titanium2

I'm not exactly sure about 97 or 98 but having the highest payroll only worked once for the Wings - 2002. Outside of that year they were first or second round disappointments. 2000-01 - 55.1 - First round exit 2001-02 - 66.6 - Cup 2002-03 - 68.4 - First round exit 2003-04 - 77.9 - Second round exit You could say that the salary cap was put in place so that organizations like the Wings and Rangers couldn't 'buy their cups' so to speak. But based on the playoff results from when they were really at the top of the league with Lidstrom getting 10 million a year, it was actually quite disappointing and maybe even a real waste.

Hah! What if he didn't jump? Would he be enveloped inside Big E and Sammy?

Without a doubt. I just wish whatever's broken gets fixed quickly. I'm not even sure what it is exactly. -Homer has lost a step? Or perhaps poor conditioning from all the injuries? -Hoss doesn't have as much of a tendency to pass the puck back to Pav as Z did? -Hoss doesn't maintain the puck as well as Z? -Both Pav and Hoss have the same tendency to stay around the perimeter? -Both Pav and Hoss want to dominate the puck? In comparison to ANA, they had a lot more room to create in Game 1 against CHI and they definitely got more scoring chances. Maybe that's as good of a sign we fans can ask for right now.

I'm more concerned about the penalty kill. What is going on with it? Did moving the blueline back really make it that much more difficult?

"We pretty much gave them the game," Versteeg said. "We came out strong and we came out hard. The momentum was in our favor and then we had a couple of lapses here and there and too many turnovers. "That's why they're the most dangerous team in the league. When you give a great team that many chances, they're going to put it in the back of your net." http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hocke...0,3412719.story Gave them the game? That's kind of insulting.

Haha. Have FZC go against HIV and the CIA. The IRS won't know what hit 'em. They'll think they're on LSD or PCP. Then go get that CUP and then take it around SWE while the rest of the NHL goes to RIP.

But that was the point. A comparison of one good playoff performer to another who hasn't figured it out.

I find it amazing how in 2006 Franzen and Cleary were on the 4th line and now they're on the 1st.

Can't let up. VAN got game 1 in their series and then coughed up game 2. I know it's not the same, but these young blackhawks are still no joke.

You don't want to break up the Zetterberg or Filppula line. The Draper line is doing better than average. But the Datsyuk line is quite disappointing. Babs said that he will consider a switch if things don't start going in for them. I guess we'll wait and see.

Hope so. You have my approval to throw it in my face should it occur.

It's going to be a whole new game, Game 2. I expect the Hawks to come really, really hard. I also expect Bulin to not have to bail them out as much.

Sorry I didn't mean to beat up on the guy. He's an excellent, excellent 3rd line forward who can fill in on the top-six for certain stretches. Although it's frustrating to watch the puck go right into the goalie's midsection or clank off the glass, he does have a decent shot.

Yeah I know that sounded a little self-absorbed, but I probably would've went into reclusion if they lost. Bad juju ain't no joke.

Why...Are pucks that hit the glass now considered goals? "Ooh! Look at that black mark it left. That's a goal!"

You may not be completely wrong. I think it has more to do with the fact that Datsyuk and Hossa for the most part are perimeter players. It's the way they always have been. Sure, every now and again they'll go into the dirty areas but they just naturally like to stay on the outside.

Towards the end I thought the Blackhawks started to look like Anaheim in that they were sending big body after big body to grind the Wings D along the boards so that they couldn't move the puck. And the Wings really struggled to get it out. Q will probably look into to see if he can have some more of that.

Am I reading this right? A thread that praises Sammy? Wow. Hope you didn't jinx him.

I don't think it's just Holmstrom. But man... What is it with the Datsyuk line? What do they have to do to get on the score sheet?

Alright, now, no shouting, honestly, how do we think Chicago played? Were they just nervous?

Thank God... I'm 1-0 whenever I start the victory posts thread.

Haha, okay Freud.

I actually agree. It was a good period but it wasn't dominant. Or all that organized.

Or why not Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Franzen Cleary-Filppula-Hossa

Good game so far but Chicago has been a great 4rd period team in these playoffs. I hope the Wings keep their feet on the gas.