Opie

SWEET! http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2008...tory?id=3421583

That to me is a bit of an oversimplification but if it is your opinion you are entitled to it, but it is hard to argue with these numbers: 13-3 1.45 .936 If it weren't for Ozzie's name attatched to those numbers, for example if it were Turco, MAF, Broduer, Luongo, Giguere whomever people would be screaming up and down look at those numbers they are awesome. But as Burnside points out in the article,

This would have been a good answer in my book for Crosby to give, maybe he should get help from Orpik: as opposed to this:

You should read a little closer he said IF it is true. He didn't accuse anyone of anything!

Actually before Ozzie got a start the series was 2-2 so I am not sure how that is winning the series fairly handily. Plus Hasek let up 5 goals in game three, Ozzie hasn't given up 5 goals in the SCF. Plus do any of you listen to the post game comments? Serious question. Most of the Red Wing players will tell you that Ozzie has been instrumental and that he has saved their asses. I think a lot of people are underrating Ozzie's performance. I see him as slightly ahead of Z and can see the opposite, but I just don't understand how some of you can say well Ozzie only makes x amount of saves, yeah well you know what MAF is making 30 saves a game, how many Conn Smythe votes is he getting?

Some of the thoughts that have been going through my head as I can't deal with waiting for this game to start: 1. Babs has the last change, so far that has spelled nothing but horror for the Pens. The only game the Pens won, Babs was stubborn went with his lines, then the next game he matched up and again shutdown the top line. 2. The Joe will be rocking tonight, you could very well see upwards of 10 octopi tonight!!!!!!!! 3. Pitt will be playing with severe desperation, now that spelled trouble for the Wings with the Stars, but there is a big difference, when the Stars where desperate they still played as a team. The Pens tend to try and do too much as individuals. 4. If Therrien wants to win this game he should put Malkin on the 3rd line, he has admitted his legs are toast, he has said he is tired. Yet Therrien played him more minutes than Sidney last game. 5. The Wings need to focus on D for the first period (not that they haven't) very very hard this game. If the Wings can go into the 1st intermission 0-0 or if they score first I think the Pens will be deflated and start pointing fingers in the locker room. 6. I am not so sure Ozzie can post another shut out, they are not easy especially in the SCF, but with the last change and this D in front of him it is very possible, can you imagine 3 SO in one SCF series!!! I predict a 4-1 game with the 4th coming on an empty net, and the cup will be hoisted tonight!!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Aghr...o&type=lgns Niklas Kronwall, Stuart is having a successful postseason. While he and Kronwall are getting recognized for their physical nature in these playoffs, Stuart is enjoying a run of offensive success as well. He scored the winning goal in Detroit’s 3-0 victory over Pittsburgh in Game 2, and [b[he has an assist in each of the Red Wings’ last five playoff games.[/b] I guess I just wasn't paying enough attention to his stats, I didn't know about the bold part!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AkGa...o&type=lgns

This to me is the hammer hitting the nail right on the head!!!! Great post!!!! Who did Z and Dats learn from, who is Kronwall and Lebda learning from. Hell even Babs has a guy in the system that has been there done that, and Babs has no problems saying hey Scotty what do you think the coach will do in this situation. I don't blame Crosby, I just disagree with the outcome which happens to come from his mouth. But look and listening closely he is almost parroting his coach's actions and words. I really am surprised that he doesn't have more Mario in him. Say what you want, but IMO, Mario was all class!!! Sid is a 20 year old, not an immature 20 year old, he is just a 20 year old, very few 20 year old kids can take on the kind of responsibility of the C. The Org is not helping very much, sure they put the players around him to take him to the SCF, but they are not helping foster Sidney Crosby the person, they are trying to foster Sidney Crosby the myth, the legend, the penguin!

I think had that been the case with Downey you would see your Second Jiri Slegr. Jiri was acquired at the deadline, played 8 games for the wings in the regular season, but got to play for Fisch when he was out for the cross check. Slegr played 1 SCF game and his name will forever be on the cup now. I do believe other teams have used the petition and got players names on the cup, for injuries or other reasons.

Sorry, with 2 shut outs in the SCF and the already impressive stats and record that Ozzie had, Z and others would have had to have incredible stats to beat him. Ozzie has give up exactly 4 goals in 4 games, 2 of which were shutouts. I don't care if he faced 5 shots the number has nothing to do with the quality of the scoring chance. The back to back to back saves on Crosby --> Dupuis --> Hossa Ozzie was more than tested. But by some of the logic on here that doesn't count for jack s*** because it was only 3 shots. I was one of the first posters on here to dog the wings for resigning Ozzie, I believe I called him mediocre at best (Yes I am an asshat) he has proven me wrong. Think about this, the guy had an all star season, posting some of the best numbers in the league all while playing only half of the games. This reinvented Ozzie could be a very very wise investment by the wings, IF he can win for the wings as well as help Howard or Larsson develop I will be very very happy. But to say that he doesn't stand a chance next to Z is being a little blind. I think right now it is Ozzie in the lead (thanks to the 2 SO and game 4) followed closely by Hank, whom if he had posted numbers would probably be ahead of Ozzie because his D has been unreal. But the reality of the situation is that Z has sacrificed his O game in order to help the team win. Does that make him a Conn Smythe winner, no that just makes him a role model for young players around the world. It also just makes him a Status quo Red Wing, willing to put the team ahead of his own success or accolades! AND I LOVE IT!!!!!

Hank, I don't defend Cheli's actions, I think what he did was very rude and unsportsmanlike. No matter how pissed you are, you line up with your teammates, you show that you handle defeat as well as you do success. Even if internally you are about to explode. The whole time Sidney has been saying things like I don't think they outplayed us or I don't think they had more chances then us, when getting beaten 4-0 and 3-0. Well then what was the problem, is he blaming his teammates, is the goalie to blame, is Malkin to blame? The kid is not mature enough to handle being the C, the only reason he is the captain is because the team thought it would be a good PR move. Is he a incredibly gifted offensive talent, YES, is he top one of the top 5 players in the league, YES, however he doesn't play D well at all YET, and he is not much of a team guy imo, he deflects blame to others and accepts success on his shoulders. *At least from what I have seen and heard of him.* IMO the team would be better off right now with Malkin being their focal point (not captain) he did much better and so did the team with Sidney out. To me it is the Arod phenomenon, whenever Arod leaves, the team is inevitably better. Is it because Arod sucks (he he), no, to me it is because people expect him to carry the load and don't work as hard with him. When the superstar is gone everyone steps it up a little. Not Sid's fault, just seems to be the nature of the beast. When you are labeled the next Great one or MJ or whomever else, people automatically expect more of you, regardless of what you can do.

That's the point Hank, not what their intentions are, it is what they say. I also don't think you can compare heat of the moment in the game actions like Yzerman's or even Sid's at the end of the game, to a press conference.

Half the season played or one SCF game played. BTW do you know what is easier than starting a thread here and waiting for answers: GOOGLE!!!

Despite my utter hatred for most of the words that come from this guy's mouth he has a very very good minor league and NHL coaching record. He has coached a team to the SCF, he is a much better option than lets say: 1. Granato (hired recently by Avs, again) 2. Quennville (just lost a job to the Avs) 3. Wayne Gretzky 4. John Tortorella 5. Ron Wilson 6. Red Kelly 7. Bryan Murray 8. Paul Maurice 9. Bob Hartley 10. Alain Vigneault 11. Peter Laviolette

You forgot Homer(257th 10th round), Flip (3rd round 95th), and also the potential players like an Ericsson, Quincey, Meech, it may be true that recently the wings have had success early (because they barely ever had early picks before the lockout), however they still have many late draft or undrafted signings that are still gems! However; I think this is not a subject that you can look at in a vacuum, as some have said if it is AO or Crosby or MAF you probably jump all over the number 1 pick. However if it is Kane (Highly touted but not AO or Crosby) you may be more inclined to take the 20 and the 30. If you are a team with a lot of confidence in your scouting department the late picks may look better than a team that has had a lot of draft day busts. If you are the Pens this draft year you may be wanting to save some loot and not pay another top draft pick or maybe you don't need a top prospect and instead see a great checking line guy who can pot 15 goals and you take him. I think a lot of variables would have to be taken into consideration and your strategy would change year to year based on need and talent available. BUT for any other team besides Det I am with imisssergei and others that you take the first.

Not to jump in where I don't belong, just listen to the press conferences after the game 4 win. Lids, Zetterberg, Draper, Ozzie, et all were praising the Pens and their play. To expand upon that thought, Ozzie complimented Hossa, saying that it takes world class hands to make that play. The wings have even complimented Malkin who has been near invisible this series. Now Crosby may or may not have said that Z is a good player, however what is certain is he downplayed that particular play in a way that makes him appear to have little class (which is fine if you are not the captain) and to be disrespectful of what Z is doing to him. Most players slumping when they have been shut down by a particular player or line would say so, not the Pens, Malkin's tired, the wings are obstructing, Sidney is interfered with on every play, blah blah blah I said this before and until Sid learns it the Stanley cup will be hard for him to reach, but There are no excuses in playoff hockey just wins and losses!

Stuart is much better than Lilja, Stuart had what 3 bad games in 20 playoff games. I think you are being a little too critical, but that is just my opinion.

Got to tell you, overall I am happy with the officials. Have then been bad calls against the wings, yes but there were bad calls against the Pens.

I LOVE the he needs to grow up comments, of course he does he is 20 years old, how mature were you at 20 years old?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=ApKp...p&type=lgns

Another one http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AiGY...p&type=lgns Beard related!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AiCV...p&type=lgns Good sign!!

OK so if a mod wants to put all of my Yahoo threads together and change the title that would probably be for the best. IN the past hour they have put out 2 articles and I am flooding the board with new topics. http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/preview;_ylt=A...205&prov=ap That quote to me, plus the crap spewing from Sid the Kids mouth, sum up to me the answer to the thread about why is experience so important. This series has shown EXACTLY why experience is so important!!!

Anyone care to change their tune now? Anyone, Bueller?