clutchngrab

We'll see how things play out, but perhaps JW has matured as an NHL player. I suspect he was brought in as a "shooter" to replace Sammies role. The upside is that he probly can do more than hit the goalies chest, and will make some plays in the offensive zone. The downside may be his neutral zone and defensive zone play. We all know he rocks in shoot-outs.

Game is over. No Hossa to win in the last minute this year.

I really cannot believe how bad Brett Lebda is.

Same D same goalie.

I don't buy the league conspiracy theories other than the fact that finishing of the Hawks as quickly as they did it cost them in much needed rest thanks to the league bumping up the schedule.

I'm not gonna bash Osgood just yet, but it would have been nice if he took the attitude along the lines of "Gee I sucked for most of the season and didn't play well until the playoffs. This season I'm gonna treat every game as a professional and take some pride in my regular season performance". Preseason not withstanding.

Now just wait a minute. Bert is nothing like Bob. Bob was a happy go lucky anti-oxident floater. Bert is a potentially highly carcinogentic floater. World 'o diff.

Wow what a list. Awesome post.

I remember Jason ******* Williams all too well. Won't go into traffic, won't hit, etc. Basically Sammie without the size and defensive ability and the scoring. Unbelievable.

Kirk Maltby.

Those guys did absolutely nada in the playoffs. 10+ years as 3rd and 4th line players is way too long.

Hossa is a very very talented man who refuses to engage physically.. 'nuff said when it comes to playoffs.

I fighter would be nice, but not essential. I think all the pieces were there, but coming short 1 game when you have a better team comes down to who is playing and who is not. Babcock dropped the ball by playing safe instead of playing hungry.

I agree , but shooting the puck has to mean something. I mean, Cleary shot the puck when all he had to do is make a pass to Dats and then something might have happened. That's why Homer got on the line and epically chocked.

I'm with you. This is my last year as a fan. I've loved the wings since UHF channel 50 when I was a wee kid and they had Alex D and Reed Larsson and Frank M. I took a break in the eighties to get my s*** together which coincided with some pretty awful teams. I became a bandwagon fan in '95 and have stayed with them since - but the game is now a certifiable joke. Win or lose game 7 G'night all.

couple quick thoughts 1. Let the Pens deal with all the media hype about winning a cup and see how they respond. 2. Babs limits the team as much as humanly possible to media attention. 3. Hossa doesn't want to pay the price so don't give him the ice. 4. Homer is so cooked in this series its not even funny. Why all the minutes? 5. Keep Lebda off the ice as much as possible. 6. Babs must do a better job of playing guys that can and are willing to play thru the mugging that is going on. 7. The captain has to be better.

I come down on the side of Dog on this one. Yes, the pens showed immaturity by spouting off - just like they showed immaturity by slashing, whining, etc. This is just another data point in the growing body of evidence. Wings have always focused on their own game and try to take each game as it comes. That's the strength of Babcock and his preparation and attention to detail. I attribute this game to the Wings getting Pavel back and getting a little more rest overall. Afterall, the players are playing for the SC, they don't need extra motivation even if they do read the comments. Frankly, if they played the 1st 4 games against Chicago the same way that they played against the Pens, I'm not even sure we have the opportunity to play game 5. I think the they are just getting their mojo back after 2 very fast and tough series.

You know sitting in the stands, it is entirely possible that he's regretting sitting with the great "unwashed". It looks like he's thinking "Goddamit, this is the last time I don't sit in a box." It's a little like a cop in prison - it doesn't go over too well with the inmates. I'm guessing not too many people approached him to say "Hey Gary, great job with the NHL". It was probly more like "Hey Bettman you can ..." Well - you get my point.

My paranoia and schizophrenia tell me we are going to get a loct of calls against us in game 6 based on Bettman's displeasure.

The SCF finals are about will more than anything else. I hate to say it but I think the tide has turned and the pens just want it more. The wings seem tired and lack the hunger of the pens. Opening the door these last 2 games - epecially this game which was a beating as far as I am concerned - is the turning point. Obviously game 5 is the series.

Where is Homer, Hossa, Huds, Cleary, Sammie. etc? Too much perimeter stuff. When Helm is your best forward in the SCF - you gotta worry.

I knew the wings would have to beat the pens and the refs this series, but this is getting ridiculous.

Bettman's vision has always been about US expansion and "growing the game" in the same manner as the NBA. From Wikipedia: "Under Bettman, the NHL has seen rapid growth of league revenues, from $400 million when he was hired to over $2.2 billion in 2006–07." That's why the owner's like him.

I don't think Babcock should be counting players - one of the assistants should be though. If I were Babs, I would ream one of those 2 a new one.

He was head and shoulders better than Fleury in the 1st 2 games. I think he'll return to that. I'm not ready to call him out or anything.