betterREDthandead

Horses***. The fact that they actually made the decision to rescind an automatic suspension absolutely floors me. I figured they would take the coward's way out and let the one-game automatic stand. They've got balls alright, but no brains to back 'em up. It's as if Brian Burke is the league's disciplinarian all over again. I don't know what Ward was thinking just standing there like a dummy, but Walker had plenty of time to hold back. If we beat Anaheim and get Chicago, somebody needs to "instigate" a fight with Toews or someone (read: randomly punch him in the face until you hear a crunch.) Doesn't have to be a fourth-liner even! Let's have Franzen do it, he's pretty big. Doesn't matter - he won't get suspended. Maybe we can set up a springboard so Kronwall can really leave his feet for a hit, and lead with his elbow even. Apparently the league isn't interested in making sure people don't get hurt, so all this will be OK.

You're probably right about this. And as he's -3 on the series and hasn't been in the plus in any of these games, I'd say it's limiting his effectiveness. He's apparently not a good defenseman unless he's hitting someone from behind.

I was referring to that one particular post quoted there.....but on the other hand I don't doubt at all the Ducks fans don't like the refereeing. What with Homer's elbow and a few other things, the Wings have gotten away with stuff just like the Ducks have. It just so happens the most egregious one went their way, not ours. In any case, both sides have a right to ***** about the reffing, which means, if it's not good, at least it's even.

They're not complaining about the refereeing, they're complaining that their team is allowing the Wings near the crease without making them pay the price. They're right, too. Cleary was the only player near the goalie and not a single Duck was there bothering to try and remove him.

My dream of going through the rest of my life not being driven insane by images in my head that I don't want can live on as long as I never find out Franzen's urinating abilities.

Y'know, it wasn't that long ago that Zetterberg was considered the screamingly obvious choice for next captain of the team, so much so that there was debate as to whether the C should pass over Lidstrom and go straight to Zetterberg. Meanwhile Datsyuk was a highly gifted player that didn't really like to get his nose dirty, was inferior to Zetterberg defensively, and disappeared in the playoffs. Now the tables are turned - that fast? Datsyuk had by far the better year, yes. And he's developed a physical side to his game as well as a defensive side. But there's no need to dismiss Zetterberg out of hand. Next year he might very well be the one chasing 100 points and be the Selke finalist instead of Datsyuk.

Oh please. Bettman blocked construction of a new arena in Winnipeg? Bettman put the team in Phoenix? This is the most ignorant s*** ever. The team was bought by Phoenix businessmen after nobody in Winnipeg could come up with enough money to support the team. The existence of the Coyotes is not the result of some grand Bettman scheme, it's the result of the inability of the Winnipeg market to come up with enough money to finance a team. I suppose Bettman also artificially depressed the Canadian dollar so that Canadian franchises would be unable to pay anyone - never mind that he lobbied the Canadian government to find a way to help their franchises make up for the currency gap. I mean, let's not let facts get in the way of our Bettman-bashing here.

If you take the emotion out of it this is easy. DMac is basically done. Maltby is a shadow of his former self. Draper is getting there quick. I agree that management won't force them out before their contracts are up, but Maltby is blocking the path of advancement for some players that are ready now, like Helm, the same way Chelios blocked Ericsson this year. I hate myself for saying it, though.

Now that the Wings are safely in Round 2 we can spend the weekend enjoying the WC's. Games start tomorrow (Friday.) For our neighbors to the north, Canada gets it started against Belarus tomorrow, and Team USA kicks it off against Latvia (we always get Latvia in our group for some reason) on Saturday. We're five hours (I think) behind Switzerland time, so games start at 11 Eastern. Just a helpful tidbit. Unfortunately, there won't be any USA vs. Canada game this year unless the elimination rounds shake out that way.

Next year's groups: Russia, Belarus, Slovakia, Kazakhstan Canada, Switzerland, Latvia, Italy Sweden, CR, Norway, France Finland, USA, Germany, Denmark Hey, that means we don't play Finland in the quarters next year. That means it'll happen in the Olympics for sure.

Yeah, but a fourth-place finish is something I can put up with. It's better than we usually get.

Since Bettman cannot move a team that's owned by somebody else, no. He's tossed around the idea of having a team there, which I think would be a great idea for publicity's sake for the NHL - proper marketing of that team would make it a great success. But this idea that Bettman has some kind of power to put a team wherever he likes gives him too much credit.

No, but the Ducks aren't above stepping it up a notch by feeding off the energy of the crowd.

Step back.....Raiola is still our center which means run-blocking is going to suck, and the remains of what used to be Jeff Backus is still the left tackle which means the pass-blocking is going to suck. The Lions have managed to bring in any number of supposedly NFL-quality defensive backs in the past couple years and none have panned out - whether the new crop is any different is totally a mystery. If "I think we could go 4-12 if a couple of breaks go our way" is optimism, then sign me up for the club.

Not gonna lie, I wouldn't be sorry to hear he's too banged up to play the rest of the series. Dude's been killing us. He can come back next season rested and ready to go but if he's a scratch for Game 5, great.

Were they in need of one more for a foursome?

It's been almost a full season now and I still think its unreal that Hossa's a Wing.

True.....whenever the Avs beat us you always felt like it was because they had the better team that time around. Losing to the Ducks always feels like a game we should never lose.

Part of me applauds the fight, for taking a crucial defenseman out at a crucial time. Maybe not too smart on Beauchemin's part, he should know better than to fight a fourth-liner. But the other part of me says you definitely do not want to fire up the crowd at that moment. That was my initial reaction - why are we fighting now when the last thing we want to do is give Anaheim any kind of spark or reason to get motivated? Either way though, I've liked what I've seen from Kopecky these playoffs. Looks like a quality agitator. I don't think you can question his heart.

Wait, what? Homer played with Z and D all night. Classic ZDH. Cleary played with Helm and Hudler. ZDH Hossa-Flip-Franzen Cleary-Helm-Rex Sammy-Kopecky-Maltby

I would not only do that as penance, I'd post pics.

This isn't even remotely close to being in the same galaxy as Wings-Avs.

I hope that kind of awful goaltending from the Ducks continues for the next two games. Love the play by our team, but seriously, it can't be ignored that Hiller sucked ass. Our first goal especially was a major softy.

I was just going to say that too. Seriously, if that video shows up on YouTube between now and the end of the series, I will absolutely not care if we lose. And if the Ducks fan sticks raw eggs up his ass instead of hard-boiled ones, I will root for the Ducks to win the Cup.

LOT of great chances tonight. An inch or two on some of these chances and it's 7-2 right now instead. Feels like a damn video game where the computer has decided you will not win.....and we're winning anyway. Love it.