Nightfall

I like the new line changes so far.

QFT

Yup. Its not the refs fault. Its not Ozzies fault. Its the Wings as a team that are playing like crap. They need to step it up.

Hossa is backchecking pretty well. I am happy to see that.

The more I watch the Ducks, the more I am impressed with their play. They outplayed the Sharks the same way and eliminated them. Their forwards are out backchecking our forwards. Its the little things like that and others that tilt the ice in their favor. I laughed at the scores of Wings fans that were praying for the Ducks to beat the Sharks so we could play them. Well, we got what we wanted and the Wings are going to have to pick up their game if they want to win this series. I guess we will see what the second and third period bring.

Griffins lost 2-1. Moose got 2 goals in the first 3 minutes of the 3rd. This series is going to go 6 games I think. If they are as tight as this game was scorewise, its anyone's series.

I agree. The Sharks didn't play them this hard every game. I am happy with their effort so far.

Wings defense needs to tighten up a bit. They just let that Ducks player on the doorstep almost got a easy one timer goal.

The cameraman following the action needs a glowing puck to help him. His skills are epic fail. Damn....nice shot. Top corner.

I have a very bad feeling about this series. I predicted the Ducks would beat the Sharks in 6 games as one of my upset specials. Now, I see the Ducks coming into Detroit and really giving Detroit a series. I know Red Wings Nation was praying for a Sharks defeat, well, you ask for it and you got it. Now we draw a hot playoff goalie and I have seen Detroit lose too many times to hot playoff goalies in the past such as Giguere and Roloson. The Sharks did have a problem converting on their chances though. I watched a majority of their games and they just couldn't finish. They would have 40 shots on net, but if they are all to the outside or they can't find the back of the net on their close in chances, Hiller and the Ducks D are going to look like studs. I see this series going 6 games with the Wings winning the series if they keep getting the bounces that they got when they played Columbus. Thats my official prediction. At the same time, if Hiller is as rock solid as he was in the last series and Detroit can't finish on their chances like the Sharks, I think the Ducks could potentially win the series. There is a reason why I don't pick teams to win/lose so Detroit can play them. Usually the team you pick that you want to play usually beats you in the end.

Griffins going to the North Division Finals to play Manitoba! Empty netter by the Griffins. They are up 4-1. They won all 3 games on the road. They also scored on both of their shots in the 3rd period.

5:30 to go Cory Emmerton scored on their 1st shot of the 3rd period. They are up 3-1 now. Impressive.

They are up 2-1 in the 3rd period, but Hamilton is pressuring a lot in the offensive zone. I hope they aren't going to try to eek by with a 1 goal lead.

Any team that makes the playoffs should be feared. I think there are a lot of teams out there that underestimate lower seeded teams. At this stage, even the 8 seed can give you a run every darn game.

I agree. Anyone hoping for the Ducks to upset the Sharks because they think that the Ducks will be a better matchup should be watching this game right now. Hiller scares the crap out of me because of his play during the playoffs. He is coming up with huge saves and is reminding me of other hot goalies we have played against in the past that have beaten us like Giguere and Roloson.

I have to agree. Seems that Wings fans are quick to forget how they cheered when Edmonton slipped into the playoffs as the 8 seed one year. We matched up well with them and couldn't wait to sweep them out of the playoffs and move to the next round. What happened in that series? I will never choose my opponent in the next round because that opponent is the one that will beat you. No matter what, we are looking at a west coast road trip. Either Vancouver or Anaheim and both of those teams are scary. Its going to take 2x the effort that the Wings spent on Columbus to beat either of those teams.

I don't see the Griffins winning this series now. I am just going to go to the Friday game, have my dollar beer and dog, and enjoy what probably will be the last of the season. Course, I didn't see them winning two games in Hamilton so they may surprise me.

I am very happy. I was disappointed with the Griffins effort the last 10 games of the season. They were just not playing well and that smacking around they took from Hamilton at home to lose home ice didn't help matters. After they won the first game, I was very impressed with their performance. They came ready to play that game and Hamilton didn't look that good according to the radio broadcast I was listening too. Course, it was the home broadcaster so it was biased. Winning both games on the road leaves the momentum firmly in the Griffins favor. I am just concerned that they come back to Grand Rapids and have a brain fart or something. They have taken the leg out from under Hamilton. All they have to do now is lean on them.

With Helm being recalled to Detroit, its a daunting task. I am hoping they can at least split the series in Hamilton.

I am not going but I already have tickets for the first two playoff games in Grand Rapids next week.

I hate to say it, but I see either the Sharks or the Wings croaking in the first round. The Sharks because I have seen Anaheim play a lot this season on my center ice package and these teams hate each other. The Sharks couldn't have gotten a tougher first round opponent. That being said, the Wings should be able to beat Columbus, but the unknown will be Mason. Will Mason be a first year goalie and fizzle out like Price did for the Canadians? Will he be a stud and steal a series for Columbus? I guess we will see, but my money is on Mason fizzling out. As for complete predictions. EASTERN CONFERENCE #1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens - Boston in 5 #2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers - Caps in 6 #3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes - Canes in 6 (one of two upsets I am predicting) #4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers - Pens in 7 WESTERN CONFERENCE #1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks - Ducks in 6 (This is a bold move, but I am going to predict that the Sharks flame out in the first round) #2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets - Detroit in 6 #3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues - Vancouver in 6 #4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames - Flames in 6 ROUND 2 #1 Boston Bruins vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes - Boston in 7 #2 Washington Capitals vs. #4 Pittsburgh Penguins - Caps in 7 #2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks - Wings in 6 #3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #5 Calgary Flames - Vancouver in 6 ROUND 3 #1 Boston Bruins vs. #2 Washington Capitals - This is tough but I am predicting Bruins in 7 #2 Detroit Red Wings vs #3 Vancouver Canucks - Wings in 7 FINALS: #1 Boston Bruins vrs #2 Detroit Red Wings - I hate to say it, but I see Boston winning the cup this year. Boston in 7.

All are on FSD. In fact, I don't think that any Wings playoff games have been cut out of viewing in MI in the last 12+ years that I have been a fan. Why start the panicking now without doing any research into it?

I didn't say he was involved in the recent slump 3-7 slump that has them limping into playoffs. I just said he was involved in them losing the game on Friday and 3 other times this season at home which is true. The untimely penalties do hurt a team no matter if you love a player or not. Lets home that Kurt Frasier whips these guys into shape for playoffs. Otherwise, this series will be lucky to go 5 games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE #1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens - Boston in 5 #2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers - Caps in 6 #3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes - Canes in 6 (one of two upsets I am predicting) #4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers - Pens in 7 WESTERN CONFERENCE #1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks - Ducks in 6 (This is a bold move, but I am going to predict that the Sharks flame out in the first round) #2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets - Detroit in 6 #3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues - Vancouver in 6 #4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames - Flames in 6

He needs to channel that energy in a productive way. He negated a penalty on Friday with a late hit and then he dropped the gloves against someone who didn't drop his and we had a 5 minute penalty kill. I am not saying the loss was all on his shoulders, but he should be there for leadership and energy. Not for foolish penalties which is what has happened this season more than 3 times. If Grand Rapids doesn't play with some urgency, this series will be over in 5-6 games if not sooner. They sputtered into the playoffs with a 3-7 record in their last 10 games.