lordstanley

I'd fire him. I don't think Yzerman will.

Causes for 2024-25 playoff concern: - 91 pts is a lower than normal cut off for a playoff spot - Wings got key contributions from players like Kane and Gostisbehere who may not be back - Other than a full season of Edvinsson, I'm not sure who we can expect from GR to make a meaningful positive contribution to the Wings as soon as next year Causes for 2024-25 playoff optimism - I don't think the depth in the Eastern Conference is that great. Among playoff teams, Boston (finally) and Tampa could drop next year. Bubble teams Washington and Pittsburgh will likely drop some more. Jersey probably will be better, Philly may not be, Islanders will be similar to this year. In other words, Wings are not locked out of the playoffs by any means - The Wings were 11th in the league through the end of February. They were doing something right for 3/4 of the season. I think a better coach would have somehow got them through March better. Although maybe this shouldn't be listed as an optimism point, since I think Lalonde will be back. - I think the Wings can get better goaltending next year. Maybe that's a Lyon-Cossa platoon. Lyon dropped off this year, but maybe it was because he was overworked for a couple of months due to Reimer and Husso injuries. I never really thought he played "out of his mind", as in not repeatable. - I actually think the Wings will sign Ghost but move on from Kane. Not a lot of money to play with, so no room for a star, but should be able to add a contributor.

The playoffs are not a lock for the Wings next season.

I’m not mad at Philly or anything. You have 82 games to make your playoff case. But this call and the empty netter were part of the night’s drama.

Excuse the rather poor quality, but here is Ken Kal’s cal of the goal with 3 seconds to go. Wings Tie It - Ken Kal.m4a

It sucks missing the playoffs, but starting with the Buffalo game it felt like a play-in round and the Wings 4-1-1 with the Pens, Leafs, Habs and Habs games all going to OT and all giving classic memories.

Plus the Wings' goal moments before had eliminated them anyways.

Caps win. Wings eliminated. But man, exciting until the last second. 90 pt season. Let's win this shootout.

7.7 seconds to save season.

I thought the Wings would be given at least one powerplay this period after killing 4 minutes of penalties at the end of the 2nd.

Wings give up 4 goals in a game ...again. Wings trail ...again.

With Caps, Flyers, Wings and Pens still having hope.

Maybe I'm just especially attuned it the last few games because the stakes have been so high, but it seems like there has been an unusually high amount of turnovers by Red Wings defensemen this week in their zone. Not just Petry. Also Seider, Edvinsson.

Wings tied 1-1 after 1. Caps up 1-0 after 1 on a late deflected goal by Ovechkin

Seider rocket ties it.

Habs open the scoring in a well-executed 2 on 1. Nothing is easy.

And definitely Dan in the radio booth should go solo. Monroe joining him on Sunday like he does occasionally was brutal. Nails on the chalkboard.

The entertainment value this season has been a 9 out of 10. Just in the last week alone, fighting back from 2 down late to take the Pens to OT, blowing a big lead to Toronto but winning in OT, falling into a big hole to Montreal but winning in OT. Before that, being in the top 5 in the NHL for goals scored and starting 2024 with a 16-4-2 stretch which showed that for awhile the Wings could play with anyone. The ups and downs are what make being a sports fan memorable. But I'm not going to let them off the hook for a 4-11-2 stretch, and if the Wings miss the playoffs Lalonde should be on the hot seat. I just think there's a bit of tendency for the Red Wings brass to say stuff like "no one dreamed we'd be in position" when in reality they're neither outperforming not underperforming expectations for this season - as shown in the preseason thread, most of us expected them to be around 90 points and on the playoff bubble. Which at 89 points and tied for the last playoff spot with 1 game to go is exactly where they are.

Reminded me of Roman Wilson on the tying drive in the Rose Bowl. Gostisbehere not only did a great job of jumping to catch it, but then the quick deft pass that if at all careless could have been intercepted for an easy empty netter.

Et on francais...