The Secret

Misty, I see from your avatar that your shades are the wrong colour. I think if you borrowed SWF's glasses you'd see where he/she is coming from. To me Lilja has not become a liability now, in these playoffs.... he's always been that way! Mucking in the corners is not the easiest place to play but Lilja had no reason not to make the play and take the hit.... cowardly, and poor defensively!

Hahaha, I used to throw up before highschool football games from nerves! Quincey might have a seisure to shake out the nerves. No matter who is in I am expected and over-all better effort, and a few teaks in strategy.... that and limiting the trips to the box and limiting the play of who ever isn't up to par should do it.... hope its not wrong to hope to see Sindey get a Kronwall KO.

True, but Quincey held his own last year and given the role and amount of playing time he may be able to make the best of it. Just 9ish minute per game of concentraded, no mistakes, no heroics, NO PP or PK, defensive play!

I am one who believes Chelios to be a warrior but I will not make excuses for anyone's poor play. If he's not contributing then he is where he belongs... fine. Quincey came in cold last year and was a better player then what I see from Lilja. He didn't play alot, wasn't super flashy, nor score a bunch of points but he was solid Defensively and thats all we need from 5 & 6 defensemen... solid play, few mistakes, and ability to recover. Not looking for a hero here man, just someone to get a few quality minutes while our hero's catch theor breath!

No, don't get me wrong. I totally agree with you that we didn't lose because of the play of one individual. We lost because we did not play a solid 60 minutes and the Pens played much better. That still doesn't change tha fact that I think we need to ice the players that will best contribute and Lilja is not and never has been one of those IMO. Sammy chipped in a few timely goals but that happens how often? And what does he do or provide on PP's? A booming shot the goes wide of the net? How about my favourite... his super tricky head fake that fools no one. I just think we have better options available... for Lilja at the moment anyway!

Think about it man... what are coaches going to say to the media? You really think it would be wise for them to say the truth "Lilja is a weak link in our armour and will be traded at the end of the season. He takes bad penalties, makes horrible plays and for a big man he plays like a little girl." I think the fact the he was benched speaks louder to whats true then anything else. I will be surprised if he plays next game.... despite what your reliable sources say!

Be careful... don't say that! Lilja is a fine.... hurry put your magic glasses back on and see for yourself! He's didn't fall and cough up the puck, he decided to lay down and build up his energy for a second!

Your not serious!?!?!? You sure your watching the right sport? Hockey is the one with the ice and the skates and the puck... started here in Canada with igloo's and the polar bear's and the good beer!!! I don't see it at scapegoat treatment as much as truthful observations. If 90% of the people feel the same don't you think there maybe some truth to whats being observed... or are you one of the ones that have permanently decided to wear your magic rose coloured Red Wings glasses like SWF?

I would have pulled the goalie long before we was finally pulled! There was plenty of opportunity to get that extra skater out there with about 2 minutes left and maybe even a bit sooner... could have made a difference. Its the Stanley Cup final we were only down by 1 and truning it on a the end of the 3rd... if your about to lose why not go balls out?

I agree, I hold my breath as well when ever I see Lilja on the ice. Why is Chelios not in? I thought it was due to injury? I would much rather have Chelios in then Lilja... no question. If not Chelios why not Meech or Quincey? ....anyone other then Lilja.

I was thinking more around the final 2 minute mark but I think your idea is very risky but very gutsy and I like it. Why not? We up in the series, down in the game by only 1, at the time the momentum was on our side AND we were already up 1 man. I like your thinking Chaldean.

No need to start a witch hunt. Maybe he had a bad game but Pitsburgh took it to us more importrantly. On the positive. we looked better in the 3rd. Expect Red Wing hockey next game! Chin up Stewie!!

I totally agree with you, I thought this too. Whats next for old man Roberts? Maybe next time he'll take a page out of McSorley's book?! This should be punished AND we should all be thankfull nothing serious happened to Mule. Ref's better have a better grip next game.

The refs need to be better at seeing and calling the little extra's that provoke the incident's of acting. I really really don;t want to see our favourite sport become like soccer... I'm pretty sure every soccer team hire's an acting coach as part of their coaching staff. Soccer ahs become so lame bec ause of it and I def do not want this in the NHL... ref's need to be better, bottom line!

Welcome home Stewie!

Right now Osgood is a winner and that is the only label that counts. Its obvious that they are trying to get Ozzie off his game but Ozzie is flipping it on them, maybe with some acting but its not working for Sindey and the girls in Pitsburgh!

Pens are a sore bunch of losers... thinking they owned everything only to be proven wrong, very wrong by a better team. Its obvious that the Pens are on the last page of their playbook already which lists excuses, complaining, fighting and losing as their objectives... and they are executing with perfection. GO WINGS!

I don't think Holmer should change anything about what he does... he is where he is because of what he does... and he is the master of it. He has found his strength and how he can contribute and does it to perfection. And its true, he is very clumsy and doesn't have the kind of talent to change into another player. I think the league should review interference calls and Holmer just keeping being Holmer.

MAF falling on his face to start this game was hilarious. I had a great laugh over that one.

Who cares where they play him, let's just get him back and going and hope he continues where he left off! This is great news for us!

I think he's young and still learning how to play playoff level hockey. Zets and Dats vanished for their first few years too. Now Dats was our best player by far and Zets was right behind him, IMO. That Malkin is fun to watch, on or off his game, you can see the player he will develop into once he gets some more experience and learns to fight for what he wants. Datsyuk was a pansy in the beginning, yesterday he actually threw some meaningfull checks. Let's not forget that he is up against the greatest Defense on ice as well. Our D is and will continue to limit the Offensive flash that The Pens possess... so long as we stay out of the penalty box!!!! Very important, more so this series then any other!

I still hate Sammy and hope he gets traded... but what a time for him to come rumblin', stumblin', bumblin' in for a few points! Good game Sammy (I don't believe I have had the chance to say that once this year) and don't let the door hit your butt on your way out of Hockeytown!

I hope this hasn't been posted yet, I apologize if it has. If not then Its a nice article in favour of our beloved Red Wings! Enjoy! http://sports.sympatico.msn.ca/Ten+things+...=abc&date=F PS. GO WINGS GO! GO WINGS GO! (...can you tell I am pumped!)

Wow, a kind response. Thank you Yzerfan75. Not used to this, I often feel this to be the Red Wing arguement board with too many users all to quick verbally bash your teeth in for having a different view. Let's channel all the positive vibes we can to the boys on the ice for what its worth too all of us as fans! Red Wing fans UNITE!

Yup, to a young gun. Thats what I would do. I would n't use Sammy nearly as much or in as many situations as he is being used right now. Maybe Hudler could use some more of Sammy's time... I would not be opposed to that! I don't like Samuelsson, how he plays or what he has to offer.... especially for the amount of time he gets and his role! I think the time could be better utilized!