Hockeytown Chat: Update

Hey Hey my fellow Wing-Nuts!

I know it has been a long while since my last blog, but I am going to do my best to bring more updates, though probably only once or twice a month; a weekly seems too much.

So far the Wings have played 38 of 90 games with a record of 24-13-1 for a total of 49 points. They are second in the Central Division and fourth overall in the Western Conference. If the playoffs started today, they would be playing the Minnesota Wild.

Out of these 38 games Jimmy Howard has played in 33 of them with a record of 23-9-1. Backup goalie Ty Conklin is recorded as playing six games. While I understand the decision to play the hot goalie, I fear that when it comes to the playoffs Howard will run out of steam and fall flat.  Or if the dreaded (knock-on-wood) injury bug hits him the players will not have the same playing chemistry with Conklin like they have with Howard.

I thought the reason for bringing in Conklin was to give Howard a reliable back-up and a back-up who is good. Yes, Conklin has four losses to his record, but playing only once in a blue moon does not help him much to be the fierce back-up goalie he needs to be either. Sure, hockey players train daily but do they really gain anything by training against their teammates only? He needs to play more to build up his confidence and not only in games when the rest of the team has run out of gas.

On a positive note I am thrilled with the production of our third and fourth lines. A team that can roll out four solid lines is a team that can win more often than the team that only roll out two solid lines. The youth and energy of these two lines will definitely be a bonus come playoff time. And knowing that these lines can produce can give the guys on the first and second lines a bit more rest during games.

What are your thoughts about the game load on Howard and our third and fourth liners?

Happy New Year and Go Wings!!