dat's sick

Forget what I said about Abdel and Leino! BLACK ******* ACES!

I like Leino and Abdelkader, but I feel it's pretty clear that they're not quite ready to play at this level yet. I want Draper and Datsyuk back..

uh huh

Wonder what they're going to talk about during the rest of the series? They've already covered Crosby and Malkin.. so Fleury, Guerin, Kunitz, Gonchar, Bylsma and Orpik?

Oh, don't say that. It can be quite an issue for ladies as well... :/

He might be single, but he and Mario have a very healthy sex-life. He's in no rush to move out.

Our PK has looked a lot better lately, despite that horrible streak. But it's going to have to be very good, because you can expect the Pens to get a lot more PP's than us, if their earlier series are anything to go by.

I like the Wings chances in this series if the Pens aren't going to start playing until they're down 3 goals.

I'm glad he said it, those commercials are good but definitely make it seem like the Pens won last year. I also laughed at the interview with Homer. His comment about how "hossa loves the media attention" was awesome

Yeah, everyone is saying how much of an advantage it is for the Pens to have Bylsma instead of Therrien. But Bylsma is completely unexperienced at the NHL level. Not to mention he hasn't gone up against the Red Wings before (that I know of). If it turns out that the Pens gameplan isn't working against the Wings, will he be able to make the necessary changes? I'm not sure.

This is the playoffs. YOU DO NOT REST PLAYERS. Period. Can you imagine the s***storm if the Hawks had mounted a comeback and won the series, and it got out that Pavel and Lids had just been rested? Holland/Babs, whoever made the decision, would have been fired in an instant. I refuse to believe that Babs, Lids, Pavel, Holland etc. are all lying right to our faces. Not disclosing all information about the exact nature of their injuries? Yes. Lying? No.

It's same with Bettman. Even when he says something good about the Wings and their organization, some people manage to find some hidden negative message between the lines. From Crosby, who is usually very hesitant to compliment any opposing player, this is high praise.

Wings 5 - Z, Hossa, Hudler, Lids, Mule Pens 0 DO IT.

And why not? If Malkin was injured and the Wings won, do you think the Penguin-fans would give credit to the Wings? No, they'd blame it on not having Malkin.

Not a chance in hell. Pavel has been playing great despite not scoring. All these conspiracy theories about Nick and Pav are ridiculous. Babs is a straight-shooter, he tells it like it is. Just because they don't give away all the details about their injures don't mean that they're not hurt. Great news that Big E and Lids are back on Saturday though. We can live without Datsyuk with the way that Filppula and Hossa have been playing. I just hope he'll be back at some point in the finals.

Which is why I'm convinced that he didn't leave Pittsburgh only because he thought Detroit had a better chance of winning the cup. If he liked it on that team, if he enjoyed playing under Therrien, then he would have stayed. A team with a core of Crosby, Malkin and Fleury is going to have a good chance of competing for the cup every year. I think Hossa wanted to leave the Pens, if the Wings hadn't come up with an offer he would probably have gone to Edmonton or some other team. Even if the Wings lose the final I doubt Hossa will be very disappointed with his decision to come here.

You nailed it. That is exactly what I want to see. edit: well, actually I would rather have Leino on that 4th line than Maltby.

Everyone is talking about how funny it will be if Hossa loses in the final again.. but they're not thinking about how funny it would be if he wins it this time. "If you can't beat them, join them."

I feel the same way. Honestly I felt the same way about Chicago too. After Anaheim no other team really scares me. If the Wings can get healthy I have a hard time seeing them lose this.. all we need to do is not let Malkin and Crosby score at will and our depth will take over. Of course we'll see in Game 1 if we have underestimated the Pens or not.

Well, the first two games are huge. I think the Pens chance of winning this series lie in getting the jump on this bruised and decimated Wings team and taking atleast one of the first two games. If they can't do that I don't see how they're going to win the series. If the Pens win the first two games I could still see the Wings mounting a comeback though.

I'll be honest, maybe I'm underrating their D a bit. But after overcoming Anaheim, no other team's D seems even half as intimidating.

Pittsburgh can dominate a game and still let in 4-5 goals. Their defense is not much to be scared of. If we can shut down Malkin and Crosby, or atleast contain them somewhat, we will win this series. Easy as that.

DET/PIT: 4-2

Thanks man, those clips bring back some memories

That'd be awesome.