Echolalia

Mikael Samuelson Jamie Pushor Andreas Lilja after that its debatable

I was wondering this very question about two hours ago

Wings in 5 Also: pretty good summary, although I disagree about the 10 extra shots per game equaling a victory in a seven game series. Just about every playoff series we lost this millennium we have outshot the opponent by a hefty margin.

Haha I almost forgot they existed, what with our raging success and all.

He definitely did look a bit better in the last game, but I still think he has a long ways to go to get up to how he was playing one year ago

Yeah i had a brain fart there definitely, but i fixed it. I'm still not sure about that and the Malkin line though, so clarification would be nice

Theres little argument that the two representatives from their respective conferences are among the best in the league. Heck, there's little argument that they are THE best in the league, but for the youthful Pittsburgh Penguins and the veteran Detroit Red Wings, two teams that have yet to play each other this season, who is the best of the best? Not only has each team made it to the finals, but they did it in convincing fashion. Pittsburgh only surrendered two wins to their Eastern Conference opponents, whereas the Wings gave up only four. Each team boasts some of the most offensively talented players to play the game, and come Saturday, both teams will be giving it their absolute all. Crosby and his linemates Hossa and Dupuis will most likely be matched up against the Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom line. This matchup has hands down the most destructive offense the league has had for a while (and in a salary cap world, too!), and although these six players are most known for their ability to put the 'biscuit in the basket', what the series will ultimately come down to is defensive play. Both teams recognize the others evident ability to score as well as the fact that they will go nowhere if they can't defend against that. Although the Penguins first line has been responsible defensively, they have yet to verse a team that posed a significant offensive threat. Ottawa crashed and burned under injuries and weak goaltending. Analysts are still trying to figure out how the Rangers even got into the playoffs, and Philadelphia, although capable of scoring, quickly became too intimidated by the Crosby line to sustain any offensive pressure, and focused more on defensive play. The Red Wings also have one more thing going for them; the tiny fact that two of the three members of the first line are Selke candidates for most defensive forwards. For that fact alone, Pittsburgh will have to rely now more than ever on secondary scoring, something (to the Red Wings dread) they are more than capable of. Malkin paired with Sykora and Malone are the most elite second line in the nhl. I won't deny it, because quite frankly theres no argument against it. Two of the three players on this line are more than capable of being top line players for half the other teams out there (including some that made the playoffs). It is this line that the Red Wings really need to worry about. Malkin is currently tied for second in postseason scoring with Detroit's own Datsyuk, and he's been doing this without the likes of Crosby through long periods of playoff hockey. If the Wings plan to give themselves a chance at victory, Babcock may very well consider mixing lines to pair Malkin up against the likes of Maltby, Drake, or Draper, one of three Red Wing veterans known for there gritty defensive shut-down playoff style. Otherwise it may be a fast series in Pittsburgh's favor. But as previously stated, what this series will come down to is not offense, but defense, and that is something Detroit thrives on. The Red Wings defensive line up consists of Norris Trophy winner to-be Nick Lidstrom, his partner in crime Brian Rafalski, tough guys Kronwall and Stuart, and to "borrow" from an old line's name, "An old goat with a kid" in Chelios and either Lebda or Lilja. And assuming you can get past this all star lineup, you have Osgood waiting calmly in net, who leads the league in the post season (as well as the regular season) with goals against, and is competing for best save %. All of a sudden that net looks like its hidden behind a brick wall, and that is why teams like the Predators, Colorado, and the Stars not only lost, but were annihilated by the Wings in previous series. But on the subject of goaltenders, the situation that this next round will have is an interesting one to say the least. In my opinion, neither goalie has really been in a position where they were required to stand on their head to keep their team alive. Sure they each have their list of spectacular saves, but the level that they have been challenged has been limited significantly by the stellar defense in front of them, or the ineptness of the other team's offense (both things that each team has no doubt experienced). Now that Osgood and Fleury are pitted against an explosive offensive team, not to mention the pressure of the finals, it will be interesting to see how they can respond. For Pittsburgh, Mark-Andre Fleury is definitely the X-factor. He has let the Pens know that they can rely on him in the past, but he is still a young goalie, and this is his first time in the finals, which is something that paralyzed Ottawa goaltender Ray Emery only a year ago. On top of that, he has been thrown into the den with a bunch of lions that have been in this situation on numerous occasions before. As for the Wings, forward Johan Franzen is no doubt the X-factor. He came out of nowhere to dethrone all of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Crosby, and Malkin to claim scoring and goal titles for himself before falling to headache complications. In fact, after a five game rest, he is still sole owner of playoff goal scoring leader. If he can come back and play to the degree that he has proven he can play at, the Penguins' second line won't be the one with all the attention. To sum it up, we have two great teams here, almost identical on paper, but its going to be the things that aren't kept track of statistically that wins the cup. Things like defensive play, good coaching, experience, and line matching. And unfortunately for the Penguins, the Wings are dominant in all. Wings in 5.

Overall, our top line should be able to outplay their top line Datsyuk Zetterberg Homer vs Crosby Hossa Dupuis Yes, the Crosby line has some serious firepower, but Zetterberg is tied for the lead in points with Crosby, and Datsyuk is in a close second, so offense is a draw at best. Defensively, both Dats and Zetterberg are Selke finalists. Thats a heavy defensive edge to the first line. Then you have Malkin Malone and Sykora. If the Wings can isolate Malkin and shut him down as an individual, I think the rest of the line will crash and burn. However, that means our second line will have to play phenomenal defense, maybe even throw Draper onto a shutdown line against Malkin's line. A recurring theme to the Pens losses this year also have to do with shutting down Crosby and Malkin. Not only do they not reach the scoresheet when they're taken care of, but they get furious and let their angers get the best of them. This results in powerplay time for the Wings; something we should be able to capitalize on. Anyway, X-factors are definitely between Fleury as a first time SCF goalie, and a generally new goalie overall, yet proven playoff performer this year, and Franzen, in whether he can come back in the finals, and if he does, whether he can keep performing to a degree to rival Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Crosby, and Malkin. If the Wings can get him firing on all cylinders, the series is as good as over.

EVERYBODY needs to step it up, right now. Cleary, Sammuelson, Hudler, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, everybody. They're playing against a deperate Dallas team, and twice, now, they have outplayed us to stay alive. If they expect to close this out and get to the Stanley Cup Finals, they need to start acting like they want it, because quite frankly, Dallas has looked hungrier for that Finals spot than us.

We have seven players in the top 30 for post season points. Thats more than any other team.

I don't know if this has been posted somewhere else (a quick scan over the latest threads convinced me not), but the NHL poll asks what the deciding factor was for Dallas beating out Detroit yesterday. They have a bunch of cliche answers on there, and of course no "disallowed goal" or "poor reffing". But thats what the "other" option is for, and right now its in second place just shy of 17% of the total votes. Let your voices be heard!

I always liked Wings vs Toronto, and if I recall correctly, that has been the general consensus since Winter Classic I. What makes it less appealing, though, is Toronto isn't that great of a team, and who knows if Sundin will be back next season. For that reason, alone, if the Wings are going to be a part of WCII, then I think it should be Wings vs Montreal or Rangers; two original six teams from opposite conferences, both playoff teams, and the Wings might be Stanley Cup champions at that point, will will bring further incentive.

When I first saw that I got so pissed, but then you got me thinking, "what it that was a Wings fan?" That would be a hell of a way to send a message to the next team.

Why can't you just take away the refs responsibility to decide what is and isn't a goal, and replace it with just blowing the whistle when the play would be dead, and let the guys upstairs determine if its a goal? That way you don't have the no goal call/no review bullcrap, you don't have the potential mess of coach's reviews, and the all powerful, often opinionated refs loose a powerful notch on their direct influence over the course of the actual game. Or better yet; any time the ref negates a goal despite the fact that the puck went in the net, its reviewable anyway.

That damn elusive 10th win. Seriously we're never going to get it!

You are not allowed to interfere with the goalie if you are in the crease. If you are outside of the crease and you contact the goalie, then it is ok so long as it isn't a check or anything overtly physical. The call tonight was bad. Not only did Homer not even tough Turco, but he wasn't even in the crease when "contact" was made. Heck, Turco didn't even complain about it.

"Dear Pens Loyal, As a representative from the folks over at Letsgowings.com (there may be some legal issues with that statement, so spell it wrong or talk to Matt or something), I would like to extend my hand out in a friendly yet fierce 'hello'. As some of you may know, our forum is open to those of you who are level-headed enough to talk rationally (exceptions allowed to an extend, as we aren't nazis) about the good game o' hockey. We hope that you would be willing to extend the same welcome to us, as we aren't the same type of trolls that may have plagued your forums in the past. If you need any evidence of this, consult with those of you who have already joined our forums, or simply mosey on over to the website yourself for a peek at how we roll. In any event, we're looking forward to the both of us reaching the finals and enjoying a competition between the best two teams in the sport. Sincerely, a Wings fan"

I didn't realize there were rules to the content of a contract, outside of rookie year. Does anyone with a good knowledge of the field want to sum up contract conditions for us less knowledgeable?

this is redonkulous

Philadelphia is playing as if they're too intimidated by the Pens fowards. They aren't sustaining pressure in the offensive zone because forwards are too quick to give up on the situation to get back and be prepared for a defensive run. On an individual level they also look intimidated. The Flyers are fumbling the puck and passing it often to open areas.

I would be up for moving Sammuelson and either Hudler OR Filpulla, and use them along with Lebda and Lilja to pick up two more proven forwards, then fill the last two defensive spots with Meech and Quincy. We're a pretty solid team as is, though, and if we keep cheating the salary cap/parity system, Bettman is going to issue some more harsh rules

how can we stop the madness if people keep making threads about it hmmm?

My guess is an infection

Welcome to the forums You ask what I think about pittsburgh? I think they're a great team and they're only going to get better with experience, but this isn't their year. Yes, Crosby and Malkin are good, but the Wings will be matching lines, which means they will be up against two of the greatest defensmen in the game in Lidstrom and Rafalski, two Selke trophy finalists in Datsyuk and Zetterberg, and even throw Holmstrom into the mix to ruffle a few more feathers. Not only is this singularly the greatest defensive line in hockey, but its also an offensive powerhouse, whether its against the opposition's shut down units, their top line, or any combination that has been thrown at them all year. That means theres going to be an even greater emphasis on secondary scoring for the Pens. Which means getting through the likes of Kronwall and Stuart, our physical powerhouses. Yes, they have defensive lapses, and neither are for certain Nick Lidstrom, but they do the job, and they do it well, and when it comes down to pure defensive skill, I think both are underrated. Then when you throw a handful of veteran shutdown forwards (with more playoff experience than the Penguins entire team) like Draper, Drake, and Maltby into the lineup; then that six foot net behind Osgood (who currently stands undefeated in the postseason with less than 1.5 goals allowed per game) is starting to look like its behind a brick wall. And thats assuming Franzen doesn't play. When Franzen has been playing this postseason, he has been singularly the best offensive individual in the league. And he won't be on a line with Datsyuk and Zetterberg, because there's already plenty of offensive prowess on that line. I'm not going to lie, though. Pittsburgh has definitely come through in the postseason and far exceeded my expectations. I wrote them off as a first round upset. Pittsburgh stomped on the Sens. Then I wrote them off as a second round upset. The Rangers hardly slowed you guys down. And I wrote them off to loose to Phily. Right now the Pens are leading the series by two. You definitely have a lot of talent on your end, and you'll probably test Detroit moreso than any other team has, but when both teams play at their best, I don't think the Penguins will stand a chance.

So there I was, playing goalie when all of a sudden some player takes a slap shot and it nails me in the groin. At that painful moment a light turned on in my head not only telling me that I had forgotten to wear my cup that day, but also that I would never be able to please a gal again. And thats how a cup changes everything.