Dabura

We're gonna tie this up. We have to.

We've pretty much given this game to them. Two bad penalties and a dumb-ass goal.

I guarantee the Pens want the Jackets. They won the regular season series 5-0. The Jackets have never won a playoff game. The Jackets have been winning, but so have the Wings. The Wings are scarier on almost every level.

Our season has been entirely without adversity. We've been in cruise control since opening night. This will be our downfall. I really want them to make it.

I guess my point was that "public opinion" (around here and league-wide) is pretty much as you'd expect it to be, the one noteworthy exception being that most people here believe we're fully capable of knocking off one of the top two seeds in the first round. If memory serves (and it's certainly possible that it doesn't), we were much more worried about the Ducks last season than we are about the Penuins now. League-wide, I think hockey fans generally hold the Wings in high regard.

Things have actually been remarkably positive around here. We all seem to be on the same page in believing the Wings could do some damage.

That's what he wants you to think!

So Bishop is out for the rest of the regular season and may or may not return in the first round. The Bolts' season has not been without adversity.

What do we think of the new third line of Jurco-Helm-Alfie?

Halak's agent 'bewildered' by Oates' remarks prior to Blues game [PHT] I wonder if this doesn't have something to do with the fact that Halak is a pending UFA. Maybe Oates is trying to lower his value? Maybe the agent is trying to combat that?

Same. Good for him, good for hockey.

I'm really starting to hate the Columbus Blue Jackets. But I'm also starting to respect them. It would've been all too easy for them to just be happy with not dropping off from last season. "Que sera, sera." But they want this s***, in their bones. And can I just say: Johansen's going to be a top talent in this league for a long, long time. Kid is a beast. As do I, if only because it'd mean the Pens or Bruins would be out.

Like everyone else, I'd like to see what he could do with a more talented lineup. Of course, he might be one of those guys whose thing is squeezing the most out of not-a-lot, and it might be a disaster. It'll be interesting. Sounds like Weber's not happy.

Probably PR and $ and hookers and stuff.

Reaaaally hoping the scratch isn't a big deal. Kronwall (got hit in the head)? Nyquist (got hit from behind)? *shudder* It's prolly Alfie tho. As for the game - Statement. Game. Smash them to pieces, and then don't get injured when they look to goon it up. Monster is horrible against the Pens, but the Pens are struggling at home, and they won't have Malkin. So we've got a good chance tonight. LETS GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love their regular home jerseys.

They look stoned.

Kid's pretty good.

Sorry, meant to say 414.

Congrats to Babs on #313!!!

Actually, I think that'd be a pretty interesting matchup. Hardest working team in the league versus a team which, like us, does struggle a bit with consistency and "compete." The Bruins rarely leave it all on the ice. The Jackets always do. (Yeah, I pretty much pulled that out of my ass. The Bruins would steamroll the Jackets in a best-of-seven.) But I think there's a damn good chance they take the first wild card spot. I could see them winning out, whereas we're gonna get rocked by the Pens and Blues if we keeping playing half-interested hockey.

Washington also needs to f*** off.

They'd be toast without Johansen.

Wow, Columbus really needs to f*** off already.