Third Man In

TMI Representin'!

Maybe he has swine flu. Exactly. Cheli had a tough time getting going this year coming back from injury, but I have confidence he'll be able to fill in well this time of year. But hopefully Rafi's back quick--the depth of the Wings defence is getting an early test here.

The Where's Waldo is a nice touch. He was on the wall at the Ponda for the first half of last year when Niedermayer was holding the team hostage while he decided if he wanted to play or not.

Awesome! I made the opposite trip in 2007 for the San Jose series.

This. But I'm the annointed one.

And so do I. Pound him, Ovie!

What a finish! That's a haunting loss for the Devils--they had the game and the series all but won.

That one's on you Marty. You have to stop that shot.

Beautiful setup. No chance for Brodeur there.

This has been a fun series--lots of back and forth and good goaltending on either end. These are not the Devils of years past for sure. These are also the two teams in the East with Stanley Cup credentials, so its a bit of a shame (for them, not for us) they had to meet in the first round.

Nice comeback by the Caps. Lundqvist was amazing most of the way, especially the first two games of the series and tonight. Ultimately, this series was a lot closer than it should have been, but the Caps showed a lot of character in coming back.

However you feel about Avery, that's a rough break to get injured in what is likely the last game of the year. Hope it isn't serious.

He was playing great. Too bad he let that one in.

Feds! 2-1 Caps late!

Feels like next goal wins in Washington, boys and girls.

The Caps have really stepped it up here in the first half of the third. Lundqvist is playing like he needs to.

Sheesh. What a weak call to put a team on a 5-on-3 in a game 7.

Bullet by Rolston there. Brilliant job following up the play as the late man. Ward seemed a bit surprised by the shot, but maybe it was fluttering.

Caps were lucky to get to the locker room 1-1 there. Rangers had them bottled up in their own zone for the last few minutes of the period.

We're in for JT's and pregames for all the games! Game 3: Section 228, Row Q Game 4: Section 435, Row N Game 6: Section 201, Row R RWNW Represent! Storm the PONDA! Let's Go Red Wings!

Got mine! See you all at the Ponda!

Nice points NFM. Your 2 and 3 are what are needed to make my 1--containing the Getzlaf line--happen. Good puck movement out of the zone is also important, as Anaheim's best chance is if the Wings give them many odd man opportunities and struggle entering the offensive zone. A strong first pass mitigates both. We also agree that keys to series come in 5s

I won't clutter the thread by quoting your post, but thanks so much ARice, that was very helpful. I forget just how banged-up the Wings were in that series. Everyone remembers Schneider and Kronners being out, but Homer was basically ineffective after getting his head rammed into the glass by Chrissy early in the series and others were banged up. Poor Cleary stuck with Bert and Bobby Lang, and Flip and Mule weren't the players they are now. Like you say, the Wings were really close (and were probably only a couple of bad breaks at the end of game 5 away from winning), but the '09 team is night and day compared with the '07 team. The Ducks are revamped, so they're a bit of an unknown compared to the team the Wings faced in the regular season, but they've still got a great defence, the hottest top line in hockey, and a goalie playing very well. What I see as the keys to the series: 1.) Can the Wings contain the Getzlaf line? 2.) Can the Wings (especially Homer, Mule, and Cleary) disrupt Hiller? 3.) Can Ozzie continue his strong play and at least match Hiller? 4.) Can the Wings make their superior depth up front pay off over 7 games? 5.) Do the Ducks continue the parade to the penalty box, and do the Wings make them pay for it? Edit: counting. As in I can't do it, apparently.