I've said it before, I"ll say it again. Win those games in regulation. We shouldn't be going to the shootout.
Smith, 5pts, -5 in last 38 games
- Thread starter SoupGuru
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I've said it before, I"ll say it again. Win those games in regulation. We shouldn't be going to the shootout.
The Zermanator
In Yzerman We Trust
- Jan 21, 2013
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Yeah, you're right about regulation and overtime. And anybody saying Howard is the problem in shootouts is biased or deluding themselves. He's definitely part of the problem but the shooters are equally at fault. Essentially, Howard typically allows 2/3 attempts and our shooters only score 1/3. The rare occasion when our shooters score 2, Howard allows 3. But again, you're right. This is irrelevant if we win in regulation/overtime.
I guess the silver lining is that there are no shootouts in the playoffs. But it's still a concern that they can't seem to put these games away when they are in overtime, which could come back to bite them in the playoffs.
I think their stretch of shootouts could be just an anomaly. If they converted half of them to regulation wins they would be #1 in the league and well ahead. We shall see what the 2nd half brings but I doubt they end up in as many shootouts.
It is worth noting that they are pretty reluctant to be put away themselves. They are among the fewest in losses in the NHL.
I agree about it likely being an anomaly, but because I sort of see it as a crapshoot. Get some luck, you win. Other guys get some luck, they win. Win it in regulation, though, and you aren't so much at the mercy of the hockey gods. Often going into OT and shootouts says one of two things to me: either we're not keeping our leads or we're never having them. I don't have any numbers on it, but it seems like it's the former. Not being able to hold onto a lead late, while a team is pressing, doesn't bode well for the playoffs where intensity as a whole is upped.
But it's something that I think only really comes with experience, though, and a lot of guys we rely on are still cutting their teeth a bit at the NHL level.
I would prefer to see them pressing a bit more especially late in games when they have the lead. However I meant the number of games ending in shootouts is a bit of an anomaly. I don't really care if they win shootouts or not. I would just like to see them pressing and pressuring a bit more so they win in regulation. I expect we will see that more in the second half.
The Zermanator
In Yzerman We Trust
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That's true, but I meant more in the sense that once the playoffs (and continuous OT) starts someone has to score eventually.
So they're good at not allowing a goal in 5 minutes of OT, but they're also not very good at scoring one in those 5 minutes. When the 20 minute OTs start, will they be able to prevent the other team from scoring long enough for them to finally score? That's what concerns me. Babcock plays such a shutdown style in sudden death situations but the game doesn't end until someone scores, and it's hard to do that when your offensive game is stifled. And eventually someone is going to slip up and make a mistake that ends in your net.
Mount Suribachi
Registered User
Every team goes to the shootout. Every. Team.
Ironically, the teams with the fewest shootout games are Dallas and Minnesota, with 3 each. The tied-for-first Ducks have had the most shoot-out games with 10.
Make of that what you will.
I think the lack of pressing makes it less of an anomaly, but I'm hoping/expecting it to get better in the second half, too. I mean, these guys are pretty much the same guys who won at GR, so we know they respond well to bigger situations. It just takes time to make that same kind of step at the NHL level. If they don't start closing games out better in the second half, I wouldn't be surprised by a quick flameout in the playoffs again, though.
The Ducks also have a growing reputation of a team that is a bit of a paper tiger when the playoffs then roll around. And part of that is they don't finish teams off, and close out games. Dallas and Minnesota, on the other hand, are never in the games in the first place.
From glancing at the standings, it seems most teams have gone to the shootout five or six times. Take two or three of our shootout losses and turn them into regulation wins, and we're leading our division with games in hand over TB.
Kronwalled55
Detroit vs. Everybody
Didn't someone post a stat a month or so back that said the last time the Wings scored 2 goals in the shootout with Howard in net was like early 2013? 2012? Pretty sure that's been broken since, but I think that's a telling story there.
ArGarBarGar
What do we want!? Unfair!
- Sep 8, 2008
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Since 2012. That is still continuing.
They scored two or more with Mrazek, but still lost in extra innings.
Run the Jewels
Make Detroit Great Again
This thread has obviously gone off the rails. To get back to the topic, Smith is likely to never materialize into a bonafide point producer. At best he could become a Brad Stuart like player, who was drafted early on due to offensive potential that never developed at the NHL level. However both are good at being physical and make more than their fair share of boneheaded plays. Now if only we could trade Smith for the equivalent of Joe Thornton like San Jose did when they sent Stuart to Boston. 
This thread has obviously gone off the rails. To get back to the topic, Smith is likely to never materialize into a bonafide point producer. At best he could become a Brad Stuart like player, who was drafted early on due to offensive potential that never developed at the NHL level. However both are good at being physical and make more than their fair share of boneheaded plays. Now if only we could trade Smith for the equivalent of Joe Thornton like San Jose did when they sent Stuart to Boston.
I think it is still far too early to tell where Smith tops out but I think Deykeyser will always be the better player and especially so offensively. However there is a long way to go before we know what either are going to be.
Classicnamesup
MVP Backhand Slapper
In a perfect world we would. Just being adequate at the shootout isn't too much to ask, especially considering how many we have.
This is true. They win more than twice as much as they lose. Cancel out a few ties in the first half and we are starting to pull away from the pack. I won't be at all surprised if they have less ties in the 2nd half and they win the conference. I think when water finds its' level over the course of the season the Wings will come out on top.
Smith has been Detroit's worst player on this road trip IMO. Too bad, he was looking like a bit less of a meathead recently. Mrazek was unimpressive last night too, but he gets a pass IMO as he's a kid that's been tossed into the fire with 7 starts in a row. Smith should be making Petr's job easier at this point...not complicating it.
Hammettf2b
oldmanyellsatcloud.jpg
InjuredChoker
Registered User
JPE123
Registered User
- Jan 23, 2013
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I've been one of Smith's biggest supporters but I'm ready to throw in the towel. Maybe a change of scenery works for him
Mort Divine
Registered User
Yeah, I don't know why they haven't been doing this. It has been shown to work very well.
Frk It
Mo Seider Less Problems
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I'm not a big fan of promoting players who are playing poorly typically. Doubt they are either.
Though then again we are talking about the team who played Cleary with Datsyuk to try to "get him going ", lmao.
