Lets give credit to players that had a great series

[dteowner 20]

I'd give Cleary our MVP for round one. Talk about doing it all.

Never thought I'd see the day when I'd be praising Lillypad, but the guy has completely turned it around. Perhaps Moen knocked some sense into him.

Mule just keeps getting better and better.

Last but not least, I think Grandpa Cheli deserves a nod for playing tough and playing smart, probably for more minutes than he oughta.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I had to go to bed after the 2nd last night, but I wanted to add that I think Samuelsson deserves some praise for Game 6. I noticed he had great take-aways right in front of our net and did a great job breaking up that one 2-1 situation.

Sammy was great in terms of backchecking and general two-way play. I also saw a few nice passes and take-aways from him.

For me, however, the big surprise of the series was Lillypads. He was really doing well in the last quarter of the regular season, but it's clear he's found his identity on the Wings: defensive play with a dash of muscle. A far cry from what we saw in the first half of the season! It's hard to imagine, but Lilly is actually the enforcer now!

Also, I love seeing Bert knock the other team around and I really hope he stays in Hockeytown for the years to come.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I tell you, when Moen tried to start sumfin with Lilja, all he did was awake the Train within.

And now the Train will be waiting.

Oh yes, he will.

If Moen's got the balls to step up, he better be ready for the PAIN.

[Covenant 0]

Datsyuk: "Very intimidated" after the hit by Phaneuf. (from CalgaryPuck.com) Kidding, played well.

Zetts: Clearly is coming around, quite physical himself, no?!!

Homer: Alright, showed bursts of speed!

Lang: BRUTAL, but... pretty big goal yesterday I'd say.

Mule: LOVE him, A+, hits like a truck.

Tuzzi: Getting better each game I think, should do well in round two with a few days rest.

Drapes/Cleary/Malts: Best checking line bar-none in the NHL.

Flip/Huddles/Sammy: Well, Flip got pushed around a bit, still makes nice plays though, skates hard. Huddles didn't show me much, Sammy sucks.

Lids: _____ Burned in Game 3, but other than that, stellar. And, I like the 26 minutes or so average. (OT game will probably skew that stat though)

Markov: Fewer giveaways I think, but still looks confused handling the puck.. good thing he hits, and does very well in board work.

Schneids: Dude.. can't you PASS ever? .. strong series I think, hardly any gaffes.

Lebda: PLays within himself always, speedy getting back in coverage.

Lilja: PainTrain didn't wreck anyone, nor did he seem to goof up too much, .. definitely NOT his best game in #6 though.

Chelios: What can you say, amazing. PK tenacity (woopsie in Games 3 & 4 though, out of position.. BUT, they were 5 on 3's)

Quincey: MY HERO!

Hasek: Good enough when called upon, but honestly.. I hope he sees a bit more rubber in the next series. The one time they were patient and waited for him to flop nearly cost us Game 6.. but he is a difference maker for sure, and I'm just nitpicking.

P.S. Anyone really miss poor Kronwall? I've never been a huge fan, but just a wonderin.. His open ice hits are about the only thing I missed.

[al48 1]

The best thing about this series is that no one person or line stood out as THE dominating force. They never had to rely on just one person or line getting it done. It was a team effort through and through. More importantly, it was a team defensive effort through and through, and that's what gets it done in the playoffs. It's no time for MVP's and honorable mentions. There's still three more series to play, and each one is going to be more difficult than this.

[Cruiser008 37]

The biggest surprising performance of this series has to be Lilja's transformation from Lillypads to Pain Train.

Edited April 23, 2007 by Cruiser008

[SoupGuru 0]

It's interesting to see what's going on with the plus/minus leaders in the league. Franzen is tied for first at +7. Franzen?

Look at the other Wings on the list. Chelios +5, then a bunch of others at +3 including Lang. Not really the players I would have predicted.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

The biggest surprising performance of this series has to be Lilja's transformation from Lillypads to Pain Train.

True dat.

I never would've expected Lilja to be playing the way he has.

Most improved for sure.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Lilja: PainTrain didn't wreck anyone, nor did he seem to goof up too much, .. definitely NOT his best game in #6 though.

Yeah, but a lot of Flames tripped over his tracks looking for him.

[Rikadyn 16]

[Swimming with the Sharks 0]

I was hoping someone would say this. Kipper was AMAZING. Technically about as sound as they come. He was a steal for the Flames when they picked him up from the.....was it the Sharks?

Yep. I remember the irony three years ago when the local sportscaster here in San Jose said it was "good news" that Calgary ousted the Wings.

[arnoldbuck 0]

Lilja definitely gets the nod. He was fantastic all series long. Who would have thought?

Maybe Kronwall going down was a blessing in disguise.

Ii should be focued on the playoffs but that really makes me wonder. Next year. All signs point to Chels comin back for one more. Face it Wings fans, we Need Schnieds shot from the point. So what is our D going to be next year? We have Nick, Schnieds, Chel, Kron, Lebda, Lilja, Markov, Quincy, +. (oops, thread derailment, haha... we will discuss this again in july)

This series, despite what the scoresheets may say I send out congrats to:

Cleary - who was always noticeable, big hits, etc

Lilja - who gave most of us a nice suprise

Bertuzzi - who was looking more and more like his old self. I'd still love him to shoot more. But with every hit and everytime he came together with Dion, I got all bubbly.

Dats - He wasnt huge in Calgary game 3-4, but he finally showed us all that he can continue his great play into the playoffs.

[Brew McCrew 0]

Mad props to Lilja, he played well ALL series. He seems to be able to recognize when to pinch a lot better than he ever did.

Lang was one of our top contributors on the road along with Draper, Franzen, and Bertuzzi. But that doesn't exempt him, he has to keep is play up all throughout. You can't win a Stanley Cup without stellar play from your second center.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Cleary is the man. The man , yes better then my boys Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Sorry if they are offended , but its the truth .. Ladies and Gentleman.

Lilja was fantastical as usual , he is also the man.

Im just overally proud of the team right now

[Superman54 91]

Daniel Cleary had a hell of series. Lilja was fantastic too.

[Kira 451]

For what it's worth here's my two cents...

1) Andreas Lilja....we've been riding this guy's ass all year long. So what does he do? Only step up and play like a madman. He was incredible! I promise you he shut a lot of critics up. And well they should be. No more badmouthing this guy - he really stepped up and delivered.

2) Dominik Hasek and Chris Chelios...both of them wanted to prove that age is merely a number. And as far as I'm concerned they did just that. Dom was great (and that save in the OT last night still has my jaw hitting the floor), and Cheli can play til he's 145 as long as he keeps playing like he has been. What a trooper!

3) The kids...Jiri, Brett and especially Valtteri Filppula. I think the future is in good hands with these three. Credit also to Kyle Quincey for pinch-hitting at the last minute and giving a good showing of himself.

4) The role players...Cleary, Maltby, Draper, Franzen, and the rest...what can you say? As usual, stellar performances when needed. Strong support for the team when needed.

And last but not least...here's to getting the monkey off your back. Congrats, Pasha...I'm proud of you. You really put the demons to rest.

We live to fight another day. At least this year the playoffs won't end on my birthday!

[Zeke 5]

What has me excited is the depth of the team. If the top line is shut down, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines kick in some goals to make up for it. Finally it seems like we're firing on at least 7 of our 8 cylinders. And Hank & Bert aren't even playing at top form yet... so they should be getting better & we'll be at our full horsepower soon. Now, if we can only get Calds & Sammy to take it up 3 notches or so.

Another reason I have a positive outlook... team identity. This series, with all of Calgary's aggressive & sometimes out-of-line play, has really bonded the Wings together as a unit. In game 5, a scrum formed around cleary, and this big hulking guy in a wings jersey forces his way in to fight back... who was it? #3. That's right. Lils, sticking up for Cleary. On a team where nobody seemed to stick up for anyone else over the regular season. That's a great sign to me.

Also... watching this series I couldn't help but think that Cleary is becoming the new DMac. Hard working, some devastating hits, and still able to toss the biscuit in the cage. Franzen has also been a monster. A true Franzenstein. Our next-gen Homer.

If they keep playing with this passion & physical play, get Hank & Bert back to full power, I think we've got a long post season ahead.

I'm sure you have all heard the hockey cliche on the highlight reels,"and he beats the goalie like a rented mule!"

How about this one,"our rented MULE beats Kipper!"