Esquire

Doug McLean.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=277448 I know it was a brutal goal from a Wings prospective, but I can safely say that if goal was in any way, shape, or form a result of poor play on the part of Osgood then we'd be discussing this on page 15 of another Osgood thread instead of this one. Osgood saved our butts enough times to keep us in that game. Hiller was great as well and unless I'm wrong, a majority of the saves he made in OT were on shots from the blueline or boards. The Wings and Ducks both used the idea of just throwing as many pucks on the net as possible, it just happened that the Ducks caught the break and we didn't.

Playoff hockey rules! Great game yesterday, but a bad result for Wings fans obviously. Everyone is justifed in panicing now because we all know that anything can happen. Sure it's POSSIBLE the next couple of game go to the Ducks but at the same time, it's POSSIBLE the Wings rip another 5 game streak. At this point it's too early to tell which way this series is going to end, but one thing you can say for sure is that it's gonna be trench warfare until the very end. Personally, I like the Wings chances going into Anaheim because of the huge minutes played by the Ducks (only) top line. I realize that the Wings also played some huge minutes but I think the silver lining in this cloud is that the Wings greatly out hit the Ducks which can certainly help us when it comes to how quickly the Ducks can recover. Datsyuk's gotta step up though and I'm sure having Draper and Rafalski back wouldn't hurt either. In any case, I'm looking forward to the next two games...except for the 10:30pm start times that is. Ughhh. GO WINGS GO!!!

The Ducks have 4 lines that can "play". The Wings have 4 lines that can "win"

GP G A PTS +/- ESG PPG GWG ENG PIM HITS BKS GvA TkA FO% ES TOI/G SH TOI/G PP TOI/G TOI/G Evgeni Malkin 82 35 78 113 17 19 14 4 3 80 80 39 81 94 42.4 15:53 1:04 5:33 22:31 Alex Ovechkin 79 56 54 110 8 36 19 10 5 72 243 32 107 60 25.0 16:39 0:55 5:24 23:00 Pavel Datsyuk 81 32 65 97 34 20 11 3 1 22 76 33 50 89 56.0 14:13 1:36 3:23 19:12 As per NHL.com Pav's giveaway/takeaway ratio is much better, his faceoff % is higher, his +/- is superb, minuscule penalty minutes, and he's only scored 1 empty net goal all year. But, the stats that really stand out are at the end. Check out the Time On Ice stats. Pav plays MORE shorthanded minutes, LESS powerplay time, and less TOTAL time on ice then both OV and Malkin and still puts up close to 100 pts. Pavel Datsyuk for MVP. Hands down.

+1 Damn you TSN2!!! GO WINGS GO!

Directly to the right of that list are the schedules for both TSN and TSN2. I'm PRAYING that link you provided just means it's "available" on TSN2 and not exclusive to that channel. It would be pure insanity if Canada got zero coverage of the first round series featuring the defending Cup champions.

Only games 1 and 5 are on TSN2.

I apologize. In my furious rage I must have forgotten to add Game 5 to that list which now only further increases my rage.

The following should be noted: - Thursday, April 16 Game 1: Columbus Blue Jackets at Detroit Red Wings - TSN2 - Saturday, April 18 Game 2: Columbus Blue Jackets at Detroit Red Wings - TSN - Tuesday, April 21 Game 3: Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets - TSN - Thursday, April 23 Game 4: Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets - TSN - *Saturday, April 25 Game 5: Columbus Blue Jackets at Detroit Red Wings - TSN2 - *Monday, April 27 Game 6: Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets - TSN - *Wednesday, April 29 Game 7: Columbus Blue Jackets at Detroit Red Wings - TSN Once again, a big "EAT s***" goes out to TSN2 for once again screwing Canadian viewers. This channel has been nothing but pure hell for sports fans in the Toronto area as well as around Canada.

The real season starts in two weeks. If Osgood says he's ready, then I'm going to have to believe him. This is a team full of veterans who know the deal when it comes to the playoffs and I'm sure that unless he feels absolutely 100% prepared and ready to put this regular season behind him, he wouldn't put himself out there and jeopardize his teams chances in the playoffs. Besides, I think some credit should be given to this guy to be honest. I'm not giving him a trophy or anything but a goalie nearing the end of his career that has a season like this would find it pretty easy to throw in the towel and ride out his days in the minors or something to that effect. However, Osgood has been his own biggest critic (save a few here) and has been trying to get it together all season for his team. Also, I'm more optimistic about this teams chances with Osgood in net simply because the Wings don't need excellent goaltending like other teams might. We just need him to be GOOD and that is a much shorter distance than having him try to be excellent out of the gate. This post season isn't all on Osgood's shoulders either because this team also needs to lock it down defensively and not hang Osgood out to dry. I support Chris Osgood. I support Ty Conklin. And I support the Detroit Red Wings!!!

Today marks Mr. Hockey's 81st birthday! The first and only time I had the pleasure of meeting Gordie was at an Easter Seals function in my hometown of Sudbury, Ontario where he signed my Red Wings banner. It's also where my avatar picture came from. Anyone else want to share some Gordie stories in honor of his birthday? Stay classy my good man! :beerbuddy:

That Lidstrom quote sent shivers down my spine. God damn I love this organization.

Well, one month from now the puck will be dropped on the 2009 Playoffs and I want to know what everyones plans are for those that plan to attend the first game at the Joe. I live in Toronto and will be looking for someone from home to join me on the trip but chances are I'll be going at it alone but that's fine with me! What I was wondering is if anyone has any plans for a pre-playoff gathering somewhere like the Hockeytown Cafe where a bunch of us could gather and be social before the game along with downing a few pops followed by free transportation to the Joe. Just a thought, but maybe when playoff tickets go on sale we could all arrange to get some in a "LGW section". Once again, all these are just initial ideas but I'm a pretty social guy and wouldn't mind setting something up! :beerbuddy:

Bump! Anyone know if dates have been set at this point? Getting my tickets tomorrow, but it would be nice to have a date to give my boss so I can take it off work. Or I may just call in sick that day with a fever....a STANLEY CUP FEVER!!!

Thanks a million for the link! Tickets on Friday!

Does anybody have an expected date for when tickets will go on sale and how much of a jump in price they usually are?

I knew if I included that line in there I'd get a bite!

Yeah, I was there before the Wings/Devils game on November 8th and it was insane. I'm assuming it might be a stretch to get reservations before a game but like I said, I wouldn't mind giving it a shot here or even somewhere else. Hell, I'll drink a few beers in the parking lot before the game if anyone wants to join me! After all, only alcoholics drink alone.

The Fan 590 is pretty much what keeps me sane when I'm stuck in traffic on the 401. I thought his interview was great and it's always a treat hearing about the Wings on a Toronto radio station. That was a good day on the show too because after Babcock was done they interviewed Dan Bylsma which was an interesting interview also. Oh, and that "girlfriend" line that Babcock dropped nearly ran me off the road in a fit of laughter. God bless that man.

Mindfly is gonna have a field day with this one.

Ryan Oulahen

I think my next planned trip will have to be out to GR to see them play at home. I just saw the Griffins in action on Sunday against the Marlies and the result was great: 5-4 Griffins! Took a quick picture of the game's first star too.

Tortorella is stoked.

I just realized they're not actually playing in Toronto. Haha. Have a good time anyway!