Echolalia

Don't get me wrong, I favor him playing- especially if he replaces Samuelson. But like you said, its going to take a while to shake of the rust and bring him up to caliber again, and the regular season caliber that he has just got to before he got injured again is about 10 steps below playoff caliber.

As hopeful as I am about Bertuzzi returning, I'm equally scared that he's not going to bring the hunger that the other players are brining. In what games he did play in after he returned, he seemed like he was coasting for alot of the time, and was in no particular hurry to win small battles and what not. It was never until he actually got the puck before he stepped it up. Also, I read somewhere that Babcock wasn't convinced he was ready to play in game 2, and thats why he wasn't in the lineup. Now, the article didn't say whether Babcock was referring to his health or his hunger, but it did worry me.

Calgary is going to come out playing hard: they're in a desperate situation and they know as well as us the importance behind winning game 3. They're going to play more disciplined hockey, and probably a dump and chase game, shooting at Hasek at every possible opportunity. They'll have players swarming the net as often as they can, and Iginla will have the advantage in the next two games because of the home ice line change rules. With that said, if we want to win this, we're going to have to play with the same hunger that we've been playing in the past two games. This means everyone laying the body, and not waiting to be hit, winning the small battles along the boards and behind the net, and playing tight defense (including having a second "shadow" besides Lidstrom for when Iginla is out during Lidstrom's break). Power plays are going to be more important in this game, because Calgary will be showing more discipline than in the past two games. We need to take advantage of what chances they give us, and force them into giving us PPs as often as possible by winning the little battles and out skating them. The first goal is going to be very important, as both teams want to score early to set the tone.

you have shots against at 90 and saves made at 97...

nope. still not back.

Bertuzzi is something of a secret weapon for the wings now. Calgary has only had the opportunity to play us without him in the lineup, and both times we beat them, so the best they can do is create some way of combating our style of play thus far. If Bertuzzi plays in game 3, its going to give us more energy and grit for the road games, and he'll be a huge variable that Calgary will have to adjust to.

How expensive are our tickets in comparison to other team's prices?

They have Niedermeyer and Pronger We have Lidstrom and Schneider (I'm going to include Chelios on this list too, just because I think he's one of the smartest defensemen out there) As for offense- we have 3 1/2 solid lines that can wear down at their defenses and especially their goalie. I think we can take them.

Hopefully the team will still be "scared to death" of the Flames, as Babcock puts it. We kick ass when were scared to death

I'm with hockeycrazy on this one. In the first game he absolutely robbed Datsyuk and Homer, in what would otherwise be goals. Today he stopped a really difficult shot by Lang that was aimed right above the shoulder at close range, which is one of the most difficult saves to make simply because of the latency in human reaction time. No matter how you look at it, 97 shots in a span of 2 games means that you are working hard, especially with snipers like Lidstrom and Schneider, and forwards like Dats and Zetterberg, and especially when Homer is on your doorstep every time a shot is taken. The man really deserves credit Oh, and Datsyuk's long wrister is one of the best in the league imo. His release is so quick and his accuracy is scary-good. And with that new stick his shots are only faster.

Those are some big words for it only being game 2, both of which were home games might i add. Also: see 2001

If that doesn't motivate Playfair, nothing will

If I recall correctly Regehr was pummeling on Hudler (the smallest guy on the ice) after Huds was knocked over and was flat on his back. And Kris kinda backed up into him as he was skating forward- it was really an awkward play, not even intending to play the body

Go Minnesota! Go Vancouver! I have money on you two

Great read. I especially liked Holmstrom's definition of what 'intimidation' means, and how he pointed out that Hudler fit the puzzle perfectly in game 1.

We'll really need him tomorrow. Game 1 was a fluke in that Calgary came out playing sloppy, non-playoff hockey. They'll be prepared for tomorrow, bringing the body and the shots much more than the lackluster game 1.

Fix'd

I got a drinking game for ya: Drink every time you hear "Crosby"

Jan Mursak just signed a 3 year contract with the wings. Anyone know anything about him? http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/trans;_ylt=Atu...AGpgkLb43p7vLYF

He's had three great chances and if Kippursoft wasn't the opposing goalie, Dats would definitely have the hattrick

How bout a malt----by!!!!!! I'm here all night

CAPRI SUN!!!!!

"Its not about toe-dragging, its not about skill. its about how bad you want it." -Mike Babcock

Wings 4-2 Zetterberg, Franzen, Lidstrom, Holmstrom Datsyuk 2 assists

That powerplant must be messing with people's minds down there...