Michael Stuart: Outcoached, Outplayed, Outscored

Outcoached! i couldnt agree with you more!

Mrazek shut them out mar 28 and it was tampas first time being shutout in 126 games. Now another. Don't plan that cup parade yet. I'll see you at game 5. With my illegal wings shirt

everybody owes bishop an apology

The Wings experience is surfacing.

Somebody remind these guys that they're in the Second Season. They still playing like its the regular season with their cute passes. They need to learn to play playoff hockey.

The Lightning have shown all season that they are a pretty resilient team. I fully expect the series to be 2-2 heading back to Tampa. The game could have been much different with a few bounces going opposite ways (e.x., Detroit's first goal, and Tyler Johnson out front). No need to panic.

Stamkos absent during the last 2 minutes did I notice (not on the ice?).

Must be hurt or something going on.

Drouin needs to be in!!!! And this extra pass needs to stop! Cooper! Babcock is on to you time to change

Drouin needs to be in!!!! And this extra pass needs to stop! Cooper! Babcock is on to you time to change
- todd1a

Cooper has stated that everyone will play. Drouin in for Vladdy.

Stamkos absent during the last 2 minutes did I notice (not on the ice?).

Must be hurt or something going on.
- MedicineMan

I was wondering the same thing. They pull the goalie and no stamkos? Something is up with that.

I think the next game is similar, more hits and scuffles, tight play for space and low in score, with us taking a loss. Tampa is too good to be totally shut down.

I think the turning point of the game was Detroit killing that 5-3. That was HUGE. Also.. Mrazek's save on Boyle's breakaway.

Now Tampa's fans see how valuable Abdekader is to the Wings. He's turned into a great power forward. That setup to Sheahan for the 2nd goal was perfect. The Wings are a MUCH better team when they break up Zetterberg and Datsyuk and put them on separate lines. Was hoping he was going to do that for game 2... but nope. Pretty sure they'll be on separate lines the rest of the series.

What's that one win in 7 playoff games now with this core?

Some teams just know how to play in the playoffs, and others are lost. Tampa is lost.
Not enough grit and character

I think the turning point of the game was Detroit killing that 5-3. That was HUGE. Also.. Mrazek's save on Boyle's breakaway.

Now Tampa's fans see how valuable Abdekader is to the Wings. He's turned into a great power forward. That setup to Sheahan for the 2nd goal was perfect.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Couldn't agree more. The turning point was absolutely that 5-3 kill. The Lightning also played a far different game than game 2. They were less physical.

What's that one win in 7 playoff games now with this core?

Some teams just know how to play in the playoffs, and others are lost. Tampa is lost.
Not enough grit and character
- QuickSCF

This isn't a "grit and character" thing. And Cooper did not coach the ECF against Boston. They have lost 6 with this "core."

The Lightning have shown all season that they are a pretty resilient team. I fully expect the series to be 2-2 heading back to Tampa. The game could have been much different with a few bounces going opposite ways (e.x., Detroit's first goal, and Tyler Johnson out front). No need to panic.
- Let.It.Roll

Yep. Next game will be interesting to see how the Boltz come out. One doesn't quite know how they will respond since this bunch doesn't really have any history but last years series (for fair amount of this team). I would think a big push since they don't want to go back down 3-1.
Wings definitely had the edge in energy/emotion/hits etc with Zidlicky hitting a post with the Wings up 1-0. Those "bounces." This win was an important one for about 1/2 dozen of the guys who were a part of the Boston series last year.

Buckle up. Gonna be fun!

Easy, easy there Quick. It hasnt anything to do with character. Its experience. Both on the players and coaches.

This series is a long way from over. I can still see it going 7 games.

Interesting stat: Tampa has the best home record of all playoff teams... AND the worst road record of all playoff teams. If Mrazek continues to find his groove this will be a good series for the Wings. It will be interesting to see if or how Cooper juggles his lines for game 4 in response to the new lines for Detroit.

Stamkos injured ?? Didn't see him in the last few minutes.

Detroit more than earned the win tonight, but the lightning's play today was embarrassing. From the beginning to the end of the game the Lightning seemed to play with no energy or jump in their step. Shift after shift failed breakouts, turnovers(and more turnovers and more turnovers...), atrocious power play, and worst of all, NO second chance opportunities. I don't care What team your playing, if you just take shots from outside of the dots all day and don't go and crash the net for rebound opportunities(happened in game one too) you aren't going to have a good chance of winning that hockey game. The Lightning are making it way to easy for Mrazek. Almost as bad as the lack of second opportunities was the failure to convert on the 6 powerplays, one of which was a 5-3, to tie the game when we were down by one. Just embarrassing, I thought the bolts would turn up the pressure after a lackluster first period, but I was wrong. Cooper has got to light a fire under his players a s s ' s if this happens again later in the series.

I guess betting against the Wings in the playoffs is a poor investment.

I guess betting against the Wings in the playoffs is a poor investment.
- StargateSG1

Betting on an experienced team with one of the best coaches in the game is absolutely a poor investment.

Somebody remind these guys that they're in the Second Season. They still playing like its the regular season with their cute passes. They need to learn to play playoff hockey.
- TheConsiglierre

Yeah I know, although everyone was trying to make the cute little passes which led to turnovers, it was especially evident with the triplets line tonight who couldn't seem to generate much of anything except for the one palat pass that went through johnson's legs. Need to make the smart passes not the potentially amazing ones.

Somebody remind these guys that they're in the Second Season. They still playing like its the regular season with their cute passes. They need to learn to play playoff hockey.
- TheConsiglierre

Yeah I know, although everyone was trying to make the cute little passes which led to turnovers, it was especially evident with the triplets line tonight who couldn't seem to generate much of anything except for the one palat pass that went through johnson's legs. Need to make the smart passes not the potentially amazing ones.

What i saw was a team that played like it was a regular season game. No energy. No urgency.

Be glad we're not Blackhawk fans... they'd be gloating and trolling all night long. And still whining about how they got screwed by the officials.