stactum

SJS/ANA 4-3 DET/CLB 4-2 VAN/STL 4-2 CHI/CAL 4-2 BOS/MTL 4-3 WSH/NYR 4-1 NJD/CAR 4-2 PHI/PIT 4-2 West: Detroit East: Washington CUP: Detroit

EAST Bruins in 7 Caps in 5 Canes in 6 Pens in 7 WESTERN CONFERENCE Sharks in 6 Wings in 6 Canucks in 6 Hawks in 6 For some reason I see not a lot of people give enough credit to Hawks here, they are a very solid team with good defense, good offense, I know they all inexperienced, but hell, they have goaltender who won the cup a few years back. Khabi is capable of winning a series on his own. They manhandled Flames during regular season (4-0) so I think hawks will win it.

elimination of trashville and blues making it totally made my day!

cherry marry tootoo...

The way all things are laying out now I wouldn't mind facing Anaheim. As many people here pointed out we won't underestimate them and it will be a very good team building process and if we win (and we will) I think we'll be a very tough opponent for everybody else who's still there. Here is the thing, I'd love to see SJS to face Blues and here is why: This is the record during this season, and as you can see it's pretty darn close so there is a potential for an upset. If SJS plays Preds there is no chance for Preds; SJS manhandled them in the previous playoff seasons and this regular season. FINAL STL (4) - SJS (5) SO FINAL STL (4) - SJS (5) FINAL SJS (2) - STL (3) SO FINAL SJS (1) - STL (3)

I, honestly, always felt that the difference between them follows like that: I have to give Zetterberg an advantage in overall "drive" - he does look a little bit more motivated out there and has better leadership qualities that were clearly displayed during last playoff run. Datsyuk's skills set is much better (I personally think the best in the league) and he has a better hockey seance and can make anybody who plays with him a better player but his inability to advance in English doesn't give him any good. He is sort of quiet leader on the ice that leads by example. I also think that you can find players similar to Zetterberg, but you won't find anybody like Datsyuk.

Take a look what coverage we had for the first round last year: http://www.postgameheroes.com/?p=2166 Detroit usually gets all games televised (just like Rags, Pens) between NBC and Versus in US.

it's working for me now, had to sign in to watch it, otherwise it was DET-PIT SCF game.

It's game 2 of SCF between DET - PIT that I'm watching? Does anybody have valid stream?

Anaheim - Getzlaf Atlanta - Kovalchuk Boston - Savard Buffalo - Miller Calgary - Cammaleri Carolina - Staal Chicago - Kane Colorado - Sakic Columbus - Mason Dallas - Morrow Detroit - Datsyuk Edmonton - Sourey Florida - Bouwmeester Los Angelas - Frolov Minnesota - Gaborik Montreal - Markov Nashville - Sullivan New Jersey - Parise NY Islanders - Okposo NY Rangers - Antropov Ottawa - Alfredsson Philadelphia - Richards Phoenix - Brizgalov Pittsburgh - Malkin San Jose - Nabokov St. Louis - Perron Tampa Bay - Lecavalier Toronto - Kaberle Vancouver - Luongo Washington - Ovechkin

I think it's not a bad idea whatsoever. here is the thing: the biggest problem in Russia - they don't have junior leagues, so the only option for developing player is to sit on the bench of the KHL farm clubs. As we all know, it takes some time for players to develop, I'm not talking about Crosby, Ovechkin or Malkin, who pretty much knew they'll end up as NHL superstars and you could see their potential when they were young, not all players like that so if there is a chance somehow to look for that talent when it isn't obvious yet and draft it - it would be pretty sweet. I simplified the system quite a bit, but I think you see my point.

Detroit is almost at the top of Western Conference and I think will be at the top at the end of the season. For some reason I don't hear much from Sharks, Ducks and other team fans reasoning for detroit being good because they play in weak conference.. ..oh wait, maybe it's because as things stand today we have 4 teams making playoffs from Central Division and only one from Pacific?

I like shootouts and I like the system you suggested. I also heard a lot of discussions about that on NHL on XM earlier this season and here is what's been said: 1. Rags are overrated (was in the beginning of the season) since they won a lot of Shootouts - the rest of the season confirmed that. 2. Four column reports are confusing for casual fans (f...k casual fans) RegW, OTW, SOW, L 3. Overtimes can't be longer because it's an airtime and games are long even without it so league is trying to not extend games any more than they are now. I do like the concept that if team looses the game in OT or SO - won't get anything, I guess it would put some pressure on the team to score goals and not to relay on your goalie to get you 2 pts.

Just heard Burke saying that they probably did better than any other teams and I tend to agree, what I rarely do with Burke.

Sid, stop it. You're not in playoffs yet.

I agree! Ovie is great! Now, imagine you're sitting at Verizon Center, Caps down 0:1 against Montreal, Ovie scores incredible goal and celebrates it like it does. This energizes the whole crows and caps team, humiliates the opponent. What can be better...

He scores a bunch that is why you see them so often.

Statement: I don't like Crosby. But I will try to be calm and collected... Ok, according to TSN.ca Now, I am sorry, maybe I'm missing something, but I watched this moment many times and I can't see "I was just skating to the bench and he pushed me from behind," Crosby said. Somebody, explain me how can I start loving him and why would I? Ovy is the man!

The team I wouldn't want to face is Dallas. It wouldn't be an easy series for Detroit. Actually the way I see it, once Detroit is past first round they will play much better since they are accustom to playoff gameplay which makes it easier and all old habits such as "killer instinct", "60 minutes of play" etc. are back.

I think you left out quite a few prominent Russian Players, this is pretty much what they had in Torino. But here is what I think will be in Vancouver: Goaltenders: Evgeni Nabokov Ilya Bryzgalov Simeon Varlamov I don't think Nikolai Khabibulin will play, but who knows. Defensemen: Andrei Markov, Danny Markov Sergei Gonchar, Denis Grebeshkov Anton Volchenkov, Fedor Tyutin Dmitri Kalinin Sergey Zubov would be nice addition, but I don't know if he will play. Also think about Nikulin Ilya from Ak Bars, he may be a good addition to the team. Forwards: Alexander Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk, Alexander Semin Ilya Kovalchuk, Evgeni Malkin, Alex Frolov Nikolai Zherdev, Sergei Fedorov, Alex Radulov, Morozov Alexey, Mozyakin Sergey, Zaripov Danis Also there might be: Viktor Kozlov, Teryeschenko Alexey and Alexey Yashin

That was 1:1 tying goal by AO. Before that they were outplayed by MTL for the most part... Bruce Boudreau said after that goal that when Caps players saw this goal, it fired up them so strong that they were able to come back and play better. That is why he is the best player and he can not only make players around him, but his whole team play better.

Valeri Zelepukin - it's much funnier if you know Russian Carlo Colaiacovo

He is actually still 4th in the NHL. What I really like about him is his consistency; look at all of his career and he's only getting better each year. Having Hossa and Z on the same roster is pretty much eliminates his chances being season's MVP.

Did you guys watch the actual video with him? If you select him you can watch PAVEL ON WORKING OUT in talking to Brodeur: "agains me they (goalies) are mostly falling down" http://www.runvstrain.com?debate=pavelvsmartin

As far as I am concerned in one year team Russia suppose to look pretty good with Datsyuk, Malkin, Ovechkin and all other guys in the lineup for the Olympics! I think part of the problem why Dats isn't getting all media attention because Wings are generally pretty good team and it's very hard to stood out when you have Z, Hossa, Lids, Rafalski etc. guys.