Dabura

They haven't earned that "h" yet.

Clearly he's been watching the finals.

Gisele Bundchen. Oh, sorry, what were we talking about again?

I'm well aware of the impact Hank has had on the complexion of this matchup. But you're saying that if Hank goes down, the Pens sweep the Wings. And I just find that idea thoroughly laughable. I dunno, call me crazy.

You're overcomplicating things. The Penguins need, need, need Malkin more than the Wings need, need, need Hank, or Ozzie, or Nick, or Mule, etc. I don't think he's been the standout star of the series across these five games. But he's continued to be what he's been for the Pens all season long: completely essential.

That's just silly.

What I find really interesting is how Crosby and Malkin were viewed as being next-and-neck in Conn Smythe contention coming into this series. And now Crosby has no chance in hell. I still give Ozzie the edge over Z, but it really is amazing how thoroughly he's nullified Crosby.

This article highlights why I love The Onion so much. Those guys have a natural gift for comedy, yeah, but they do their homework, and they know their s***, which makes the jokes that much more hilarious. That part Lidstromboli quoted is a great example.

I'd like to see class rewarded. I know there's the Lady Byng, but I feel that's pretty much down to penalty minutes these days. I'm thinking, of course, of Nick. My greatest memory as a lifelong hockey fan remains meeting him in the parking lot before Game 2 of the '97 SCF, asking for his autograph, seeing a look of puzzlement on his face, and then hearing him say, "You don't want my autograph. I'm a nobody." What a badass.

The big thing was the slash. If he doesn't take a shot at Z, the chant probably doesn't happen. But he took the shot, which was basically tantamount to asking someone to pour beer on him. EDIT: Or did the chanting start before that? I can't remember.

To be fair, I'd take Crosby over Big E any day of the week. And I don't mean Vegetable E, I mean E in his prime.

It's funny, one of my friends is a huge, huge Cleary fan. (That's not the funny part.) She's amassed a list of stories related to Cleary on her facebook wall... Wings' Cleary sends Ducks packing... Dan Cleary continues scoring streak for Wings... Ex-’Hawk Cleary lifts Wings in Western finals opener... Bust to glory: Cleary goes long way around to stardom... 2009 Stanley Cup Final: Detroit vs. Pittsburgh: Cleary's pain helps Red... How clutch has this guy been for the Wings?

I'd like to see Lilja back. I've always been hard on the guy. And for good reason, really. But damn if our PK hasn't missed him.

Lord knows he's starved for credit!

I'm with ya. Just saying, I can see Malkin taking it. Not that I think it would be deserved -- but it wouldn't be totally undeserved either.

Or with the Cup in the building.

But, but, Detroit is so good at it!

But by the same token, without Malkin...the Pens probably don't even make the postseason. And they certainly don't advance. He's been an absolute monster for them.

If the NHL looked at the whole picture, it wouldn't be placing all of its hopes and dreams on the shoulders of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Ozzie has been phenomenal. He's my pick for MVP, actually. But Malkin means more to the Pens. The Pens would, without question, be toast without him. The Wings could probably get by with Conklin.

Fixed.

OUCH

"Long, active stick." "It's a four-on-four. Forwards have forwards, D have D."

Just to be clear: as far as NHL coaches go, you're not going to find a guy who "whines" less than Mike Babcock. Maybe Dan, but I'm not too familiar with him. I actually get pissed off at Babs because I think he lets the league and its officials off the hook far too often. But ultimately I recognize the class it takes to be that way. Even when he's "bitching," he's not doing it overtly (which, granted, has a lot to do with the whole fining system). If any Pens fans think he's bad, you should dig up some of Randy Carlyle's pressers.

Look at it this way: where would the Pens be right now without Malkin? Probably dead in the water. Where would the Wings be without Hank? Ozzie? Nick? Mule? Probably still competitive, probably still winning. I have an intense dislike for Evgeni Malkin. He's immature. He's all offense and absolutely no defense. He's ugly. But he means a s***-ton to this Penguins team, and I actually find that kind of impressive, considering his disappearing act in last year's SCF.