VM1138

Everyone seems to think Anaheim manhandled us. Good to know we're being underestimated.

The crossover of intelligent fans is always fun. Welcome aboard and look forward to your input. Hopefully this series can prove my theory that Detroit and Dallas fans are among the classiest.

There aren't any crazy catches that would change agreed upon salaries, right? So if the cap goes up the Wings have a ridiculous amount of cap space to play with, right? Hopefully that doesn't mean Zetterberg asks for too much more than he was already asking for as a result. I'm salivating at the thought of who we could get with that extra cash.

The Wings haven't really been tested, but they haven't been struggling. I think people overlook that. Skill and discipline beat Nashville, and everythign clicked against Colorado. People make light that Colorado was hurt and was "easy" to beat, but they never notice HOW BAD Detroit beat Colorado. Plenty of teams would have taken a few more games to beat an injured Colorado.

It's not going to be easy. Toughest round of the playoffs yet. But the Wings are rested, have been getting better, and have been in the Conference Finals last year. Dallas is a great team, but they've been a little inconsistent. Turco has been their best player. They're a lot deeper than any team we've played. This is going to be tough, on par with last years' series versus San Jose and Anaheim. But I have faith. The Wings are playing like a well oiled machine and Dallas, even with the rest, might be a little worn out by series end. I say Dallas makes a series out of it, but makes too many mistakes, and gets a little tired towards the end.

Cleary vs Pronger Hasek vs Gaborik Datsyuk vs. Jovo Dastyuk vs Any Team, you name it he's owned them singlehandedly. Zetterberg's 17 game streak. Osgood's re-breakout year Rafalski body slamming. Downey vs. Laperierre And of course McCarty's comeback Rank them however you want they're all awesome.

He even complimented Osgood, saying he's flirted with the spectacular when necessary. The article is about how the Wings play so well the goalie doesn't HAVE to face spectacular shots. And that on most teams the MVP is the goalie, but the Wings are so good the goalie is only third best because the Wings are so stacked.

Kind of sucks there won't be an Original 6 matchup in the Finals......again. But at least all the teams left in the playoffs right now are quality teams that should draw some interest, unlike the typical Anaheim/Tampa Bay/Carolina crap we've had for years.

Let's not get silly. Playing baseball is enough rest as it is.

If your dream does come true hopefully we swept them like in '97.

I'm beginning to wonder about Dallas winning this series...if they end up blowing it it would be one of the most colossal defeats in history (at the very least 3rd worst, according to the stats). I'm done making predictions and guessing. I'm going back to my typical "let's not get cocky and just hope for the best."

I'd like Rolston to come here. Frankly, I think they go after a forward simply because you can never have too many. But we're set on centers, I think. We need some scoring wingers. But does anyone else think it's a little unlucky for us to start talkign about the offseason halfway through the playoffs? Seems like bad karma to me...

We did have secondary scoring issues, and right now I think a lot of our scoring is Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Franzen. Other people are playing extremely well, but it'd still be nice to have a third or fourth line that could score regularly, like in the old days. Which is why I think, Cup or not, Holland will pursue a consistent scorer (relative to his position that is) for the third or fourth lines).

I would NOT play Maltby over McCarty. I understand that Maltby was playing awesome in the stretch, and I feel bad about him not playing, but McCarty's line has been doing great, I don't want to mess with that until we have to.

I hope Melrose doesn't pick us. I pray to God he doesn't. Pick Dallas! I'm sure they will though. Nothing would make them cry themselves to sleep more than the Wings giong into the Stanley Cup Finals. I hope we're not all getting too cocky and arrogant after that 8-2 win, though. I hope the hockey gods aren't watching!

Actually, not until Sunday at earliest. And it's highly unlikely (in my view) that the Rangers are going to roll over after winning 3-0 and Montreal will just play dead. I expect both those series to go at least 6 games.

The Wings are going to play the free market (or trades) for sure. I see us picking up a Top-4 Defenseman, maybe two if Stuart goes back to LA. Stuart is the big question mark, I think. If he stays, we wont' do as much. If he leaves, his place will need to be filled. A top 6 scorer as well. Hudler and Filpulla are developing so...streaky. Though Hudler is doing fantastic now! Just picture: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom WINGER-Franzen-Sammy (if he stays) Cleary-Draper-Hudler Drake (if he stays)-Hudler-McCarty And that's without Filpulla, who I like, but just don't see him in the lineup. Ever since the trade deadline he's been sort of expendable. EDIT: Jeez, I totally forgot about Kopecky and Maltby. It sure looks like we'll be even deeper next year with those guys hanging around! Of course, Drake could always retire, Sammy, Filpulla, or Hudler could all be trade bait, but those are the lines I'd like to see.

In answer to the earlier question, Round 3 won't start until ALL teams have finished playing Round 2. Which means that either way, the Wings (and maybe Stars) are going to get a long time to cool off.

I'm not concerned about Dallas finishing off San Jose. It'll happen and probably tonight. But we're going to have to wait for that Montreal-Philly series to end, and I have a feeling that's going to go 7 games.... So like it or not, the Wings are going to get a loooong break. I just hope they know how to keep their edge and momentum going.

Agreed. I like flying under the radar, but it's nice to give that mental finger to all those analysts who year after year underestimate the Wings. I also can't wait for next season for the talk about the "non-physical Wings who can't make it out of the first round" considering we've made it to Conference Finals two years in a row. Old bitchings die hard, I guess.

I hate that Maltby has to sit out, considering he did nothing wrong. But there's no way in hell you take out Helm. His line has been great. And now that Sammy is actually scoring I can't call for his removal. Unfortunately I think there's no other choice than to sit him until Helm starts playing poorly.

I think for most teams, a long rest hurts, but I don't think it will matter. The Wings haven't really missed a beat over last off-season from last playoffs, and a lot of the players pick up right where they left off after long absences. So I think the rest will do more good than harm. I think the Wings are playing so well right now that either a long rest or continuing play would both be fine. History has shown that teams do wear down, and I think that may be a factor late in the Conference Finals.

They are both huge threats, but the Wings have been playing like they're on a mission as well. I predict a colossal, probably 7 game series of titans in the Conference Finals. Unlike with Colorado, I don't think anyone should be underestimating either San Jose or Dallas.

I don't understand the talk about Sakic retiring. Where did this come from? The guy is still relatively young (but then again, being a Wings fan, maybe we're just used to older players), and he's still putting up the same points as he did years ago. Why, exactly, would he retire now?

Do we really want this series to go long though? Sure, long series could bang up every other team but it could also make Detroit rusty. But then again I think the Wings are such a well-oiled machine right now that they can keep playing at such a high level regardless.