titanium2

It feels like it's been a while since I've seen 96-13-81 play together. They started out on ES and on the PP together, and then only played on the PP together, and now I can't really remember the last time that line was together. That was a good line, but they seemed to get better results with the 93-13-96 line.

I thought Fil's main responsibilities are on the defensive side of the puck. So why are we obsessing about his point totals? I think it's great that Hudler's had a good season, but I think he'll be the first to tell you that it's easier for him to put points on the board when he's got guys like Filppula who can be the first one back on the defensive end. If only we had a stat that would validly show a player's defensive efficacy, maybe Fil wouldn't have so many fans looking to get rid of him.

Bad penalty by Sammy.

Can someone get that Lidstrom breakaway on YouTube? I mean, really, how often do we see that?

http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1283023 "Sunday, I was in Pittsburgh and I got the chance to watch Sidney Crosby play against Zetterberg and Datsyuk all night," Yzerman said. "Playing against top players - it's the best way I can measure some of their players' abilities - some of the things they can do and their strengths." I sincerely doubt that Sidney won't be on the national team but that day (0 points, 1 bad penalty, only one shot and -1) probably didn't work so well in his favor.

Will Crosby really be the #1 center on Team Canada? If Yzerman is looking for a young player who can commit to defense, then he's probably better off choosing Jonathan Toews. Those two know each other well enough anyways.

TOI Lidstrom - 27 minutes (yikes!...) Junior and Rafi - 26 minutes Z - Almost 19 Hoss, Huds, Lils - 18 Pav - Only a little over 16, but he did get a two minute penalty.

That's really bothering you isn't it?

They've had their chances but I'm still waiting to see at least one of the eurotwins register a point.

What about the goalie?

It'll probably be an even bigger joke next year during the Olympics when they have Malkin as the #1 center on the Russian team instead of Pav. Don't get me wrong, I like Malkin and I thought he was the best player in the league last fall, but all-around, he's still doesn't pass the puck or play as well defensively as Datsyuk.

Something like that isn't really entertaining for me. That's just embarrassing.

Hakan Andersson compared Pavel to Igor Larionov but if I remember correctly, and correct me if I'm wrong, Mickey Redmond compared him to Valery Kharlamov: Just an interesting comparison. Can't say I fully understand it.

I don't want to lose him either but you can't have everybody. They will lose someone who they really, really like. And it's not just going to be someone like Sammy or Kopy who they kind of like.

It would help tremendously if Lidstrom resigns at a rate similar to Stuart's/Kronwall's contract. But you never know.

Is SJ serious about Claude Lemewww?

Looks like we're grooming the new whipping boy now that Sammy's likely gone and Lilja's finally a player.

Damn it, please no injury on Filppula.

Phew... I don't know about any of you but I'm very thankful they beared down and kept NAS shut out to end the period. They were pressuring pretty hard to end the 1st.

I wish I could call the Leino-Fil-Hoss line the "And 1" line (21-51-81) but this isn't basketball.

anybody got a fsn detroit feed?

Someone put this up from 1997. Lidstrom is the man.

I think that for the most part, Pav and Z should be on the same line. They're great when they center their own lines, but they are out of this world when they are together. But there are always pros and cons for every situation. I don't think I need to mention the pros because for one, it's too hard to explain how they are so great together and two, we've seen it and therefore we just know. Cons. Why should Babcock ever split these two apart? These are the only ones that I've heard so far. 1. Babs wants two potent scoring lines and while he knows that he has others who can fill in admirably, he believes that the lines should be anchored by elite centermen such as Pav and Z. 2. When Pav and Z are on the same line, more often than not Z plays center and Pav plays LW. Pav believes he is more comfortable and dangerous at center. Fair enough. 3. ...I'm out. Seriously, other than to baffle the opponents with a quick change I see no valid reason as to why #13 and #40 should ever be apart. The primary option should be to keep these two together while they should only center their own lines if desperately needed. If anyone else knows of a reason that I didn't mention, please do so.

I think my favorite has to be the whole awards show ceremony. After winning the Selke: "I wanted speech longer but my English, short." The Lady Byng: "When I come to first time I have list I forget because I'm nervous first time now and I have nothing." Stanley Cup Party: "I remember going to the party, but I woke up at home... I have to ask my wife because I don't remember." I'm sure a lot of people can relate to my experience when I got his autograph. It's always a different number when I hear other people's stories but after he signed my card he joked and smiled and said, "Good? 50 dollars." I was like, "...Wha?" He just laughed and said, "Joke, just joke."