Gutierrez

Lets put it this way 87to71; if the wings played in the east since the 90's I believe we would have at least 2 more cup finals appearances. The east is more offensive oriented and plays a less grind it out physical style like it is in the west. To say who you played in the previous rounds doesn't matter is pretty ludicrous. Then again I don't expect much intellectual capacity from a pens fan like you.

good point.... I guess I'm not that worried then

The only thing that worries me about this game is that Crosby has yet to do anything and you have to think eventually he's gonna break out and score a goal or two pretty soon. Hopefully it's not tonight. Go Wings!

You forgot 'had to register with the county'.

Very cute

It depends how the series goes and if or when pavs plays at all. That has a big effect becuase that would be like the Pens losing Crosby or Malkin which if that happened I'm sure we would hear them complaining a lot. Also the officiating has a big impact.

I think the championship roudn is very crucial, mostly because imo the east is pretty weak. I agree with theowl that if Pitt had beaten New Jersey or Boston maybe I'd be more pressed to give it to either one of them. Right now I believe Osgood is at the top of the list for Conn Smythe candidates on our team. We can win without Datsyuk, Lidstrom for a game, etc. But imagine if Chris Osgood went out? I think we'd be in serious trouble. He is the one guy we cannot afford to lose on this team.

updated pic sporting the playoff beard.

I think the interesting thing about the pens fans talking about how they have as much, if not more, depth than us is the fact that last year they had Hossa and Malone and now they have Kunitz and Guerin. Now Guerin and Kunitz are both good players but I think everyone would rather take Malone and Hossa. I think those two guys are downgrades from Hossa and Guerin. Now I understand Malkin and Crosby are having a great playoffs thus far but they did the same thing last season. Imo, a lot hinges on Malkin. Is he gonna pull a David Copperfield and disappear again or will he continue at his torrid pace?

great analysis. lol at Khabi > Osgood. Did you not see the series against Columbus or Anaheim? Khabibulins' save % is at .896, has allowed 33 goals and has a GAA of 2.76. Compare that to Osgood who has a save % of .921, has allowed 24 goals and a GAA of 2.06. There is no way Khabi is better than Osgood. Come on, The anemic Canucks offense and the underachieving Flames offense did a solid number oh him, imagine what the wings are going to do? Both the Hawks and Wings offense is close but the fact we have been rolling without Datsyuk is bad news for you guys, especially if Datsyuk wakes up and starts producing offensively.

Why?

Getzlaf is an absolute animal and I mean that in the best way. He is big, strong, has good hands, can play in the corners, and can take over a game. I'm glad we won't be seeing anymore of him this season. If I had to build a team around either him, Ovechkin, or Crosby, I'd take Getzlaf.

It's early to say because once this next series is over I believe everyone can better answer that question but for now I think Detroit and Anaheim are/were the two best teams left in the playoffs. Their 8th seed was misleading and the fact they beat San Jose in 6 games and took us to 7 games speaks about how tough and good of a team they are. Their defense is miles above Chicago's and they have experience which is also something the Hawks lack. Not too mention that we had to deal with hottest line in hockey for 7 games. I'm not dismissing Chicago, they are a very good young team. I just think after watching a lot of the Ducks-Sharks series and this last one compared to some of the Hawks series', they are a better team then the Hawks.

You know, that statement isn't as sarcastic as you may think. With some of the people around here, that's pretty close to their expectations of him; anything short of that, or god forbid he slumps, is unacceptable.

While it was an awesome hit and that pic is kinda funny, the fact that people booed when he got up is something Ducks fans would do and have done (Holmstrom in 07). Lets not stoop to their level guys, Selanne is a good player and not a goon like everyone else on that team.

I know the "rules" about the playoff beard but what about your hair on your head? Is it okay to get a haircut? I have the beard going but my head hair grows extremely fast and it's pretty thick already.

Yea I think I have to haha but of course the beard is staying

I was at the game last night and sitting in section 429 and there was no trouble in or around that section. I was pretty suprised no one heckeld or threw peanuts at me. Overall it seemed a little bit more tame( as in not as much verbal bashing and fights) then other previous wings-ducks playoff games. Maybe I was in a good section though.

I live in Orange County and have been to many ducks-wings games and there is virtually no security outside the arena; especially in the parking lot after the game. No cameras, no nothing.

I've had peanuts thrown at me and people talk s*** to me, Ducks fans of course, when I go to the games at the Ponda. That's part of the territory for wearing the other teams jersey, especially the wings. It's not worth to get involved. I just ignore it and watch the game.

The thing about Hiller though is that he isn't giving up a lot of rebounds and if he does, the Ducks D seems to always be there for him and they sweep them away and out of the zone which is why San Jose is not getting second chance opportunities.

Thorton and Marleau finally showed up for San Jose tonight, albeit in game 5. The Sharks D has been less than stellar though and has no answer for the Getzlaf line. I think the Ducks are going to finish this next game.

It does seem like the pot is calling the kettle back with him flipping out like this only after scratching Avery for what was disciplinary reasons. For the players it must be a little unsettling for your coach to do something like that as he is supposed to be one preaching and practicing discipline and poise. I think him throwing the bottle into the crowd is uncalled for, but aside from that I don't think there is a problem. Buying a ticket does not entitle you to throw beer on players and coaches and as a player or coach I think you have a right to defend yourself. Should he have retaliated? No. Did he have good reason or even a right to? Yes.

All of this got me thinking about that story last season in the finals where a wings fan threw a pus onto the ice, in mellon arena, got kicked out and then proceeded to change jersey's and get back in cuz he had a spare ticket. I mean this guy had it all planned out. If and when Detroit plays Anaheim I'd love to throw the octopus on the ice in Anaheim but with these stories, I might need platoon of wings fans to get it done