Blegh.

This blog's starting to sound like a broken record.. mostly because the team keeps making the same mistakes.

But seriously, when will this team catch a break? Goalies play out of their skulls against Detroit. A lot of people probably aren't familiar with Ondrej Pavelec, but I remember the '05 draft like yesterday. Always been a highly regarded prospect, no surprise at all he's succeeding. I think I threw it out there in the offseason when I was running through ideas to trade Hudler's rights that maybe they should target a young goalie like Pavelec or Josh Harding. Unfortunately, with Kari Lehtonen out long-term, I don't think Pavelec is in Detroit's price range anymore.

But anyway, too many freakish performances by goalies. Too many blocked shots. But it wasn't like Atlanta was always "hitting both bumpers" (for those who play NHL 10). Shots were tipping off sticks, passes just hitting shins. I'd say half their blocks were accidental. After a while, it got to be painful. I called the shutout with 11 minutes left in the 3rd. Just because it was that type of game.

Think the early reviews on the game are too harsh. While they didn't necessarily play well enough to win, I don't think Detroit deserved to be shutout. They controlled the first period and most of the second. They didn't really put on the gas in the third like they could have. Naturally, Bertuzzi is being blamed. If anyone could tell me something he did that was stupid besides that one misfired pass (because no one else misfired tonight), that'd be great. I just want to see the same game the rest of you are seeing, I feel like I'm missing out.

Lines need to drastically be shaken. Top two lines aren't doing anything, third line is exciting to watch, but when you break it down, Eaves, Helm, and Draper all have the same problem -- they're spazzes, always flying and generating chances, never finishing. Spread them out throughout the lineup. And you know what's great about a May/Abdelkader/Maltby line? It's a great time to get up and get a snack or something, because you just know that line has no threat of scoring. Abdelkader's excused because he's far too young to have that kind of offensive pressure placed entirely on him. If you want to talk useless, look at May and Maltby tonight. I've seen guys skate harder at open skate. Eaves can't come back in for one of these guys soon enough.

And Lebda/Meech.. It's cute, but I want Jakub Kindl. What? He took a shot off the foot at practice and didn't play tonight? Fantastic. Anyone for Delmore? Ugh. Tatar has two goals and four assists in his past three games.

Sidenote: This guy's on waivers. I have really no idea how he's done in Denver or why they're exposing him to waivers. But I watched him at Michigan and I know he can put up points in this league. We're still low in the standings, why not give him a shot? If he's useless, he'll fit right in.

Happy Thanksgiving!