BlueMonk

Could have been a troll like that Sir Mango guy who would post here (although he lived in Calgary) that the Wings would sweep, win easily, let's talk round 2 now since it's a given the Wings will cruise to victory, etc. Anyway, here's the main thing I noticed when the Wings scored the winning goal: The Sharks' body language sucked. From Nabokov to Scott Hannan, they looked like they almost refused to believe they lost the game. It was a tough way to lose, blowing a late 3rd period lead and all. The Wings need to go for the jugular. 2 days off, 2 days for the Sharks to think about this.

Amazing comeback. I had a feeling, even when they were down 2-0. I think it hurts the Sharks when they stop forechecking when they get a lead. Or when they did it in OT. Safe is death sometimes. The lack of a forecheck gave the Wings' defensemen some space, which allows them to control the puck possession the way they like to. This is one hell of a series. The biggest win of the postseason so far for this team.

Brodeur has given up 2 pretty bad goals in this game. Story of his playoffs so far.

Good NHL article on my man, George Parros. Princeton grad, porn 'stache, mullet, NHL tough guy.

Couple of big bouts last night. Janssen vs. Orr was a great fight, maybe the best one I've seen all year. Lots of throwing, not much hugging. Couple of heavies going at it. Laraque vs. Boogaard wasn't too bad. Boogey definitely struggles with Laraque, and southpaws in general seem to cause him problems. Thanks to YouTube (and sites like hockeyfights dot com), it's pretty easy to find clips of the fights within hours after they happen.

"That's Predators hockey, Bubba!"

From today's Detroit Free Press: Lang, who scored a huge goal -- his only of the playoffs -- to help clinch the Flames series, has been unable to build on his previous two playoff outings for the Wings in 2004 and 2006, when he was their leading scorer overall. Asked Sunday what's going on with Lang, Babcock replied, "You know what, you ask him." Lang declined to talk. He's down to averaging around 15 minutes a game. "I guess the way I look at it is, it's not about the individual at this time of year," Babcock said. "It's about winning. That's all it is. So when you're going and you can help us win you're going; if you're not going, then you don't get to play. It's just that simple for me."

It was impressive. The fans were all standing and the place was just erupting. The Wings just played their asses off during that final stretch and never gave the Sharks a chance.

I was at this one and it was a thrilling game. I thought our boys were dead in the water after those early goals. But they gradually took control of the game and it was inspiring seeing how they scratched their way back into it. Dan Cleary is unbelievable, and Filppula played a great game. When they scored the winning goal, I let out a cathartic yell. I think almost everyone else did, too. The Joe was deafening at that point. Hell of a game.

I'll be at game 2 tomorrow, hoping for a different result. There's been a lot of talk about physicality, but the word means different things with San Jose than it does Calgary. It's apples and oranges. The Flames are physical in that they take the body, hit everything in sight and try to wear teams down that way. The Sharks aren't that kind of team. They can play that game, but they don't take the ice looking to just plow the other team into the boards. They use their size and the advantage that brings - namely, once their forwards get the puck down low, they can't be moved off it - and dare teams to stop them. The Sharks took away the center of the ice. They pretty much forced the Wings to the perimeter and let them have their room there. It's a smart strategy, since the scoring chances from those areas of the ice are generally poor. The Wings shot totals were even more misleading than usual. The Sharks changed their game once they got the early lead, which creates a false sense that the Wings took control of the game after that. The Wings have to get off to a much better start in game 2, avoid the stupid turnovers and play with more determination and energy. Crash the net right from the get go. Oh, and the loss of Homer really hurts. I heard on the radio today that it could be a couple weeks before he's back. That would really suck.

I'm glad you brought up the ice. For a team that skates so well, the slow ice doesn't seem to hamper them. So, Sharks in 5, eh? I don't think it's a stretch to suggest a Sharks win in this series, but picking them in 5 makes you more ambitious than most. You gonna stick around if that pick doesn't pan out, or will you disappear?

You attend lots of Sharks games, Sam? What's it like in the Shark Tank?

I can see how Calder broke his hand, playing tough in the corners and battling. But how the hell did Samuelsson break his? Too many shots on goal?

My favorite sports shows/media/broadcast teams, in order: 1) XM 204 satellite radio (any given show, they're all good) 2) Hockey Night In Canada/CBC 3) TSN.ca 4) FSN Detroit/Center Ice 5) ESPN 6) PTI (no hockey, but a good show) 7) Sports Illustrated 8) Taking my dog for a walk and watching her take a sh** 9) Rob Parker

Too much griping about officiating around here. Look, the team just won in Western Canada in an elimination game, in OT, no less, that was officiated by Don Van Massenhoven. It was a well officiated game and the refs didn't job the Wings at all. It's time to move on about this subject already.

Great display of class, Jiggy. Condolences to you and the rest of the Flames fans.

F**K YEAH!!!! FRANZEN!!!!! Sorry, had to get that out of my system. I'm happy.

LET'S GO WINGS!!! Come on, git 'r done, boys!

I just listened to Kelly Hrudey explain that Hasek needs to play a few feet farther out of the net. He said Hasek has never really learned that lesson. Yes, Kelly Hrudey has suggestions for how Dominik Hasek could improve his game. Kelly Hrudey, whose career save percentage couldn't win a batting title in Major League Baseball, and whose greatest career achievement was tying a blue rag to his head, is handing out goaltending advice to future hall of famers. Good work, Kel, almost as fun to watch as your evolving hairstyles.

The Wings took over after that goal. No idea why. The Flames look rattled. Kiprusoff making the save on that Cleary rush was HUGE.

Let me rephrase my earlier post... Oh, Robert Lang!

I vote the Wings let the score get completely out of hand, go down like 5-0. Then send Osgood out there to break some ankles.

Oh, Robert Lang....