Opie

I think the reason Babs deserves this is the team defensive stats, he has this entire team playing all zones of the ice very hard. Lots of guys with great +/- numbers, The Jennings Trophy (A team award IMO), Pres trophy, 50+ wins again, one of the top teams in most statistical categories offensively and defensively. Sure this team had a good deal of offensive fire power, but I don't think anyone expected the D from the whole team to be this good. I credit Babs with instilling that work ethic in his players.

All I am going to say is look at what Montreal did, granted it didn't win them a game, but they gave up less than 4 goals a game with Halak. Maybe is sparks Price, or maybe Price is done this year, but you have to at least try the back up before you are in desperation mode. Before losing your third game in the series, especially the way Price ended the Boston series. Same situation here, only difference is that Theodore wasn't exposed the round before. But now his team is demoralized, they put in their best effort last game, scored first, scored 3 goals, and they still lose the game. Now if you pull the goalie, he has one shot to save the team. Not saying they couldn't come back, but it is a huge hill to climb and Theo's teammates have to think he is good for another 4 goals.

The second thing to cross your mind should have been the phrase "Double Standard" there is no way the NHL suspends Floppa for anything short of decapitating a man! Sure I exaggerate a little, but there is no way the league hammers him with anything. Now if Lappy had done it, due to his reputation, he may have, may have gotten some look at from the league, but it is playoff hockey and it will take a lot to get some one suspended especially a star!

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA That is the funniest one of them all, the only way it would have been funnier is if you had made glass Joe's head on Floppa!!!! Seriously to all of you photoshop guru's put Floppa's head on Glass Joe

I broke my knee and was on the couch for 3 months I watched Cricket, Curling, for f***'s sake I think I watched an eating competition. The one thing I couldn't watch and don't understand is Nascar, I mean I get F1, they: 1. make turns of varying direction 2. make turns of varying degree 3. have inclines and declines that are not(edit) geared towards helping the driver make a turn and other reason. But my family loves NASCAR when I go back to Maine to visit, they(Including my sister and her hubby) watch the time trials on Friday night, I go out drinking with my friends, watch the junior series (some up and coming guys some guys from the circuit but not the veterans, again I don't get it) Saturday night, I go out drinking with my friends. Then Holy s*** Sunday comes and the race is on, I just leave for NH before the race starts!

I am also a believer that was a pass from Ralf not a shot!

NFM25 And that doesn't cover the fact that his forecheck is what set up the Franzen goal, he was the only Forechecker left in the zone, he caused the Turnover, Kronner got the puck, and Mule made a great play on what looked like a bouncing puck (s***TY Ice yet again). But certain people, GMR included (no disrespect meant man, we have gone round and round on this issue) will not ever credit Sammy for anything he does well. Just like during last years post season when Lang got all the s*** even though he scored the OT goal!

No one is saying they aren't good/great/successful teams, but the question who is the most impressive! I may be wrong but that was my take.

True they should, but unfortunately besides Jagr he has been their best offensive weapon this post season.

You're kidding right, you mean like when I hit my teeth with my coffee cup on the first sip every morning because, well, it is the first sip and I haven't had any coffee yet!! /sarcasm But in all seriousness you have to pop a guy pretty good to knock out a tooth.

OR Calgary The road has been paved for the Wings, I am not saying they won't slip or stumble along the way, but.... The first series was in Nashville not a lot of travel, last years first round opponent Calgary lots of travel and a physical series. Plus the first series had plenty of days off worked into it, they never played back to back. This second series is against a team that is not very physical, has a coach who is more prone to playoff failure than success, a "Sick" netminder, I think all but 2-3 goals were not his fault at all and I would say that close to 60% of the wings goals were either unstoppable or would require a great save. Colorado not that much travel, but there is the thin air theory. Last year's second round series in San Jose, very physical series with a ton of travel against a very hot goaltender. This year it looks like the WCF will be with Dallas (still could change I know) but again significantly less travel, significantly less physical play than any of last years opponents. Compared to Anaheim last year. very physical team lots of travel. Plus every series last year went deep, they played a lot of games, I think if I remember correctly they played almost as many games as Ott did total and they made it to the SCF. This year the first round was 6 but this round appears to be at most 2 games away from over (appearances can be deceiving!) Then you look at how the seasons ended, this year everyone coming off of the injured list before the playoffs, both goalies were playing well, when healthy. Last year Kronner was hurt before the post season and Schneids got injured in the second round.

I'll bite!!! Let's see, he set up Frazen's first goal in the hat trick game. His forechecking led to Franzen's goal last night. But sure all he does is fire pucks wide!

You were closer than me I thought he was talking about the wings riding this streak throughout the playoffs! At least you had the right streaking!

I had a scare with that once, but all of the test came back negative!! Bad joke I know!

Useful shot lad, Well played sir well played!

Maybe the NHL will change the rule to allow this!

How did I play internet tough guy? because I pointed out that you have no idea what you are talking about? And what in the hell does me donating money to this site have to do with my post? Goals are not the only thing that a player brings to a team, you do realize that right? I mean besides the fact that he has been one of the best defensive forwards on the team. He has a mask on his helmet that happens to be something he is not used to playing with. Yes you are entitled to post your opinion, just like I am entitled to calling you out for having a misguided opinion. You are the one that posted he is pissing you off, because he hasn't recovered from a broken jaw that happened what 2 months ago. As stated by multiple people the man lost 15 lbs of muscle, you don't rebuild that over night. I have an idea instead of calling me names why don't you try to prove that I am an asshat by proving what I said to be wrong. You question the guys hunger for the cup because he hasn't scored goals, I say you are being a fan with unrealistic expectations, simply because of that statement. Do you know Dan Cleary? Has he told you he has lost the hunger, do you talk to him often enough to know that he has no more hunger even though he hasn't said it to you yet? I am assuming all of the answers to those questions are NO!!! When you make absolute statements like: you better be prepared to back up your opinion with something more than name calling. And make no mistake about it, there was no trying to call you out, I called you out for having an opinion that doesn't make sense. Whether I am right or wrong, I called you out I didn't try anything. Again, I suggest you try going through anything remotely close to what he did before you question his hunger. If you had said you expected more from Dan, than fine, but to question his hunger is beyond having an opinion!

That statement is drastically different from saying he should be demoted!

I'm sorry that line is one of the best in the NHL right now, Homer is doing his job, he works the corners and the front of the net, his job is to help create space so that Dats and Z can play keep away from the rest of the team. People need to lay off of some of the players, I thought at first it was just a hatred of Sammy. But some of you guys bash on anyone not putting up points, ohh not true homer is putting up points, it is goals you want. Well you know what if homer gets a hat trick last night, Z & D would not have had any goals (In all likelihood) so would you suggest demoting them!!!!! Not everyone on the team can score a goal every night. If you noticed on Z's goal he made a dummy play and Z instantly pointed at him and Homer had a huge smile because he knew he helped create that play! His ability to not panic with the puck is what got D his second goal! NOTE TO RED WING FANS, PLEASE HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF PLAYERS!!!!

It can't be too bad, he is only going to miss one game!!!!!! (ok that was a joke about the series being over in one game because they said in the article he will miss the rest of this series. Not a shot at Avery himself!)

Do me a favor, go home, wire your jaw shut and eat nothing by smoothies for a month lose 15 lbs of muscle and then tell me that you are still getting pissed off at Cleary. Lack of Hunger for the cup, are you serious, the guy throws his body around the ice, plays great defensive hockey, misses a goal last night by half an inch (thanks crossbar) and you think he has lost his hunger. Again repeat the above steps and then come back and tell me that Danny boy has lost his hunger!! NOTE TO RED WING FANS, PLEASE HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF PLAYERS!!!!

Holy s*** sjradio, Until you posted that I had no idea Ron Burgandy was the owner of the Avalanche!!!

I would be very happy with that, as far as coaches go that is a long term deal, very rarely do you see a coach get 5-7 years. And TBTH with you I don't give a crap what the $$$$$ amount is, he earned it!!!

I have a favor, can people please stop referring to this ducks team as anything but a shadow of the defending Stanley cup Champs. Last year they were great, this year they had NO Offense! Penner may not have played well in EDM, but he was sorely missed by ANA, Teemu probably would have been in great shape and made an even bigger impact on them, had he not missed 2/3 of the season. As the playoffs started it was like the end of pre-season for him (Same can be said for Floppa). Dallas beating Ana this year was not a great feat, this team was drastically different, maybe not personnel wise, but as far as the on ice product this team was not as dangerous as last years. If they won it this year it was going to be on physical merits, as opposed to last year's team that was physical and talented. Macdonald, Penner gone. Teemu not in full shape, adding Weight (albeit to cut salary) hurt them by costing them Macdonanld, Schneider is a very good offensive defenseman, but that is all that he is. Beating them was an accomplishment, but it is not like they took a time machine and beat the SAME team, yes it is the same franchise, but not the same team. For some reason Burke thought he could win with NO OFFENSE!!

Am I the only one who thinks Jiri Fischer when I hear this. I hope Avery is able to get back to hockey and this turns out to be some sort of exhaustion or something, but think about how often as Wings' fans in the past couple of years we have said "I wonder what Fisch would look like right now" or "Think about how good this D would be with Fisch!" I know personally when Det picked up Stuart I was thinking well, that would be Fisch's role, or when Stuart and Kronner are running people I think man, Kronner and Fisch would be a great pairing. I hope for Avery's sake people aren't saying those things about him.