Aussie_Wing

How good was Filppula in that period? He was all over the ice. Brad Stuart great shot! He's really playing great hockey now. And Franzen looks good too.

Sooo pumped for this game as I'll actually be able to watch it live. In fcat we get the rest of the series live. Can't wait for this one! Play as well as we did in Game 1 and we'll take a 2-0 series lead. Cmon boys!

1. Samuelsson played like a man possessed last night; he was all over the ice. Hitting, blocking shots, and scoring 2 unassisted goals as a result of hard work. That was one of the best games I have seen him play and more performances like that and there’s no way he’d still cop criticism 2. Best game Stuart has played as a Wing. Oh man he was awesome out there. Some huge hits, extremely good defensively and he gave Crosby a hard time all night. Got an assist on the Cleary goal and it was great reward for a sensational night. How good was that diving play late in the last period where he knocked the puck out of the zone? I could go on forever about how impressed I was with his game. 3. Filppula was awesome and created a scoring chance virtually every time he stepped out onto the ice. No kidding, we seemed to keep the puck in our attacking the zone every time the second line was out there. Flip was also very, very good defensively and even drew a penalty on Malkin. Top game and one of our better forwards. 4. How good is Datsyuk? Top 5 players in the NHL that’s for sure. Not only is he deadly offensively but he is now so good defensively. Absolutely amazing player, that’s all I need to say. 5. Boy Darren Helm is a good hockey player. How much does he give on every shift? For a man his size he dishes out some awesome hits and he always puts his body on the line. Kept the puck in the zone many times when it looked as though it would come out, that is due to his attitude and the intensity he plays with. 6. I touched on it earlier but the second line of Hudler-Filppula-Cleary was awesome and should stay in tact for the remainder of the series. I’m telling you, Huds and Flip have great chemistry and always work well together. With a bit of luck the second line could’ve had 2-3 goals and with Cleary getting on the board that line could produce some offence very shortly.

I was going to say that he is a contender for the Conn Smyth Trophy. He won't win it but seriously, he has been amazing. And this is coming from a guy who used to get stuck into him at every opportunity. He has finally delivered on his potential and is playing some unbelievable hockey.

Pistons comprehensively beaten today. But I tell you what, Stuckey is going to be a STAR.

That'll get Cleary going!

Came late in the 2nd. My thoughts on the game: Samuelsson? I'm pumped though, every other game of the series will be LIVE on TV!

How good is Helm? I love him.

Wow Sammy. Unbelievable.

And now it's Detroit 1-0. I thought I was going crazy.

No amount of money will bring back what you had. That's the tragedy.

Darko Milicic really is a joke. How many times has he had sooks even while at Memphis? Has some major issues with confidence and he can be either be hot or really, really cold.

I get the feeling he’s playing under duress. He was out towards the end of the regular season but returned a few games before the playoffs. He then got injured in the dying stages of Game 4 against Colorado after finding some form; he had 4 points in as many games. That injury has really seemed to set him back. And this just before Game 5 of the Dallas series, as reported in the Freep: I’m assuming that he is playing hurt, and that’s probably why he’s not producing as much as he and the team would liked. So before anyone is overly crucial of him and his play (too late now), I think it’s safe to assume that he is playing with pain and it’s being managed as best as possible. When the playoffs are over we might hear more about his injuries.

More proof that he must be pretty banged up right now.

62nd! Well, an improvement from previous weeks. Thanks for all the hard work Mac! DET/PIT: 4-2

Other than that one 4 assist playoff game, I thought Roenick was doing nothing. Wasn't he a healthy scratch at times this season, or least on the verge of being one? That's a risky signing IMO that won't pay off.

Well, not the greatest of starts. And I cannot believe San Antonio are through to the West finals. Here we go again...

Argh!!!!! I want Flip to score. And now I have to head off. Please win Detroit. Flip, score, please.

Cleary needs a goal, even if we're up 4-0 he needs a goal for his confidence.

ZETTERBERG! 4-0!

1. Dan Cleary. Is getting in excess of 17 minutes per game and yet has only the 1 goal to go with his lone assist. I know it’s not all about offence for Dan and he is a vital member of the PK unit however he hasn’t been the same since returning from injury and at a time when we need him the most he’s gone missing. Had a perfect opportunity to score early last night on the back of a perfect feed from Filppula but missed the shot. Had an outstanding regular season and was the team’s best player for certain stretches but that all means nothing right now. 2. Tomas Holmstrom. Has 10 points from 15 games which isn’t bad but he’s playing alongside Zetterberg and Datsyuk who are both on fire. Has only 3 goals despite getting almost 17 minutes per game and getting a huge chunk of time on the PP. Make no mistake, he’s doing alright but he could and should do more. 3. Kris Draper. Yes I am occasionally on his case and we’re all aware that he isn’t going to be putting up many points however isn’t this the time and the place for a veteran guy to stand up? He needs to score a big goal every now and then and lead by example. 3 points and a -5 isn’t exactly what is expected of him. His faceoff percentage is fantastic though. Who do you feel needs to step up?

Great post, enjoyable read. That list looks about right to me. Let's hope those towards the front step up tonight.

Oh wait, you're being serious. How the heck is Downey's 3 minutes a game going to achieve anything?

This annoys me. I know they're not in the team to score, but how many have they scored between them this playoffs? 2, maybe 3 goals. Sure they're in for their defensive work but to completely let them off the hook for a lack of offensive production is just wrong IMO.

Agreed, just after I posted the thread I thought about him. 1 point in 14 games? Hasn't been a massive point prouducing defenceman during his career but that's pretty underwhelming. Most noted for his hitting but it's been Kronwall and Drake delivering all the hits.