haroldsnepsts

Is it that time of year already where they're deciding what to do about Luongo?

I think he definitely did in game 2. The Wings were a mess in their own end, especially in the first half of the game. If not for Jimmy the Preds could've been up by a couple goals.

Agreed. The Preds do a great job keeping the Wings from getting to them because there were several just lying there waiting to be slammed into the net.

yup. The refs have been bad and the Preds got the bounces again today, but it's why you can't only show up for half a game. Before that Datsyuk goal, most of the team (Z and Gus excepted) were showing the compete level of a preseason game. Reffing all over the playoffs continues to be awful. mule is lucky he didn't get booted for that spear. Preds capitalized on their chances and the Wings didn't. The only non-call I'm really upset about is the hooking on Lidstrom's scoring chance. With the Wings PP though it's not exactly a sure thing. Z makes it interesting. If anything it's good just to get another one by Pecker.

This game doesn't really have the intensity you'd expect from a playoff game, especially from the Wings side of things.

The Mule one yes. The Quincey one was pretty soft. I think it had as much to do with the name on the back of the jersey as much as anything. If Stuart makes that push he probably gets away with it. But Q is known for whacking guys and taking dumb penalties.

When Ericsson has more shots on goal than Datsyuk, you know it wasn't a good period.

Is there a No talking policy at Joe Louis now or something? sooo quiet.

Shaw earned 2 minutes. Not a 5 minute PP and getting tossed from the game.

agreed. This is a series where I could honestly give a crap who wins. But Smith acts like soccer player and they toss Shaw for what was basically incidental contact (even though it was to the head) because Smith was playing the puck. Smith has the trainer and team doctor out there, but doesn't even have to leave the ice. Honestly I've turned off games in the last couple days to do something else because I'm not invested enough to watch a game that's so randomly affected by the refs.

Smith lunges out and knocks Toews on his butt, and Toews gets called for goaltender interference. I've watched a lot of the games this first round and in general I have to say this is some of the worst officiating I've seen in a long time.

That's the thing. If not for a few Blues fans, I'd be rooting for them over the Sharks all the way. Now I sort of wish both teams could lose. Nice own goal by Vlasic though

That fight cracks me up every time. He got caught with a bomb from a guy who had his jersey over his head.

Ovie with a pretty nasty check to the chest/neck of Seidenberg. No call.

No Olczyk on the broadcast today. What a gift. I'm guessing he called in sick due to a broken heart from the Hawks and Pens losing.

Agreed. Burrows is an all-around Grade A d-bag, but I could actually like or at least be indifferent to the Sedins and Kesler if they weren't such flop artists. And whiners. Kesler especially. His whining to the refs is pathetic.

They've at least been humbled enough that some of them are admitting that Kesler and Sedin's diving is embarrassing.

I didn't see the game either but he had two assists (both secondary), 2 shots on goal and was a -4. Also spent 3:38 on the PP. Not what you'd hope for out of a potential Hart winner.

What's funny is when they showed the highlights on NBC before the Bruins game, guess which one they skipped? Though I guess there were just too many Philly goals to show all of them.

I can't figure out how to link to the specific highlight on NHL.com, but you guys might enjoy the highlight of the first Flyers goal because of who coughs up the puck for a shortie.

Overall great win for the Wings. HUGE penalty kill. But I do agree with those who talk about the Wings problems in their own end. They were uncharacteristically sloppy, even times when they weren't getting forechecked. Jimmy made some huge saves and Preds didn't have the puck luck they did the first game or it could've been a very different outcome. Big win. Let's just get those problems sorted out at home now.

E's big enough to handle the job but could still improve his fighting. But in general you don't want your D-men being the guys to lean on for that because having 1 out of the 6 of them gone for 5 minutes has a much bigger impact on the team than a forward sitting for 5.

Ericsson had one ill-advised move in front of his net but in general had another solid and physical game, led all defensemen in TOI and played 5:33 on the PK.

Agreed. I'm glad he stepped up, but it'd be nice if the Wings had someone a little younger than 37 to answer the bell.

If there's another buyout round with the new CBA, it'll be interesting to see what the Nucks do with Luongo. It's not that he's bad, but he's definitely not worth his contract. And short of winning the Cup this year, he's kind of damaged goods in Vancouver. It may be one of those situations where a player just needs to start over somewhere.