MuleRyder

I cannot comprehend what this little tid bit of information is supposed to mean? Does an 82 game season somehow become less of an accomplishment because of what you do in 24 games? I see this line being tossed around a lot about certain players, ie Danny Cleary. Apparently struggling in the regular season is fine because he "Brings it when it matters most". While Datsyuk finishes second in scoring on the team in the playoffs and "Chokes". 87, 87, 97, 97.. Those are the totals for Pavel Datsyuk over the last four years. Hes led this team in scoring since the 2003-04 season but his accomplishments are tarnished because he didn't succeed "When it mattered most"? I hate to be the messenger but "It matters most" to actually make the playoffs. A sixty point season by Zetterberg isn't somehow overwritten because he "Takes it to another level" in the playoffs. And back to back 100 point seasons by Datsyuk isn't somehow tarnished because he ONLY scored 23 points in the playoffs. Why do so many people accept this excuse?

Compare the linemates of Datsyuk with Ovechkin.. Compare the team style.. compare everything because there isn't a comparison. Ovechkin has the luxury of scoring 40 goals in fifty games because hes playing with some of the most talented offensive players in the game. Say what you'd like about Zetterberg but hes not even in the same breath as Semin or Backstrom offensively. If Datsyuk were allowed to hover at the blue line waiting for break out passes the entire game AND play four or five more minutes a game, all on the power play, he'd be scoring 120 points a season also.

You can hold stars accountable as long as their names aren't Nicklas or Lidstrom. LGW fact of the day. 40 games without a goal.. BUT HES GOT A HIGH +/- !!!! Not a factor at all apparently.

Division 3 Nashville Atlanta Tampa Bay Florida Carolina No one is going to watch any of those games. As a matter of fact, you could make a case for four of the five teams being removed from the league.

Datsyuk was hurt, FACT. Hossa was a 40 goal scorer with the injury he had. He was a complete ghost, while Datsyuk was still the same defensive player he was. Osgood's game seven melt down, Hossa not scoring, Malkin not getting suspended, Pens 6 on 5 for a full minute.. the list goes on. There are plenty of reasons why Detroit didn't win a cup. Blaming the most consistent player on the team, who happened to be injured, during an MVP season is just ridiculous.