Wings_Dynasty

And you are back on, ******. That didn't take long.

And bumped, for comedy.

Det/Pit 4-1

What are you worried about most?

That makes 2 of us. He also had no bad giveaways, drew a penalty, played well on the PK, and was physical, more than what can be said for Chelios the last 2 games.

From Red Wings Corner: Here are the lines that the Red Wings are practicing with this morning. Note that Valtteri Filppula is not on the ice, but will be in the game. Filppula hasn't practiced in the past week and Mark Hartigan subs in for him at practice. Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Hudler-Hartigan (for Filppula)-Cleary Drake-Draper-Samuelsson Maltby-Helm-McCarty Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Meech-Chelios Lebda-Lilja At this point, I honestly don't know whether Meech-Chelios or Lebda-Lilja are the third defense pairing. We'll find out at Coach Babcock's press conference.

I am tired of all of the attendance issues that the media comments on. I don't care if the Wings don't sell out every game, real fans know the reasons that they don't sell out and we don't need to be told about it by commentators. My question is, if the Illitch's were to build a new arena (say 21000-24000 capacity) downtown, with adequate parking and entertainment facilities (concourse, restaurants, bars) would this boost attendance? Would you want to go to Detroit to pay for the same tickets (say the prices stayed the same or increased slightly) to see the Wings in a new arena as opposed to JLA? I, for one, do not go to as many games as I could. I have gone to 2 post-season games this season (Game 1s in the 1st and 3rd rounds) and zero games during this season. The reason I went to games this year was that my mother as a GM employee received discounted ticket prices and I took them up on the offer. Price is always an issue, as is driving distance, time, food, and parking for all fans. Some people just don't feel like driving 40 miles, searching for decent and close parking, and paying expensive prices for food and drinks on top of the $200 they spent on tickets. But, if there were an entertainment complex consisting of more than just an arena, I for one would be more tempted to travel downtown and spend the day there, not just from 7:00 to 11:00 to see the game, but get there around noon for lunch and spend a few hours after the game as well. I think that a new, exciting district is needed for the Wings (the Tigers and Lions would benefit also) to attract fans downtown and keep them there. Thoughts?

There is ZERO chance Dom plays game 7 (if there is one). He is cold and flakey. Osgood plays no matter what.

Okay Wings, I get it. You wanted us to see that you can win when it counts, right? Haha. Good one, you really had me going there. Now quit f*cking around and end this thing so we can concentrate on denying Crosby what he thinks he is entitled to. Wings 4 (Dats, Rex, Lids, Homer) Stars 2 (who cares)

I we don't win game 6 ( I still think we will pull our s*** together) I think he plays game 7, even if he only has 1 practice. The team docs are more lax with pressure from the brass. I know people won't believe me, but it's true. If it wasn't true, Kariya would have been out for the game when Stevens laid him out at center ice and it took him 15 seconds to wake up and realize he was alive. Important players play in important games if they think they can, and game 7 in the conference finals is the 2nd most important game that any player can play. But hopefully it won't come to that.

I will expect a new second line next season and a new 3rd defensive pairing.

Well, 2 games dropped and 2 goals total... I miss Johan Franzen. I don't care what people say, he is a "playoffs power forward." What is a playoffs power forward? A big body that drives the net, has soft hands, doesn't take stupid penalties, and finishes his plays. He is a HUGE missing piece against this physical Dallas team. No one is driving the net and creating scoring chances. No one is standing in front of the net on the second PP unit. No one cuts in from the circles and puts fear into Turco. No one on the second line is garnishing the attention of the defensive lines and defenders on the Stars, freeing up the other players on his line. I miss The Mule. Is there any updates on him? When can he skate again? Will he be available for a potential Game 7?

I'm scared. Because a loss on Monday means that Game 7 is in Detroit where the Wings have lost their advantage. The Stars have figured out that getting a lead and sitting back and playing D can beat even the Red Wings. The Wings cam pull off a win in Dallas, if they play like they can. This half-assed, clear the puck to the blueline, use the boards for everything, pass the puck to Sammy style that they have played the last 2 games aren't gonna hack it. Right now, Game 6 is Game 7 for the Wings and the Stars.

See Samuelsson.

Honestly, I don't want him on the team anymore. He's slow, gets stood up too much, and makes bad clearing choices.

Nice try Stars, better luck next season. Now get out of our faces. Wings 4 (Homer x2, Lids, Flip) Stars 2 (who cares)

The NHL's current division of Eastern and Western conferences does fit with its demographics. There are large gaps in timezone play and distance between teams (especially in central and western areas of Canada and the U.S.). My plan is simple: Re-institute the Wales and Campbell conferences with a MLB like division of teams. Where the Nucks and the Panthers could be in the same conference, as could the Wings and Rangers. The conferences would still be 15 teams each and have 3 divisions apiece (West, Central, East). All teams would have travel to the east coast and the west coast. San Jose could travel to Vancouver to take on its division rivals and then travel to Boston to take on its conference rivals. Detroit could take on its division rival Toronto and then take on conference rival Anaheim. Of course due to the grouping of teams in the east (NYR, NYI, BUF, PHI, NJ, PIT, WAS) there would have to be some creative usage of the East and Central divisions. All teams would have to deal with travel, all fans would deal with timezone changes. There would be the obvious inter-conference play with all teams having a home and home. There could be a shortening of the schedule to allow for increased travel, which would mean less division play (5 games as opposed to 8, so there would be clear winners of division matches). Thoughts?

Personally, I like the shootout and since it is used in international play already I don't see it going anywhere soon. As for Bettman, well, I wanted it to be a poll, not an "everyone click here" post.

The Wings should bring lawn chairs and umbrellas, cause one they have that spot Dallas ain't gettin' it back.

Change the crease rule. If a player's SKATES are in the crease, no goal. Clear cut. If his skates are outside the crease then there is no interference, then it is reviewable also. That goal was waved off because of Homer's ass in the crease.

There is NO way it goes to racing in the Detroit and Dallas markets. Everywhere else is fair game.

Besides the goal that should have counted (O'Halloran you never cease to amaze me) the refereeing was pretty much what I expect. The Wings were to "sticky" during the game. Some calls were questionable, some were deserved. The team with the chance of being eliminated is typically given more slack and I have accepted this (although it is morally questionable). You will see the advantages the Flyers get tomorrow. Rafalski's penalty was very dumb. You don't just swing your stick blindly at the skates of another player hoping for puck. And the refs turned their heads for most of the holding the stick calls on both teams (although I saw Dallas doing it a LOT more than the Wings). Just stay out of the box in Game 5 and play 60 minutes and it's in the bag. GO WINGS!!!

Bettman was in the building in case the Wings won, not that it matters since he doesn't do anything positive for the game. Here's hoping that Bill McCreary is in for Game 5.

They are rested, tan, and rich; but otherwise empty inside.

Look, as GREAT as the Penguin players are, they are not as AWESOME of a team as the Red Wings. The Wings are the best TEAM in the NHL and have been all season. The Pens have Crosby, Malkin, and Hossa... but that is it. Once they are shut down by the team-defense that the Wings play, who is left to score the 5 goals that will be needed to beat the Wings 4 TIMES!?!? Wings in 5, just so we win at home. Yeah, I'm cocky and I have a reason to be.