Zion

Sorry. Read your post too quickly before attacking. I would have to agree that a northern California team and a small-market franchise like Buffalo, with baseball season getting underway, would have little to no interest to the casual fan, especially in the midwest and the south.

"Who would really watch a San Jose v. Buffalo Final?" I would. And this is who I have picked to be in the SCF.

So... Calgary it is, then?

Why the boos, homers? Me, too. I have San Jose over Anaheim in the WCF. Good picks, but we know anything can happen. Next week can't get here soon enough, and I have a four-day weekend...

French = __________________ .

You didn't see Zetterberg shoved into the boards, did you?

We had better win convincingly at home, because we had absolutely nothing in Calgary. And, I agree, that they aren't that much different than in 2004, and I'm not 100% convinced that we're better "enough" to overcome a team like them, which is why I don't want them to play in Round 1.

Yes, because Detroit has been so much better in shootouts.

Back no "langer" an issue? Is this a stab at Robert Lang?

Glad I wasn't the only one. I complain about Lang nightly, as well, but still complement his great plays, two of which you described. And, yes, I am aware of his playoff performances. I just hope he really steps it up this playoff season, because he's taken far too many minor penalties for 3.8 mil.

Wings must win games against easy teams, unless they're deliberately trying to avoid playing Calgary and risk playing Dallas or San Jose, which we all know they won't do.

I'm not expecting a Stanley Cup this year, and maybe that's a good thing. I am very impressed with the defense and the improved grit. I just hope it's enough...

This is ridiculous. First of all, stopping the Thornton/Michalek/Cheechoo line is extremely difficult (see recent games), and the "Stop Joe Thornton, and you stop the Sharks" comment is extremely ignorant. The Marleau/Guerin combo has been good and has utilized several players as the 3rd winger on their second line. The Grier/Clowe/Bernier line is a terrific checking line, and their goaltending tandem is terrific. San Jose and Anaheim have got to be the favorites in the West, despite how tight the conference is. The West is far superior a conference.

It's been said before, but we just don't play well in Northwestern Canada. We can't face Vancouver (and obviously Edmonton) in the first round, but Calgary's fast, physical play has, and will probably, beat us.

Go crazy. Better yet, be a man and suck it up. The Wings have a lot to prove. I still don't think they are a playoff team, despite having Hasek in goal, the best defense I've ever seen for this team, and some great pick-ups in Kyle Calder and Todd Bertuzzi. I'm still convinced that this team will never win a Stanley Cup as long as Robert Lang is on the roster. That being said, we need to avoid San Jose like the plague.

We need to get out of the first round. Period. Then we can worry about marching onto the SCF.

Who's to say Yzerman doesn't throw his jersey over his suit jacket and pull a Scotty and put his skates on and skate around the ice with the Cup?

I've been watching him all year in L.A. and am STILL surprised at the numbers he has put up, especially since joining the NYR. He is the type of player Detroit needs, now that Maltby does not draw penalties anymore. Granted, Malts is a defensive mainstay, I'd take Avery's scoring, fighting and energy over Malts, and it pains me to say that.

I'd love to see Huds and Flip promoted and Lang's salary used to resign Datsyuk, Bertuzzi and Calder.

No need to panic. He should sit Tuesday, as well. Quincey did just fine with Cheli, and we play the same team at home. Couldn't care less about finishing 1st (especially if that means playing Calgary), just staying healthy is the most important thing.

Due to his size and not horrible play the last few games, Andreas Lilja will be a regular in the playoffs.

Who said Zetterberg might be back on Tuesday?

Give him as much time as he needs.

Yuck.

That is just dumb. And, yes, he is similar to a Kirk Maltby, who (in his agitator days) was extremely effective against the opposition. You guys sound like other teams fans referring to Malts.