BringHomeTheCup!

I am confused about the title of this thread, where does Dino come into play? Pound for pound, I'd take Dino at his prime over Homer.

It's no surprise to me, this happens all the time. I notice that about every other hockey highlight ESPN has they mess up a name. Whether it be a wicked mispronunciation or an incorrect first name, it's just demoralizing to an avid hockey fan. It shows how little research ESPN puts into it's presentation of hockey. Bucci and Barry are the only ones over there who give a damn about hockey. And that's too bad. Just as a quick example, I was watching some highlights of the NYI preplayoff run a few weeks ago. The ESPN anchor repeatidly called Victor Kozlov Slava Kozlov. This was near the trading deadline, so at first I thought he was dealt. Then in the VERY NEXT highlight, they showed Slava Kozlov scoring a goal. The same anchor talked about how the goal Slava scored was so big for the Thrashers. I just wanted to reach through the TV and choke him.

Looking at this game with the homer glasses on, San Jose was out played in the first 10 minutes of game one. Once San Jose got the first goal, Detroit cooled off. After the second goal, Detroit looked like they had decided San Jose had won. San Jose outplayed Detroit, Nabby outplayed Dom. Bottom line is Detroit must play better if they hope to win even a game in this series. I am confident in Babs, he will get the boys going. From what I read in the Freep, they had a very no-nonsense practice today, and I am looking forward to a great game on Saturday. BTW, I am glad to see that no one is in panic mode, yet. No one picked either team to sweep, so that means both teams should win at least one game. I for one, am hoping Detroit can rattle off 4 in a row, but I'm not gunna hold my breath. Maltby has a very underrated slapshot. It's not the most accurate, but it's pretty hard.

According to Ticketmaster.com, the ticket prices are as follows: Lower Bowl US $135 - $153 Upper Bowl US $72 - $153 Standing Room $77 A freind and I went to a few games, we sat in the upper bowl, our tickets were $24 each. This is a 300% mark up. Why am I not attending games? Figure in that no one goes alone, so all costs are doubled. Parking is increased. I usually park next to Cobo, there is a parking garage there that is valet for $10. I hear that same parking garage for playoffs is $30 now. I live an hour away, gas is $3.00 a gallon. So here is a rough estimate on a single game cost. Tickets (2) $168 (including TM $7.00 rape charge for each ticket) Drinks & Food (2) $40 Parking $30 Gas $20 That's a total of $258 for one game, with cheap seats, and a conserative estimate on drinks and food. One could easily spend $50 on food and drinks. Hell, a beer is what, $8 or $10 in the playoffs? That high price, coupled with the poor Michigan economy is why you see so many empty seats. As for the ticket prices not being lower, I can see where everyone is coming from. Espically since Detroit and Toronto were the only teams not to lower ticket prices when the new CBA was instituted. However, Detroit also hasn't raised ticket prices in the past 7-10 years. Also remember that up until last year, Illitch needed to make enough money to not only keep the Wings competative, but also keep the Tigers from going under. Hopefully now that the Tigers are getting better, and drawing bigger crowds, Illitch will be able to let the Tigers keep the Tigers afloat.

I've heard rumors of some expansion soon, possibly getting the ball rolling as soon as next season. If this were to happen, KC is a prime candidate for a team as the rumors said. I haven't heard or read about the second expansion location, but I would think it's possible to add another team to Minnesota or western Canada, maybe even giving a team to Winnipeg again. Then there is the possibility of a team being put in Las Vegas,Portlan, or even Seattle. There are some decent options here. Anyhow, what I read went on to suggest that in such case, Detroit to the Eastern Conference, and adding both expansion teams to the West. The more I think about this, the more I'm not sure if it could actually happen. While it would obviously he a huge advantage for Detroit to move to the East, it would create a huge imbalance of power, with two teams in the West that are bo doubt going to be less than good for a couple years. It would also leave Chicago as the only Original 6 team in the West. This may not sound like a big deal, but I don't think the traditionalists who make these decisions would let this happen, I agree with this thinking. If you move Detroit to the West, that means Chicago would face the other 5 Original 6 teams once every other year. I think that is bad for hockey. Lastly, I think there are stronger hockey markets out east. Cities like Quebec, Manchester, and Providence I think would get bigger draws. However, it the opportunity came about to take Detroit to the East, I think it's something that the NHL must consider, possibly even taking Chicago along for the ride. As to how the NHL could swing this, and the situation that would allow it, who knows. But it would be great.

Thanks for the clip, but I still don't see what's so great about that move. I wouldn't call it the best move in the NHL, as the host in the other clip did. It's a strong move, and I can see why it's effective. But it is stoppable. I guess we will see soon eough, eh?

In the finals, yeah....but other than that, I can't find the last time Detroit was swept.

Didn't just about everyone ('experts') pick Buffalo?

I agree with just about everything here. Actually the only thing I disagree with is in 94, I'm pretty sure it went 7 games against the Sharks...

Osgood and Mac started two of the games, and Hasek was pulled in one other.

Nice post. 1. Nick Lidstrom. He can, and will cause Joey to be at his best to be effective. 2. Do you have any video of the Bernier move in a NHL game? To me, that doesn't look that impressive. 3. Hasek practices with a guy name Holmstrom, he's pretty good at being in the goalies face too. 4. Wings can score too. Hank, Pavs, Lang, Cleary, Huds, Flip, ect... 5. We have more rings on our roster we know what it takes.

Rex

Honestly I can say I would think the same thing. They must have watched a lot of film, and have a great gameplan. I wouldn't that that Cheli or Babs think San Jose will be an easy 4 wins. Or that they do not respect San Jose. lol

Let's be honest with ourselves. Look at the two teams we have here, Detroit and San Jose. Neither team is the clearcut dominator of this series. Both teams are very solid. Both teams can skate. I think Detroit has advantages in areas (goaltending, playoff experience) and San Jose also has an edge some areas (PP, and depth). I think that anyone who thinks this series will go less than 6 games is giving one team too much credit. It's going to be a tough series. It won't be as physcially tough as either of the preceding series' for these two teams. It will me mentally tough. It will be a fast series. There will be a lot of great hockey played, by a lot of great players. I don't think either team has any trick up it's sleeve, or any advantage that gives them any real edge in this series. Detroit in 6....

Here is a thought. Why not Flip? Every time he plays with Pav and Hank, he gets into great scoring position, and gets chances. I like that line, Babs has used it in the past, even a few time against Calgary. Flip can skate with them, and it would create a totally different look to the line.

See, to me, that isn't Guerin or Wilson's fault. If it's truely not what was said, but how it was said, then it is only your fault. None of us were there to hear the tone used, or the direct line of questioning. All we have is what they said. So if it's how it was said that upsets you, in reality, you are presuming how it was said, thus making it you who is upsetting you. (by you I mean the collective)

No worries here mate.... Way to do your homework there, but just looking that gives me a headache!! I'm ot trying to discourage you from posting, but next time, how about a link to the page, and a brief description?

I don't understand how what Guerin said is being twisted into what it has been. You watch film to figure out a teams strengths and weaknesses. From that you get a gameplan. When would a coach ever devise a gameplan that he thought wouldn't end up in his team winning? LET IT GO!! This was, by no means, Guerin being cocky, or underestimating the Wings.

Great post. Has anyone considered that Guerin is a Savvy vet, and knows better than to give the Wings motivation?

How about a free 20oz soda? I don't like coffee, but I concur!!

This confuses me even more.

I think this whole thing has been blown out of porportion. It's nothing more than the opposing team that has done it's homework. Who cares what he says? I know that in order to beat Hasek on a breakaway, you have to get him to go down, then roof it. But can I actually do that? Not likely. My point? It's one thing to know what you have to do to win against an opponent. It's a totally different thing to execute. Again, Wings in 6.

I am confused by your confused face.

I don't buy that for a second. I don't think San Jose can ride it's 3rd and 4th line against Detroit. He is going to need to worry about that Nick-Joey matchup. If Nick shuts Joey down, we shut the Sharks down. As Joey goes, so gothe Sharks. Wilson is a very smart guy. If San Jose isn't worried about matchups and line combos, getting the right guys out there in the right situation, then why have a coach? If it's Wilsons plan to 'just roll 4 lines' then he can watch from the press box as he wouldn't be needed on the bench. What he said is nothing more than an effort to build confidence in his players, and cause the Detroit players to question themselves.