RusDRW

Reasoning is far more simple. Anaheim has won its cup in 2007. They are not on the schedule in the next decade and we are better than they are in each category except for goaltending (assuming that Hiller returns).

Ducks. Officiating would be more or less fair. We would win.

Based on the current standings here are some analysis of match-ups for the Red Wings in the first round: 1. Nashville-Detroit. Nashville has a story behind of not making it out of the first round. They are a good team too. Detroit losses in any number of games. Preferably in 6. 2. LA-Detroit. Similar to Nashville. "Hard-fought" series similar to Edmonton-Detroit in 2004. Cinderella. Loss of Kopitar and Willaims and still getting out of the first round is priceless. Preferably 6 games series. 3. Phoenix-Detroit. Phoenix should win. But they are worse than both Nashville and LA (even without Kopitar). This is when you will see a lot of special things like Homers goals called off, 4 minutes major for blood, and possibly even game misconducts for Kronwall. Would be hell. We'll loose in 7 games. 7 games just for the sake of entertainment and recalling last play-offs in recaps. 4. Chicago-Detroit. Pseudo-rivalry. The only possible series where we may get call going our way if something goes wrong (read we lost 3 games in a row). We can't loose in 4. Same for Chicago. Must be 7-games series with fair officiating in Game 7. 5. Anaheim-Detroit. They won in 2007. We won in 2008. Fair series. Outcome is unknown. Both teams are good. 6-games series. Taking into account capabilities of teams we should take it. I swear to god we will see some of these. Should we watch? I'll still do.

Partly agree with you. Well, if they get rid of trying to even games I would be almost satisfied. Almost... Concerning SJS series. This thread is devoted to a game in which momentum perhaps (leave some chances for play-offs desire) decided the outcome. The rest is "what if" game... If they didn't call some phantom penalties what should have happened? And remember that this is hockey where a team playing <b>slightly</b> better does not necessarily win. PS What if that Hossa's "goal" was disallowed and Blues scores to make it 3-0? If Hawks make the play-offs and advance further I hope they make commercial saying something like "what if we correctly officiated that game?"

Fully agree. That 2007-2008 Red Wings team was head and shoulders above Pens and they still found a way to give them two games. Especially, Game 5 with three penalties in the OT. Next season we were just a bit better and that showed. Last season we played on par with SJS and got a plenty of penalties at important times (there is a thread about that here on LGW). NHL politics is based on people's short memory. We tend to remember who won at the end rather than who was playing better or what kind of officiating we had... Practically, we have no chance this season. Well, I even think we'll be out in the first round. We don't have the tools to be much better than other teams and Detroit is not on the NHL schedule to win it all. That's not conspiracy. Just business. I'll think twice about getting play-offs subscription next week

What bothers me even more is that I'll still be watching NHL... Tried to jump off the hook two times already. First time after game 5 of SCF in 2008, then after 2009 final series. I can't. There are no alternatives even with such kind of biased officiating. Looks like I'm the perfect fan of this new NHL.

4 keepers in 4 game. I don't believe.

sorry, didn't read all this stuff here. However, Mike is the shooter. Put him with Pavel and you'll never regret.

Hey, English gurus What does "overage" mean? Is it typo?

please, tell me they just don't want to, not because they are all injured

It looks like this stuff does not have any response here at LGW. Probably it is because our stars were not injured in the past by such kind of attacks. However, just think about Zetter sent down with some elbow from (? Weber) , Dats get thrown on the boards by (?, Upshal), Lids speared by (?, well, Sharp)... Do not you really care at all? Will you classify it to (as usual) "well, s*** happens"? Can't believe in this s***. So why do not you angry at all this stuff happening each and every night????

Broken English, right? Иди ты нахуй, мудак! Is it better?

Well he is not good now and will be even worse two-five years from now. However, it is only 4M and he is quite capable 3rd line forward. Overpayment? Yes. By what? 1.5-2M? Yes. Just like Manny Malhotra in Vanvouver.

Originally I thought this question was about DRW. If we're concerned it is Rafalski. 6M is too much for one dimensional player. He is very good at offense and very bad sat defense. Better version of M.A. Bergeron.

these guys should have been singers... Hands up! Hands up! Underneath the chin! Hands up! Hands up! Underneath the chin! It is pathetic how they compare this hit to Kostopulos' one. Kostopulos used his elbow to target Stuart's head. However, I still don't like this hit. It was late and Brule made multiple steps towards Letang to specifically hit him harder. However, Clutterbuck always hits like this and most people are quite impressed. I just wouldn't like one of our players to be at the receiving end of such hits.

I would be more than satisfied if one day Smith could be like Kronwall is now. A reliable top 4 offensive defenseman who could fill top 2 role of one needs.

just sad. He is one of those goons who could have a shift without compromising his team. I would even say "excellent goon" just like Probert was.

Clean? What do you mean with that? Those multiple steps at the full speed towards his potential victims, right? I'm really glad there are only few such hitters in the NHL...

This year I feel that we're much better than any other team. I rarely had that feeling in the past. Last time it was in 2007 when we lost to Anaheim and back in 2002 for obvious reasons. If our players want it hard, we're going to win. However, I don't think our players are motivated enough.

I don't feel for players like Clutteruck. Looks like they think they are allowed to do everything they want earning their ice time with questionable hits to star players. Each time he is on the ice against us I can only hope either Datsyk or Zetterberg will not be injured. He got what he was asking for. Hopefully, that would be enough for his fearless spirit... How much should Gillies get? Two games. This is what Cooke always gets. So why should we treat this differently?

Getz. This is too obvious.

following your logic Matt Cooke along with Chris Pronger are the best leaders right now.

I think he is underpaid. Defenseman with Salei's stats are getting a bit more. Aroung 1.3-1.5 would be right. Well, I'm not complaining and pretty happy we signed him that cheap.

Lidstrom assembled a defensive fist team. In fact it is quite similar to what Detroit would be if we would have no cap restriction

this NA culture of suing for everything is ******* pathetic. I wouldn't give a s*** about it though if it would have stayed there in NA. Now this stuff is coming to Europe and other parts of the world and people are starting sue for every single move. like someone said here these are just words. That guy needs to play better if he wants to be proffessional athlete. Looks like he is extremely bad hockey player who decided to get easy money at the end of his pathetic career.