Third Man In

Ha! Flames 1-0

Ow, Parrish. Hope he's ok. I've done that...

I see Floppa's head snap is back to form after his long absence from the league.

Let 'em dance!

The Sens were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked tonight.

Ouch.

Not that Ottawa made it difficult to appear so. But yeah, they looked ready to go.

3-0 Pens. Goodnight, Sens!

Despite the late goals the Rangers-Devils series looks to be a good one and go a long way. Three posts for the Devils tonight made it a different game. Ottawa looks listless.

PP for Minny

Avery's a tool. But he's got some amazing hockey sense. Always seems to be at the right place at the right time (when not in the penalty box).

Damn! Z's got some nice legs!

I shave the morning of game one (so Thursday) and then let it go untouched the rest of the way. The playoff beard is an obligation--school, jobs, etc. are not an acceptable excuse. One of my best friend's weddings was during the Anaheim series last year. I thought I was going to stand out because of the unkempt beard, but everyone thought it was really cool. I had another friend who gave in and shaved the day before the wedding, and he was jealous when he saw I hadn't shaved. I assume everyone's seen this website devoted to the playoff beard.

I feel the same way about Barry Melrose's predictions. Though Maggie's are more accurate.

Really, the Wings just need one of Dallas, Colorado, or Calgary to win. Otherwise, their "reward" for finishing first in the conference is to have to go through Anaheim and SJ again. But whatever happens, I don't expect the Sharks (or the Ducks) to have the first round cakewalk they had last year.

"Samuelsson said he was counting himself in for Game 1, but the Wings like to have groin-injured guys go through at least three or four practices before returning, and there’s no rush to get Samuelsson back for Game 1, that’s for sure." lol Helene St James usually isn't this cruel Great news if Stuart really is ready.

This is the team SJ least wanted to face in the first round (much like it was the team Detroit least wanted to face in the first round last year). Going out to Western Canada is always iffy in the playoffs, and if Kipper plays well the Flames are gonna give the Sharks trouble. And when you do beat the Flames, Igoonla & Co. start cheapshotting away at the end of the game (sorry...it's called 'sending a message' in Flames parlance). Better them than us this time. You two play nice now, you hear!

I don't think you trade for Miller. But if in 2009 you're still not convinced about Howard as a #1 goalie, you sign Miller as a free agent. Keep the MSU pipeline going! I think Buffalo will be able to afford Miller. But after not signing Briere and Drury and then trading Campbell there are serious questions as to whether Miller wants to stay in Buffalo after his contract is up.

Poor kid. He's gone from being one of the whipping boys on the boards to really showing us something the past few weeks--he's been learning to use his big frame much more effectively. This isn't a make-or-break injury for the team, but Kopy's become a good depth guy--better than the alternatives (Hartigan, Meech @ forward). Do some of you really think we should throw Abdelkader out on the ice in the playoffs after he's played one game? That smacks of desparation.

Hey, not so bad! Maybe the Avs can do something useful for a change and knock off Minny. That way, SJ and Anaheim/Dallas would go at it in Rd 2, and the Wings would get the Avs.

Yes. Except for Chicago, this is the best matchup for Detroit. Nashville is much closer than the alternatives, has a less-than-intimidating arena, has unproven goaltending, and a lack of difference makers up front. If Detroit plays their game, they will be fine. That being said, Nashville will work their tail off and could be pesky. Ellis has been playing really well in net. He's not good enough, even at the top of his game, to beat the Wings in a seven game series if the Wings drive to the net, screen him and tip shots. But if Detroit's effort is iffy, we'll hear complaints about Detroit's bad luck to run into another "hot" goaltender in the first round.

Yeah, I'm not sure with all the injuries we have enough bodies to sit everyone. Especially if we haven't signed Abdelkader, who was on a one-game amateur contract (speaking of which, can we sign Lids to one of these? It would free up a lot of cap space ) But I'd definitely sit: Z (to rest his back) Lids Kronners Dats In that order. Cleary and Flip need to play since they've missed so much time. I'd play Franzen too, so as not to kill his momentum by sitting him. I'd rest Kronners over Raffi to make sure he doesn't have another freak injury, at least until the playoffs. And of course, give the regulars who do play reduced ice time.

Just to be clear (since you quoted my post): I really didn't take any particular joy in the Hawks missing out on the playoffs (except, perhaps, on behalf of our two "friends" that showed up here the other night). Actually, I was hoping the Wings would play the Hawks in the first round--a playoff series would really revive the rivalry, which is in the interest of both franchises and their fans. But those days are coming soon enough. The Hawks have built themselves a fine young team. btw, you've been a class act, BlackhawksFan. Hopefully you'll hang around the boards during the playoffs, and either way we look forward to seeing you next year!

You must be referring to Chicago.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Nashville's an easy opponent. And Ellis has been playin outstanding lately. But I think the Preds and the travel schedule will take a lot less of a toll on the Wings than a trip to Western Canada. And I don't think the Pred's arena is nearly as intimidating as the Saddle Dome.