MalkinsJock

He won't.. This isn't game four and the Pens aren't down 3-0. You ice your best team possible, not the most sentimental. Whats next, Hasek needs to start? Cheli and Dom will both get their names on the cup. At their respective ages, if they're worried about being major contributors from this point forward I think they need to hang them up. Hasek would be OK if he was brought back for half his current salary. Chelios, at $850K is decent but only if he understands that hes not going to be guaranteed a spot in the lineup.

Id like to buy into the story but I think Zetterberg will get it. For all the wrong reasons really.. I love Zetterberg but outside of the third period of tonights game, I don't believe he has consistently been our most important player. Like you said, remove Osgood, we wouldn't make it as far with Hasek. Remove Zetterberg and I believe, I know this is blasphemy, that the Wings would be ok with Datsyuk/Mule/Homer/Hudler. The same could be said for Lidstrom, hes had two bad games but hes been our best defender. I doubt this team makes it this far with Kronwall as our #1.

I was but im not going to pay $280 for one standing room only ticket. After gas, parking and the ticket, thats nearly $400. Not worth it.

"I google image searched your girlfriend!"

A random reporter gets to pick the three stars. Most likely a Penguins or at least Pittsburgh based reporter.. Three star selections are worthless anyway, Crosby can be the #1 star in my book, hes still not getting a cup.

It was 03-04, Roy had just retired and Joesph's wings were just swept by Anahiem. We already had Joesph and Legace and Dom wanted to play again, the Wings were afraid he would sign for Colorado and obviously he didn't tell Ken Holland that he wouldn't so they were forced to sign him.

I agree although I don't think the Smythe should be given to a goaltender unless hes been insane. Especially on a team like the Wings. I mean we can all admit, giant shoulder pads or not that hes not playing on par with 2004 Giggy giggy giggy. Mule sticks out for me. Hank/Dats/Sid/Hossa in my mind, balance each other out. Mule has put together an insane run and provided the secondary scoring that every one said the team needed. I pick Datsyuk also just because hes been consistently good, even in the absence of scoring.

.......

After causing a goal tending controversy and the subsequent humiliation of Joesph. Joesph said signing in Detroit was the biggest mistake of his career and Hasek caused it. Because of Hasek we suffered through two seasons of Legace, Joesph went to Phoenix and is now a backup for Calgary. The only reason Hasek was brought back in 03 was because we thought Colorado would sign him. And he wasn't exactly a "Bargain" this season. Like I said, Osgood has been great but the defense has been amazing.

A Howard/Osgood combo could have done an equally good job. Both of you are really under rating the Wings defense. Personally, I still wish the Wings had Cujo. The guy was clutch and the fan base s*** on him. Hasek retired, then came back and forced the Wings hands.

While Pavel has almost gone unnoticed. Christ, Zetterberg was given the "Next captain" title during his rookie season. Everyone is about two seasons behind Datsyuk's development and they think he finally just came around this season. Nobody even brought up his insane takeaway totals until this season when they kept on hearing it from Ken and Mick. Even though hes led the league in takeaways by a large margin for two or three seasons. Dats has been the underrated of the two ever since Z came into the league.

I am serious, it just shows how fickle fans are. Datsyuk had more points then Zetterberg at one point, every was getting off over his play. Points mean nothing unless hes blowing the competition out of the water. Not to mention, Datsyuk has about four waved off goals/assists.

The ship wasn't sinking.. We had a piss poor goaltender between the pipes. Believe me, we don't need Roberto Luongo or Marty Brodeur to stop 20 saves a night. Osgood has played very well but hes hardly the sole reason we're at this point now.

Ive watched every game since 1995.. One shift isn't going to change my mind that Datsyuk is the better of the two.

I'll wait till he signs a new contract before I give him my first born. Its amazing how one shift can change the whole fan bases opinion of a player. Three days ago Datsyuk was the "most complete player" in the league and now Zetterberg isn't only complete, hes the best ever!

How Zetterberg has 50% is beyond me. I guess one game and being over hyped by the announcers all series will do that to you.. 1. Franzen 2. Datsyuk 3. Osgood 4. Zetterberg 5. Lidstrom Franzen missed six games, almost an entire round and hes still leading in goals. Datsyuk has been consistent game in and game out. Osgood has played great, although he didn't have to steal a series.

You're missing the point, it should have been a four game sweep with the games being similar to game 1. As soon as Therrien started crying the rules changed and the Pens PP was given ridiculous chances at important parts of the game. The only reason we have had more PPs at this point is because of the goon fest that was game 2.

Datsyuk sets up two teammates for golden opportunities and nothing.. Thats the problem. Might as well pair Datsyuk with Draper and Maltby if the big guns aren't going to get it done.

He set up Holmstrom and Stuart for sure goals in game 3 and they both didn't capitalize. This is a case of people looking at stats instead of play. Zetterberg has been constanty thrown out of the faceoff circle and hes been giving up the puck a lot. Of course, if Holmstrom can't score on open nets and he can't stand in front of the net hes neutralized. Datsyuk is the best setup man in the league, we shouldn't need him to score two goals a game to win.

Because they could hang with us five on five. All they complained about was Holmstrom. The Pens have made it this far on the back of countless power plays.

Back... and to the left.... Back... and to the left... Back...and to the left..

Datsyuk would have three points if you include the non-goal and the two other wide open nets that Holmstrom and co. have missed. Zetterberg scored a throw away goal at the end of a blow out game. And Holmstrom's goal came from 3 inches away from the goal line, a puck that was probably going over the line either way.

Kronwall hasn't brought any physical play in the last two games. Datsyuk can setup anybody, if those people can't finish then thats the problem. Hes playing with a 30 and 40 goal scorer, if they're going goal less on a line with Datsyuk then someone needs to look at Zetterberg and Holmstrom. Put Datsyuk on a line with Hudler and Cleary and he would still produce. Zetterberg, despite the couple points he has, has been silent. Holmstrom has been the Pens personal whipping boy. If Kronwall isn't hitting hes just a steady stay at home defender. He NEEDS to hit for this team to be successful. This team will never succeed with Datsyuk leading the team in hits and 6 offensive defenseman who shy away from contact.

Well if hes not hitting and hes not shooting or scoring then hes about as useful as Lebda or Lilja. The fact is Kronwall NEEDS to hit and not on a game by game basis. Two or three good hits in the neutral zone will make players like Malone or Hossa keep their heads up. Rafalksi and Lidstrom aren't going to be the ones to do it.

Drake and Kronwall have been silent since game 1. I think it may be from fear of additional penalties.