VM1138

I'm watching the Sharks game, and I dont' know, their ice just looks very amateurish. Too much going on. When will people learn that you can get all flashy and obnoxious, but it won't last. Just stick to the simple stuff. Keep advertising to the boards only.

Definately, having ANaheim and the SHarks beat each other up would be best. THey could tire each other out, maybe a few key injuries (or more likely: a well-timed Pronger suspension).

This is an old story in every single sport. THe experts always pick the youth, yet the youth hardly EVER go anywhere until they are OLD. It's just the cultural obsession with youth. Age has really very little to do with professional sports, except maybe when injuries are involved. It's all about HOW the people play. I doubt anyone would argue the 46 year old Chelios is worse than most of the defenseman, especially the young ones, in the league, performance-wise.

I'm glad Draper will be back, he's crucial. We would've needed Maltby and Stuart, but maybe the young guys will bring their play to another level, like they did last year, and we won't miss them too much. I'm hoping the Wings can end this series quickly and with little damage so we can buy some resting time for some players who are on the Bubble.

(1) Detroit vs. (8) Nashville 4-1 (2) San Jose vs. (7) Calgary 4-2 (3) Minnesota vs. (6) Colorado 4-2 (4) Anaheim vs. (5) Dallas 4-3 EAST: (1) Montreal vs. (8) Boston 4-0 (2) Pittsburgh vs. (7) Ottawa 4-3 (3) Washington vs. (6) Philadelphia 4-2 (4) New Jersey vs. (5) New York Rangers 4-1

No matter how long I will be able to watch the game that day (if at all), I have to wear a Wings jersey (Either the '92 one, Chelios Home or Zetterberg Away) at SOME poitn in the day, even if only for 5 minutes. And when I have to take it off I always have to lay the jersey out with the name and number facing UP and nothing covering it. Talk about some weird OCD. Before the start of the playoffs I shave and grow out what little facial hair I can, heh. Before the start of the playoffs I re-read the Sports Illustrated 2002 Championship magazine. I have other weird smaller quirks, too.

I'm going to shave tonight after work, then let it grow out. Of course, all I can grow is a few splotches here and there. Looks pretty ridiculous but damnit I'll take the hit for the team!

Zetterberg needs to learn to shoot instinctively. He ALWAYS tries to go behind the net. He probably wouldn't have scored if he shot it, but it COULD have. He needs to unleash the rocket!

I have a good feeling about Hasek this year, guys. We've seen this story before (questionable season performance, amazing playoffs). Hasek was born for the playoffs and I think he's going to turn it on like he has in the past. But I'm sure, just by the law of probability, he will have a bad game and Ozzie will come in. I'm torn. I would love to see Osgood play, I wish Babcock would alternate. What would keep opponents confused and on their toes more than a constant changing opposing goaltender? It'd be so hard for them to get into a groove against a particular goalie.

I loved Milbury kind of ripping into Pierre for being a homer for any team that plays against the Wings. And earlier, how Pierre is using glowing adjectives like "energetic youthfulness" for Chicago's young players and "some younger guys" for Detroit in describing how they have something to prove.

I'm tired of everyone trying to label a hockey player as "The Next (Insert Name Here)". I just had a thought, though. Obviously it's a long-distance prediction, but I'm betting Toews will play for Detroit at some point in his career.

I'm thrilled Mac is showing he can still play at NHL level.

This is a game for individual records. THey should feed Dats and Z the puck all day so Dats can get his three points and Zetterberg can get his 45th. Oh, and how about a shutout so Hasek and Ozzie can get the Jennings?

I like his sense of humor. And I like how they're putting him out there more this season. He's easily one of the most likable guys in the NHL, even though he speaks half the English the others do.

I don't like how McCarty always gets stuck with the useless players (Hudler). Helm is good and all, btu I don't know if they would complement each other very much. So once again we won't get to see what all McCarty is capable of. But at least he's playing. And while I like Downey and think he's earned a permanent spot, he can't do much other than hit. I'd like to see him get a goal now and then for him to truly take on a McCarty like status in my mind.

Kronwall has really grown this season. It's to the point where you notice when he's out of the lineup. He is essential to this team and makes some great things happen out there.

I like the Caps, but yet again, it's kind of pathetic that that division makes third seed, considering they wouldn't even make the playoffs at all if not for the division leader automatically making it in.

It's official that the Wings' first game is on Thursday. I don't know if they officially announced the time, btu that's the time every other weekday game vs. Nashville starts when in Detroit.

I look forward to this first round. Anaheim will last a little longer than I expected them to, but at least we will probably get to play Colorado in the 2nd round, and San Jose-Anaheim will take away one of the two biggest threats tot he Wings, and hopefully bang up the other.

I wouldn't call it a heated divisional rivalry. Last season there was a little heat brewing, but the games haven't been that exciting (I think a Calgary series would be better to watch from an entertainment standpoint), and I don't really get the sense that the two teams don't like each other. Nashville has always just been a kind of boring team to me.

This is always an exciting time. The arrival of the playoffs signals so many unknowns. This isn't like the NFL or any other sport where the outcome is pretty much chosen ahead of time. Anythign can happen. Injuries, momentum, confidence levels, and not to mentino that playoffs ALWAYS have totally unexpected contributors. For all we know, Hudler could end up leading the team in points after a Stanley Cup win. And because of that predictions are really moot. Absolutely anything can happen to throw off the series to one team or the other.

It soudns like he just watched one or two games when the Wings lost and didn't bother to fact check. Oh, and as for the age thing, in statistics it's called outliers. Hasek and Chelios are so far from the median age that they should be removed from the equation, because it throws everything off. I bet the average age drops 3 years when they are removed from the equation. Oh, and how about how Detroit is one of the fastest teams in the league? ANd what happened to all that talk about Detroit's hard work ethic? Meh, I love going into the playoffs as the underdog. This is all part of the ritual of being a Red Wings fan.

That's what I don't understand. The biggest threats are in the West. If we win the Conference Finals, how don't we destroy the Eastern team? I take solace that at least the poll numbers were close.

God, these statements make me nervous about karma. Let's all just stick to the boring, tried and true: "It will be a good, close, tough series."

Sigh. I'm glad some people aren't in charge of this team. If some people had their way, all the players would be 8 feet tall and would hit everything that moves, but couldn't score or play hockey. Hudler should go because he can't score, set up plays, or do ANYTHING on a consistent basis.