BlueMonk

[rant]I bought a HDTV and got the high definition box from WOW installed the day *after* the last FSN Detroit game was televised. So, I've gotten to watch exactly one period of one Detroit Red Wings game in high definition since I don't get Versus in HD. [/rant]

Stars 17, Red Wings 1 The heat and humidity take their toll inside American Airlines Center and the Versus crew is forced to make quotation marks with their fingers whenever referring to the "ice" surface. Dallas goaltender Marty Turco is the butt of jokes as he takes the ice, unaware that a letter "D" has been taped between the R and C on his jersey. Reports that a group of giggling LGW fans were spotted leaving the Stars' dressing room at approximately the same time could not be confirmed.

All goalies are over-hyped. They get too much credit and too much blame, in general. But Turco has played well these past couple of games. As others have said, when shooters are missing the net, it's often because the goalie has made some big saves and has gotten in their heads a little bit.

I have to say, it's refreshing to see the quality of discussion on this thread. After watching all the pis**ng matches that followed the past couple of games, it's good to see we can still have a rational conversation about something here.

I'm a little concerned, no doubt. One thing I see working in the Wings favor is that Dallas had very little pressure on them once they went down 3-0 in the series. The pressure has all been on Detroit to close it out. But something changes when a team comes back to make a series competitive: The team making the comeback suddenly has a bit more pressure on it. Dallas has its goal in sight now. The pressure is still greater on Detroit because of the big lead they had, but the Stars may not be playing as carefree anymore now that they're actually in position to win this series. We'll see if/how it affects them.

This is the problem with goalie arguments. The goaltenders who are well regarded all played for good teams most of their careers. One of the greatest strengths of the Dallas Stars over the years has been their dedication to defense. Getting quality scoring chances against them is extremely difficult, year in and year out. This is the team whose playoff slogan is, "Lock It Down." I mean, come on.

Turco is a solid goaltender, you have to give him that. Nobody is claiming he's elite. I read this column before it was posted here. It's a puff piece; the kind of thing Rob Parker would write.

Nick Lidstrom. Not as a player, as a captain. The team looked uptight to me yesterday and they need to relax and play their game. Babs can only do so much, they need a positive boost from their leader. Mikael Samuelsson. It's hard to expect much from your worst player, but even your worst player needs to at least play a sound game. Nothing spectacular except a spectacular effort. Chris Chelios. Unfortunately, I think this may just be the end of the line for Cheli.

It's difficult to ask a hockey team to just take abuse without retaliation of any kind, which is essentially what these players are asked to do. I think that's why we see stuff like this from the Wings from time to time. I'm pretty disappointed the Wings didn't finish the series in this game. I'm not sure there's any upside to this series dragging out longer.

I am vehemently opposed to a new arena. Here's why: Home ice advantage will vanish. The Joe is a tough place to play for visiting teams for a lot of reasons; from the ice surface, to the home team knowing the quirks of the building, to the measly accommodations the visiting team gets. In a new arena, these things all go away. Will they be replaced by other things that give the Wings a huge advantage? Don't count on it. Mystique goes a long way and it's hard won over a period of time. The men piss in troughs in the men's room. You can't get more old time hockey than that. The new arena won't be Joe Louis Arena anymore. There will be some ridiculous corporate name attached to it. Prepared to cheer the team on at Softsoap Center? Neither am I. Corporate sponsorship is the f**king enemy of mankind. I like my barns old and rickety, thank you.

That was hard to believe. Therrien is not the brightest bulb. Richards was obviously trying to get under Crosby's skin.

The rough stuff favors the Flyers, but that's the first game where I've seen it really get chippy like that. Hopefully, this helps wear down the Pens at least a little bit. Would love to see the Flyers win another, but I really doubt it.

After the Flyers scored to make it 3-0, I said out loud, "This is the kind of game the Pens win 4-3." Let's hope I'm wrong.

Franzen still having headaches, had another MRI, no results yet.

Like Dallas last night, the Flyers are leaving everything out on the ice and are working hard every shift. Like Dallas last night, the Flyers are getting every questionable whistle.

Will game 5 be on NBC? I hope so, because I get NBC in HD. I bought an HDTV just in time for the last FSN game (which are usually in HD) and I don't get Versus in HD.

FWIW, I've always said the same thing. Well, it wasn't meant to be tonight. Full credit to Dallas, they played a great game. Sure, the Wings didn't get the breaks, but they've been getting ALL the breaks during this playoff run so far. It had to go the other way eventually.

Samuelsson is running around out there like a ditz, no idea where the puck is. WAKE UP. The blood of that goal is on his hands.

I'm not sure if you guys realize this, but I have a reputation for being the high priest of powers of sports superstition because of my ability to put a jinx on teams. I won't even bother listing my accomplishments, but let me assure you, I have an impressive resume. My powers are limited in that I can't just will my own team to win, but I can impact the fortunes of teams I don't have a rooting interest in with remarkable consistency. But even though I can't just make the Wings win a Cup, I can definitely ruin their chances if I do the wrong thing. Among those things is prematurely analyzing the next round matchup before this round is over. So, no comment from me at this time.

We'll move the discussion here.

Yeah, he's always worn that.

But if they know what's going on, why wouldn't they say? If he can't play, he can't play. Why be secretive about it at this point?

Man... if, IF the Wings and Pens both advance, just wait. People here think the media is focusing too much on the other teams, see what happens when Kid Crosby and Malkin are on the other side. LGW will be apoplectic! And if everyone finds Ott irritating, wait 'til they get a load of Ruutu! Again, that's all yet to be determined. But if these teams do both advance, look out!

Jonesy and Engblom are singing the praises of Datsyuk and Zetterberg. If you're a Dallas fan, it probably seems like, "ball washing" right about now. Here, it just seems, "appropriate."