dr_lobster

I'm all for analysts trying to break things down more closely, but a better team defense? How many forwards on the Wings can we legitimately list as defensive liabilities? McCarty, Sammy, uh... yeah. Everyone else either hits or plays average or better defense. The same can't be said for Malkin & Co., methinks.

Don't confuse "most noticeable" with best. Kronwall's heavy hitting has brought us a bunch of confidence and energy, for sure, but like a lot of announcers like to say -- Lids' ability to dissolve plays before they even happen is, and has been in these playoffs, of equal value or greater.

WINNERRRS OF VICTORYYYYY

Why does this topic even exist. Y'all need to stop judging the future before it's happened.

Get pucks on net. Don't take needless penalties, Homer. Check consistently. Win.

Appreciate your perspective, eva. I'll try to reiterate my criticism for what this (lady, yes, thanks.) has written. Sportswriters like to overanalyze things, and this is an instance of that -- saying that Turco is a better "pure" netminder compared to Osgood without using any stats, statistics or even anecdotal evidence to justify it isn't a sensible thing for a journalist to do. Most importantly, though -- I'm fed up with people thinking athletes can be judged separate from their teams. Goaltending doesn't happen in a vaccuum. If the writer thinks that Turco somehow has a better glove hand, or could turn away more shots from Ovechkin, or has faster lateral movement...okay. Go play a video game, where programmed numbers can help you play out what you think reality is. Putting this kind of emphasis on an individual, and saying that they don't deserve to be recognized because the team in front of them is good? Pathetic, and irresponsible.

The inability to get pucks on net was pretty frustrating.

Good news bears. Glad to hear he's okay. Hopefully they won't have to rush him into the first round, too.

For real. Unless (and yes, we have to get there first) Babcock has evidence in front of him that the current lineup isn't working, there's no reason whatsoever to shake things up. Trying to preempt Pittsburgh's for Philly's lineup isn't the right move.

Naw, I'm with you SWF. Wings really looked especially disciplined and controlled following that goal, playing a bit of keep-away, making sure forwards were backchecking, but doing so in a way that didn't simply turn the puck over to Dallas and let off pressure completely.

Hey, thanks for your comments. The Stars played a solid first half of the game, I'd say. Generated a lot more chances, but yeah. Just some missteps defensively that allowed Datsyuk & Co. to sneak in.

"C'mon guys, let it out."

What was that about this being a long series, sports writers?

Man, Hudler's backhand is pretty legit. I've missed seeing it in shootouts.

Don't hold back, indeed. Let's do this. Fourth line: please, please stop icing the puck.

Yeesh, people falling down every shift. Dallas refrigeration tech is inferior.

Dude just can't win in the playoffs.

I went to school in Naperville -- the Foundry's a good bet.

Would there be any reason other than possible injury that Richards didn't skate?

Wow, awwwwwful call. How can someone be held and interfered with, then pushed into a goalie, and have a penalty called on them?

Check 'em through the glass, win the next two games, have an awkward handshake.

Ken Daniels is fantastic, for sure. Such a classy, informed guy, but he knows how to restrain himself from getting too emotionally engaged in the team or a moment. The most I'll hear him do is stick in a "hooked" or "slashed" during a play-by-play. We're spoiled.

Thanks, Matt. Yeah...the whole "he started it!!" argument isn't really a legitimate one. Likewise, when you say something like: "Ribiero didn't just decide to slash him, people, come on!" You're in some kind of bizarre reality where you can remove free will from the equation in judging situations.

Hahahaha Ribiero is pathetic in that video, lord. If I ever, ever saw a Detroit player lying on the their back and kicking his legs around like a sad little ballet dancer, I'd be intensely ashamed to have them on my team.

I share this perspective, for the most part. Osgood was probably trying to slow someone down about to nail Nick, which he could've restrained himself from doing, for sure. But compared to a two-handed retaliation, over the net, after the game's over, while being held back by one of our guys? I don't want to make too big of a contrast, but I think there is one. Likewise, how protected a goalie is should have absolutely no consequence in judging this situation.