BringHomeTheCup!

Before his career is over Marty WILL hold every major goaltending stat. He is the greatest goaltemder of his generation. To compare Marty to Sawchuch, Vezina, Parent, ect.. is like saying saying a grape is better than a rasin, well, at one time that rasin was a pretty tasty grape too.

After seeing that first goal go in I thought to myself, here we go again. We should just spot San Jose 2 goals at the begining of the game so we have 60 minutes to make our comback. But, then Hasek picked it up. He was great the rest of the game. He played like I have been asking him to. He played BETTER this game than any other game this series. He made several HUGE saves to keep it 1-0, and continued the trend the rest of the game. A few of you out there jump all over me when I said Dom needed to, and could play better. I was right, he did play better, and it showed. I've never been afraid of giving credit where it's due, even if it's to a player I don't like. Today I am giving credit to Dom, (whom I strongly dislike) he played a solid game, made huge saves, and for the most part, didn't cause so many miscues with the puck as he usually does. This is the type of netminding we need to win the Cup. If Dom keeps up this type of play, we have a pretty damn good shot at silver. As long as he can stay focused, and keep his head in the game for 60 minutes, we are a team to be reckoned with. Lastly, is the game time really 3pm Monday?

1. Hamrlik is made more than Matty did this year. Being youger, he will most likely command as much or more than Matty does. 2. Markov is a NEEDED physcial presence on our blueline. Yes, The Pain Train has stepped it up a bit, but his past shows he isn't that type of player consistantly. 3. Why trade Lilja? What would you ask in return? I don't see anyone giving up anyone who could be equally has helpful to the Wings. 4.If someone were to be traded, I would nominate Kronwall. He is a good player, solid dman, but also injury prone. With both Quincey and Kindl knocking on the door, why not? 5. Matty is getting old, but how is he taking away from the younger players? The only aspect in which Matty would be taking away from the younger guys is in ice time. But that is just because those guys aren't ready for it yet. If it's not Matty, it will be Markov, or Cheli, or Lilja, or Kronwall, ect.. 6. You counterdict yourself, you say bringing up the young guys would have our d corps too inexperienced young. Then you say trade 2 of top 3 dman, to sign someone who is arguably no better than Lilja or Lebda, and bring up a young guy. In your trade senario, we lose experience, and get pretty young. I'm not sure why I wrote that out in list form, just something different lol. However, I think that while Matty is aging, if we can get him for something close to what we paid him this year, DO IT!! I don't like Hamrlik, he is a career journeyman, he has never found a steady home, or lived up to his potential. I think rather than trying to spend a ton of money or trade to fill in our d needs, we should bring up the kids, and try to get an upgrade in net. I know there isn't a lot available in the offseason via free agency, Kenny is a hell of a GM, and I think he can find someone.

I don't see anything wrong with this. Anything a team can do to grow the game in it's area should be done. We don't have the luxery of football or even basketball. Hockey needs publicity. The simple fact that we are talking about it shows that it is working. More teams should be as forward thinking as Tampa Bay.

I remember Mick and Ken talking about how they were speaking with Kenny Holland, and Kenny said that both Quincey and Kindl will get a chance to step in and play regularly next season. I'm not sure if that means Matty is gone or not, but I think he will ask for more than the Wings are willing to pay.

1 z - DETROIT* 113 2 y - ANAHEIM* 110 3 y - VANCOUVER* 105 4 x - NASHVILLE 110 5 x - SAN JOSE 107 6 x - DALLAS 107 7 x - MINNESOTA 104 8 x - CALGARY 96 17 points seperate Detroit from Calgary. 9 from Minneosta. I think people are forgetting just how close, and good the entire Wester Conference playoff race was. And how good ALL of the playoff teams are. No one is a push over.

I'm not certian to the exact formula that is used to figure out Sv%, but I know it's more than just GA divided by SA. If I am correct, I believe minutes played comes into play there as well. Hasek has been great at controlling his rebounds. That's something he has always been good at. I think your logic with Luongo is a bit backwards. The fact that Luongo has a mediocre d corps in front of him should actually hurt his Sv%, not pad it. He would face more quality shots. A goalie who has a stellar d corps in front of him, such as Hasek in '02, would benifit from padding because more shots would come from the perimeter, and not be as dangerous.

I'm pretty sure it's more than 8 regular season games, isn't it upwards of 40? I do agree, I think Babs has them up for few reasons, 1. No roster limit, so having them up doesn't hurt. 2. In the event someone gets hurt, they could step in. 3. To get them some playoff atmosphere experience at the NHL level. 4. So he can rest guys like Hank, Pav, Bert, Dom ect... and still run a full practice

Anyone know what happened to Homer, and why he wasn't out there in the OT?

It's crazy to think that Dom playing the puck is a good idea. Seriously watch what he does. It isn't always giving the puck away. It's little things than drive me nuts. I'm a career dman, I know what it's like to have a goalie who is good with the puck, and one that just wants to touch it. Dom is the latter. Watch where he places the puck for his dmen, it's almost always on the wrong side, or in a spot that they have to change their skating path. That just drives me nuts. On top of that, about half of the time when he tries to keep the play moving instead of freezing the puck it directly leads to a turnover. I disagree, I think any butterfly goalie has a better chance to make the save on the Choochoo goal. That play was a nice pass from Joey, and it was a nice shot by Choochoo, but I still think Dom should have had it. Everyone in that building knew where Joey was going with that puck. Dom did almost get it, he missed it because he was playing too deep in the net. I think in order for the Wings to win the Cup, Dom needs to be better. I might be wrong, but I don't think a 2.00 GAA will cut it in the playoffs. Yes, I know Dom's GAA isn't 2.00 for the playoffs, but I think he needs to be stronger in this series. We need Hasek not to have those 2-3 brainfarts in every game. I'm not trying to take anything away from what he has done, I'm not trying to say I think Ozzie would be better. I'm just saying Dom needs to be better. I've said it before, I don't think Dom is happy with how he has played this series. He was MUCH better in the Calgary series. And maybe that's the problem, I just expected him to get better, but he hasn't. He hasn't even play as good as he did in the Calgary series. I don't expect Dom to steal every game, but he hasn't stole a game yet this series. I am looking for him to step it up in game 5 much like he did in game 6 against Calgary. I don't expect him to be perfect. The Grier comment was meant more along the lines that he is no Choochoo. I know Grier can put the puck in the net, but he doesn't have the hands to make that play. The puck came at him really quickly, and he couldn't adjust, a true goal scorer, which there in no denying Grier is not, would have had a much better chance at that particular puck. As for the goals he lets in, I won't blame him for the first goal in game 3, but I do thin he should have had the second. Why? I've seen him make saves like that with ease. Anytime a goal is scored, there are several players to blame. Having TiVo gives me the ability to disect each goal. On the second goal in game 4, Sammy (who is pretty sound defensively) let Choochoo get away. Sammy watched the puck, rather than stick to his man, that's why Choochoo was so open. I think it was a combination of Flip and Bert who couldn't get the puck out of the zone. You can never place blame solely on one player, except in a situation like the Thornton goal. Lastly, if I'm wrong, correct me, but I don't believe, in regards to Haseks play in the playoffs, I've ever said he suck, or he hasn't played good. What I have said is that he hasn't played great, and you need a goalie to be great to win. We are all pulling for Dom to play better. Even those of you who think he is playing his best hockey should be. Why? Because if he plays better, regardless of how well you think he is playing, the Wings have that much better chance to be victorious.

I can see how you would not give J.S. the #1 ranking, but I just can't give it to Dom. Lundqvist, Luongo, and Miller all have very similar GAA's, but much better Sv%, I'd put these guys in front of Dom. IMO, right now the only goalie Dom is playing better than is Emery. Brodeur has faced an unusually high amount of shots for a devils playoff team, and he hasn't been playing like he can either. I guess my #1 vote would go to my Hart winner, Luongo. The guy is just sick. 369 shots faced, 23 GA 1.80 GAA .938 Sv%. This guy is simply as good as it gets right now. I think Dom can play on that level, in fact, I'm sure of it, we've all seen it. But for some reason he just isn't. You are welcome for the comment, it's nice to have people on this site who won't bash you for thinking differently.

I believe if the player plays in a certian percentage of the teams playoff games he gets his name on the cup. (This of course would assume that the player did not appear in the finals)

Look at the replay of the winning goal, according to TSN, Homer was in front. I don't remember it happening this way, and I'm at work right now, so I can't watch any vids. But I've seen a few pics that show Homer celebrating after, what I assume is the winning goal.

Just got out of the shower, and I couldn't resist. I wish more people on LGW could be more like you. As I said before, I never put all the blame on Dom, but I think he needs to be better. I've siad this before, and usually everyone jumps on this as well. But when we are talking stats, I perfer the look at the Sv% when judging a goaltender. The only reason I haven't used that stat thus far in regards to Dom, is that no one really cares for it. But Dom's SV% is .919, that's tied for worst among remaining playoff goaltenders with Marty B. I really think if the Wings are going to advance, Hasek needs to improve. As for you scale, if 10 is perfect, I think Dom is at best a 6.5. For referance, I'd give J.S. an 8.5. I mean, if you are giving Dom an 8-8.5, what would you give the goalie who has the best GAA and Sv% amongst remaining 'tenders? For real now, I'm off to work, hah, I'm gunna be late...

Last post of the afternoon for me then I am off to work, I'll respond later tonight. You can't blame Hasek on the second goal. It was a fluke, and if referance to his turing his head, it was probably in reaction to a (I think Choochoo's) stick flying at him. However, I still maintain he should have had the second goal. SoWin, quite often when faced with a debate, I try to see things how the other people do. Can I always? No. But in this case, you just refuse to admit Dom isn't as good as you think he is. He hasn't yet (in this series) played like he can, thus far in the playoffs he hasn't stolen a game for us, and as far as keeping us in the series, every game he has allowed 2 goal. I'm sorry, but that just isn't good enough. Cyrmson, how is looking at this from a different POV ever not aplicable? Try to see things without your 'Dom can do no wrong' glasses, or at least look at it objectively, if you can. What do you mean read this section to see the difference between mere critisism and what I do? What have I said that is more than mere critisism? I think Dom needs to play better (just for clarification, since some people jump to conclusions, this does NOT mean he has to be perfect), I think he needs to stop pretending like he knows how to handle the puck, and I think he needs to steal a game for us. In every thread I've posted critisism of Dom, I've also stated that I don't feel like any loss was all his fault, and that the rest of the team also needs to play better. You guys are the ones who choose to make it out like I have some vindetta against Dom.

What have I said about Dom that isn't true? Dom hasn't been great this series, if you'll notice, he still has a 2.00 GAA, not good enough, I'm sure he would even tell you that. As for the Choochoo goal, Dom was just slow to get over. Like I said IT WAS A NICE SHOT, but he still needs to make that save. Seriously, watch the replay, Hasek just missed it. He wasn't beat, he missed it. And I think Shanny might argue with you about who has the best one-timer in the league. Where have I ever said I expect Dom to be perfect? It's you who keeps saying that. I say he needs to be better. You say that means perfect. It doesn't. It simply mean get you GAA uner 2.00 in this series. When we lose a game 1-0, sure you can't blame Dom. But when you need to put 3 goals in every night to win, I'm sorry, that's just not good enough. Every game is an opportunity to steal a game. If you don't think Dom can, and needs to play better, than I seriously wonder if you think we can win the cup. I'll tell you right now, we don't win the cup unless Dom playes better. The only thing that gets me in hot water here is having a different POV about Hasek, and expressing it. I've never said that I think Hasek can't do it, and I DO give him credit when he plays well, as I didn't after game 6. If you want to think that my arguments are unjustified, that's fine. Do your thing, I don't bash you guys for your blind love of Hasek. I apologize for actually watching the games objectively, and seeing how Dom, more than ANY goalie, hurts the flow of the game for his team.

we are paying him a lot more than that, it's closer to $2 Mill with incentives, still, not a bad deal Yes it does matter, becuase HE isn't winning the games for us. He is just a part of it. Call me when he actually steals a game.

You will learn quickly on this board, if you ever have an opinon other than Dom is the greatest goalie ever, and his s*** don't stink, there are a few people who will rip you a new ******* for it. I however agree with you. Dom should have had the first goal. It was a nice shot, but it wasn't like it was a super quick pass. Choochoo shot if from the dot for chirsts sake. Dom did make some huge saves, as always I won't try to take that away, or act like he didn't. If anyone has the game TiVo'd still, go to 15:35 of Ot and watch Dom play the puck. He almost cost us the game. And I think it's safe to say the only reason it wasn't lights out for us, was because it was Grier in front. Had it been someone who can score, it's over. That is the type of play that just drives me nuts. There is no need for him to touch the puck. He does this all the time. Usually it just makes for an awkward exchange between him, and the dman. Someone please tell him to stop. Again, Dom did play well last night, at times. I'm not trying to say he didn't. I'm just still waiting for him to steal on for us.

I've been saying this all year, and my friends keep calling me crazy. I've never seen Nick rush the puck, and play so deep in the offensive zone so much as he has this year. I simply think it's Babs telling him to do so.

No, I think if anyone gets in, it's Rex. I don't think it really has aything to do with his size, as he played in place of Homer.

HAH!! That would be great! Someone who is going to game 5 should do that after we score, that'd be freakin' sweet!

I think we need to stop giving up 2 easy goals to the Sharks every game.

I saw a quick glimps of it, but I thought it was a stuffed animal, not the real thing. To the Shark fan who threw that:

Hockey needs more people like Grapes. I think it would do wonders for the sport in the U.S. if we could get a guy like Grapes to be the face of something like HNIC. Hell, I'd love to see VS sign a deal to carry HNIC.

Playoff overtime hockey. I love it. The thrill of a great scoring chance. The let down of a lost opportunity. The celebration after your team scores the winner. Being heartbroken because your team lost. It's all part of playoff hockey. Any single playoff overtime game is a microcosm of an entire playoff run. It has highs and lows. Great saves, and close calls. And ultimately for one team, a huge celebration. Who doesn't remember Stevie beating Casey over the glove from the blue line? I think about that now, and I get goosebumps. It's something I will never forget. Seeing that goal was unbelieveable. I was just a wee lad, but I woke up the neighbors due to my 'obnoxious screaming'. My dad, who had to work at 4:30am wasn't so happy with me either. What I can't believe is that some fans aren't, well, fans of playoff overtime hockey. Yeah, I know it can effect the next game, possibly even 2. Yeah, I know at times, it isn't the most exciting gameplay to watch. But it is the most exciting thing in all of sports to watch. Hockey has playoff overtime like no other sport. Basketball is nothing more than an extra session. Baseball both teams have equal chances. Football is the closest, but let's be honest, whoever gets the ball first is most likely going to win. But hockey is different. Hockey is next goal wins. Hockey is something special. Hockey there are no second chances. Some players don't like it, Shanny recently spoke out against it. He would be in favor of an eventul shootout in the playoffs. That is just insane. It's ok to decide an extra point in the regular season, but to one day decide who wins the most prominent trophy in sports in a shootout?! UGH!! I cringe at the thought. I love hockey. I live for the sport. I play it, both roller, and ice. I eat, sleep, and drink hockey. I don't care about any of the other sports. Hockey is different. Hockey brings a different passion to it's game from it's players. No other sport has such an exciting playoff format, or a more recognized playoff championship trophy. So here is my ploy to Gary Bettman: PLEASE leave this one alone. Youv'e hurt the game enough. Don't take away the single most exciting event in all of sports playoffs. Hockey needs this. I need this. Please Gary, don't kick hockey in the ribs while it's down.