RusDRW

i think not. it is only 5 pages thread.

The play-offs hockey is way different compared to the regular season. The principle difference is that it is much more simple and you have to play under constant pressure. That was the major thing I was afraid of in 2008 and 2007 runs. I simply did not know how good we are in dump and chase style of play, battles along the boards, elevating our hitting, etc. Our "new" big guys (Dats, Zeta, Hossa, Franzen, Hudler, Kronner) have cleary shown that they can excel in that type of hockey so I have no worries now. Still I think we need to add some toughness to our 4th line to handle guys like Ott anf we are ready to go. PS I would also bring Ericsson to our 3rd pairing but it won't happen this season.

that's overconfidence. I hope they'll continue to be that "confident" going into the play-offs.

What kind of superstar winger do you want on Zeterberg's line? He is playing with Hossa now. Does Zeterberg need Ovechkin to start producing? I think the real problem is that Zeta is a scorer rather than playmaking center. That is why he always has problems centering our second line.

There is a nice question... Should we pay Zata 7.5 for the next 10 years?

I would say Chris Neil (1.2 per year) or Jamal Mayers or both would be good in Red Wings uniiform. Personally I prefer Neil. So why not to make something like Meech or Lebda + Kopecky for Neil? Ottawa really needs some puck moving defenceman, Kopecky is there just to make cap room (not to mention that half of players on Ottawa roster is worse than Kopecky) and we need some grit. This trade would be good for both teams. Our fourth line in play-offs would look like Neil - Helm - Draper...

Tough opponents: Vancouver, Anaheim So-so: Red Wings Bubbles: Calgary, San Jose the rest are just garbage, especially, in play-offs.

Not trying to make any excuses but I'm getting tired of the fact that in order for us to win we have to be CLEARY (read two times) better than the opposing team. In a game like this when both sides are roughly equal every single thing matters. And we never win such kind of games.

And now we;ve got another game decided by refs. - 5 on 3 in the second when Thornton dived, goal - dive by Nabokov not to mention that he was clearly outside of the crease, another goal - Marleau was in offside when he scored, another goal - clear trip on Cleary that prevented 6 on 4 in the final seconds that's patetic game from refs...

hey refs! net is off! call it a penalty... or your mission is already accomplished?

I really feel for Sharks. Looks like they tried to put their A game and it is not enough against the Red Wings. They are frustrated now. And what is more important is that their best players are frustrated...

no. just play calm hockey and you'll have the best chance.

Sharks wanted to play with fire and now they are getting it back. We are better at every aspect of hockey now. There is an easier way to beat the Red Wings....

It is so strange.... Sharks want to win so bad that even Thornton needs to sell penalties. So they sell it twice and get a goal in return. Nice way guys.

Dats >>> Sharks

I'm really impressed with the way this guy playing... It is a combination of brute force and excellent stickhandling I like in him. For sure, he is a bit worse than Dats in stickhandling abilities, a little bit less skilled in hitting compared to Torres and he cannot handle Boogard in a fair fight. However, he does all these things much better than average player. And I guess this is what makes him one of the best centers in this league. I would love to have him on our team.

one goal lead in the third against Anaheim always reminds me those play-offs games... I would say I'm nervous.

yes!

Danny!!!!! I really like this guy! Frazen! and we are ahead! That is some Red Wings hockey!

Datsyuk is currently the best forward in the league.

For some reason I do not think Tavares is a right guy for our team. Same with Stamkos. They are somewhat different compared to what this team is built around (Dats, Zata). And I have nothings against canadian players. For example, I would be really happy if we could land Johnny Towes...

another game when I want somebody like Chris Neal to be in Red Wings uniform...

all those little things by Hossa What a player!

Hossa is outstanding in one-on-one situations.

that was the worst team Canada I've seen in many years... Tavares is a bust just like Stamkos. Simply cannot bring when it matters most. There is no bright future for your kids unfortunately. On the other hand it is best WJHC team Russia since 2002.