tweekvp

I really like your notes after each game. Just remember you can't please everyone ever. I thought the stars played much better in game 2. The game could have turned at any moment, it's a great playoff game for the Wings to win. I don't think any suspensions should come from the end of game antics. I will stick up for Osgood in that Ribeiro (sp?) was running at Rafalski as the clock ran out. Oz was trying to protect his D-man and probably should have gotten a high sticking minor. One thing I am wondering is has Dallas always been so good at tripping guys up. It seems like everytime contact is made a leg or stick come out to trip up the opponent and with the refs not calling anything it is a wonderful tactic to slow your opponent. Got on my nerves but I can still respect it.

I agree that Nashville is the best defensive team we have played so far. Their D combined with Ellis has been the only things slowing the Detroit offense this post season. However I think Dallas is the best team we have played as far as offense. The Wings got some breaks on situations that could have easy goals. The biggest problem for Dallas is they are actually facing a team with some offense this series. The bottom of the league offenses for Anaheim and San Jose made Turco look good but the Wings will not. Combine that with the fact that Detroit does have a hot goalie and great D and I think this series will not be nearly as competitive as the analyst think.

DET/DAL: 4-1 PIT/PHI: 4-3

I think it is easier to get a rusty team back on track than it is a beat up team. Most teams that are rusty after a rest get over it by the second perios of the first game back. Most teams that are beat up end up out of the playoffs. IMHO I would take rest anytime.

2007-2008 Playoffs Goals 1. Johan Franzen, DET 8 2. Briere, D. PHI 7 3. Malkin, E. PIT 5 4. Datsyuk, P. DET 5 5. Zetterberg, H. DET 5 Goals Against Average 1. Chris Osgood, DET 1.44 2. Fleury, M. PIT 1.72 3. Turco, M. DAL 1.86 4. Ellis, D. NSH 2.52 5. Price, C. MTL 2.55 I know I'm being a homer, but I picked the Wings. 3 of the top 5 playoff goal scorers and the goalie with the best playoff GAA swayed me. Per NHL.com

DET/COL: 4-1 SJ/DAL: 4-2 MON/PHI: 4-2 PIT/NYR: 4-2

AP Game 6 recap. I know it's not much but it still bothers me. There was no more luck in that game than happens in any sporting event. I don't know. What does everyone else think?

I loved how composed the Wings were in game 5. I hope to see more of that today. One change I would like to see is a better balance between shots and scoring chances. The Preds defense did do I hell of a job forcing the Wings to take shots Ellis could stop last time though. Hopefully the Pred leave more openings today and the Wings take advantage. I feel good about this one. No predictions GO WINGS!!!! Also Go Flames Go Stars

I may be the only one who thinks this but I hope having Ozzie out there helps calm the team down. Detroit has to play smart, complete their passes and not panic. If they are chasing the puck they will likely lose. If individuals are trying to accomplish everything on their own they will likely lose. When the Wings control the puck and play a smart game utilizing their skill they win. I'm feeling a calm, skilled, smart game tonight.

I don't know if anyone else noticed how many times a wing got tossed from the faceoff in game 4. I don't think Draper was actually given a chance to take a faceoff in the third period. Draper is one of the best faceoff men in the league how can he get tossed so often in one game? Am I just seeing things through the eyes of a homer?

I didn't indend to imply that only Wings players were getting tossed. It just seemed to me it was happening to the Wings more often in game 4 and in more crucial situations. The deal with the lineman holding the puck has been there the whole series. I guess that could be why so many players are getting tossed. The linesman just needs to drop the f'n puck.

Last night would have been different if Hasek had any confidence. I could not believe how deep in his crease he was on those shots from the Nashville D. If Hasek was at the top of the crease on the second goal it would have hit him, instead it was a goal.

I'll admit I only saw a few replays but it looked liked the ducks were successfully dumping the puck in the corners in game three. They were also successfully throwing elbows on the forecheck leading to at least one of the goals.

[ I would not mind seeing this at all. I think Flip isn't quite ready to center one of the top two lines. He was very impressive earlier in the season when playing wing for Dats.

I hope the wings can score early and often. I can't wait for this game! GO WINGS!

WEST: (1) Detroit 4-1 over (8) Nashville (2) San Jose 4-2 over (7) Calgary (6) Colorado 4-3 over (3) Minnesota (5) Dallas 4-2 over (4) Anaheim EAST: (1) Montreal 4-0 over (8) Boston (2) Pittsburgh 4-2 over (7) Ottawa (3) Washington 4-2 over (6) Philadelphia (5) New York Rangers 4-3 over (4) New Jersey

I'm all for giving the young guys playing time but the playoffs is not the place to do it. Lilja has proven his ability to hit, block shots, and play the PK. You do not play a rookie and sit a solid dman in the playoffs. Now if there are injuries then I would probably give Ericcson or Meech time over Lebda.

I don't think it will happen. There is always a little bit of fear though. As long as the scoring shows up (Five 20+ goal scorers) then we will take the series. I'm confident in the D. Also if Hasek is shakey early on then I think Osgood is capable of saving the series.

I gaurentee the wings will play a minimum of 4 playoff games. After that the skill, toughness, desire and luck of the team will determine how deep they get into the playoffs. I know I will be watching as many games as possible. I will celebrate the wins and despair over the loses.

Lilja is from Sweden Back on topic. I think Meech works well at forward. Also the Wings may need that more if they don't retain all the forwards next season.

If the current icing rule stays than the team that iced the puck should not be allowed to throw a hit when they can not negate the icing. Why should the team that broke the rule be allowed to wear down the other teams D by hitting them. It is giving them a benifit for breaking the rules. I think the injury thing could be prevented if it was a race to the goal line rather than the puck. The D would still win most of the time but would not be in a position to be hit and injured.

Just a quick correction the average winning percentage for the 30 teams will be .500. You could have a team with a very low or high win% shifting more teams in the other direction. With the parity in the league right now it happens that there are 15 teams .500 or above and 15 teams below.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I don't remember anyone talking about goalies being great positionally 10 years ago. With wider equipment a goalie that is challenging takes up a lot more net based on simple geometry. I really believe the goalies would be just as safe with smaller equipment and the NHL would benefit. If the only objections are coming from goalies I say just get it done. I doubt the goalies overall will give up $millions every year for a couple inches of equipment. Just my opinion though.

That is amazing. So far in 2008 the wings have outscored their opponents 11-2! How long is this team going to be able to keep this up?

I could see Sammy being bumped to 3rd line. I think Cleary has earned a top six spot. So with Homer coming back who gets bumped? I could see it being Sammy. The lines could look something like this. Flip Dats Homer Rex Z Cleary Franzen Draper Sammy Kopecky Ellis Drake / Downie I doubt Babs would do it though.