This Is Bida

i have NEVER said one damn word about refs, i always HATE people who complain about reffing, but this is getting ridiculous. It's almost as if they want to make this a 1-1 game? Thank GOD tho we just got a power-play. Its about time! Again tho, I'm not saying that every call on us is horrible, I'm just saying that if you're gonna call the calls on us, make the SAME calls on them. Aside from the s***ty refs, we sure do looking to be slowing down a bit. A goal here on the power-play would be HUGE. I really dont think that there hitting is effecting us, we just need to move the puck better, like we did in the first. If not, they're gonna steam roll over us and make a come back in this game!

i totally agree with you on this... but first off, i gotta say, Bettman is a TOTAL idiot. of course he's gonna defend VERSUS, they bid the highest of any other network to be getting these games, more money in Bettman's pocket. Stupid jack-ass. But back to VERSUS... While I would obviously watch FSN, I can't complain about VERSUS. Its much better than watching CBC and the people on NBC are complete idiots, afterall they hired Brett Hull. Just to prove how stupid Hull is: Hull - "where do you think they get those octupese (should be octopi)? The Detroit River? wow, i mean... just WOW! In order for VERSUS to be the "complete package" as Bettman said, they need a pregame and postgame show. I mean, this isnt regular season anymore, its the Western Conference Finals. Sometimes I've seen them go straight from the end of a game right to the Rodeo? Personally, they just need to be more "hockey oriented" to be a 'complete package'

Bertuzzi to return so he can prove to everyone that he is a phenomonal player (he barely played at all this season, come into the playoffs and has had his moments, as few as they are) I also wouldn't mind to see Fedorov back in a Wings jersey, but he was by far my most favorite Wings player of all time when I was a kid, so I dont know if its just me being biased or not... but it would be really nice to see him retire back in a Wings jersey. Jimmy Howard to step it up and become the next Ryan Miller. I think this kid is our future in goaltending and will prove to be a clutch goalie for us. I'd love to see him win us a cup! Lastly even tho it isn't possible this year would be to get Gionta in a Wings jersey. I've followed this kid since his days at Boston College, smaller kid like me, reminds me of how I used to play (even though I had a 10th of the skills he does) and am a HUGE FAN! I think he would fit perfectly into our line up.

Definitely looking like a GREAT line up for next year and some years to come. Now that the Wings have been in the playoffs the past, oh, what is it? 16 seasons? Looks like we're gonna keep that record rolling for a while. The only thing I will say that I disagree with you on in those lines (I know they're just a draft of what it could look like) is that I truely think Flip has earned himself a top 2 lines spot next season. I mean, couple minutes to go in game 6 against San Jose, the Sharks are pressing hard and who does Babcock have out there??? Better believe it, Filppula. If not for him Lang would've never scored the game tying goal of game 4. This kid has proved he is very ready for the big leagues and Babcock has confidence in him. I can see this kid on a line with Z for sure. As was already stated above Sammy and Zetterberg definitely dont have that chemistry there. Personally, I would like to see the lines more along this: Bert - Zetter - Flip Franz - Dats - Grigo Cleary - Draps - Malts (cant wait for Abdelkader to come in and take someones spot here) Huds - Sammy - Kope Again Bert is only there as long as he somehow rallies and pulls out an amazing playoff run for the remainder of it, either way I really think Detroit will sign him for one more year to give him a last chance before getting rid of him. After all he hasn't been HORRIBLE these playoffs and hardly played at all during the season. this also from the same article that was posted above: "Grigorenko, whose top-end speed hasn’t been the same since he broke his femur and fractured his tibia in two places in the car accident, made roughly $1 million tax free in Russia this past season." so if he makes the team he's gonna make around $858 if he can't seal a roster spot that gets bumped all the way down to $70,000 where he WAS earning a million a year. basically, he probably wants to try out the NHL and has hopes of making a roster spot. Gaurantee if they put him down in Grand Rapids he'll be back in Russia faster than you can blink

haha, I just e-mailed ESPN begging them to fire Melrose as their Hockey Analyst. In fact, I told them I would PAY THEM his salary if they fire him. haha, I know it wont get to anyone who is anyone and will just be thrown out, but I find it funny... I'm sure its much funnier since I have a little buzz. Either way, I hate Melrose, I have NEVER heard the man pick the Wings to win one single round of a playoff series. I just wish someone who was in the media would call him out on it. But instead he makes an easy 6 figures working as ESPN's analyst. WHAT A FRUIT! BRING IT HOME WINGS!

sorry but a "3rd Place Team" is nothing but something for little kids to feel better about. This is the pro's. As stated above there is ONE WINNER in the NHL! That's it. Nothing more needs to be said.

you forgot ONE HUGE STAT: -Lidstrom saves Haseks shutout by proving he's the undisputed Norris Trophy winner! ! ! I'M JOKING! I'M JOKING! Seriously, when I heard the Wings passed up on good old Roberto I must admit I was a little skeptical about how far Hasek could lead us, but I will happily admit I was wrong and Hasek has definitely, at times, kept us in this series! GO HASEK! ! ! GO WINGS! ! !

The X-Factor: The Ducks not having much competition thus far in the play-offs. The time off means nothing, and that was shown with the Sharks after they man-handled us in the first game. When I say this I am not taking ANYTHING away from the Ducks. They have a great team, if they didnt they wouldn't be facing us in the Western Conference Finals. But I think many people would agree that of all four teams left, the Ducks have had the least problem getting to the road they're at. Minnesota had a phenom of a goalie, which is how they got to where they were at. Same went for the Flames, but the Flames had a better offense and defense. After easily beating the Wild, they went on to the Canucks who again, had a phenom of a goalie, but not 4 solid lines to roll thru. I have said it from the beginning, the four teams left would be: Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Ducks AND Buffalo Sabres vs. New Jersey Devils (so I was wrong on this one, either way Buffalo wins in the East, so QUOTE IT) and the Stanley Cup Finals will be: Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres While I definitely see this series going 7 games, just like I saw the Sharks series going to 7 (which it very well could have) I just think the Wings have too much depth compared to the Ducks. For our 3rd series in a row its definitely a muscle flex between goalies... First Kipper, than Nabby, now JSG. In order for us to win, just like the past series, our goaltending needs to be better than theirs. With that rant said, I wish the Ducks the best of luck, and put my confidence in my team to win its 4th Cup in a decade. I welcome you all to an absolute wonderful board that many rival teams have come to enjoy and ask you keep it clean and mature just as the Sharks fans have done. with all that said, BRING IT ON DUCKS! ! ! LETS GO RED WINGS! ! !

hahahahahahahahahaha... funniest thing EVER! and well i'm sure of it that some people (especially from here in Detroit) will get offended... you gotta admit that it was really funny!

well they definitely need one on the power play RIGHT NOW! and how did that guy miss the open net? goalies out, you have a player standing there, just rip a slap shot past him that was pathetic.

You guys seem to be getting WAY too down on Kronwall. I mean if thats the case why isnt everyone (even though a lot of people are) tearing apart Bertuzzi for his play (or lack there of) in the Playoffs? Its because everyone understands that Bertuzzi's been hurt almost all of the season so he's still not gonna be 100% for a while. Yet even though he's hurt he isnt playing horrible. Might have a bad shift or two, but overall he's not hurting our team. Same goes for Kronwall. Sorry to say but we still have not seen him 100%. Everytime he starts to get better and gets out there to play some games he ends up getting hurt again. Between Kronwall and Lilja, I personally would rather have Kronwall out there. Say we make it to the SCF and Kronwall is cleared to play, you know he wont be put into the line up because he wont be 100% and he hasnt played any during the playoffs. By the way, I'm not adding Quincy to this discussion because I would definitely take Kronwall over Quincy, and besides, Lebda will be back to take Quincy's spot long before Kronwall is back. And I will be MUCH happier to see Lebda back in the line up as opposed to Quincy or even Lilja. I like Lebda and what he brings to our teams defense alot tho, so I might be a little biased. Had all of our defense been 100% heading into the playoffs I have a strong feeling our line up would've consisted of: Lidstrom Schneider Chelios Lebda Markov Kronwall Lilja

Well, I definitely wouldn't say the way that New Jersey is playing as a whole, its more the way that Brodeur is losing games for them. New Jersey isn't playing bad at all. You take away the majority of bad goals that Brodeur has let in I gaurantee this series would be tied. None the less, if the Wings DO make it to the Stanley Cup Finals I would like them to see first, New York. Then probably New Jersey for its re-match. After that is Buffalo cause of everyone saying how they were gonna just walk through everyone. Other than those 3 teams I really dont care to see Ottawa. I want the Canadian teams out of it before the Finals.

umm... not taking anything away from the Sharks, but for the first period I would so both teams were playing their own game and playing well. We are a puck possession team and when we take control of a game NO TEAM (as even a Sharks fan admitted above) can stop us. You make it sound like the Sharks are 100% a better team than us and truthfully they aren't. It's the simple fact that the Wings just dont show up for a full game and SOMETHING needs to be done about it or else we are done in 5. THANK YOU! I've read SO many posts about people saying that was a horrible call and it was a CLEAR slew foot. It's people who sit there and say it was a horrible call that truely do not understand the game of hockey! Bertuzzi needs to come prove himself on Wednesday. I understand he's been out most of the season but its not so much that he's not playing good, just that he's taking penalties that are totally uncalled for. As for my thoughts: We need more hard nosed stars like Yzerman (even though he will NEVER be replaced) and Shanahan. I've also grown to dislike Babcock. Every time you hear him talk its "oh we just gotta work harder, we played good for a period, blah blah blah". NO! When you're team is playing like this you call them out, EVEN if its to the media. Let the fans know you will not tolerate this half assed, pathetic work ethic the Wings are showing. I also have a hard time watching Hasek play sometimes. Will he EVER steal us a game? Yea he makes some great saves, but its goalies like Nabokov, Brodeur, etc that will not only make those great saves but will steal games like this one. And as much as I love Datsyuk has anyone else noticed how EVERY SINGLE TIME Datsyuk can beat someone into the corner he will slow down, let the other guy pass him up and let him just take the puck? I understand what he is TRYING to do by letting the guy take the puck in the corner and pick his pocket like he sometime manages to do, but good god, I wanna see more hard-nosed players who arent afraid to go get those pucks. This honestly just REALLY upset me, cause now I truely believe if they lose the next game its over without FAIL! Had they won today they could've let a loss slide in game 4 and make it a best outta 3 series. My personal opinion, the Wings blew this game. We had total control, we were showing them that the Wings CAN be a better team, but then they just stopped playing. P.S. Anyone else think that any other goaltender in the WORLD could've made that save on the Sharks first goal??? Hasek has GOT to keep his skate tucked by that post. Had he done this instead of trying to grab it with his glove, he MIGHT'VE been able to squeek this one out I dunno, I'm definitely not writing off this season just yet, afterall it took a series similar to this in the 98 playoffs was it? Where they were down, Yzerman made a locker room speech and that was it, next thing we knew the cup was home.

how is coffey ahead of lidstrom on top defenseman???

to be honest, the whole thing with San Jose having the majority of road wins, I think is irrelevant now that we're in the play-offs. Same applies for ALL the people who said "oh San Jose has had the Wings number all year long and it'll be an obvious win by the Sharks"... This obviously isnt the case now that we're in the play-offs. Every hockey player will admit it, the regular season and post-season are two totally different aspects of the game. And honestly, to a certain extent, the regular season doesnt mean crap as long as you make the play-offs. Perfect example is last years 8th seeded Oilers knockin out our 1st seeded Wings, let alone Edmonton went all the way to the finals. Now as for getting a W in the fish tank? I'm not gonna get into speculation on whether we CAN but rather just that we NEED atleast 1 win. As much as I LOVE the Wings if they drop both games to San Jose, lets just say the mountain they would have to climb would be much too steep. If they split, home ice advantage could be very crucial! Now I'm hoping that the Wings take it period for period, game for game and show up all 60 minutes of those games are pull out 2 W's. If they can do that, I can definitely see us facing Anaheim in the WCF, but thats a whole different subject. Personally I just dont think we have seen neither the Wings nor the Sharks show up for 60 minutes and entertain us with a fast paced, hard hitting game that it should be. Now that these first 2 games are out of the way, I see the fish tank paving the way for the next Stanley Cup Champion! ! ! (only to be matched by Buffalo) P.S. YAY for my 1st post on LGW