Zion

While Brett Lebda's hit WAS low, this is not a common occurance, and because of Lebda's reputation, I will say this was an accident. He was the one who was hurt after the play. There is no excuse for McLennan's slash, Iginla's butt-end or the cross-checks towards the end of the game.

Exactly, and (as someone mentioned last year) we should have TRADED he and Jason Williams before the end of the season INSTEAD of re-signing them.

The way things are going, I'll be 7 for 8 in our brackets at work (I picked Atlanta over NYR). The Wings need to end this NOW.

Owned.

I can't find my picks for the first round. I know what teams I picked, but I can't remember in how many games for a few of the series... ... does anyone remember where this thread is?

This is the truth. End of story.

The only officiating I'm upset with was the non-call on the game-winner in Game 3. The officiating has been okay, but it's up to the Wings to skate with the Flames in order to NOT take obstruction penalties. It is also their responsibility to capitalize on their power plays and kill penalties. End of story.

I'm in the middle of this pack. I will say this, however. I am "feeling" the following: Game 5 - Calgary squeaks out an OT victory Game 6 - Calgary wins and series is over.

I actually feel WORSE when Detroit gets a power play, because I know nothing is going to happen. They play much better at even strength (except the top line).

This team will lose the series if Calgary wins game 5. Calgary, despite being outplayed, has all of the momentum now. Kipper is outplaying Hasek and Detroit can point to special teams as a result of yet another "upset" if they drop Saturday's afternoon game. Calgary has every reason to win this series now, and the schedule is just another weapon.

I don't miss that about Southern California at all.

Calgary is simply a different team at home than on the road. The first team to win a road game will win this series, otherwise, look out... going to be a long 7 games. The back-to-back series isn't going to help Detroit. Calgary has a LOT going for them right now. They could definitely win this.

LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!!

Excellent thread. Promote yourself.

It is really pathetic.

It shouldn't surprise you. Grier has been the best pick-up for the Sharks this year. Once the big guns for SJ get going, they're going to be tough to beat. SJ and Anaheim in the WCF?

You shouldn't be posting things like this. Exactly what I've been saying... glad I'm not alone.

I also picked Sharks in 5. Detroit needs to get out of the first round. We shouldn't even be discussing this. Tonight's game is THE game. If we win, we can finish at home. If we lose, this is going to be a LONG series. That said, we Wings fans should want absolutely nothing to do with San Jose. I know I don't. I've watched SJ all year, and they (like Anaheim) are too big and fast and talented and YOUNG for the Wings.

The article was written by Robert Lang. Seriously, though, it's about time I read something like this... I couldn't understand why Babs and the Detroit FP have such a hard-on for Bobby Lang. He needs to step it up. I would love nothing more than to see Franzenstein, Flip and Hoodlum replace the 2nd line.

I will watch the game tonight on DVR as I had to get up early this morning and only made it through the first period. I am so sick of Lang and Samuelsson. I am begging for Jiri Hudler to get into the line-up, and I love your idea of keeping the 4th line of Mule, Flip and Huds. Just great stuff. Looked like the top line had their usual "unproductive in the playoff" nights, so hopefully they adjust, because (from what it sounds like) if they do, this series is over in 5.

^ Correct.

Damn, I miss being on the West Coast: - Home game (or East Coast game) - Come back from the ship and turn on the Wings game. Make/serve dinner during 1st period intermission. Watch game. Have celebratory cocktail. - Road game out West - Come home from the ship. Take shower, make/serve dinner. Have cocktail. Watch game. Go to sleep. Here: - Home game - Come home from reserve center. Take shower, make/serve dinner. Have cocktail. Watch game. Go to sleep. - Road game out West - DVR Game. Watch the next day after hearing/reading about the game.

I picked San Jose as the favorite to come out of the West, but Anaheim is beating a Minnesota team the experts called "a dark horse", and doing it with Ilya Bryzgalov. Is there a team that can beat them? We played well against them in the final game against them at the Joe, but they (like Calgary) played at about 60-70%.

Detroit is good at home. Calgary is bad on the road. Detroit is bad in Western Canada. Calgary is best at home. We'll see if these trends continue...

Detroit did, as expected, very well at home. The REAL test is playing IN CALGARY. Hopefully Bertuzzi is in and Samuelsson is out.