Nevermind

Was just about to post this. I hope Datsyuk wins, of course. But I think the voters are going to pick Kesler this year because of his 40 goal season and since Datsyuk's won it the last 3 years. The trophy is really for 'best defensive forward who is already good offensively or happens to have a breakout year offensively'. Funny how Kesler's probably going to win it for an improvement in his offense rather than defense.

Anyone watching the game? 1-1 after 1.

So are these ice times all-time playoff lows for Lidstrom, or what?

Sorry if this was posted elsewhere. I think this is a very interesting move by Babcock. Maybe he's trying to get Modano pissed in order to give him a spark later on? Link

If they did fine everyone though, that would be over $10 million in fines.

Phoenix at Detroit, 7pm, Versus NY Rangers at Washington, 7:30pm, Versus (JIP) I had no idea what JIP was...but then it hit me...joined in progress. Already, I was regretting probably not being able to hear Ken and Mick for the game (unless I maybe find a stream online). Do you think Versus would really cut away from the Wings game to the NYR-WSH game after the first period at around ~7:37 or whatever? That sounds like something they'd do.

Ahh...my bad. It'd be tough to play in two playoff series at the same time. That's a relief. Thanks. I wasn't really sure how it worked since I've lived in Michigan my whole life and had FSD. I actually even bought NHL Gamecenter this year, but it's an absolute waste in the playoffs when so many games are blacked out due to being on Versus.

Yeah, but this time it's coming from Z's mouth the day before the game. Damn day-to-day injuries.

That just means he's soft. Even though Stamkos gets all the attention, I'd argue that St. Louis does the most work on that line--especially defensively. Stamkos is the shooter though.

Dear Detroit Red Wings, We thought your gift-wrapped present was far too kind. So we decided to throw it away. Sincerely, Dallas Stars

That's unfortunate. Especially with how Zetterberg's always so dominant in the playoffs. But, if we play like we did today, we should be able to hang in there until he comes back.

Phoenix beat San Jose in regulation and they both play each other again tomorrow (or, actually, later tonight). So we'll know if we can get second or not before Sunday's game. Dallas plays later in the day on Sunday against a non-playoff team in Minnesota. You would have to think that if Chicago loses to us in regulation, there's no way Dallas loses their game considering it would guarantee them a playoff spot. Then again, we all know the Wings probably won't show up on Sunday while Chicago will obviously be desperate. Still, it'd be nice to embarrass the 'hawks out of the playoffs.

How can a tradition ever be "new"?

Thank God. Thank the Hockey Gods. Now please, you better be right. Or I take my thanks back.

That is really absolute bulls***. I guess the NHL decided Chicago might need some help to make the playoffs. Either that, or the war room thinks about it like this... Kicking motion = no goal Not completely across the line = no goal (negative)*(negative) = positive, therefore, (no goal)*(no goal) = goal Makes perfect sense now. Two negatives equal a positive.

It doesn't really matter what line combos are out there for Game 1, we know Babcock's going to continually shake things up depending on how everything's going. Either way, I'd try to split Pavel and Z on the road and keep them together at home. I guess I'd do something like this... Home Datsyuk / Zetterberg / Holmstrom Franzen / Filppula / Bertuzzi Hudler / Modano / Cleary Abdelkader / Helm / Eaves Draper Away Franzen / Datsyuk / Holmstrom Cleary / Zetterberg / Bertuzzi Filppula / Modano / Hudler Abdelkader / Helm / Eaves Draper It's strange not penciling in Draper for the playoffs. Before the Nashville game, I may have taken out Abdelkader, but now I don't see who Draper would replace.

I'm surprised you didn't say Letang for defenseman. Burns is one of my favorite defenseman, but would you really pair him with another righty? No way, absolutely one of my players. Brown's the definition of 'gritty hockey'. As for the topic though, I would choose Claude Giroux, Drew Doughty and Pekka Rinne.

Well, here's my list. I'm assuming it's only active players. Forwards - Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Callahan, Claude Giroux, Ryan Kesler, Daniel Alfredsson, Martin St. Louis Defensemen - Same with Weber and Doughty. Also Brent Burns, Alex Pietrangelo, Andrei Markov, Robyn Regehr and Kimmo Timonen. Goalies - Rinne as well. Cam Ward, Ondre Pavelec, Ryan Miller, Jonas Hiller, Tim Thomas. Don't really have any absolute favorites though.

Why does Ericsson have a spot locked up?

I've been frustrated by Franzen's regular season efforts and floating around too... But, the last 3 playoffs he's had 31 goals and 28 assists for 59 points in only 51 games. Those kind of numbers aren't a fluke. If he doesn't dominate or bother to show up in the playoffs this year, then I'll start to get worried about how we're stuck with his contract for so long. Otherwise, a shade under $4M is an absolute steal for an over a point-per-game playoff player.

I'd have to think we'll win at least five games. Otherwise, I'd have bigger concerns than 100 points. If we win 9 of the last 13, we'll have a 50-win season. Hell, what if they go 0-3-10? We'd still make it to 100.

Matt Cooke?

He's been back for 13 games? Mule and Bert have been struggling for a lot of those games too, so it's not really much of a surprise. The way it looks now is that Fil will play on the second line for home games and the third line for road games. So hopefully he can get it going on home ice, at least.

Every one of those arenas has a stanchion though.

Jarnkrok was still drafted in the second round. So I guess that means Datsyuk and Zetterberg had 'undrafted size' then? I'm not saying he's going to be anywhere near as good as Pavel or Z. But, he's only 19 and has plenty of time to put on some weight. It sounds like he has good hockey sense though--which is by far the most important thing.