VM1138

Nobody would have guessed that the playoff scoring leader would be Johann Franzen. I would haev laughed at you had you suggested that in October, but damn, here we are. Franzen is a beast! Keep it up!

The parallels with the 2002 Cup run just keep growing.... I, too, am afraid of Frazen's future. This kid is coming out this year, and could command a relatively big contract and role. Will he be willing to continue being a second liner (or first liner, I guess) with Detroit, behind Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Holmstrom? I'd hate to see him leave now that he's good.

We have to treat this like the series is tied. The Wings need to start from scratch. Play a perfect game again, dominate, but don't go in there thinking you own this series. Colorado is going to play different. And how many times has the return of an injured player boosted a team to come back? So let's not assume Forsberg will be a non-factor. That being said, I think Sakic is better than Forsberg and HE's been a nonfactor. So we'll see. I'm excited but not thinking this is over, not by a longshot. A series is like a long game. If the WIngs sit back thinking they have this series in hand, they allow the Avs to come back. Keep the foot on the accelerator and don't let off the Avs!

Forsberg is a huge threat. Don't let a big victory go to your head. We beat Anaheim 5-0 last year and look where that landed us. We're going into their house, they played an UNCHARACTERISTICALLY bad game, and Forsberg may be back in the lineup. Jose may stop being sick and perform well. We don't know. Don't dare get cocky right now and jinx this team!

WHy won't they play the only Colorado goalie who's been decent against the Wings? Jose must be on the edge of "not being sick". I hate to talk like this out of fear that Jose will just come out and dominate, but after the fun of today's game, I might as well: Keep setting him up and we'll keep knocking him down. Just so long as we can score on Budaj, too, that is.

Stuart comes back tonight and Colorado is still missing some of their guys? It's going to be close, but with Stuart back in the lineup I feel much better about our defensive aspects. I hope our offense can keep piling on Theodore and expanding a lead. I'm thinking that as logn as the Wings play the full 60 minutes and play a little smarter strategically (no sitting back or switching to more defensive plays) they'll be okay. There's no reason to go defensive, because our defense is smart enough to improvise and keep Colorado from getting too many chances. No need to box in the offense with them.

Won't get to watch thsi one, either. I'll have it on the radio in low quality and lots of static, and with all the noise at my work I'll basically only be able to hear if someone scores. Sigh. At least I'll get to catch about 80% of the late night Colorado ones.

Yzerman and Sakic were mirror images of each other, it seems. I never had anything but respect for Joe, as I hope Colorado fans never disrespected Yzerman. He's one of the greats.

I really miss seeing Fisch out there, but he can't return as long as it's a health risk. Isn't he still officially on the roster, though? So someday, if they have some sort of medical breakthrough, and he's not too old....who knows. Although I think he won't be returning ever. And that's okay, he should live his life. I'm glad he's in player development, I can't think of a better place for him.

You know, this time I actually understand where he's coming from. It IS hypocritical to make money off a player that you despise and that you try to control. And Avery IS a world class donkey's rear end.

There is so much to love about hockey. It's so fast and quick to develop. But I agree with everyone else on here, it's the passion. Grown men doing anything to win. These players aren't the ego-driven bastards of the NBA and NFL, they cheer just as loudly when anyone on the team scores. I love the impromptu yet ritual pile-ons when someone scores the game winning goal, I love the tension of sudden death overtime. I love that playoffs are more than one game, giving the beaten team a chance to respond, making a series long war. I love the Steve Yzerman's who are broken and hurting and STILL go out and play, using a stick as a crutch. I love that moment of pure joy that is shared among the team and 20,000 screaming fans when a split second decision leads to an offensive rush or an amazing save by a forward forced to play in front of his own net. Because the sport is so fast-moving, the memorable moments are NATURAL. Unlike in other sports where some moments seem fabricated or forced, hockey is full of split-second responses. And I love going to a game and hearing the "OH!" when a shot hits the post, or when someone makes a huge hit, and the chanting of the goalie's name in support, and the fact that you are living in a time vacuum with thousands of other fans to live and die with your team, which actually plays like a TEAM.

Awww, you went and said the "S" word! But seriously, I think this series will be unpredictable. Colorado made a game of it, and it will be close the whole series. Theodore was sick, so who knows how he will play when he's healthy, or how Budaj will play with all the pressure. The Wings need to play a full 60 minutes. Avs fans say the same thing about the Avs. Whoever does this will probably win the series. I also find it funny that both Wings and Avs fans think the OTHER team lacks depth. I agree with you that their defense isnt' nearly as good as ours, but on forwards I'd say we're pretty much even. Zetterberg just needs to stop shooting backhanders at the net and take good shots. The thing is, Detroit relies on its bag of tricks. Which is great and all, Nashville obviously didn't know how to respond. I think Colorado does. Not to mention it's the playoffs and anyone can win any game based on some slight change in the series. Although I won't dismiss the idea of a sweep, I think that if it happens each game will be close. I'm talking like: Game 1: 4-3 Game 2: 2-1 Game 3: 5-4 OT Game 4: 3-2 (Maybe OT)

I think that Budaj's great play in this game was a fluke. It's not a mirror of the Osgood situation. In most cases, a switch in goalies always ends up with the backup stopping all (or most of) the shots against him. I don't know why, it's just one of those mystical hockey things. The Wings have never had a problem with Budaj or Theodore, and I don't expect them to start having a problem now. In Game 2 they won't have a goalie entering in mid-game to rally around. They'll come out strong, but so will the Wings, and it'll be another close game, probably with the Wings winning...I hope.

Here's hoping they give it their all to shut down Datsyuk.....only to leave everything else open for all our other players. But wait, who are we kidding? They could have all 20 Avs surround Datsyuk and Dats would still come out with he puck.

Is the game for sure on VS? On my TV it only says that a Semi-Final game will be played, and the teams are TBA.

Yeah, their second line is better than ours talent-wise, but I have faith that even if we can't outscore their second line, our second line will smother them.

It's going to be a good series, and I'm not giong to get cocky, especially about Theodore. He could step it up a notch, or he could be overhyped. Sakic and Forsberg are the biggest threats. Detroit doesn't seem to have a problem with too many defenses, and as long as they keep shooting it will go in. Not to mentino if Stuart, Kronwall, Chelios, and Lidstrom keep playing perfectly, and Rafalski has a slightly better series (which I'm sure he will), Sakic and Forsberg might be the only ones scoring. And last time I checked you can't win with only two of your players scoring. So, no cockiness here, but I'm confident, that even if this goes to 7 games (and after Nashville I'm prepared to accept ANY series going the distance), Wings will pull these out. Too bad I get to miss the first two because of work (will have to tune in on the radio), but I'll be watching the away games!

DET/COL: 4-3 SJ/DAL: 4-3 MON/PHI: 4-2 PIT/NYR: 4- 2

I think the Wings will play better as time goes on. And I wouldn't say Colorado is the best in the West. Although, think about this: I do think whoever wins this series will win the Cup. When the Wings and Avs play, the winner has always gone on to win the Cup, haven't they? I can't recall.

The league better hype the hell out of this series. It's going to be freaking EPIC. But I'm uneasy, because for the first time we're playing a team that can match us. I still think we'll win, but nobody better get cocky and jinx us.

I'm not worried in the sense that I think we'll lose. But I'm worried because they are a good team, and this series will not be a cakewalk. I'm worried in the sense that I don't know what to expect. This Colorado team is different than the one we played this season. They are healthy (but so are we now). On the one hand they are very talented, but on the other, the Wings have beaten them before. Just think, both these teams are well-rested, physical, and talented. It's going to be a bloodbath! But I still think the Wings have the edge. Hopefully. I have faith.

I'm sorry. We can't afford to play Chelios more than 8 minutes? He's been absolutely clutch every time we've needed him to play big minutes, and we've saved him for exactly this purpose. I do get the impression that the Avs are underestimating us. After all, we all admit the Avs are a much better team than they were and will be a great matchup, but they all seem to think Detroit has terrible goaltending, no offense, and a shallow defense. I think they're the ones that might be in for a bit of a shock. Once again it appears the Wings are going in as the underdog!

Lidstrom is no mere mortal. It's a guy who never makes ANY mistakes vs. two guys, as good as they may be, (And Phaneuf is good, don't mistake me), but still have bad games. Regardless of stats: Guy who never has a bad game vs. Guys who sometimes do? No brainer.

I hope he wins it. Chelios has been my favorite Wings since he joined!

Lidstrom wins. No way Chara gets it and Phaneuf only stands a chance if Calgary wins the Cup. And even then it's not a given.