AIK'91

So if both Nick and Pavel had gotten hat tricks tonight, does that mean we would have gotten 2 free orders of curly fries?

Despite being such a top scholar and comedian, the only thing funny about this post is how it's so awkwardly strung together.

I like both.

You're bragging would have been much more effective last year. After the trade to Minnesota, Latendresse had a breakout year offensively. But, Abby's still better in pretty much every other facet of the game though. I just don't think he'll be a 25 goal scorer in this league. Instead, I see him as more of a solid role player who can still chip in offensively and take the occasional shift on a scoring line in a few years.

Fair enough. Every fan has their favorites on a team. I just wish he starts playing like he's 6'5'' and somehow regains the poise and confidence he had so much of in the playoffs last year.

In hockey, mistakes in and of themselves are always concerning. They'll lead to goals against eventually. I just don't get the staunch support you've consistently shown for Ericsson. You have to admit his regular season was well below expectations and plagued with egregious defensive zone mistakes...right?

He's been on the ice for one goal against actually. I think most of us are just disappointed with how much his play has regressed since the last playoffs. You can't say he doesn't look a little confused out there at times. He's only played an average of 12 minutes and change these playoffs. Aside from a little PK time, Babcock is careful to match him up against Phoenix's third and fourth lines. On top of often looking lost on his coverage, a lot of fans are probably just pissed he plays nowhere near his 6'5'' frame. I know I am. Just because he hasn't cost us any games or played all that badly doesn't mean we can't expect more from him.

I'd like to revise my post from before: A game 7 in hockey is the greatest thing in sports (and the scariest if your favorite team is playing). Go Wings!

A game 7 in hockey is the greatest thing in sports. Go Wings!

That's true.

Well said. I thought we started out real well, but Phoenix got the first goal--and that really changed the entire dynamic of the game. From then on, I thought we played a bit too rushed and tentative. It showed when we were shorthanded in the second period. At that point, it looked like whatever Phoenix shot was finding its way to the back of the net. We obviously had a good response to their second goal, but their third and fourth goals simply took us out of the game. Hopefully, we can get some early bounces on Tuesday. That first goal's gonna be absolutely crucial. I have faith this team will come out firing on all cylinders and get the job done.

Game tied 1-1.

Watching the videos in your post and your avatar simultaneously is giving me a headache...but in the best way possible. I can't stop watching Jimmy's saves on Hanzal though. Incredible.

Beautiful goal! That could very well be the difference in this series. Phoenix doesn't really have any high-end skilled players. Also, it's important to note the great pass by Franzen and the effort by Holmstrom before that.

Great win! It was a good road game in that we just stuck with it and found a way to win in the end. Howard was fantastic obviously. But, I thought our poise and experience took over in the latter half of that third period. I'm curious to see if Holmstrom is going to be back on Pav and Mule's line. As much as Cleary has more speed and is usually a beast in the postseason, there's no one better than Homer in front of the net.

Looks like my recent avatar change is bringing some good fortune.

Looks like there's going to be a lot of ducking out there.

Maybe they just got tired of voting for Lidstrom each year? It's important to note though, a lot of these awards are based purely on stats. Many of the voters (in this case, from the Professional Hockey Writers' Association) often only get to see each team play a handful of games since it's almost impossible to follow all 30 teams very closely. So in the end, they tend to look at the numbers too much. Nick is still the most reliable defenseman in the game. There isn't another guy you'd want on the blueline at the end of a close game. That still makes him the best.

Clearly, they realize there's no justice in this world. I mean look at what Matt Cooke got away with on that hit to Marc Savard. They've endured enough injustices through other teams' goals being waived off, playing with six skaters and having to take so many powerplays all the time. Not anymore, you just jinxed it.

Thornton and Marleau will disappear for the rest of the game. Boyle will score in his own net. Nabokov will let in untimely goals in a big game. I mean, this has all happened before.

It's one of those jokes where you're actually dead serious. Crosby whining after a loss is about as sure a thing as the sun rising tomorrow. At least he didn't try to cross-check Zetterb...I mean, Alfredsson after the game.

Ottawa wins! Somewhere Gary Bettman is crying. ...And Crosby is whining.

That's what so fascinating about it. It makes that series interesting to watch. With Anderson standing on his head, a bunch of kids (mostly) might officially make the Sharks the 'dynasty of choking'. Thanks. You can't really outshoot a team by that kind of margin and not dominate.

How did each of the teams play? I saw the Avs only had 2 shots in the 1st.

Ottawa has the opposite problem of us. 4 right-handers to start the PP.