Jeremy Laura: Wings fall to Stars in gritty game

I was at this game and it was really hard to watch. It made it more concrete for me that Blashill needs to go. Now, before I catch any guff, I know it's relatively pointless at this time to boot him, but watching his roster management was just frustrating.

After the first line, which is the only line that looked like they were fighting for every inch until they were burnt out at the mid 3rd period after a few double shifts, the checking line was the next one that looked to be trying.

Line 2, which last night got switched up a bit to mostly Filpula, Neilsen and either Abby or Zadina, got WAY too much ice and PP time. Zadina, positives, he has flashes of great skill and a heck of a shot. He was definitely targeted last night which brought me to two conclusions. He does need to get a bit tougher cause he was knocked off the puck a bit easy in some instances, but also, where the hell was the team to help. Giavanni Smith looked like the was out to prove things and possibly start a scrap, but then.....

Giavanni Smith, this kid was all over the puck with the little ice time he got. He was energetic, laying hits, forechecking, he looked great. And Blashhill barely used him after he had great shifts. I understand the balance he may want to strike by not hanging the youngsters out to dry, but since the majority of your vets aren't doing anything, let the kids learn.

Bernier was doing all he could. The defense was atrocious. And Mike Green, hey bud, wake up, the game started 15 minutes ago!

The roster management just looked so poor. Larkin and Fabbri looked so consistent shift after shift. Bert was mostly good, but should have shot the puck a bit more, he looked like his confidence got off the longer the game went on.

Dallas looked like a varsity team in comparison. I will be patient while the captain figures things out, but there seems to be some basic coaching tenets that are just seemingly ignored.

I was at this game and it was really hard to watch. It made it more concrete for me that Blashill needs to go. Now, before I catch any guff, I know it's relatively pointless at this time to boot him, but watching his roster management was just frustrating.

After the first line, which is the only line that looked like they were fighting for every inch until they were burnt out at the mid 3rd period after a few double shifts, the checking line was the next one that looked to be trying.

Line 2, which last night got switched up a bit to mostly Filpula, Neilsen and either Abby or Zadina, got WAY too much ice and PP time. Zadina, positives, he has flashes of great skill and a heck of a shot. He was definitely targeted last night which brought me to two conclusions. He does need to get a bit tougher cause he was knocked off the puck a bit easy in some instances, but also, where the hell was the team to help. Giavanni Smith looked like the was out to prove things and possibly start a scrap, but then.....

Giavanni Smith, this kid was all over the puck with the little ice time he got. He was energetic, laying hits, forechecking, he looked great. And Blashhill barely used him after he had great shifts. I understand the balance he may want to strike by not hanging the youngsters out to dry, but since the majority of your vets aren't doing anything, let the kids learn.

Bernier was doing all he could. The defense was atrocious. And Mike Green, hey bud, wake up, the game started 15 minutes ago!

The roster management just looked so poor. Larkin and Fabbri looked so consistent shift after shift. Bert was mostly good, but should have shot the puck a bit more, he looked like his confidence got off the longer the game went on.

Dallas looked like a varsity team in comparison. I will be patient while the captain figures things out, but there seems to be some basic coaching tenets that are just seemingly ignored.
- Pavfan13

I can’t debate the points you make. I share the frustration regarding Zadina. He’s been left out there to be a piñata. You are right, the most notable forwards are the top line and grinders. Regardless of lack of talent, I do expect players to stand up for each other.

There is a general lapse all around and this season can’t end soon enough for a lot of Wings fans, and possibly players. with Mantha and A.A. both out, it certainly doesn’t help matters. Still, apart from playing Larkin/Bert/Fabbri 45 minutes a night the long term answers don’t seem to be present at the moment.

Seider is garnering a lo of praise for his leadership on the German squad. He’s gritty, sees the ice well and seems to have maturity and compete. It would be fantastic to see him in Detroit next season

Smith was starting to get into a groove and had he been put back out, probably kept mixing things up. Larking almost looked like he was going to go after someone's head but he can't be the one doing that all the time and taking himself off the ice. If Blash had any worry for that balance of protecting the kids, Smith or Abby should have been given a directive to make an example of the next person who took a run at anyone. Let alone, the punk who clearly boarded Zadina, to no call at all.

I think you'd see less of the dirty and cheap shots if MacIlrath was on the ice. He's a bonafide heavyweight and he sticks up for his teammates. He's in the middle of every scrum... but rarely finds a dance partner because he's intimidating and the other players don't want to get KO'd or risk injury. But for some reason Lashoff gets called up instead.

Smith was starting to get into a groove and had he been put back out, probably kept mixing things up. Larking almost looked like he was going to go after someone's head but he can't be the one doing that all the time and taking himself off the ice. If Blash had any worry for that balance of protecting the kids, Smith or Abby should have been given a directive to make an example of the next person who took a run at anyone. Let alone, the punk who clearly boarded Zadina, to no call at all.
- Pavfan13

I agree. Larkin wants to fight but gets discouraged by the coaching staff. Someone else needs to carry that torch. Smith, for sure, can get guys attention. He is powerful and relentless. I don’t by any means want to relegate him, I believe he has a lot of value to the team going forward, but his presence may help a great deal

I think you'd see less of the dirty and cheap shots if MacIlrath was on the ice. He's a bonafide heavyweight and he sticks up for his teammates. He's in the middle of every scrum... but rarely finds a dance partner because he's intimidating and the other players don't want to get KO'd or risk injury. But for some reason Lashoff gets called up instead.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I tend to agree. These western swings bring about a lot more need for protection for the kids. Heck, even Toronto took some liberties. With the season lost, it’s time to put some insurance on the ice for Zadina and others

Courtesy of SB Nation, here is tonight's projected lineup against the Blackhawks:

Fowards:

Robby Fabbri - Dylan Larkin - Tyler Bertuzzi

Givani Smith - Valtteri Filppula - Filip Zadina

Darren Helm - Frans Nielsen - Luke Glendening

Justin Abdelkader - Christoffer Ehn - Adam Erne


Defense:

Patrik Nemeth - Filip Hronek

Trevor Daley - Madison Bowey

Brian Lashoff - Mike Green


Jonathan Bernier

Jimmy Howard

This is one game I hope they win. Otherwise, I'm all in for the Tank to secure the best draft pick they can get in the top 4. Still hoping MacIlrath gets a call-up soon to help protect our young core and prospects.

Courtesy of SB Nation, here is tonight's projected lineup against the Blackhawks:

Fowards:

Robby Fabbri - Dylan Larkin - Tyler Bertuzzi

Givani Smith - Valtteri Filppula - Filip Zadina

Darren Helm - Frans Nielsen - Luke Glendening

Justin Abdelkader - Christoffer Ehn - Adam Erne


Defense:

Patrik Nemeth - Filip Hronek

Trevor Daley - Madison Bowey

Brian Lashoff - Mike Green


Jonathan Bernier

Jimmy Howard

This is one game I hope they win. Otherwise, I'm all in for the Tank to secure the best draft pick they can get in the top 4. Still hoping MacIlrath gets a call-up soon to help protect our young core and prospects.
- Vladdie_Kon1

it’s funny, this year there are still games you get up for and I totally get it. A win would be pretty sweet

The Blackhawk faithful chanting "Detroit Sucks" and Zadina buries it behind Crawford to shut them up. LOL... Beautiful shot... threaded the needle short-side. Let's hope we see more of that from him.