RockyMountainWingGal

The NBA playoffs have been totally boring. I love the Pistons - smoking teams is pretty fun - they'll come out of the East - but no competition is a little dry. I don't anticipate Cleveland stopping them (I don't think what happened last year is in the cards). The West is totally depressing. Golden State upsetting Dallas in the first round was the only mild excitement. Does anyone else want to barf if the Spurs are in the finals again - ugh. And if Detroit plays them I have to be subjected to watching them. I can only hope the Suns somehow win this series - or they get ousted by Utah - but otherwise ugh - we're stuck with them.

Rip on the owners for that, not the fans. I'd gladly pay to go the the playoff games, but I don't live in the state with the worst economy in the nation. We're luckier in Cali and Colorado in my case for that. Again, I think the onus is on the owners for jacking up the prices each round and offering no cheaper/discount tickets - they won't even do it just to fill the arena. People that don't know if they'll have a job tomorrow are not going to shell out 75-100 apiece for bad seats. Honestly, I feel the worst for the players - they have no control over that - they actually took paycuts and none of that got passed on to the ticket holders. Anyhow, I think this is a problem with the NHL in general. Alot of lower bowl seats at the Avs games were empty this year too - they're corporate and they just don't show up.There's no opportunity for me to get those seats - I pay to sit up high. IMO, the whole ticket thing just stinks.

I hope so. I'm freaking tired of the wandering Pronger (Blues, Oilers, Ducks). If it weren't for him, I'd actually like the Ducks alot more. I actually used to like him when he was with the Blues, but he's just kind of bugged me since then.

It's hard to say one team is that superior over another when it's the 1 and 2 seeds. Who cares if analysts pick the Ducks - I actually like being the underdogs for a change (if you can call it that). What I've heard mostly by people picking the Ducks (and many of them did so before the playoffs began to come out ot the West) is that they would be the number one seed if they were in a different division. I find that arguement quite lame though. Yeah our division sucks and I hate the new schedule. But the Pac division gets to play the Coyotes and Kings for 16 games, similar to our series vs the Hawks and Jackets. We have Nashville, they have the Sharks. Yes Dallas is better than the Blues - but the Blues actually were'nt actually that bad this year. We have home ice of course (had), but we're also alot more banged up than them. Let's just see what plays out...

Some moron Wings fan called into NHL radio this morning during their daily show and complained about Lidstrom's play last night, Chelios' minutes, Hasek, Draper (OK he had a bad night), and Holland for sigining these guys. Usually I think that's a pretty good hockey show, but the fact that they let this idiot get airtime really irked me. He doesn't realize our D-men are racking up minutes because of the injuries to the two of our top defensemen? Lidstrom has been the best player in the playoffs of any team so far - imo. In fact, the vote on ESPN for mvp thus far is Nick by a landslide (yeah I know it's a dumb ESPN poll, but still it's not just wings fans voting). OK I am a bit worried about the long series, the travel, and the D depletion - and the toll it will have on both Nick and Cheli; but the Wings didn't plan it this way - injuries have dictated more mins for Cheli and Lids (he already played alot anyways). We already have one guy called up - I think you have to roll with what you've got left at this point. I think we should appreciate what we've got. Could you imagine anyone taking Steve Yzerman's place as captain after 20 years? We're lucky we have someone just as classy to step in like he has. Win or lose (hoping for win!) this has been a great year for the Wings - and Nick has been an incredible captain.

San Jose looked better than us the first two games last series also. I can only hope the Ducks soften up like the Sharks, but I doubt it in this case. I'm a little worried about the D wearing down, with OT games and a long series and guys out, but I believe if everyone plays their best hockey, we might be able to overcome it...

Well I have no doubt your arena will be loud. But yes, there are lots of Wings fans in SoCal. I wouldn't gripe about the start time - 6pm is not big deal - if you have WCF playoff tiks, you'll get there. I go to some Avs games and my tiks have been changed from 7 to 6 a few times for tv. I don't really care - the more the nhl can get on tv - the better.

I didn't watch the game live - but i saw the replay of that over and over. Sabres got hosed imo, and now they're down 0-2. I think it's time the NHL gets something better going. Their camera angles during the reviews always suck too - does make you wonder.

Driving home from work - left early but I'm not EST - got stopped by a train and heard 3 goals on the radio while I was waiting - on the Av's radio network since i'm in Denver - priceless, lol. By the time I got home it was 4-0, thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the game, the Denver paper the next morning, and the bets I had with the Avs fans at work.

Naw, we're way better than Vancouver. Statistically, the game was pretty much even, check out the box score, as far as SOG, sv%, face-offs etc. Either team could have won in ot. I too don't like the pushing the goalie thing into the net, but then the rules need to be changed and the officials need to blow it if the guy has the puck stopped. Dom's kind of unconventional, so you don't really know if he's stopped or not. Taking off my homer glasses, Ducks would have tied it anyways imo. Also, they're lucky pavel didn't miss the net early on in ot - so here we go 1-1. Here comes the Pond folks....

Great game - disappointed the wings were on the short end of the stick, but did anyone expect anything other than 1-1 after tonight? Plus I liked how our effort improved as the game went on. OK we're even - two fluky goals against for each team. No more of that sh*& please. I expect two one goal games again in Anaheim - go Wings!

Looking forward to an even more intense game tonight. Ducks will be flying for sure, down a game. My only concern is that I hope to keep the dirty stuff out of the game - things were kind of heating up in game 1 there - which is fine, I just don't want anyone to get hurt, or suspended, on either team....

Maybe they aught to challenge his glove size during the game. Remember "stickgate" in 2002 when Hartley/Avs challenged Dom's stick length? They stopped the game and measured it, gave it back to him, at which point he blanked them for almost two whole games, culminating with the 7-0 slaughtering in game 7? Worked for us last time.....

Actually the Red Wings offered Sergei more money than he wound up getting in Anaheim (10mill for 5 years originally). He balked at that all season; I think the impression many of us got was that didn't want to play for the Red Wings anymore. For many of us, he could have played his whole career here like Stevie, had his number retired, maybe have been the captain, who knows? Remember many of us loved him and were very disappointed that he left. This was all before the lockout too. What has Fedorov done since he left? nothing. I'm sad for him - he should have stayed. Shanny's situation was much different - there was no stringing us along. He's at the end of his career and we've all pointed out the situation to you - you seem to have a different view of it - that's fine. I would also say Shanny didin't leave just to make more money - in fact, I would say that had very little to do with it. But, think of it as you will, the rest of us will still cheer for him.

I totally agree. They said during the replay "they didn't see each other" but you can go to ESPN and look at the video and Perry clearly saw him and knocked into him on purpose. I'm even thinking he was acting when he lay down on the ice himeself. Very dirty - the only thing he can do is knock down a 45 yo dude - come on now. I think Bert needs a shift with Perry...

I can't believe they mic's this idiot. And they replayed it on versus - lol. Some kind of lame attempt at trash talking. OK I'm going to go to the above poster's utube link and lmao before I go to bed. As long as we're winning who cares what he says....

Agreed on all but Chelios. I thought he was great until he got pummeled to the ice - dirty dirty shot. I thought he was a bit shaky after that - and he lost the puck on a shift not too long thereafter. But our defense is totally depleted, so he's gonna be out there no matter what. I thought he did an OK job considering. The other 3 have essentially been the same throughout the playoffs - I don't think at this point we can suddenly expect a miracle improvement. Their minutes have been limited by Babcock. I give Lang full credit for his two series-turning goals, but he still has some work to do....Bert, well, enough has been said, I will refrain....

Concur. The Wings earned this win simply by converting on their pp chances while killing all of the Ducks - and there were alot of them (some bogus but that's the way it goes). If you cannot score on 50on3's in the playoffs, you don't deserve to win. Sure there were times when the Ducks were swarming, but I thought the Wings held their own - you should never be pessimistic about a win in the playoffs. We'll get more SOG next game - right now time to enjoy a well deserved win....

Um, the Rangers offered him a better deal. Shanny will always be a Wing at heart. I rooted for the Rangers just because of him. Let's get realistic- his exit was not "Federovish". He's near the end of his career, his best buddy, linemate, and captain of 10 years retired, and the Wings made it clear they were pursuing a new direction after the lockout and another early playoff exit. I don't see how you can badmouth the guy unless you're just being ignorant. I wish him luck with the Rangers - and they get a heck of a teamate in Shanahan. You don't have to hate every ex-wing there is out there. I was as sad as anyone when he left, but no hard feelings....

Burnside is the only one that has given the Wings some credit - heck he's the only one out of six at ESPN that's picking them this round: Burnside picks Wings You can thank the tight cap for the role reversal - for better or for worse (worse for us I believe). But you know, it's kind of nice being the underdog for once (well I'm not sure how being a 1 seed makes us one, but anyways). I just hope we surprise wings naysayers like Melrose again this round....

Yeah I know. It can only be a good omen. I like how he picked the Ducks about 60 secs after the Sharks-Wings ended - like he couldn't wait to pick against us. And it drives me crazy when he says *Nicky* Lidstrom - I just want to pull my hair out! Go Wings - hoping for a great series. West coast - here we come again!

uh, yeah Grier is super fast. So Nick was off his game - NOT! The beer or steak is well deserved. Ok enough - that was my favorite play of the game - just shows you the effort Nick puts in each and every night and why he will win the Norris again. Great post game interview also. Aside - why does Melrose keep calling him *Nicky* Lidstrom. It drives me crazy - does he call him *Nicky* to his face? just wondering.....

Cup or bust? Nah, that was 2002. Like many of the posters, I'm just excited about the deep playoff run - something we've sorely missed for 5 years. I'm also excited that were in the mix with 4 teams left- we're on par with any of the 3 teams left imo. But, if we don't win, sure I will be very very sad and disappointed, but like many of the posters, damn am I proud of this team. This is all a fan could ask for every year - players giving it their all - never giving up - extremely fun team to watch. I've been thoroughly entertained and I expect it again this series. Go Wings the sky's the limit!

I said before the playoffs began - the Cup MUST go to the West. No more southern teams. I actually kind of like the Sabres - but really the West is the better conference. Good luck to SJ next year - we've all been there - well too many times for us - still a great team - just need to get over the hump....

Wow maybe the best game the Wings played this whole series start to finish. I have to say, the Sharks started to look like they tossed in the towel there in the third. Not the same team that smoked us in the first game. Well no matter what happens from here on out - this season was a phenomenal success. I was a bit cautious going into the playoffs - how could you not be? This team has really given it their all. What's up with Melrose - 5 mins after the series has ended - he's on ESPN talking about how the Ducks will kick our ass? What the he&& is that guy's problem? Wouldn't want to congratulate us on a great series since YOU picked the Sharks in 6 AND the Flames in 6. Freaking hate that guy - but I'm glad he's dissing us cause so far it's working!