lordstanley

Maybe Kasper will score his 20th and DeBrincat his 40th tomorrow.

This will be the most unsatisfying 3-game winning streak ever. Habs clinging to 3-2 lead with 4:30 to go. If the Habs can simply get it to overtime, they’re in.

A wake up call for me was when he had to get rid of Gostisbehere and Walman due to cap reasons. Before then, I figured that the meh signings of Compher and Holl and the like weren’t really tying their hands and were just placeholders until there were better options available. Add two 40-pt defensemen to this year’s team and they likely would have finished ahead of Montreal and Columbus. But I’ve already beaten that dead horse. So looking forward, what was sobering about the Sportsnet article, even though I already knew it, was how stark the math is about making the team better for next year. Unlikely to be better in goal. Committed to Talbot and Mrazek. Only room for improvement next season is Cossa but even if he does get a shot (far from certain) will he play many games (maybe 15-20 at most?) and will he already much better than the vets? I haven’t give up on him as a medium term to long term potential solution (although I don’t expect him to be Vasilevsky if that’s what Yzerman was trying to replicate), but won’t be a difference maker next year for playoffs or not. On defense, we like Seider and Edvinsson and Johansson but don’t like three we are stuck with for another year: Gustafsson, Holl, Chiarot. So barring being able to dump one of them, room to add maybe one player to have any chance of being better on defense next year? Up front, we like Raymond, Larkin, DeBrincat and Kasper. But don’t like three we are stuck with for next season in Tarasenko, Compher and Copp. If we re-sign Kane, fine, but that’s not an upgrade or change for next season. That doesn’t leave a lot of spots. Where’s the improvement next season except from Kasper continuing to get better? Maybe a full season of McLellan instead of Lalonde for a third of it could be worth a few points? I’d be more optimistic for next season if Yzerman had a smart signing planned or a shake-up trade planned, but he doesn’t have a track record in Detroit of doing so. Still looks, for now, like a 90 pt team +/- 5 points next season.

Tigers with the best record in the AL, best run differential, 2nd most runs scored behind only the Yankees.

Tigers win. I wonder if using only 2 pitchers is rarer than a complete game was 40 years ago.

What a bush league shootout. How can you not know the puck is in the net? I was wondering at the time what an odd call by Ken Daniels. So we have seen so many overtimes where refs blow whistle when they lose sight of puck, but not here. And to then not allow the Habs a retake after rewinding to the Hawks’ 1st shot? Bizarre.

Habs headed to OT. I’m watching on Amazon Prime with Ken Daniels on PBP. Will sting if he has to call a playoff clincher for another team not the Wings

Nobody’s perfect.

Habs have coughed up a 2-0 less. Imagine the freak out if they lose to the Hawks.

Still surprises me the Rangers didn’t make a run at some point in March or April. Montreal is flawed.

3-2 Stars!

Wings playing final home game, lead Dallas after 2. The game is on in my hotel room but am watching Jeopardy later. May join it later. Habs trying to clinch, still need a win

Believe it or not, I’ve defended Yzerman a lot up here. Has gotten harder the past couple of years. Canadian media and fans flipped on Yzerman after he signed Holl, Chiarot and Petry, which made so many familiar with them from Toronto and Montreal scratch their head. Canadians aren’t used to hockey execs moving at a relaxed pace and fans being mostly chill about it like Wings fans, instead of signing a Messier like the Canucks or Tavares like the Leafs or in Montreal’s case anyone with a French name. Not that making attention-grabbing signings or trades has worked out for them, as a Canadian team hasn’t won a Cup since ‘93, but it’s a different mentality. So the attached article from Sportsnet today, “Have Rebuilding Wings Already Hit Their Peak” is another sober outside perspective. I’m not familiar with writer John Beneteau but Sportsnet is the hockey establishment. Some soundbites: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/have-rebuilding-red-wings-already-hit-their-peak/ - At the root of Detroit's issues is that the team has struggled to develop prospects, which is a key factor in any rebuild that's committed to the draft. Detroit has made 50 draft picks in the past six years and only one picked outside of the first-round played a role on this year's team. - Detroit lacks true elite, superstar power, which often is only something you can address at the draft and a pay off from sinking into a rebuild. But the Wings didn't have such luck. - the production the team got from Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat and Raymond paled in comparison to other core groups from contending teams. Raymond leads the Red Wings with 75 points this season, which ranks 28th league-wide. DeBrincat’s 67 points are 48th, while Larkin’s 66 is 54th. - J.T. Compher (10 goals, 31 points in 73 games), Andrew Copp (10 goals, 23 points in 56 games) and Vladimir Tarasenko (10 goals, 31 points in 77 games) all disappointed this season. Each of these players are over 30 years old, have contracts for next season, and hold some form of no-trade clause. If Yzerman did want to move on from any of them, it won't be such an easy thing to accomplish. - the blue line is anchored down by veterans Ben Chiarot, Erik Gustafsson, Justin Holl and Jeff Petry. Of that group, only Petry is on an expiring contract so, like with the collection of signed veteran forwards, Yzerman will be challenged to change over his group, let alone upgrade it. - crowded crease of netminders that saw Cam Talbot, Alex Lyon, Ville Husso and puzzling trade deadline acquisition Petr Mrazek all make starts. Only Talbot (.905) finished with a save percentage above .900 and he (turning 38 in July) and Mrazek (33) are both under contract and figure to share the crease again next season. - the fact is the Red Wings are now securely caught in the middle, the worst place any team wants to be. There's no clear path forward, optimism is waning, management's options are slimmer than you'd like, and other teams in the rebuild phase are passing them by.

Yep, I know I was, at least a bit! Now I’m not worried about San Diego going 22-2.

I rented a car yesterday and had a 2 hr 45 min drive from the airport, starting with the Tigers down 2-0 in the 3rd inning. So the game took me much of the way then after that listened to Sirius XM’s Masters broadcast. Golf on the radio, can’t say I’ve done that more than a couple of times in my life.

A fascinating back nine. And now a playoff between two people who have lurked forever at the Masters. England v Northern Ireland.

Officially eliminated

0-0 in Toronto. Wings are a minute away from being eliminated.

Islanders and Rangers both officially eliminated. Three teams left with three to play are Montreal (87), Columbus (83) and Detroit (81). Habs can clinch with a regulation win today. One point by the Habs tonight eliminates the Wings but not the Jackets.

Minnesota Tloses.

Tigers are at 9W 5L, tied with Texas for the American League's best record. 1 1/2 game lead over Cleveland in the Central.

Dan Dickerson's call of the final out. 041225- final out vs twins.mp3