Heroes of Hockeytown

I don't really think "we can win the Cup" and "we've going to work hard and play our game" are signs of overconfidence or whatever. That's pretty standard fare. These guys are professionals, and nobody's overlooking anybody, especially with the way the playoffs have gone for those guys as well as us over the last few years.

The bazooka is indeed the weapon of choice among shark hunting connoisseurs.

Then proceeded to do sweet f***all in the playoffs. And lest we forget his miserable '03 campaign. I think he had like two goals halfway through the season. And then hitting the crossbar in OT! Lucky my foot... Juuust kiddin' Luc, you're an OK dude.

False dilemma! Everyone in the room will pick the PAIN TRAIN or they will be BURIED.

He wasn't really that good with the Wings, but his numbers speak for themselves...

Just like to point out that beating up Nashville really is a small feat. Sure, you get punks like Hartnell and Tootoo taking their cheap shots, but they apparently just suck. The Wings kicked their ass during the season, and the ass kicking continued courtesy of the Sharks in the playoffs.

Just like the Flames took the Wings in six, eh?

Preaching to the choir.

Maggie had a disappointing first round, going 4-4, but at least she picked the Wings. Dreger nailed a perfect record, the other guys did well, too. Second round hasn't been picked yet.

Ha, even NHL.com, the paragon of neutrality, is down on the Wings in the introduction of their preview.

Didn't hand out enough 5-on-3s for ticky-tack calls in critical late game situations, is my guess...

What about getting beaned in the eye? Who knows when he'll back. Hopefully sooner rather than later, but Kal's is the latest and greatest on the Homer situation.

Victoly!

That's what I was afraid of. You are a far more patient man than I, Henkka.

"I can sleep when I'm dead," is a pretty appropriate Wings playoff slogan for this year.

Where did you get the team hits stats from, Henkka?

Tell us the tale of your terrible anger, Don (the fish master).

Hell ******* right. My playlist features no fewer than five DragonForce songs on it at any one time.

Hmmm... Here's what I think: The Wings' 9 goal holocaust in January doesn't mean anything... It was in January, and this team has evolved since then. Physicality won't be an issue. Both teams will bring it, no one's going to get beat up like the talking heads expected the Flames to do to us in Round 1. Hasek will be put to the test. San Jose's offense scored the same number of goals as Calgary during the season, but their forwards are a lot faster and overall just better. No worries, except for travel, the ever present worry. If the Wings were to advance, it doesn't stop, with Anaheim and Vancouver waiting in the Pacific TZ as well. This series should be a good one, with all the loser cheap shot punks eliminated. No predictions; Wings are good, Sharks are good, let's play hockey and see who's the best.

Absolutely pulverized the Sharks in '95; that was payback and a half. This is a brand new ballgame. No revenge required.

The bar is always a nightmare when you lose... I think way back to my youth in 1995, when the Wings Finals series against Jersey was just underway. A few minutes into the first period, my erstwhile favorite Dino Ciccarelli wound up and ripped one off the post. Had Brodeur beat clean, but it wasn't meant to be. The Devils would go on to score first, and the rest is history... Could say the same thing about Lucky Luc in '03. He had an absolutely disastrous season, but everything looked okay to start Game 1 when he was jumping around and celebrating the first goal of the tilt. Problem was, it was never in. The bar strikes again. Same story as before... sigh, if only...

I know a lot of people are going to say Cleary, and they're absolutely right, he was a friggin' monster game in and game out. He single-handedly killed penalties, dished out punishment, scored and set up his linemates. Buuuut Franzen needs to get some consideration, too. He had two goals and five points, hit like a madman, and killed penalties with the best of them. To boot, he nailed the series winner. Lidstrom was his usual awesome self. A lot of people gave him s*** for Game 5, but in all honesty if that's the worst he could do than he's the best damn D-man of all time. Eight points in six games, neutralized a guy who would've been top 5 (or 3) in scoring if he were healthy during the season, and throughout showed great leadership and poise. I think we sort of take his performance for granted, and I think I'm doing it right now, because.... I award my MVP for Detroit's Quaterfinal win to.... FRANZEN AND CLEARY! Yes, a Co-MVP. Such a cop-out. I honestly couldn't choose. They were both absolutely stellar, and series was won on their sticks more than anyone else's. Many other players were great too, (Hasek, Pavel...) but those are my top 3, anyways. So... pick away.

Wow, so many penalties...

Here's what Bob McKenzie has to say about it. Doesn't sound good.

Ye gods, guys, Lou's just goofin' around like always. No need to jump down his throat. I mean, talk about an itchy trigger-finger...