VM1138

Cheap shot after the game. Suspension.

I guess he misses the rest of the series...unless it's a looong series. He'll miss the Dallas trip. At least the first game, and thus probably the second.

You know, i'm thinking about this. This could be good for us. Now the Stars won't know who to focus in on, and historically it seems that a random player will step up with an amazing game. Cleary maybe? If he could get back to where he once was, we'd have four insane forwards.

If it's Hartigan we're screwed. Replacing an irreplaceable with a non-factor? Big mistake. At least D-Mac makes smart plays and can provide grit. Hell, I'd play Meech in a forward spot over Hartigan.

Fisticuffs have their role, and certainly it's exciting having a team that CAN fight back. But that's like...a few seconds a game of excitement. I personally LIKE watching the pass-pass-pass-crazy backwards spin-goal.

Oh this is bad. Bad.....bad....I mean, the guy has been a guaranteed goal a game.... Other guys will really have to step up. I hope Franzen gets better soon, but I'm sure the rest of the team can pick up the slack.

For once, we're set in goal for next year. It'll be nice to have reliable goaltending for the first time in 7 years. Ozzie is the starter. Howard and that other kid compete for backup. We're golden.

I understand the desire for a rivalry and all that, but the teams that are left are all legitimate hockey teams. This probably the best year for hockey in a decade. No more Carolina's, Tampa Bays, etc. going far. Legitimate contenders in Detroit, Dallas, Philly, Pittsburgh are left, and they're all amazing clubs with rich histories. Plus, I'd think Philly-Pitts would be an insane series to watch. It's like a 7 game OSU-UofM series. So no, we may not hate Dallas, but we're probably goign to see some of the best hockey in years in the next two rounds.

Yeah, I listen to some games on the radio, and the last game especially you could barely hear the announcers because the crowd was screaming the whole game. I agree Wings fans aren't the loudest, though. Maybe all that will change when they win the Cup this year.

I'd be excited to face Pitts. I hate their team, always have (Penguins? What the hell?). I kind of like Malkin. But man, just imagine these top three forwards facing off: Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen Crosby, Malkin, Hossa. Colossal. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Still have to beat Dallas.

Now if they keep Theodore they will have missed the point.

Just wait. If the Wings beat Pittsburgh for the Cup all the stories will be about the young Crosby team makign it's mark and how it'll be around for years to come. Guaranteed. I bet the annual Sports Illustrated issue for the champions will be for Pittsburgh instead of Detroit (if Detroit wins). Jeez. But this series isn't over. Dallas will bring their A-game next time.

Howard hasn't been ready for the NHL in the past. He's been good, but he still looks inexperienced. But don't worry. It looks like next year we'll have three goalie's competing, with Ozzie carrying the load. Very cool.

I couldn't watch the game, I had to listen to it on the radio, but let's not get cocky. They scored an even strength goal, right? We scored 3 (or was it four) on the powerplay. What happens if the refs don't call it so tightly next time? I have faith the Wings can keep dominating, but let's not get cocky. It's a potentially long series. And when we go to Dallas it'll be an entirely different situation, let's just hope we go in there up 2-0.

All I have to ask is: When you're "lucky" for an entire season, game in and game out....when does it stop being luck and become skill?

Anyone know what radio station this will be on in the Tri-Cities? 790 AM or 100.5 FM?

Damn....well it looks like nobody has any faith in Philly.

Wow, Raffy seems to be a little snarky about New Jersey. If you read between the lines. I wish I had a friend or teammate who lived on a Malibu beach where we could all go surfing or play soccer and watch TV. Damn it must be fun to be a hockey player, heh.

That reminds me of something I mentioned on the Stars message board regarding the analysts and their favorites. Since Dallas and Detroit have repeatedly been underestimated I made the comment that they would explain in their predictions how bad Dallas and Detroit suck and that they would both lose the series, handing the cup to the Pitts.

I don't know how this game will go. Either the Wings shock everyone and blow them out, or Dallas blows us out, or the Wngs are rested and beats, or they're out of practice and flat....or Dallas is tired and beaten up...Turco stands on his head....or Turco collapses like he always has.... There are just so many ways this could go I just can't wait for Game 1 to be here!

Every time I've seen O'Halloran he does something stupid. Worst ref in the league. Wish he didn't get in the finals all the time.

This is my favorite line in the article: "Babcock suggests that his players, having disposed of Nashville and Colorado, are about to kick it up a gear. They all enjoyed the first two rounds but "now it's time to play." Bad. Ass.

Filpulla doesn't deserve an increase in salary. He hasn't added anything to his game or improved his play. He's playing at arguably the same or lower level than last season. I definitely think he's trade bait and not due for an upgrade.

Well, we can reduce that list: Chelios signs for the league minimum. He just wants to play. Lilja is gon, Hartigan, gone. Drake, retired. Hasek, retired. Downey, gone. Kopecky, kind of useless, I think he'll be gone. Ericcson won't take much to sign. Flip could be traded. And with the cap going up I just don't see a problem with re-signing Stuart and still going out to get another forward or someone to replace Drake or Kopecky.

Considering Raffy and Lids are like two extra forwards, this balancing act might work. Makes each line that much more potent. Or this could flop like splitting Dats and Z does. But honestly, I like the idea. Having a defenseman able to quarterback a play and set up or score some goals playing next to a guy who can demolish the competition...I smell victory. Not to mention it means Dallas will have to find an answer to two extremely potent forward lines AND defensive pairings, when I think they only have the capacity to handle one.