Barrie

Remember 1997 no one expected us to win, because we didn't win in 1995 and 1996. It doesn't bother me if people are picking Calgary. Maybe because of our 3 early exits from the playoffs, the pressure is on Calgary to win.

I'm going to be very bold and say Wings in 5, with Calgary winning Game 3, but the series will be really close. I just think the Wings are a lot more prepared for the playoffs this year. Bab's has had us playing playoff Hockey for months. We'll be ready to go on Thursday, plus you gotta think breaks will FINALLY go our way.

That's the playoffs. I'm sure the Wings want Calgary guessing if Bertuzzi will play or not. We won't know for sure until the warmups prior to Thursday's game. My money says they'll both be playing, it's the playoffs.

The Wings are better on offense, I don't think there's a debate about it. Saying the Flames are better because they scored 4 more goals on the year is kinda . We added Bertuzzi and Calder at the deadline and Zetterberg missed over a month so the numbers are deceiving. We'll be firing on all cylinders with everyone healthy.

It's ok, I agree with you. Kipper scares me. I just hope Hasek is in the zone.

There's a few reasons why I'm glad the Leafs didn't make it..... 1) It's a lot quieter around the Toronto area when the Leafs aren't in. I can watch the playoffs in peace and quiet and 2) Since both Toronto and Montreal didn't make it, it looks like CBC is showing 6 games of the Wings-Flames Series, if it goes to 7.

You can bet Mac will do all he can to get in the series. I hope for entertainment value and because he's one of my all-time favorite Wings, he'll be playing.

Nah man, that's not being biast, I'd take Kipper too. However, comparing the 2004 to 2007 teams Hasek's a little tougher to score on than CuJo. When he's in a zone, he's right up there with Kipper.

What makes this discussion "Official"?

That would be my dream final, seeing the two best teams going at it. However, that's not how it happens in the NHL. We'll probably see a top seed from one Conference going against a low seed for the other Conference . Go Islanders!

Buffalo can have it.

Despite the 1-17 in their last 18 games, you can bet the Oilers will be up for the game. No way they want to see Calgary make the playoffs. Go Oilers/Avs!

Wow cool, another banner to add to the rafters at the Joe. Seriously how many of us, without being "homers", expected the Wings to take the Regular Season Western Conference Title? I picked us anywhere between 4 to 6 in the Conference, I'm happy to say I was wrong. With how tight the NHL is, home ice will help in the playoffs. I hope we can take advantage.

I think Lang, Schneider, and Maltby are all gone after this year.

No way

At first glance, I don't like the deal. I just hope when Zetterberg is a FA, there's enough cap room to sign him. Plus Datsyuk HAS to start producing in the playoffs.

I'll go with Montreal. They are in the drivers seat. I think the game will go into OT, or it will be tied late and Toronto has to pull their goalie and lose by 1. I'll also pick the Canadiens because Raycroft has played something like 34 of their last 35 games for the Leafs and is very inconsistant. Monteal's goaltending is solid. You should see it around here, the Toronto media and fans are treating this 8th spot like it's the Stanley Cup. I'm very sick of hearing about it to be honest, but I'll still watch the game. Whoever get's this 8th spot will be beaten by Buffalo in 5 games, so it's not a big deal. I guess the owners want it because it means atleast 2 more home gates.

My thoughts.... -It's the playoffs, anything can happen. -Usually the teams that make it to the finals have most of the breaks go their way, it's never the best ones in the regular season. -We have a good a shot as anyone to win it all.

Give him hell hockeycrazy

Ozzie loses a SO and you want to run him out of town?

Bert's got a week before the playoffs start to heal up.

Well Congrats to the Wings for winning another Central Division Title. There's atleast one more banner this year going up into the rafters at The Joe. Saturday we have a chance to clinch the West, but I don't think it's a big deal if we fail to do so.

I think for the NHL to gain more national interest they need their top seeds to advance and make it into the deep rounds of the playoffs on a more consistant basis. When the low seeds advance, all it does is create regional interest.

I hope we wait until the offseason to sign Datsyuk. I want to see what he's going to do in the playoffs first. I don't want to be stuck with him 4 more years if he continues to hide mid-April to mid-June. I don't think it's a must to sign him long term. There's better ways to spend 6 million per year if he's only a regular season player.

Kind of a stupid discussion but I was thinking today how we could get some sweet revenge in the playoffs.... Round 1 we beat Calgary for 2004 Round 2 we beat San Jose for 1994 Western Conference Final we beat Anaheim for 2003 Stanley Cup Final we beat New Jersey for 1995 It could happen.... I know we smoked San Jose 4 straight in 1995, but hey, we can beat them again.