11/05/24
March 28, 2006
Do teams prepare less for teams they should beat leading to the playoffs?: The Red Wings lose to Columbus. So what? Columbus is out of it and the Wings are among the elite teams, so why should they try as hard in a meaningless game? Or are they and other playoff bound teams setting themselves up for failure by losing momentum? The Wings are facing 3 teams, twice, that won't make it to the playoffs, so should they or other top teams rest their great players and just phone the games in? What's more important, health or momentum?
posted by commander cody to hockey at 12:37 AM - 25 comments
But, that said, 'momentum' isn't so much important as mindset and attitude going into the game... especially at the pro level, I don't think momentum applies except within game, i.e. a game changing bodycheck or spectacular goal - look at the intensity of a 7 game playoff series that goes to the very end, with lots of overtime play - both teams have the right attitude and desire to win, 'momentum' isn't very important in my opinion.
posted by insomnyuk at 02:26 AM on March 28, 2006
well the wings smoked st.louis tonite,which i'm glad..i've seen too many teams go slack,after clinching a playoff berth,then get sloppy,thinkin they can turn it on,like a switch..the ducks torched the wings a couple of years ago..if i remember correctly,in the first round..ottawa is bad for that too,cause the leafs keep kicking their butts in the first round....
posted by ktown at 02:42 AM on March 28, 2006
I think that there are different degrees of 'slacking' in hockey. On one hand, your team could be sitting some key players, giving them some rest to recharge their batteries for the playoffs (and to hide their shaving kits). Then you have the overconfidence bug that hits teams when they are either top-tier teams playing inferior teams, or they have what they think is an 'insurmountable lead' where they just have to play prevent defense and keep away. In today's hockey, you can not do that. The rules are set up for high-speed wide open offenses. How many times have you said to yourself, "Wow, taking away the red line kick's ass!"
posted by wingnut4life at 06:25 AM on March 28, 2006
By the way, The Captain scored his 690th career goal against St. Louis. That puts him in a tie with Super Mario for 8th place all-time...
posted by wingnut4life at 06:41 AM on March 28, 2006
Teams slack all the time. Hockey is such an emotional 'in the moment' game that some games you get up for, and some you don't. When the Red Wings lose to a Columbus it's traditionally the result of the Blue Jackets putting in a superior effort. If they're both putting in an equal amount of effort, then the Wings would win - since they are the more talented team. It's obviously not an exact science but over the grind of 82 games, you're damn right guys take "nights off".
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:27 AM on March 28, 2006
I think teams that are playoff bound should still play hard every night to keep their edge, even against "bad" teams. What I don't understand though is, once the playoff picture is set, why do two teams that have been eliminated even have to play each other? I mean if you or your opponent were both out of it, why take a chance on someone getting hurt in a meaningless game?
posted by commander cody at 11:44 AM on March 28, 2006
once the playoff picture is set, why do two teams that have been eliminated even have to play each other? By then it's a competition for more balls in the draft lottery. Also, the Wings can lose to the Blue Jackets even when they're playing their darndest. This is hockey, there are no guaranteed outcomes.
posted by qbert72 at 12:06 PM on March 28, 2006
once the playoff picture is set, why do two teams that have been eliminated even have to play each other? Are you suggesting that once teams are eliminated that they just end their season and go on vacation? That just won't work, in addition to what qbert says there are TV/Radio and numerous other contracts that have to be fullfilled. Season ticket holders have to be entertained. There are many, many reasons why two teams that have been eliminated even have to play each other, not least of all is league credibility.
posted by Termite at 12:30 PM on March 28, 2006
A full house can gross an NHL team something like a million and a half bucks per game in gate receipts alone. (And even in the backwaters, most of those tickets are presold, so even if no one shows, those tickets are paid for.) And then there's all the concession workers and arena staff who need to be paid, and the surrounding places that rely on extra business being thrown their way, not to mention the media outlets who need the news and discussion topics, the players who might have incentives in their contracts (or who are auditioning for next year), and the Jean-Claude Van Damme movies that need to be shot. Aside from the final point (I was stretching, I know), I wouldn't call that meaningless, no matter what the records of the teams involved may be.
posted by chicobangs at 01:17 PM on March 28, 2006
well i don't think the players should be slacking off..whether playoff bound or not..however,i think its ok that the playoff teams should rest their star players,or injured ones..but not to have playing 70% hard,because the others players will see this an follow suit..as for non-playoff teams,the incentive is there,to start tanking games to get better odds on winning the draft lottery...funny part is..bettman introduced it to prevent it,but instead of a couple of teams trying it, you got 5 or more doing it....ass-backwards if you ask me...
posted by ktown at 03:14 PM on March 28, 2006
WHO CARES IT'S ONLY HOCKEY.
posted by kckurtbusch at 07:34 PM on March 28, 2006
WHO CARES IT'S ONLY HOCKEY. 
posted by wingnut4life at 08:21 PM on March 28, 2006
winger, You the man!
posted by Termite at 09:21 PM on March 28, 2006
lol !!wingnut got my vote...!!!
posted by ktown at 05:33 AM on March 29, 2006
Here's an at-a boy for wingnut.......
posted by skydivedad at 06:40 AM on March 29, 2006
Wingnut is stealing TBH's pictures... Nice picture anyway wingnut.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:31 AM on March 29, 2006
Stealing is such a harsh word, think of it more along the line of an "aggressive acquisition."
Yeah, that's the ticket... Thanks for the kudos. I can't stand it when people chime in just to bash the thread or the sport.
If you don't care, don't post!
posted by wingnut4life at 07:40 AM on March 29, 2006
No kudos from me. I would have hoped we would just continue talking about hockey.
posted by qbert72 at 08:27 AM on March 29, 2006
Wingnut is stealing TBH's pictures... A Google Image Search for "STFU" hardly constitutes copyright on TBH's part.
posted by yerfatma at 08:31 AM on March 29, 2006
Another variable could be that the teams are actually playing how they normally do, but it is noticed more often (win/loss) because it is so close to playoff time? Then there is always the variable of the team that is out of the playoff picture gets the satisfaction of being the 'spoiler.' To not play any more because you are mathematically eliminated is ludicrous. Yes these guys get paid for what they do, but they play for the love of the game.
posted by wingnut4life at 09:19 AM on March 29, 2006
A Google Image Search for "STFU" hardly constitutes copyright on TBH's part. Well, Mr. Smartypants, aren't you going to be surprised when I show you the receipt I got when I purchased the internets? Hmmmmm?
posted by The_Black_Hand at 10:41 AM on March 29, 2006
Well, Mr. Smartypants, aren't you going to be surprised when I show you the receipt I got when I purchased invented the internets? Ladies and gentlemen, I have figured out the true identity of TBH.
It is none other than *DRUM ROLL, PLEASE* Mr. Al Gore!!!!!
posted by wingnut4life at 10:50 AM on March 29, 2006
I guess I can understand why the remaining games have to be played, but I don't watch them unless they'll have a bearing on seeding for the playoffs, other wise what's the point? What I really hate is that every once in awhile some player gets hurt, sometimes career ending, in a game that won't have any effect at all on the outcome of the season. The players know this and I still think they just phone those games in.
posted by commander cody at 01:19 PM on March 29, 2006
Ha, TBH put the pic in his profile. A Google Image Search for "STFU" hardly constitutes copyright on TBH's part. Anyway I was just saying that because that is usually the image he posts. I understand that he doesn't have the copyright (I think...).
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 05:36 PM on March 29, 2006
Tuneup is important, you have to balance the need for healthy players with the need for momentum going into a tournament.