Dabura

I hate this seriies. Just give the Pens the Cup. Have I mentioned I hate the Pens? Chris Kooonitz!!1

We'll never beat the Sharks in a best-of-seven. So, I guess I'm "happy."

We need a fourth line.

1997 - Beat Quenneville's Blues, went on to win the Cup 1998 - Beat Quenneville's Blues, went on to win the Cup 2002 - Beat Quenneville's Blues, went on to win the Cup 2008 - Beat Quenneville's Avalanche, went on to win the Cup 2009 - Beat Quenneville's Blackhawks, went on to lose in the SCF in seven games

And even then, "Coach Q" doesn't feel the team really found its playoff groove against the Wild, i.e. they weren't as good as they could've, should've been. Maybe we can jump all over that, or something. Or a third-stringer, for that matter.

Loving this match-up. Y'know what'd be even better? SCF: Wings-Rangers.

Props to that guy.

Drinking games, e.g. a shot for every time Pierre asks "Edzo" a question. My personal favorite: a shot for every time Emrick yells, "SHOT!"

Shakey logic there.

The ridiculous travel's definitely an unequivocal negative. But the cruising-to-victory thing? If I'm "Coach Q," I'm very pleased - and very worried. Because, truth is, he really doesn't know what kind of team he's got. No one does. Not even the team itself. Because, truth is, this 'hawks team has faced zero adversity this season.

All the pressure (in the world) is on the 'hawks. And, sure, they can take it to us in the regular season - but, shoddy though we've been in the postseason these past few seasons, you know what? We're the playoff experts. We've been doing this for 22 straight seasons. Squaring off against ridiculously good clubs, some of which (Avs, Ducks) definitely had our number but, in some cases, still fell. If Z and D can keep chugging along (Z especially, IMHO), if we can keep getting solid efforts from up and down the line-up, if our blue line can keep from imploding, and if Howard can play to the best of his abilities every night...we've got a real good shot, I think. Also, special teams. So, so important, as always.

Agreed.

I sleept through the game. Maybe I should do it more often?

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130512/SPORTS0103/305120317 lolz

doesnotcompute

1. CLOUTIER LAUGHS 2. Won't be many changes. Or, at least, not nearly as many as most fans seem to be expecting. They have a pretty good team. 3. Luongo to Philly for Briere et al. 4. Kassian FTW.

You guys are pretty silly.

You used to be fun.

Why are we comparing Datsyuk and Zetterberg's D-game to Ovechkin's (or his lack thereof)? Datsyuk and Zetterberg are among the most defensively responsible forwards in the game today. They're two-way types, Selke material. On the other hand, it's no secret that Ovechkin is a lazy sonsabitch, possibly the least defensively responsible forward in the game today. Ovechkin gets paid what he gets paid because he's a marketable star; he puts butts in the seats, he sells The Brand (Caps product, NHL product, ice hockey in general). And, more importantly (maybe) - when he's on, he's the single most dangerous, electrifying goal-scorer in the world. Scotty Bowman could turn him into the greatest player to ever play the game, but he's retired. Crosby's the white knight. Ovechkin's the dark one. Very Sexy.

This is basically the point I was trying to make kthxirl

NHL.com is calling Z "Captain Clutch" 20 minutes after I did. Which one of you is (secretly) Dan Rosen? (Sup, Dan.)

I wasn't being negative. Neither was GMR, I think. For the first time in a very long time, we're the would-be spoiler.

He speaks the truth. We're not a powerhouse that is, at all times, poised to knock you into next week. We're one of those overachieving, die-hard dealies.

I wonder what goes on in the locker room during that last intermission.

Captain Clutch.