F2B&G

The Panthers' marketing gurus are just openly acknowledging what's been true for about a decade - save for the occasional playoff appearance, franchises like Phoenix, Florida, Tampa, and Atlanta scrape by on revenue from snowbirds who are either fans of the northern team that's in town, or just looking for a hockey fix. What else are they supposed to do? It's simply smart business for them to target a traditional team with a large transplanted fanbase and put together some special rates for them, especially when your own product on the ice hasn't exactly been conducive to building a home fanbase since about 1996.

I suspect this is probably going to be one of those 5-4 or 6-5 type games that could go either way.

I expect the Wings to pull it out, but Edmonton and their kids will probably bring their A-game for us, especially at home. We might get caught with our pants down early on. Unless Habby really sieves it up, I see a two-goal win in the cards.

Regardless of what people think, if Osgood is healthy, he is the backup this year. The Wings are not calling up an obvious career AHLer unless there are injuries to deal with.

Ozzie obviously just isn't comfortable being a backup goalie who only plays every 3-4 games. It takes him a period to find himself again. Having played well in the 2nd and 3rd periods of the PHX game, I think he'll be fine tonight knowing that he's the goalie for the time being. Someone from the third line needed to sit, I expect it will be Modano or Cleary in the next game if they don't pick it up tonight. Time to put a dent in Rinne's numbers. Detroit wins 4-1.

It has its pros and cons. The biggest thing, obviously, is easier travel since all the East teams are closer and () on Eastern time. The East is a bit softer as far as competition, but that might mean the Wings would be less 'battle-tested' come playoff time. As for major rivalries, we'd feel somewhat more nostalgic. We'd basically be trading the 'Cawks, San Hoe, and the Sucks for CROSBY!11!1!, the Make Me Laughs, and the Toilet Seats. That would be fine.

Lame. Even more disappointing that a team with the history of the Oilers would be the first. When I first saw this thread, I figured it would be the Sens or the 'Nucks.

Fairy has the loudest mouth in the NHL, and the smallest stick to back it up. He might want to ask Datsyuk for his balls back, as I'm pretty sure he thought that was going to be an easy win.

Duck The F...oops! Just want to see a good, solid win by at least two goals. Gotta start this season on a good note, so Wings 4-2 (though I won't object to running up the score ).

That was the Turco that Wings fans know and love.

No way do the Capitals make it past the second round. Not without a lot of luck in goal to make up for mediocre coaching. It's probably going to be Pittsburgh or Boston. If Philly had a goalie they'd be a possibility too, but they don't. -Buffalo overplays Miller and doesn't have the firepower -New Jersey will have a new coach and Brodeur is too out of shape to be counted on for 70 starts + a playoff run -Montreal has Price in net -The Rags will find a new way to be mediocre and miss the playoffs -Toronto is Toronto and the Islanders are the Islanders etc.

I got the feeling that he was trying not to crack up.

I will also scratch my head if we give up Ritola to keep Miller...but, "In Kenny We Trust?" I guess?

Well, that's what happens when you play an AHL goalie, or Dan Cloutier.

Yep, Kindl looking like a rookie there.

#93 opens it up!

Awesome job by the Leafs there. Kronner!

McCollum saving our bacon so far on this PK.

Love the huge shot, not sure I would want to increase the risk of a shortie. Depends on the game situation.

Nevermind, Rynnas did his best Homer.

Cleary does his best Homer.

Kindl thanks you, Phaneuf.

Welcome back Huds!

Wow, Mursak!