egroen

It's why Babcock liked Schneider -- powerful shot that created havok no matter where it ended up. Schneider had pretty awful aim too, but Sammy's is on a whole other level. Is Eriksson right-handed? I would still rather see Chelios there than Sammy, but I am sure Cheli's speed is the issue.

More rest for Franzen... I'm ok with it.

I would be willing to see them pick up Fedorov *just* for the point on that second power play. That unit has been pretty successful, imagine if we had a legitimate point man?

Bingo. The Wings have been dominating good faceoff teams in this playoffs - now they are going against bar none, the WORST faceoff team (all year long and into the playoffs). Malkin can not even win 40% of his faceoffs. This is one aspect that will be brutal for the Pens.

The "33" thing is utterly pointless. There have been two comebacks, 33 years apart. Wow. I wonder how much of his own money he would bet on a comeback, if he feels it so strongly. I would be willing to bet a good portion of my savings that it does not happen.

Chelios was never exactly a passive defenseman... and obviously has enjoyed a long career, barely losing to Lidstrom for the Norris at the age of 40. Bourque also, played very aggressive in his prime. Stevens retired after a full 22 seasons as well. I think Konstantinov could have played until he was 40 (though who the hell knows), assuming he changed his style a bit like Chelios and Bourque did. I could see him and Lidstrom trading Norrises back and forth a few times, with the edge to Lidstrom. Vladdy would be thought of as we think of Stevens, only better. Just think, maybe Pronger never would have won that Hart if Konstantinov was still around???

To think of Lidstrom as #2 all-time is silly, but I know it happens all the time with Wings fans (many think of him as the best ever). I have Lidstrom in the Top 5, but many do not. The top 4 are pretty locked up at: Orr Shore Harvey Bourque After that you have Lidstrom, Potvin, Kelly, Robinson, Park, Chelios and Fetisov to round out the top ten. Especially after this year, another Norris, another great playoff performance (heck, maybe even a cup as captain) and I think he emerges from that second group of defencemen as the leader for #5.

On 101.1 Mickey Redmond speculated Holland would not release anything until after the Dallas series (not wanting to give anything that might boost Dallas' confidence).

That was definitely Dallas' best game this series so far. The Euro Twins just took that game away cleanly...

It is funny that Fedorov, Schneider and Bertuzzi all ran to the Ducks following the years they beat us. Following Fedorov's defection the Ducks did not even make the playoffs and Fedorov ended up being traded to an even worse team right before Anaheim got good again. Schneider and Bertuzzi are then both out in the first round after "buying high" into the Ducks. Karma?

I'm curious how many Dallas fans have ever actually played hockey? It is a big difference between northern fans and southern fans, as far as I am concerned. While not correct 100% of the time, I do think I am more knowledgeable about hockey than most fans that have never played it.

Question is -- are we going to lose him when he becomes an UFA because he is getting next to no ice time, despite proving again and again that he can produce?

It's not silly, and it does matter... at least to fans who like to chat in message boards about their favorite teams. There have been two sweeps this year already, and an injured Colorado team made a much better go of it in the first game than Dallas did. Under such circumstances it is not "silly" to talk sweep at this point. The fashion in which a team eliminates another team can be important. To deny a strong come from behind win, or that an utter domination is not a great confidence booster while a try and hold on for our life is not demoralizing is fanciful at best. Franzen's earlier success in the playoffs show he is more than capable of being a success in the playoffs. He has the ability to be a difference maker. These are great indicators that allow us armchair hockey analysts to venture guesses that are perhaps more educated than the mindless brayings of mere homerism. Are you saying you are not one of us?

He's calling out the wrong people. I guarantee he has season tickets (whether from himself, but probably from the free press)... how many games is he at? It's the season ticket holders (not all of them, but there are about 16,000 of them) who are the ones not bothering to come to the games (unless they have a client to impress) or spend all their time in the Legends Club. It's people like him that he needs to be "calling out". That game was a sellout -- don't they announce that at the beginning of games (was he even there?)?

Hakan also could have had Enstrom -- but got lazy on the day he was supposed to see him and called the coach to let him know his intention (a coach who had Vancouver ties). Vancouver then trades up to before Detroit and gets him. Fire him!!!

I definitely disagree and feel like we were watching two seperate games. The Wings dominated 5 on 5 as well as special teams (except for the final period where they were hanging back w/ a 4 goal lead and trying to avoid injury). For every chance you listed that Dallas missed, Detroit had one as well... from Kronwall's 2 on 1 to Zetterberg missing the open net on the wrap-around. That game could have been 7-3 if not for some lucky/great saves on either end. Calls were soft all around. Penalties are going to be called in this series, and so far Detroit has proven to have the better special teams.

Exactly... the way it is being called, a goaltender needs to "prove" he was being interfered with, by coming out of the goal and contesting that space. Someone like Giguere will make every little bump from Holmstrom out to be a mauling.... I have a feeling Turco will learn real quick.

I was wondering how the Wings ended up winning this game... it certainly wasn't because they played well. Refs gave them the Nashville series and they were still lucky to pull it off; Colorado had 90% of its team injured; etc...

I had a feeling we would not be getting him. Especially after his comments about the city of Detroit -- let's face it, Novi (Little Sweden) is not exactly a hot draw for a young man making lots of money (as opposed to Dallas)... now if he were married with three kids, he's ours! This Finn we have a chance with intrigues me though.

Pretty sure you can not sign a one-way deal until you are 28. Interesting to see all these late bloomers, and I'll be surious where they land and if they pan out.

I used to hate Melrose, but I kinda have a soft spot for him now, the lone hockey guy in a sea of anti-hockey (ESPN). I voted McGuire, but must have passed over Sharp's name... he definitely annoys me the most. He actually talked about a President's Trophy curse in one of his articles... yet the #1 seed has gone on to win the Cup more than any other seed. He knows zilch about hockey, does no research and just enjoys being negative. The type of guy everyone avoids at work.

How nice would that be? Montreal has 23 Toronto has 11 Detroit has 10 I strongly hope the Wings can take the number two slot alone in the next few years! Suck on that, Toronto.

Ok... Wings will never win another Cup (especially this current team) and Toronto will forever be the better hockey club. Happy?

Hey, no where in there did I say we would have 11 *this* year But with this team, I think they could tie or even pass Toronto in the next few years. Toronto certainly is not going to be bolstering that number any time soon.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/1579...ew-Round-3.html Last round, Colorado had the edge in forwards and goalies. Same edge to Dallas this round. They had Colorado winning in 7, this round Dallas winning in 6 or 7. My favorite line: So despite regular season results. Despite Osgood having a better GAA and SV% than Turco. Despite Wings having more goals in less games --> Dallas should have a pretty easy time with them.