Three Degrees Of Pat Caputo
Three biggest reasons the Red Wings' season is already over:
1. They didn't play well enough in their own end - A lot of people have been blaming this on Nicklas Lidstrom when, in reality, he is the least of the Red Wings' problems. Greater blame rests with his fellow defensemen, Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson, who regressed rather than making the anticipated progress this season.
2. Faceoffs - Pavel Datsyuk is a marvelous player, but the lasting impression he made this season was losing key faceoffs vs. the Sharks.
3. Jimmy Howard - There were times when he was plenty good enough. Just not enough times.