GoWings1905

I'm not a financial salary cap expert, but I'm pretty sure the contract Smyth is going to demand would be a hamper for the Red Wings in the future. Hank is going to get a Datsyuk-like contact, and if Lidstrom wants to keep playing, they HAVE to sign him. I'm all for signing Smyth the player because he's terrific, but if it is going to wreck the Red Wings future, then no way. This team is doing fine without Smyth, and will continue to do so next season.

Thanks for the support. As for Dom, he makes me nervous too, but I can live with him wandering as long as he continues to play and make saves like he has to this point. Probably a really good chance that if Clowe scores on Dom in Game 4 and the Sharks lead 3-1 in that game, the Red Wings are golfing right now. Hasek has been awesome to this point, and hopefully will continue to be against the Ducks.

Good point, I guess I should have said a part of the team on the ice.

Man, this is getting real tough right about now. Here are my picks for the Conference Finals: DET/ANA - *Detroit in seven* BUF/OTT - *Buffalo in six*

I'm guilty of bashing two of those guys, being Lang and Samuelsson. I'm so sorry guys and thank you for playing hard and literally keeping us alive in the San Jose series. However, I can't promise on Friday night that I won't be screaming at my TV at both of you again. Keep up the good work Langer and Sammy!

LOL - you beat me to it, I was going to come in here and say that.

Sorry pal that we actually played two competitive teams during the first two rounds. That's also the reason every Ducks fan I heard wanted to avoid San Jose at all costs in the second round. On Friday, you will be tested for the first time by this "old Wings team." Congrats on beating the powerhouses of Minnesota and Vancouver, but now comes the real challenge. Best of luck, and go get 'em senior citizens!

I think it would be even better payback on Pronger if we give him a little early taste of that SoCal weather that his wifey needed. I think an extra long vacation of golf and Disneyland would be great for the Pronger's.

Thank You, we appreciate it.

Thanks for the support, but unless you're God, I can't see how this will affect the series in any matter.

Find the two ugliest colors possible and combine them together and it should resemble the Ducks' colors. Their home uniforms are slightly better than the mustard uni's that Nashville wears. Terrible colors, terrific hockey team.

Mike Babcock - for turning this team into one filled with a relentless desire to win at all costs. I'm not sure if with any one besides Babcock coaching, the Red Wings are still playing right now. This team truly takes the identity of its coach, showing a ton of heart and determination. I look no further than the man behind the bench as an indicator of the Red Wings success.

If you would have told me a month ago that the Red Wings would beat the Flames and Sharks in the playoffs I would have been thrilled and content. Now that it is happening, it is only human nature to want more. They're so close, how could anything but the Stanley Cup not be a bust? I'm all for saying hey two rounds is great so far, but is anything besides winning it all worthwhile? I'm more proud of this team than maybe any Red Wings team before, but now that they have accomplished this, I want more. They play and we watch because the goal is to win the Stanley Cup, anything less is a disappointment to the players and fans. You can say I'm greedy and un-realistic, but being a Red Wings fan is about expectations. I expect them to win, so yes not winning it all is a bust. 8 down, 8 to go - Beat The Ducks!

As always - Lidstrom

My Wish: A Stanley Cup Championship Parade through the streets of Detroit in the middle of June.

What do all of these teams have in common? They are all golfing right now. Nice effort on the post, but bad timing. It's tough to say a team will be scary next season when just recently their biggest flaws and weaknesses were exposed. Plus free agency can make a huge difference as well. I personally don't care who is scary, just as long as the guys with the winged wheel are winning.

I'm not sure if anyone addressed this yet, but I just read that Brett Lebda is definitely playing tonight. I know there was speculation that he was going to, but it was just confirmed that he will play. Go Red Wings!

Whoa - that was a little over the top on saying the series is over, but I understand somewhat why you could think that. I think the Red Wings have gotten into the Sharks' heads and it will be interesting to see how a young, leadership-deprived team responds while facing elimination. This series is far from over, but I like the Red Wings chances.

The Senators have been the best team to this point out of all the teams in the playoffs. That being said, I almost feel like Buffalo is destined to lose in the Stanley Cup Finals (to the Red Wings of course). I think Ottawa has played better than Buffalo so far, but I think the Sabres offensive speed and depth will wear the Senators down. Plus, Miller can steal this series, while Emery is just out there not to lose games. I would love to see the Senators win, but I think the Sabres will ultimately prevail.

Good point - that sarcastic smile is awesome.

Finish them off tonight guys! Go Red Wings!

Anyone notice the big smile on Babcock at the end of Game 5? I have never seen him smile during a game, not even for the OT winner in Game 4. I think Babcock is the perfect coach for this team - he is relentless and is never satisfied until the Red Wings get that 16th win. He has turned a soft, easily pushed-around hockey team into one that keeps fighting and never backs down from anyone. The one thing Babcock always said he wanted to do was make the Red Wings "harder to play against." Ask Calgary or San Jose if he accomplished this.

I have a weird feeling Game 6 will be similar to the Calgary series. I think the Sharks will come out like crazy early, but the Wings will settle down and control play. The Red Wings will need another solid outing from the 13-40-96 line and clearing the puck out of their own zone will be essential with all the injuries on defense. I hope the Red Wings come out and play hard for 60 minutes because anything can happen in Game 7, even if it is at JLA. The Wings have established themselves as the better, hungrier, more-determined team and now they just need to seal the deal.

Wow - after yesterday's beatdown of the Bulls, this team has that swagger back like they did in 2004. They look more focused than ever, which is scary for the rest of the league. I can't see any team beating the Pistons four times if they continue to play like they have to this point. Detroit Basketball!

I don't know if Kopecky is a great idea, but putting Hudler back in and taking Calder out might be a good move. Calder is clearly either hurt or in Babcock's doghouse because the guy is not the same player he was when the Wings acquired him. Why bother playing Calder five minutes per game when Hudler can step in and has proven he can put the puck in the net? I know Hudler is prone to getting pushed around by more physical players, but there is a better chance of Jiri finding the net right now than Calder.