GoWings1905

Wow! What an absolutely amazing game by every guy in a Red Wings uniform. Plus big props to Babcock for a brilliant coaching job. Way to go guys!

Props to Ottawa for a terrific playoff run so far, but the fact is playing in the Western Conference is much tougher. The teams are much more physical, the goalies are better, and travel has a huge effect on teams as well. While the Senators took care of business, I can guarantee whoever comes out from the West will give them a heck of a series. The only trouble is Ottawa will be well-rested, and honestly they really haven't been challenged at all in these playoffs. By the time all of the teams in the West beat-up and destroy each other, the winner of the East is left with fresh legs and an advantage in the Finals. If you think playing the Penguins, Devils, and Sabres is the same challenge as the Flames, Sharks, and Ducks, you are sorely mistaking.

As long as the second line center is not named Robert Lang or have any resemblence of him, then I will be perfectly happy. I have no problem with Val Filppula getting more minutes next season. In fact, he deserves them already in the playoffs. The kid has proven he can play in any situation, and Babcock clearly is a big fan of Filppula, so give him a chance. Mike Comrie is a solid hockey player, but like other posts have mentioned, the Red Wings would be better off spending the money for other areas of concern.

The odds of coming back from being down 0-3 are a lot better than 0-4. Let them finish the series off before we proclaim Ottawa the greatest team ever created.

Hmmm... I thought Game Four was tomorrow, but I guess I overlooked that. Ottawa is a very good team, but don't you think they should at least clinch first before we discuss this?

I agree with you. Sometimes if you point out one minor flaw or troubling thing about the Red Wings on here you are no longer considered a true fan. I still believe the Red Wings are going to win this series, but I have no problem giving props to the Ducks, and I also realize the Red Wings are far from perfect. Saying they look fatigued doesn't mean I think they are going to lose, or even that I have given up on them, but simply an observation that I drew from last night's game. Go Red Wings!

I would rather see Hudler get a shot, but Kopecky isn't a bad move either. I feel bad for Calder just because the guy has to be hurt right now, and he got off to such a good start in Detroit. Needless to say, I can't see Kopecky being all that effective, but maybe he can provide some energy from the fourth line.

Are you serious man? Lidstrom and Hasek are the reason the Wings are still playing right now. If the Red Wings lose, it won't be because the captain didn't play his heart out. The guy is unreal - I am having trouble understanding what Lidstrom you have been watching. If you say he isn't "stellar" then my God I can't wait to see how good he can be.

I never thought either team would sweep. I predicted the Wings in seven and I still believe it. However, it seems rather obvious that the Red Wings appear to be wearing down a bit. Just an observation - doesn't mean they won't pull through, but playing on the road will be a good indicator of how much they have left in the tank.

Sadly, I agree with this completely. I told the people I was watching the game with last night that the Red Wings look tired and worn down out there. They have every reason to be, but it doesn't look promising for the rest of the series. I pray that they prove me wrong on this, but for the first time, fatigue seems to be creeping in and playing a factor. Two tough, grinding series certainly didn't help, and playing the Ducks is just making it worse. I still have faith in this team to pull it out. They haven't come this far to go out now.

Sad thing is, Pronger is right at this point. Maybe it's the fact the Wings get interfered with everytime they dump the puck into the zone. The Ducks have taken away puck control and speed through the neutral zone, which the Red Wings thrive on. When they are forced to shoot the puck in deep, they haven't been able to regain control and get some pressure. Maybe if the refs called the game properly this would change. The Wings are going to have to score ugly on the road in Anaheim, or else...

Hopefully he is wearing a Red Wings uniform still at training camp next September. I was hoping somehow he could make a comeback, but it doesn't seem likely at all. Get well soon Mathieu!

In a way, I fully expected this from Buffalo tonight. No chance they were going to let themselves get down 0-2 going to Ottawa.

I'm not surprised at all - the Ducks are a physical, tough team. I have no problem with Niedermayer, the guy is a world-class defensemen and he has always played with some grit, on top of his high skill level. The Ducks play physical hockey and the Red Wings will have to respond to it, just as they did in Game One. It's not dirty, cheap, or lack of skill. The Ducks are a team of big players that are built to play physical hockey.

My personal opinion: Kronwall coming back is not any more of an upgrade over Quincey. First off, Kronwall is coming off an injury and it will take time for him to get back to a decent playing level. Second, Kronwall wasn't all that impressive this season, and Quincey certainly has been nothing but solid in these playoffs. If Quincey can come in and play like he has with minimal NHL experience, I see no reason to bring Kronwall back. It may even end up being a worse situation with Kronwall playing, considering how well Quincey has done. Let Kronwall get healthy and come back next season. Quincey has proven he can play at times when the stakes are high.

I'll take Giguere just because any guy that has a mattress for pads should be able to stop anything near the net.

The first thing I thought of when I heard Perry trash-talking to Pav was geez way to run your mouth to the guy who has trouble with english. I mean shouldn't Perry pick a guy that actually understands the language? Nothing against Pav, but more of an insult to Perry for being such a clown. If he wants to go after Sammy, go find him and do it yourself. By the way, Pavel was awesome tonight, so I guess he gets the last laugh and his team won as well. I know trash-talking is part of the game, but I don't think a guy that won the Lady Byng is going to get rattled by stupid comments from a guy like Perry.

Lang and Bertuzzi weren't on the same line for the most part tonight. Lang played with Franzen and Samuelsson, and Bertuzzi was with Calder and Filppula. Bertuzzi played some with Lang and Samuelsson last series and that was trouble. I actually thought Bertuzzi had a very solid game tonight.

Dom and special teams were the difference. Luckily, the bounces went the Red Wings way tonight. I thought their effort was superb, but my one concern is the lack of shots that the Wings had on Giguere. Anaheim played exactly how I expected, and tonight's game was evidence that this will be a long, hard-fought series. I also thought Bertuzzi had his best game tonight as a Red Wing. Good win guys!

Losing always brings out the best excuses in everyone.

Congrats YoungGuns, that is awesome. Hope you have a good time at the game, and the Red Wings come away winners!

Wings in 7

You are dead-on about pretty much everything, except Zetterberg being quiet in the playoffs. Hank was the Red Wings best player against the Oilers last season, and he has been very good in this post-season as well. I think maybe his production so far has been over-looked because people expect him to go back to the form he had before the back injury. Overall, I think Hank has gotten better as the playoffs progress. Good luck in the series!

Good for Shanny - the Rangers are a good fit for him at this point in his career. No matter where he plays, he'll always be remembered as a Red Wing. Best of luck Shanny, I'm rooting for you.

I thought it would be appropriate to send out birthday wishes to "The Captain." I realize he isn't part of the team playing the games anymore, but he always will be in my heart. Happy Birthday Steve!