Greetings from Blueland

Just read the sig.

Actually, whenever I feel pessimistic about our team's future, I always of the "Dead Wings." If they could do it, why can't we?

Oh, I agree. But it sometimes helps for those who don't share this opinion.

I'm Russian, so I love hockey, and I lived in Michigan for a long while, and it's kind of hard to not root for the Wings after living there. And regarding Hossa, I have no hard feelings about him leaving our team - it was nothing personal, just business. - Also, I think the whole "Hossa made a bad decision" things are stupid. If he didn't leave the Penguins, they would not have Guerin or Kunitz, and I doubt they would have made it as far as they have now. But, then again, as proven today, anything can happen.

Strangely, I don't even feel the slightest bit cheated. I have that "eh, too bad - you should have gotten it, anyway" feeling.

I think many of us are not as disappointed because deep down, I honestly thought the game was over after the first goal was scored (even though I know that is the wrong mindset, and I regret it and wish that I was optimistic throughout - however, that was simply not the case tonight).

"Should have" is one thing. "Did" is a completely different story. It's one or the other.

I don't even feel sad. Detroit didn't lose. Someone else did. The team that I root for - the team that I cheer for - has not lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Penguins. Whoever presented that pathetic play tonight, that's not my team, and I'm fairly sure it's not yours either. Win or lose, I simply can not envision my team to give up like the other team that played today, so I'm not too emotional - on the contrary, I am completely apathetic to the events that have unfolded today. - On a side note, I offer my sincere congratulations to the Penguins - it takes a lot to be able to achieve what they have today. - Also, as another side note, it is not the result of the Wings that is paramount to me - it is their fighting spirit that I cheer for, not their cups (though that is fairly important as well )

Regardless of whether we win or lose, I ask Detroit this: How, and why? How did they simply not show up tonight (Yet)? I'm not saying they're not trying, but they are simply not playing Detroit's game. Why are they playing like this? If, after the second goal, win or lose, Detroit put on a barrage of shots, played physical, and showed some passion, I would still be proud of our team tonight.

*Raises hand* "Here!"

Good statistics - no argument there - except that playoff history is slightly different from finals history. Don't tell me that a team plays with as much passion in a Round 1 Game 7 as they do in a Stanley Cup Final Game 7.

For all the people blaming the refs to have it "in" for the Red Wings, I ask you this: Do you honestly think that the NHL is bribing the referees to make calls against the Wings and for the Penguins, just so one player/team that they decided to market looks good? Do you honestly believe the NHL is that corrupt? I doubt it.

I think you need one of these:

Analyzing this last game, my optimism lies with this consoling fact: Pittsburgh probably played that game with the most fire, intensity, and passion that they could - they gave it their all - and I was simply not too impressed. On the other hand, Detroit played lethargic all through the first 45 minutes of the game, and still managed to keep it a 2-1 game. I am confident that Detroit will deliver when necessary, as they have countless times in the past, and they themselves will give Pittsburgh their best play of the season. The reason we lost game 6 is because Pittsburgh came to win, and Detroit came to simply "not lose." This will not happen in Game 7. In short, my logic: Detroit's best > Pittsburgh's best

Yes, anything can happen, but the better team will win. It's like poker (as much as I hate poker) where the better players, statistically, win more often, regardless of the high amount of chance involved. If Detroit truly is the better team, bad refereeing, bad bounces, and bad luck should not affect the outcome. You make your own luck (I hate the clichés, but you have to admit, they're true). All the Red Wings need to do is play tried and true Red Wings hockey. In Game 6, they did not do that, and look at the result. With all of the Red Wings' "experience" that everyone was touting in the previews to this series, this is where it will show.

Armstrong isn't a scrub.

You don't even know. We're worthless without him... if he doesn't sign next year, I'm not too optimistic about the future of our franchise.

I'm from Atlanta, have his jersey, and was a huge Hossa fan. I have absolutely no hard feelings with him leaving. I understand that it was just business - nothing personal - but the fact remained that there was no way Hossa would have won the cup for us. So, he left. And, in return, we got Christensen (a dud), Armstrong (one of my new favorite players), and a great prospect in Angelo Esposito. As of right now, I think the return for us is shaping up to be worth Hossa's leave. Also, our owners suck.

This is an actual post from the Penguins' message board - I edited grammar and wording to make it somewhat readable... I can understand people not liking Detroit's style of play, I can understand them not liking Holmstrom in front of the net, but I cannot, for the love of me, figure out what can make a person hate Lidstrom with as much infuriating passion as the above poster. Has he done something wrong, ever? Someone enlighten me.

This gives me a thought - could this guy have been kidding, and I not notice it? I will say that this guy DEFINITELY seemed serious... eh, whether or not our guys win, I still can take consolation in the fact that idiots like the aforementioned live in Pittsburgh.

Like 9 or 10. It's pure luck - no doubt about it.

Lucky as hell. 9375 if you can't see.

I'm just wondering - who was the member of your family who played in the NHL? If you don't mind my asking.

haha I can tell you used an online translator that translates to "I should not have left (but not in the sense you mean - this is the word used to 'leave something behind') my job day"