VM1138

Pittsburgh scares me a bit, because they're an unknown. The Wings haven't played them at all since they've adopted their new identity in the 2006-07 season. So maybe we're afraid of the IMAGE the league creates about the Pens. But I felt the same way about Colorado and Dallas. Now I think if we look beyond the headlines, that Detroit is much deeper and balanced, but the Pens again have the hot goalie, and their offense is pretty good. Certainly Crosby and Malkin are scary, but with the way Datsyuk and Zetterberg are playing, this could be their year. Not to mention Detroit seems to be much deeper at offense. Oh, and the fact that Detroit's defense is among the best seen in the NHL in years. Oh, and the fact that Detroit plays keep away with the puck. I haven't seen enough of the Pens to judge: Are they good with puck possession?

As I always say, let's not get cocky. We have to beat Dallas first. Don't let Dallas get the win at all. Just like with Colorado, don't let them get any breathing room. But yeah, the atmospehre is changing. It's hard not to get excited that we're ONE WIN away from the FINALS. It's been too damn long. And there si this feeling that all the previous years of disappointment have led up to this moment, and created this team. The Wings now have an identity that they haven't had since 2002. They are that "hard working, puck possession, balanced, deep, physical-enough to beat you" team. We still have two teams to beat, though, and it's going to be a tough, long road still. But it's exciting nonetheless.

Didn't think this deserved a thread of it's own, but these types of comments really bother me: http://forums.anaheimducks.com/index.php?s...st&p=469305 A Ducks fan saying the Wings play really dirty hockey? This is a huge trend. How exactly do the Wings benefit from favoritism by the refs? And cheating at faceoffs? I've never been really clear on faceoff rules and whatnot, so I don't know if they cheat or not, but in every other department I fail to see how they cheat. They never fight. Their big hits are rare and always legal. Anyone else think it's just jealousy? I see a lot of people talking about how unfair it is to have Zetterberg and Datsyuk on a team. It's like Communism for sports. We're evil because we have what they don't, and that must be illegal for us to have something they don't!

Aw damn, I forgot all about that. I hope we don't fall victim to the 9 win streak that has plagued us all year. Now is the time to get that 10th win in a row!

Even if we were to beat them, excuses would be made to distract from Dats and Z. Well, Osgood was better than Fleury, or something like that. In no way will they ever undercut Sidney Crosby.

Losing teams tend to do that. And yeah, we did it, but I still beleive the only time I really felt the refs were biased was against Anaheim and that ridiculous goal in that San Jose game. After all, blatant stupidity can only explain so much. All else is just luck, or the refs not being able to see anything, or the refs trying to "make it fair."

Man, I have to miss tomorrow's game. I can catch it on the radio but if ever there was one to actually sit down and watch...that would be it. Sometimes I really hate working second shift... Here's hoping whatever home crowd energy Dallas may benefit from is quickly destroyed with a McCarty victory over Ribs and the Wings scoring fast and furiously to take them out of this series. No sense giving Dallas a foothold.

Chelios has long been my favorite. I'd hate to see him go, but whenever he decides to retire it will be for the best, opening up a roster spot for another capable defenseman.

I hope this doesn't mess with Ozzie's head for next game. Stay focused! Also, I can't wait to see the retribution. There will be blood.

Who do you think will take Ribiero out first, Drake or Dmac? Personally, I think either Ribs' first shift DMac challenges him, and then Drake pesters the hell out of him all game long, or the other way around.

I didn't want to sift through the 14 pages or so before this: But since the NHL hasn't issued a suspensino yet, does that mean one won't come at all? Or did they issue one and just didn't post it on NHL.com?

Drake was brought on precisely for the playoffs. Is it any wonder the players we worried about in the regular season (except for Flip) have stepped it up a notch for the playoffs? I almost want to believe in some conspiracy theory that they intentionally didn't work hard during the season so they could conserve their energy for the playoffs.

The Freep said he's only missing Game 3 for sure. If he checks out he'll be flown out to Dallas to join Game 4. But if the pain is getting worse as time goes on I doubt he'll be fine for Game 4. But the Wings are a machine, and they may not score as much, but as long as they score enough, I'll be happy. Hope Mule gets better soon!

I really wonder if there's a way to limit corporate buying of seats. Those are all the empty ones. If only they would allow people to move down however many rows after a period, or allowed for people to buy up the corporate seats. Kind of irks me that so many people WANT to go, and the games are being sold out, yet the corporates aren't showing up.

He's been slower for a while. He's well past his prime, but I still respect him. Still a great all around player, he juts can't do as much as he used to.

I'm way past the stage for getting excited over signings like this. The odds are overwhelmingly that he doesn't play at all and he ends up sucking in the NHL. That being said I still root for him and hope he proves to be great depth. It's just that teams have been burned more than not in picking up a foreign league player to join their team.

Just imagine if Holmstrom hauled off and chopped Turco in the chest one time when he gets knocked down or something. Wouldn't that be something. Just proves how much classier Holms is than Ribiero.

There's a sight!

I was just going to post that thing about Ozzie being suspended. I'm in an argument with some people who seem to be totally blind and...well...stupid.

Franzen won't be back for Game 3. He's getting tested IN DETROIT on Monday, and isn't Game 3 Monday?

I'm under the impression that ANY time you swing your stick two handed at a player (ESPECIALLY AFTER A GAME IS ENDED) is a suspension. Regardless of circumstance. And yes, McCarty is going to hurt this fool.

I don't. Worst thing the Wings can do is get rattled and focus on a single player. We have to keep attacking Dallas as a whole and not get distracted. Game 3, as usual, will probably be the hardest of the series. They're at home. They played better. Detroit needs to step it up even more to win in Dallas and get some garbage goals. With the home crowd and animosity Dallas will be much more physical.

I don't think anyone is saying Ozzie DIDN'T sell it. It's the INTENT TO INJURE that bothers everyone. I don't think we'd be all up in arms this much if Ribiero had skated over to Ozzie and shoved him or anything.

You know, I can kind of see how they think Ozzie "started it". But frankly, even if Ozzie did do it on purpose, I didn't think retaliation is okay in this league. How many times has Holmstrom been punched or hit or slashed by goalies? Goalies jab all the time. Absolutely no excuse for slashing someone across the chest with your stick. You have a problem with him, confront him. Don't hide behind the net and swing your stick. I think we have a series, fellas.

I don't think Ozzie is injured. But damn, injured or not that wa sa cheap shot, I don't care if Ozzie jabbed his stick up. I don't think a stick jab merits a retaliation like Ribiero did, though. Even in the heat of the moment. Did you see McCarty's face when Ozzie got his? There's something brewing here.