling behind two games to none to the San Jose Sharks following a second straight 4-3 loss Sunday, I still think the Red Wings have a good chance to win the Western Conference semifinal series.
I don't see where the Sharks have outplayed the Red Wings the first two games. The Sharks had a huge break go their way Sunday - an odd man rush caused by a broken stick on Nicklas Lidstrom's shot attempt.
To their credit, the Sharks took advantage of the situation with a goal - the overrated Joe Thornton tapping in a rebound for just his 13th goal in 84 career playoff games.
Jimmy Howard didn't necessarily play poorly in net for the Red Wings, but four goals are too many to allow in the playoffs. It did seem strange for the Red Wings to allow 45 shots on net. They are normally the ones peppering the goal. The Red Wings had a 3-2 lead - and didn't play well with it.
There will be a lot of complaints about the officiating following this game - and it is justified. Weird calls - both ways. It wasn't like the referees let the players decide the issue. Brad Watson and Kevin Pollack were, truth be told, awful.
The Henrk Zetterberg-Todd Bertuzzi-Valtteri Filppula line was badly outplayed again. Joe Pavelski has suddenly become the second coming of Wayne Gretzky and must be stopped,if the Red Wings hope to rally and win this series.
Could be time for Mike Babcock to shake up his lines. With the matchup advantage on home ice, it'll be interesting what line he pits against Pavelski's line.
If the Red Wings win on Tuesday, the pressure will be shifted back to the Sharks, whose persistent playoff failure defines their history. If the Red Wings win on Tuesday and Thursday - and I have little doubt they will win this series. The Sharks don't repond well to be thrown back on their heels. The key for the Red Wings is to put them there.
The Red Wings didn't come out of the gate quickly in Game 1 - and paid the price for it. They played too loose with the puck after taking the lead Sunday - and paid the price for it.
Similar mistakes Tuesday - and they'll pay an even bigger price.
They won't win this series.
Random Thoughts
- Joe Mauer's misfortune - a badly bruised heel - is the Tigers' fortune this week heading into a 3-game series at Minnesota. The Twins survived well without Justin Morneau last September. Can't see them handling the absence of Mauer nearly as well.
- Justin Verlander is only 15 months older than Tim Lincecum, but has 23 more career wins. Funny how people overact to the first month of the season - one way or another. In baseball, water finds its proper level. Who would be shocked if Verlander throws another no hitter this season?
My Column in Monday's Oakland Press on the minor league baseball disaster known as the Oakland County Cruisers: http://tinyurl.com/2c6xg5n
I don't see where the Sharks have outplayed the Red Wings the first two games. The Sharks had a huge break go their way Sunday - an odd man rush caused by a broken stick on Nicklas Lidstrom's shot attempt.
To their credit, the Sharks took advantage of the situation with a goal - the overrated Joe Thornton tapping in a rebound for just his 13th goal in 84 career playoff games.
Jimmy Howard didn't necessarily play poorly in net for the Red Wings, but four goals are too many to allow in the playoffs. It did seem strange for the Red Wings to allow 45 shots on net. They are normally the ones peppering the goal. The Red Wings had a 3-2 lead - and didn't play well with it.
There will be a lot of complaints about the officiating following this game - and it is justified. Weird calls - both ways. It wasn't like the referees let the players decide the issue. Brad Watson and Kevin Pollack were, truth be told, awful.
The Henrk Zetterberg-Todd Bertuzzi-Valtteri Filppula line was badly outplayed again. Joe Pavelski has suddenly become the second coming of Wayne Gretzky and must be stopped,if the Red Wings hope to rally and win this series.
Could be time for Mike Babcock to shake up his lines. With the matchup advantage on home ice, it'll be interesting what line he pits against Pavelski's line.
If the Red Wings win on Tuesday, the pressure will be shifted back to the Sharks, whose persistent playoff failure defines their history. If the Red Wings win on Tuesday and Thursday - and I have little doubt they will win this series. The Sharks don't repond well to be thrown back on their heels. The key for the Red Wings is to put them there.
The Red Wings didn't come out of the gate quickly in Game 1 - and paid the price for it. They played too loose with the puck after taking the lead Sunday - and paid the price for it.
Similar mistakes Tuesday - and they'll pay an even bigger price.
They won't win this series.
Random Thoughts
- Joe Mauer's misfortune - a badly bruised heel - is the Tigers' fortune this week heading into a 3-game series at Minnesota. The Twins survived well without Justin Morneau last September. Can't see them handling the absence of Mauer nearly as well.
- Justin Verlander is only 15 months older than Tim Lincecum, but has 23 more career wins. Funny how people overact to the first month of the season - one way or another. In baseball, water finds its proper level. Who would be shocked if Verlander throws another no hitter this season?
My Column in Monday's Oakland Press on the minor league baseball disaster known as the Oakland County Cruisers: http://tinyurl.com/2c6xg5n
posted by Pat Caputo at
11:05 PM
9 Comments:
Not to change the subject but how about a story on local pro golfer Tom Gillis who's having a good year on the PGA tour. So far, he's made the cut in 9 of 11 events entered and had a best finish T-8th at Pebble and just finished T-17th at Quail Hollow. Give the guy some kudos for grinding it out there,~RG- Waterford
Pat,
With the Tigers playing so many games against the Angels I have had many opportunites to watch the games out on the west coast. They continue to play better than I expected and both Damon and Jackson I think have been pretty good additions to the team. The Tigers and the Angels really appear to be similar in their lineups. They both have a couple solid guys in the middle of the order (Cabrera, Ordonez, Damon vs. Hunter, Matsui, Abreu) blended in with a bunch of guys with some mediocre stats. With Jackson playing pretty well and Granderson now on the DL it is making Dombrowski look pretty smart at this point. It's a long season so I'm curious to see how things shake out, but it sure looks like Jackson has a lot of potential. That guy is really fun to watch out in the field. You've mentioned before the beating Laird is taking from the fans, but this guy has to pick it up at the plate. I mean the guy isn't even hitting .200 and I don't know how they can play a whole season with an almost guaranteed out every time he comes up. I know he gets a lot of credit for his defense but my observation is this is based strictly on his ability to throw guys out. Watch the guy closely behind the plate, he is not the best at blocking pitches in the dirt (his feet are lazy) and he has been costing his pitchetrs strikes on close pitches (his glove is lazy on framing pitches that are right on the fringe).
lil rob
Pat,
Verlander was dominant yesterday afternoon. It might be the second best start I've seen from him in person, other than the no-hitter of course. His transformation throughout the game was astouding. He couldn't get the curve over the plate for the first few innings, overpowering hitters on the fastball/changeup combination. When he started getting on top of the curve and started mixing in the slider as well, the Angels didn't stand a chance. I think Torii Hunter said it was almost like a video game.
In my opinion, he's the most talented starting pitcher the Tigers have had since Denny McLain, and it isn't even close. It's hard to argue with Jack Morris's success, but I think, stuff-wise, he doesn't hold a candle to JV. If Verlander stays healthy, and I know that's a huge "if" for a power pitcher, he should end up with a Hall of Fame career. I just hope he doesn't fizzle out like a McLain, Gooden, or Prior because I'm greedy and want to enjoy watching him for a long time.
Travis
RG,
Good idea.
Caputo
RG,
Good idea.
Caputo
lll rob,
Disagree on Morris. Threw just as hard. They used a different type of radar gun that measured speed as ball crossed the plate rather than out of hand. Morris would have consistently thrown in high 90s and Verlander doesn't have a split-finger like Morris. They are very similar in that they are both exceptional athletes (Morris would keep up with Kirk Gibson in sprints and Verlander has extraordinary quickness, which is why is pick off move is so good) with great size and arm strength. It's a rare combo. I feel Verlander is potential Hall of Famer.
Caputo
Travis is Lil Rob in post about Morris-Verlander. Sorry about that.
Travis is Lil Rob in post about Morris-Verlander. Sorry about that.
Lil rob,
It's a little mislesding both fronts. Angels are probably better than they showed over weekend, and Tigers not as good. But a good start is important. It can set the tone for the entire season. Tigers success to this point and way the trade is looking to this stage can't be dismissed.
Caputo
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