Aussie_Wing

I've said it before and I'll say it again, empty net is beyond useless.

The three H's... Hudler Holmstrom Hossa NOTHING AT ALL.

You're giving us nothing Hossa. We're exhuasted.

Powerplay, where else?

Hossa's always trying to do too much, Filppula go yourself, stop giving it off to the Hoss everytime.

Turnover galore....

The key will be to stay out of the penalty box, NO stupid or careless penalties. Don't even give the refs a chance to make up a call. That period was brilliant, we dominated.

Loved it in Game 2 when the players who scored were 25, 25 and 22. Future is very bright indeed.

Only read the OP and what a ridiculous post it was. Leino has done everything that could've been expected from him. He's got an assist, he's a + rating, he's had no glaring giveaways that I can recall and more importantly, whenever he's out on the ice the 4th line is always in their zone, that's what you want from the 4th. He's not being asked to score at a goal a game pace (like Abdelkader! ), his role is to create a few chances but give rest to the top guys and keep their defensive pairings triyng to regain control of the puck.

I feel so sorry for Pavel Datsyuk. He was comfortably our best and most consistent player during the regular season IMO and yet it’s the Stanley Cup Finals and he can’t even get out there due to his foot. He must be pretty seriously banged up, and when he comes back to play who knows what impact he’ll have. People always go on about how they want him back just as I do, but when he does come back he’s obviously going to be playing through a lot of pain and be well below his best. He’s become a complete player, a great leader of this team and certainly one of my favourites. It’s so disappointing not having him out there doing what he does best. I just hope he can get out there and score a couple of goals because he deserves to be out there.

Surely if he plays, he plays.

I cannot for the life of me understand how you haven't been banned.

The 4th line was absolutely tremendous. They saved their best till the third period. I was amazed at how much ice-time they seemed to be getting in the third, maybe it was reward for their play, maybe it was trying to preserve the big guns for tonight’s Game 2, maybe it was a bit of both. They were great. Abdelkader is going to be an outstanding player for this hockey club; I was thrilled to see him score. Leino has been really impressive, cycles the puck well and is very tough to take the puck from. As for Maltby, one of the best games I’ve seen him play for quite some time. The entire 4th line was great and it was much needed because our big guns played a lot last night and any extra rest they got was crucial.

Zetterberg was, as usual, simply outstanding last night. One of the most complete players in the game.

Well Stuart got out goal, and gave up a goal. Can't believe the stupidity on that goal, undid all his good work.

Wow, when you reel off those names it makes you realise how much depth on defence we have!

As long as we got one of Datsyuk and Lidstrom back I'd be happy, so I am. It obviosuly goes without saying thta Lidstrom is a massive inclusion, makes up for the loss of Datsyuk. Leino and Abdelkader on the 4th line, I trust them but Babcock won't, means our top lines will see a LOT of ice-time. Imagine if the 4th line was out there and Crosby or Malkin were being double shifted, potential nightmare. Babcock will have to handle the line changes very, very smartly tonight.

Are people underrating this aspect of the series? I understand Bylsma has been terrific since taking over and the series will be won by what the players produce on the ice BUT the coaching aspect has been played down. Bylsma is 38, in his first year as a head coach whereas Babcock is a veteran of this stage and knows how to handle the pressure. I feel as though we have a significant advantage in the coaching stakes and it’s one of the main reasons I believe we’ll get up.

Exactly, if things aren't going their way and he starts feeling the heat, I'm not sure he knows what to do to respond. They'll be looking to him to come up big this series, I'll trust Babs and the boys. Look at the Chicago series, even an experienced coach had no idea and let his team completely lose the plot.

I had good success in picking the Conference Finals, lets hope it continues here. Thanks once again Mac. DET/PIT: 4-2

Yeah the more I thought about it the more I became convinced we'll win, in less than 7 too. If only we were healthy, I'd be feeling a lot more confident.

Wings in 7, I am feeling really uneasy about this series. But in saying that, we have so much more depth, and our defence is scary. It makes you wonder why we were conceeding so many goals during the regular season with a defence like ours. I guess I'm nervous because of what's at stake. I didn't really read a lot into the EC Finals, Carolina were deplorable. What I think people forget is that Washington almost beat Pittsburgh and they are no way near Detroit.

Seriously, if we re-sign Hossa for Franzen money, who will we realistically have to let go? I can't handle losing Hudler as he'll put up 70 points with someone next season. And Samuelsson comes to play every single time the playoffs roll around.

I can't believe how nervous I am...already. I just am crossing my fingers we get everyone back in time for Game 1.

Zetteberg - Datsyuk - Franzen (Hank and Franzen have shown chemistry) Hossa - Filppula - Holmstrom (Hossa + Flip = great, and Homer works well on the line crashing the net) Cleary - Helm - Samuelsson Leino - Hudler - Maltby If Datsyuk is still out... Hudler - Zetteberg - Franzen Hossa - Filppula - Holmstrom Cleary - Helm - Samuelsson Leino - Abdelkader - Maltby