VM1138

This gets brought up every season. Aside from the exception rule, the Finals rule, etc., there is the petition a team can make to add basically whoever they want to the Cup.

Come on LA, grow a pair and hold a lead.

Agreed. Nashville and Anaheim are pretty evenly matched. This series goes to seven.

Looks like Chicago is inspiring other teams now. I wonder if there have ever been so many blowouts in elimination games in such a short time span before?

I thought this, too, but the Wings have dominated whenever they've had a rest. The start of the season, the first round, and there was a point in February I think where they had a week off and came back on fire.

Selanne isn't 46, is he? Chelios was still playing extremely well into, I don't know, 43 at least.

It's been proven time and time again that the octopi that get thrown are not slimy. The opposing players just hate it and have complained claiming that. And Gary, like the narrow minded man he is, never bothered to investigate whether or not it was true.

I doubt he's going to get more than Cleary and Filppula. Sure, he's great, and one of the best players on the team, but he's not a second liner yet and shouldn't be paid like one.

I think the Wings can beat any team in the playoffs if they stick to consistency and their game. But I still have nightmares from that San Jose series last year. Pavelski is a beast, Clowe is always dangerous, and they've shown they can win tight OT games.

Was disappointed to see him start, but right off the hop he had energy. Unfortunately he sort of disappeared as the game went on, but good way to bounce back. The test with him this season has been: will he keep it up? Or will he go back to being lazy?

Phoenix is sort of like Nashville now, always doing a bit better than they really have any right to. I know it's sad that they'll have to move to Winnipeg, but it'll work out for them. They've put together a good team, now imagine playing in front of a cheering crowd every night!

Nabakov/Bryzgalov for goal. Weber or Yandle (not sure if he's an unrestricted free agent or not, probably not) for defense. Too many choices for forwards. A legit second line scoring winger, sniper preferably.

It really sucks for the people who actually enjoy hockey there, that's for sure. And of course the families. Last night I was surprised to find myself feeling bad for Shane Doan. The guy is a warrior.

Honestly, Doan did all he could. He's always been a great leader for them. He's a douchebag who resorts to cross checking and borderline hits, but the fact is he leaves it all on the ice every game. What more can you ask? He was really the only player on there. I can honestly say that these past four games, the only Phoenix players I've heard mentioned were Doan, Yandle, Bryzgalov, and that Shlemko kid. Everybody else was invisible for them. EDIT: Forgot Hanzal.

Hopefully the long break will help the Wings. Round 2 will be more like the third season than the continuation of a brutal battle. As long as they remember how to play like they did this series they will be fine in Round 2. Don't come out rusty. Interesting thought: with so many players complaining about possibly moving to Winnipeg, there will probably be quite a bit of roster movement. Bryz probably won't go, but what about others? I don't know contract statuses or not, but is there anyone on Phoenix you'd want to see Detroit grab?

Did that guy seriously just say Red Wings are unknowledgeable when it comes to hockey? Seriously? I know he's probably a troll but he put quite an effort in on that post.

I would do everything possible to go see this if it were held in or around Detroit.

This is a character game for the Wings. If they can finish Phoenix off they will show they have that killer instinct needed to win the Cup. Plus, being the only team to sweep the first round would be pretty cool. Let's go Wings! Pedal to the metal!

Does Pittsburgh have a larger metro area than Detroit? Chicago is certainly a lot bigger than Detroit so it's not surprising that they would be ahead of Detroit for market. I'm not sure how they tally these up but measurements of TV markets is notoriously inaccurate, too.

I'd love to see a Vancouver-Detroit Conference final. Would be pretty damn legendary. But how far will the Wings go? Honestly, I'm just enjoying the ride. The Wings, right now, appear to be the best team in the playoffs, even on par with Vancouver (both teams beating feisty but inferior teams 3 games to none with the best goalies playing). A lot can happen, even in this series still, but they are playing near perfect hockey right now and everyone always says you don't beat Detroit in a series when they're playing their game. Let's put it this way, if the Wings make it to the Finals, they win the Cup. As usual, the Western Conference finals are going to determine the Cup winner.

I get that he can make more money doing baseball, but I can't imagine putting up with the sheer boredom of living baseball all the time. Hockey is way more exciting and interesting.

We don't need him out there every shift this series. I think it's safe to get a little cocky now that the series is heading to Game 4, but Phoenix just is totally outmatched even without Lidstrom. Last night, when they should have brought their A-game, they just seemed lifeless for a lot of the game. Bryzgalov looked miserable and you could see defeat in a lot of the players, especially through their frustration and cross-checks. The Wings have this, let's just hope they finish it in four so that everyone can rest. Love it. Phoenix just looks like they're trying to win through physical play, and honestly, the Wings aren't pushovers anymore, and haven't been for years. Let Phoenix keep taking stupid penalties, especially if the refs call all the bad stuff they do like cross checking.

Doan is going to try to ignite his team by playing borderline dirty to rile up the fans and team. Better watch out for him. The changing dynamic of playing in Phoenix and getting last change and all that could give Phoenix their best chance to get back in this series. The Wings need to stay confident, play hard every single minute, be ready for a battle, and they'll be fine. But they can't underestimate Phoenix or come out flat. I feel good about this, though.

He better play. This is the worst possible time to lose someone. This is Phoenix's best chance to get back in this series, we need all hands on deck to keep them down.

I had the same thought. It seems the last two years or so they play best when the other is injured, oddly enough. They really shine when they have to carry the team. But when they're together it's almost like they don't want to steal the spotlight from the other and so neither is as stellar.