By the Numbers: Sabres 6, Red Wings 2
October 15th, 2009 | by Chris Hollis |
It’s funny that they call this thing a “production chart.” How about a “lack of production chart” since the Wings didn’t seem to have much an idea of what “production” was against the Sabres. The Wings looked absolutely sluggish and completely disinterested during last night’s tilt, and the line production numbers reflect that. Five of the Sabres six goals came during 5-on-5 action, which should NEVER happen. And don’t try and pin this one on Ozzie. He didn’t play great, but he played good enough to keep this team in the game, but didn’t get an ounce of defensive support from his mates.
Before we look at what went wrong in any more depth, let’s take a look at how the line production shook out.
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**The season totals are updated here and here.
Line Production
| Forward Lines | G | A | PTS | Plus/Minus |
| Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Zetterberg | 1 | 1 | 2 | (+1) |
| Holmstrom-Abdelkader-Williams | 0 | 0 | 0 | E |
| May-Helm-Eaves | 0 | 0 | 0 | E |
| Leino-Filppula-Cleary | 0 | 0 | 0 | (-1) |
| Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi | 0 | 0 | 0 | (-1) |
| Holmstrom-Helm-Williams | 0 | 0 | 0 | (-1) |
| May-Abdelkader-Eaves | 0 | 0 | 0 | (-1) |
| Leino-Filppula-Williams | 0 | 0 | 0 | (-1) |
| Defensive Pairings | G | A | PTS | Plus/Minus |
| Lidstrom-Rafalski | 0 | 1 | 1 | E |
| Kronwall-Stuart | 0 | 0 | 0 | (-1) |
| Ericsson-Meech | 0 | 0 | 0 | (-1) |
| Lidstrom-Ericsson | 0 | 0 | 0 | (-1) |
| Kronwall-Meech | 0 | 0 | 0 | (-1) |
Special Teams Production
| Power Play Scoring | G | A | PTS |
| Cleary-Filppula-Bertuzzi-Williams-Kronwall | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Penalty Kill Goals Against(1 Down) | GA | ||
| Filppula-Cleary-Lidstrom-Ericsson | 1 |
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That’s a whole lot of red up there. What does it all mean?
Statistically, it means that it really didn’t matter who was on the ice for Detroit, because everyone was prone to giving up points. From an effort standpoint (which will get broken down even further during the CSSI) it shows that the Wings just weren’t mentally in this game. We remember some of these games from last year (see: “8 Goals Against vs. Nashville/Columbus”), but to have one happen this early in the season really shows you that this team isn’t completely “with it.”
But let’s not forget that there are alot of new faces playing with alot of new names on this team, and five games doth not make the season. That said, watching these guys play with such a lack of urgency and intensity is immensely frustrating. The Red Wings are the gold standard in terms of an NHL organization, and a half-assed effort from these players is completely unacceptable.
I’m curious to see what happens once this team gets done with their opening run of home games and heads out on an extended road trip. The hope is that they can come together and bond/gel/figure it out. The reality is that they have to do it amidst criticism, naysayers and the ever-present bulls-eye on their back. Only time will tell if they can get it to click.
Tags: Buffalo Sabres
By @craterburnsyou on Oct 15, 2009
It really depressed me to watch this game. I went to great lengths to stream it while at work, especially so since I’m a DirecTV subscriber and wouldn’t have been able to watch it on TV anyway. The first I was expecting a win with the Datsyuk to Datsyuk to Z to Bert feeds and try which looked very nice.
As soon as the 2nd started I saw there was little hope. I know the team will pick it up and pull it together enough to get to the playoffs, but that may be too late for a lot of fans. I’d say in such a difficult economy, especially so back at the home games, why are people going to pay the 20 bucks to go watch the Red Wings in a slump?
A few bad outings are nothing to worry about, but when the LA Kings(Technically my home team, but I was never a huge fan, short of seeing Gretz play) have more points than you there is cause for great concern.