TheSupafly

This is a very different Sharks team. At the beginning of the season there were 9 different names on the roster, and the number has only gone up since then. As a result the team got thinner on D, deeper at forward, better in the faceoff circle (do NOT make the mistake of underestimating the importance of this), and tougher/grittier in general. As a fellow fan of a puck possession team, I know you MUST understand how significant the acquisitions of Malhotra and Nichol were. The importance of getting the puck on the draw vs the wings is magnified by how good you guys are with the puck. Keeping the puck off the Wings' sticks is paramount to the success of the Sharks. The Sharks are not as fast as they have been, but they sure are tougher along the boards and in front of the net...areas that they were weak in the past. Would the wings be up 2-0 if not for the refs? Hard to say. You need to convert on the chances you get/earn. If you asked your team why it was down 2-0, do you think they'd blame the reffing? Do you think they'd even be thinking that? I'd guess they'd be more concerned with trying to not take those penalties or do anything close to even give the refs that option. They'd probably point to their lack of execution on special teams in game 1. They'd point to their lack of success in the faceoff circle in game 2. I believe Babcock said as much in his postgame interview. It's not time to panic yet for the Wings. You have an immensely talented team. Both games were very close. The series shifts to the Joe now...I think we both know the history these two teams have in that building. If I were a Wings fan, I would be confident that my team can come home and win two games. As a Sharks fan, I'm confident that my team can earn at least a split in Detroit and come back to SJ still in control of the series. As a hockey fan, I'm excited to watch another close game between two great teams. Looking forward to Tuesday. I remember the first time I saw that. Painful to watch. Pathetic really. Everyone could pick out an embarrassing fan of their own team...unfortunately ours ended up broadcasting his very mature gesticulations to the internet, and we all know how that usually turns out. I remember the first time I saw that. Painful to watch. Pathetic really. Everyone could pick out an embarrassing fan of their own team...unfortunately ours ended up broadcasting his very mature gesticulations to the internet, and we all know how that usually turns out. Sorry for that double post...didn't realize it tacked a 2nd reply on like that. Nice feature!

Don't forget that you wings fans, A) Have a TON more fans of your team in general B) Have a team that's been around since the NHL's inception, and even before that, thus allowing "A" to happen Your boards have a lot more traffic and a lot more discussions as a result. Your need to go to another team's boards is way less than say someone like me. Forgive me for the string of posts that are coming, I'm not very good at internet stuff and things so I have yet to master the responding to multiple posts with quotes in only one post.

Hey all. Just got back from the game and haven't had a chance to read through anything except the last 3 posts. Unfortunately for me the lamp on my TV blew out this morning so I don't have the luxury of watching the TV replays of all the calls and other stuff. All I can offer is my view from section 212. I can understand the frustration with the officiating. If the Sharks were shorthanded 6 more times than the wings, I'm sure I'd feel similarly. I was way too far away from the play where they called interference on Bert against Gooch, so I have no clue how much that was embellishing or diving, or if it was at all. Glad you acknowledged Howard's little attempt there...that one was pretty transparent, and I don't blame or fault him at all for trying. The slash that broke a stick and the 3rd period trip were pretty straight forward from my vantage point. The goalie interference call on Heatley seemed pretty weak, but in fairness I thought you guys deserved a call anyway. I wouldn't get too down just yet. Both of these games could have gone your way with a call here or there, or a bounce here or there. I know I don't have to tell you guys that most playoff games between two very good teams end up like that. You guys have had the luxury and privilege to watch your team in FAR more playoff games than I've got to watch mine in. As a Sharks fan I've suffered through a lot of watching the bounces go the other way, so please forgive me for enjoying it some when they go my way for a change. I hope it continues, but I fully expect the wings to bring it at the Joe and make it extremely tough for the Sharks. Here's to a great game 3.

That was a great game to wake up to and watch while I recovered from last night. Crazy OT. Man I love playoff hockey...and good for Savard.

Geez, I don't even know why they play the games! I give up, you guys win! Good luck against the Canucks or Hawks!

This is pretty much exactly what a lot of Sharks fans were saying about Nabby last year and leading into the playoffs this year. So far (except game 2 in the first series) he has been better than expected and raised his game. I still think both goalies need to step it up or their teams are gone. If neither changes, then I have no idea what happens.

Thankfully I have an IQ above 14, so I don't feel the need to resort to violence when something doesn't go my way. Honestly I was surprised at how few wings fans were in the arena in general. Usually they come in droves, but today I only noticed one area on the other side of the tank from me that had a concentration of red. I expect more of you guys at game 2 on Sunday. Even strength goals Wings 3 - Sharks 2 Special Teams Goals Sharks 2 - Wings 0 Special teams will win and lose games that would have gone the other way otherwise. They were big tonight.

Just got home from the game. This one was pretty tense for the last 20 minutes. The Sharks did not play a full 60 minutes at all. It was a big barrage at the beginning, followed by holding on mostly at the end. The Wings capitalized on a lot of their chances...it seemed each mistake or gaff that the Sharks made led to a quality chance or goal from the Wings. If they weren't so tired from having game 7 so recently, I think this one might have gone the other way. I was really impressed with how fast the Wings move the puck in the offensive zone. So many one touch passes...it's truly a beautiful thing to watch, no matter what team is doing it. Very happy my guys were able to pull this one out, but I know they'll have to bring a better game if they want to win game 2. The Wings will be fresher and come harder, and certainly wont spot the Sharks a 3 goal advantage early. As for all the discussion about the officiating, I really can't say. Since I was there live, you only get one look at things unless they show a replay on the video board, and even that isn't nearly what you'd get watching the TV broadcast, so I'll have to watch the recording tomorrow to see for myself. I will say that the most frustrating thing for any team or fan is INCONSISTENCY. Well that and complete incompetence. Looking forward to Sunday.

When the talent actually shows up.

Every fan base has douchebags. Some even figure out how to use the internet. I see it the same way...the Sharks can't ask for a better opportunity. Granted, whatever team wins this series still would have 2 very tough teams in their way, but make no mistake, this is HUGE for the Sharks players, management, fans, and everyone else you could associate with it. I've been on here since late in '08...always enjoyed it here. Awoiehbno9iabf982b39rhbpioasuf DROP THE PUCK ALREADY!!!

This is the series lots of us were looking forward to having last season...but my boys pulled the usual and took off early for the putting greens. I'm pumped at the chance to exercise the demons of seasons past...and there's no better way than by playing the wings. To be the best, you have to beat the best. No team has been on top for longer than you guys. It should be a freakin' awesome series. If Thornton, Patty, and Heater get it going I love what this team is capable of. If they remain missing in the postseason, I don't like our chances. Very very ready for this. Good luck.

Wings look great out in Phoenix tonight. Really taking it to the Coyotes. Bryz is tough though. I don't remember the wings being this fast...they look very dangerous.

Appreciate it...hope you still feel that way after you guys win tonight and we meet in round 2.

Doing my part. Good luck tonight!

Bad news, that's not possible. HP Pavilion is occupied by The Eagles that night and the next. Game 1 will be Thursday or Sunday. Good news, it could still be the wings visiting. I'm pulling for you guys. If my team is going to chase away playoff demons, best to dethrone the top dogs doing it, and that would be the wings for sure. Good luck, I'll be glued to my TV for the game for sure.

Not sure why you quoted my post after yours...I don't think you addressed anything that I said.

I agree that the Hawks are overrated, but I don't believe the Sharks are. Not because that I think the Sharks are tops in the west...I don't think there's a clear cut #1...but because I don't think a lot of people really rated the Sharks very high. A lot is deserved. They haven't achieved anything in the postseason, and until they do they will be underachievers. Most people know this and felt that way. I didn't hear anyone pick them to win the Cup this year like they had in years past. I did hear lots of people pick the Blackhawks...hence I think you're right about the Hawks being overrated, but not the Sharks. I don't know how much of the series that you watched, but aside from game 2 (which the Sharks won anyway), Nabby was very good. Not brilliant, but very good...definitely better than most of the regular season. I'll admit the Avs don't have the offensive talent that other teams in the playoffs will bring, so he still has a lot to prove, but you can only control what you do, not who your opponent will be, and he did a very good job in the 1st round. Hope to see you guys in the next round.

This is exactly right. They became the 1st line. They started game 6, and were logging more ice time for the last 3 games. Heatley got hurt and was moved down with the 3rd line. Both Malhotra and Mitchell saw time with Marleau and Thornton, with the latter doing it more. If the "top" line doesn't start contributing in the 2nd round, they wont advance. If they get their s*** together, the team will be dangerous.

Please beat the Yotes tonight. I'm sick of hearing about how great their run is, blah blah bankrupt blah blah NHL ownership blah blah blah...plus that ridiculous howl they play all the time in that arena...ugh.

Not yet 20 seasons in the NHL, so my team has some time before they reach Cub or Red Sox level.

Yeah you can clearly tell if you watch him skate, that he can't push hard off one of his legs. At then end of the 3rd and into OT they broke up the "top" line. The last 3 weeks Clowe/Pavelski/Gooch have been far and away the best line for the Sharks. I still need to check the ice time, but I'm pretty sure that they logged more minutes than the big 3. Wings and Sharks both win to tie up their respective series...I like it.

Ummmmm, no, you are far from cursed...not even remotely close. That puck rode the goal line the whole time...pretty clear from the overhead replay. Take it to those puppy dogs guys. I fully expect the wings to win game 4. Best of luck.

I hope so, but as a Sharks fan, I take nothing for granted.

Stopping in to wish you guys luck. Phoenix has a tough squad but I think the Wings should be able to take them out. Hopefully our teams can meet somewhere down the line. Enjoy the playoffs, there's nothing like it.

Sorry. Hopefully you have a birthday coming up. I'll get you a sense of humor.