HankthaTank

Couldn't argue this even if I wanted to. Your font and Hudler obsession still makes me want to attempt it though....

Soooo, hockey and stuff? stinky wins another derailing attempt.... So this means every game is going be 10+ goals total between each team. I like our chances in those types of games

Modano-Hank-Flip Hmm... interrrresting indeed. Wouldn't happen but given how Mikey played last game, it seems like a nice little combo there.

I understand you mean this year's team, but truthfully, let's not forget they just won their very first playoff series as a franchise ever. The never say die mentality has been there for about a week's time if that's what we are basing this off winning series.

Modano is just there as a fill in for Mule like blue stated. Cleary-Abdelkader-Bertuzzi must stay together and will so that's good. GREAT 3rd line depth there if you ask me. Huds and Flip with Hank could definitely turn out well. That's the most interesting combo of all that I've seen.

"Cute" little read there.

Now this said, I realize he has gotten the recognition the past 3 years, but to be a finalist for it this year shows he was definitely going to win this had he played all year. Unreal Pash.

Nice. Can't imagine him getting it with all the time he missed but great he is a finalist. Shows the recognition is finally there for having been out all those games and still being in the top 3. Also a good read there with the SI article too. SI article

Damn right. Patty Sunshine has been pretty irreplaceable on the PK and on the line with Helmer and Drapes. Just gets severely overlooked by most Wings' fans and hoping for Kenny to get that extension done. These are the things that separate THIS year to LAST year. Crow eating season on its way I have a feeling.

Boom goes the dynamite.

Who was that player that scored the OT goal again? Never see him in the playoffs, it's odd.

Another thing to bring up is the emergence of Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader. They are not the same players anymore and provide amazing depth and scoring chances on the lower lines in limited TOI. This could very well be our x-factor.

This is awesome Would love to do something like this!

Go Preds!!! Never ever thought I'd say that, but this playoffs has proved to make allegiances fly out the door for awkward times. I feel as if the Nucks have far too much firepower though and will get it done in 6.

So this is it... I have read through and tend to agree that the winner of this series can probably keep it rolling all the way to the SCF. Most years our 2nd round opponent gives us the most fits and I see it happening here and then some. A healthy lineup and well rested as we all have been talking about should be great. This series should be a classic and much different than last year's. Solid tending will be the difference I feel. 1 didn't have that great of a regular season and the other is coming in not having a good playoffs at all so far. The PK for us wasn't good and the Sharks' PP wasn't good either. Just been going bats*** crazy waiting on the 2nd round and now that I know who we have, bring them on!

What about Bobrovsky???

As it normally happens it seems in some of the Cup run seasons, the 2nd round presents the biggest test. In this case, I feel it will be exactly that as well. Sharks or Preds won't be a short series that much is certain.

You mean good for us, right? Only game I see us having problems with is tonight against King Felix.

Because it's who we will play in the next round. That's probably why Carrying on my same mantra which adds little to absolutely nothing to discussion purposes. Nashville because I like a little more sleep. If I was to pick my poison, it'd be a case of Molson.

Luis Mendoza is the Darren Helm of this squad no question. I could just hear the Julie "The Cat" and Goldberg debates now.....

Bertuzzi - Abdelkader - Cleary shan't be separated right now. That line is playoff hockey personified.

EDIT! Anyway, maybe there is something to this. I mean geez, the Canucks wouldn't have caved in on this series without a little help from officials and whatnot would they???

And you thinking that Visnovsky shouldn't be mentioned is also a complete joke considering Chara is up there for his name and that +33 which is attributed to how awesome Tim Thomas was this year. Visnovsky had 68 freaking points and here is your DEFENSIVE stat. Blocked 116 shots to Chara's 111 in the exact same amount of contests so not saying 5 shots makes him the obvious nominee but it truly doesn't make it a "complete joke" to put the guy as a finalist at least. Points shouldn't put him up there but it's not that cut and dry as you make it seem.

I don't think a Cup seals the deal for him retiring. Pure love for the game and the ability to obviously still be a finalist, and possible winner of the Norris trophy proves he can just simply get it done. Nick is in tip-top shape and has the best overall shot from the point to this day. We will see but I don't think he is done for at least another 3 years or so.