Third Man In

Word, as the kids say. Actually, the kids don't say that, but that's neither here nor there. VIB16--you should post the Octopus Cake Porn to entice people.

That's it. The gloves are coming off. I'm bringing more than beer on Saturday. You'll see.

Full 60 minutes tonight. Nothing less.

Let's Go Red Wings! :clap: :clap: :octo: *splat* :octo: *splat*

Unless he's hungover...

All fair points. I don't suspect his rustiness would lead to turnovers, but his foot affecting his skating to the point where it's creating problems in the defensive zone is an obvious concern. As for Pavel averaging .5 P/gm--yeah, Wings fans would like him to score more, but I don't think many would mind at this point if he came back healthy enough to help our anemic PK and take some weight off Zetterberg defensively to allow that line the chance to produce more.

I'd be upset I agree that regardless of injury Homer's been ineffective these playoffs. That being said, he had two points in game 2, and I thought last night was one of his best games in a long time--he was much more effective with screens, deflections, and in the corners than he's been for a long while. I'd give him another game. And I would definitely play Abdelkader over Leino for the reasons already stated. Heck, if the Wings had gotten him on the ice during the 3rd minute of the 3rd period yesterday, he might have gotten the go ahead goal.

Is Ozzie on the verge of a meltdown? Possible, but not probable. Is this thread on the verge of looking even more idiotic after the Wings take a 3-1 lead tomorrow? Possible, and much, much more probable.

PRECISION. SACRIFICE. GRIT. LEADERSHIP. PASSION. BEER. Should I bring anything else?

Let's Go Red Wings! :clap: :clap: :octo: *splat* :octo: *splat*

^^^^^^^^ Irony.

clicky clicky

Of course, that play (making contact with an opponent's glove with a stick that's parallel to the ice) has been called a penalty again and again in the regular season, even when it's been the flimsiest and most incidental of contact. But as you say and I say above, it doesn't get called in the playoffs, especially this series. Back to my original point, the bigger issue with this play, the Malkin trip of Kronwall, the Malkin instigator, etc., is the league's song and dance each year about how the same standard applied in the regular season is going to be applied in the playoffs. This is never the case, and no one really wants it to be, but it still infuriates fans and players when a no call results in a goal or scoring chance against.

Yeah, I saw that link (and thanks for posting it btw). I'm not saying I'm right and you're wrong, but I don't think it's conclusive from that angle that Hossa didn't get Dupuis' glove. Based on a bunch of different angles, I feel like he probably did. Since his stick was parallel to the ice, that would have made it a penalty, at least according to how things were called in the regular season.

You're completely right--that hook on Hossa was a penalty and would have been called in the regular season. As some others have noted, the league has pretty much been letting the players play this series, so a no call on the hook was consistent in that regard. But that gets you in trouble when ignoring a call leads to a goal or a scoring chance (in the same way the no call on Malkin tripping Kronwall led to a breakaway in game 1). The broken stick stands out because if it had been a slash breaking the stick (regardless of any flaw or weakness in the composite stick), this has become an automatic penalty in the way that drawing blood on a high stick has become the standard for assessing a double minor.

I think Abdelkader takes the 'knuckle puck' crown after that last one

Yeah, that clause I quoted is a grey area that gives the league an out in situations like this; the rule isn't nearly as black and white as some here (and also Bylsma) suppose. I guess my problem isn't so much with Malkin as with Colin Campbell's explanation: It did seem like a clear attempt to send a message. The criteria for review include prior incidents--i.e., reputation--and this was probably what it came down to. No one would argue that Malkin has a history of this sort of thing if that was Campbell's explanation for rescinding the suspension. But it would be refreshing for the league to give an honest answer for once. I know, I know--not bloody likely...

Actually, it does follow the rule as written, although the rule isn't black and white (as earlier quoted by Statts): Rule 47.22

Edwin Jackson has been about 8 different kinds of awesome this year. Another stellar performance today--no runs, 2 hits, 7Ks over 8 innings and just over 100 pitches. He's been the Tigers' most consistent pitcher this year. He's 5-3, and he'd even better if he got some run support once in awhile. I thought the Tigers needed a healthy Bondo to compete. But they're going to be in first place on June 1 without him. The starting rotation has been unexpectedly deep so far.

Let's Go Red Wings! :clap: :clap: :octo: *splat* :octo: *splat*

Wings have a chance to grab a 2-0 series lead. They need to be more solid in the neutral zone than today and turn the puck over less.

nhl.com archives all the postgame pressers, if that's what you're looking for. they're up their now.

Hank was 16-5 against Sid on faceoffs tonight. He basically shut Sid down the whole night, holding him to two shots and -1. Hank chipped in an assist and was +1. Hank didn't get a star today, but if he repeats this the rest of the way, the Pens are in a lot of trouble.