puckloo39

april fool.

Nabby's not all that great, especially in pressure situations... but I am willing to bet that if our offense looks like it did yesterday, we can make him look like Jacques Plant on his best day. If the Wings play 60 minutes (if), then SJ will crater. They are nowhere near as talented a team as the Wings. Like any round, whichever team shows up could take it, let's hope it's wearing red.

I'd put Nick first, Vladdy about #3. And add # 11. Jiri Fischer, for sentimental reasons. He was just coming into his own, and I'll always wonder what a special player he was going to become. Hatcher would not be included with these other players. He played 4 games for the Wings did come back in time to help us lose in the playoffs, but that doesn't garner him a place on this list.

NM... not worth it, really. Dom is starting because he's the better goalie for the job, and because as Kenny said, he's earned the right.

Wait. You think Ozzie's embarrassed? Weekes (waaay behind Brodeur) and Sanford (behind Luongo) have played 8 and 15 games this season, respectively. They are not exactly in the same situation as Oz and Dom are. No one else has the potential to tandem, if needed. Or not for very long anyway, in the case of the Nucks or New Jersey. The Wings are putting the best team on the ice. You will have to talk to Kenny and Babs, and tell them about their bad judgement, I guess. teehee~

You're embarrassed by the decision of the Wings brass to play a legend in goal in the playoffs??? I don't find the Red Wings embarrassing at all. Yet. Complaining constantly about Ozzie not getting enough credit doesn't solve anything, it's just ridiculous. He gets more praise than any other player on the Wings roster on a given night, with the exception of the top scorers. And even then, he gets top billing. He's been great this season, no one is denying that. Dom lead the league for a while in GAA, but the stat didn't seem to hold any importance then, oddly. How strange. Not. Listen to what your idol, Ozzie, says about being the backup. He understands his role on this team. edited for... i don't know what. Just let this play out, will you?

Stuart is a tough guy, he will play through it knowing him. He won't want to miss any more action than he can help.

sort of.

I value Pierre's opinion as much as I do that of several other bald hockey "experts." Which is, not at all.

NHL on Versus somewhere in the back of my mind, I was thinking that Versus was aligned with MSG Network, but that's wrong. Don't know why I thought that. But in this wiki article is the "reason" you see Ranger and Pens, for example, in preference to West Coast teams. The selection of teams for The NHL on Versus is somewhat more diverse (possibly due to there being more game slots to air) than its broadcast partner, NBC. Because of inordinately high ratings in the Buffalo, New York and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania markets, Versus has made note to air a significant number of games featuring the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins. The New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, and Boston Bruins also get selected regularly, frequently at or near the maximum of nine appearances per team during the regular season.

Kylee, you are so nice to help with the online viewer. SJ/Yoties: Bryz needs to step it up. Not good.

recap from the LGW "OH, NO!!!" Department: Dominik Hasek, returning after missing two games because of the flu, stopped 22 shots for his 81st career shutout. He stopped Ryan Suter on a breakaway about 1:40 into the extra period. "I hesitated at first," Hasek said. "I was thinking about poke-checking him at the blue line but then I changed decision and was waiting patiently on him. I was in a great position, up high and out of the crease. He hit my blocker." Thank goodness for patience. Good decision, Dom.

1-1 SJ/Yoties!

SJ scores... 1-0 SJ v. Phoenix

Pretty much anyone who supports Hasek ends up labeled a slappy here (or worse). Get used to it. I think the "credit where it is due" thing gets pushed aside slightly where Dom is concerned, perhaps because so much more is expected of him. That's all I can come up with. He is rather singular, still playing at his age and with his resume. So, when Dom get a SO, it is viewed by some as somehow "easier" than some other 22 save SO with a gamesaving stop in OT. I've never actually figured out the sliding scale of "excellence vs. mediocrity" in comparable games. I am just glad Dom saw that puck on Suter's breakaway in OT... because I sure didn't. I don't like the thought of the direction this thread would have taken, if that puck had gone in. Thanks, Dom! Thanks, Mule!!

you have NO idea... I just caught the last 2 minutes of regulation and the OT. Guess I saw the best part of the game, eh? What was going on with Pavel today? No SOG? Was he passing the puck or just a bit off? Concerned over nothing here, right?

Mule... you are freakin' amazing. No review... that was a goal.

uh huh. amazing save on Suter. Someone from the Wings needs to go score now.

thanks for this thread. I am a huge Mule fan... and also love the pic of him and Raffi laughing with a fallen opponent lying facedown behind them. Very emblematic of what this team is capable of.

I've noticed that home teams lose intensity, and the game sometimes, when they have too much else going on at the game. Pre-game ceremony honoring Drake, then the emotional business of the resurrection of Mac both were distractions. Coupled with it being the stretch into the playoffs, it's not an excuse for a loss (even by just one goal), but it's a possible factor. It's just my dumb little theory, but it's pretty consistent if you're watching for the trend. I don't have any statistics to 'prove' anything, sorry. I expect they will do much better next game. I didn't see the gaem, but from what I've gathered, Franzen was wonderful again, and Dats and Z were also just fine. So, it's all OK.

that's exactly what I figured. Glad Mac is back. He must feel like he's in a dream, to be back on the ice at the Joe. Thanks, HC.

Glad you got to go, and that you got to see Mac (me = jealous). The goalies are rarely the reason the Wings lose, IMO.

well, I have no opinion on the game, since I didn't see it. Got a better offer (as opposed to not seeing the game anyway, thnx to TWC), so I just got home. Did the Wings just not have their hearts in it, or what? I thought they'd be on a tear, with Mac back, and all. Perhaps this is the usual slide in the final stretch, where they are just looking forward to the playoffs and don't really step up in the final games. Seems to me that's not unusual for the Wings. Legace for Vezina . What is with us always outshooting the other team and managing to lose anyway, though. I am sure they tried. Did Mac look OK, and get a big ovation? I hope so.

game on, go get 'em, Mac. We love you!!!