Will Dallas do our dirty work?

[clayjoh 3]

Does anyone else out in cyberspace wonder if Dallas might knock off both the Ducks and Sharks and be nicely softened up for us for round 3 after two more physical series than we appear to be embroiled in?

Pretty soon the talking heads on TSN and other stations may have to give the WIngs some credit and explain why the "sure thing " Ducks and Sharks aren't continuing on in the playoffs

Also who have been our best Conn Smythe candidates and who need to pick up their game now?

I say Kronwall and Frantzen as our best players so far and sadly Rafalski has not looked too comfortable out there for some reason and Fillpula seems to be walking/skating on eggs out there

All the Sammy bashers will probably dispute this but Sammy has reasonable defensive responsibilities and puck possession skills he just hasn't done too much offensively yet.

Maybe he's waiting for more important games to shine Flame away !

[TeeMan 52]

I so hope so. I just seeing teams like the ducks getting to the finals or even winning the cup. Made my sick.

I don't mind seeing teams like Stars, FLYERS, Habs, Blackhawks and yes I'll even say the leafs. But the others Teams need to be in the NHL for a least 20 years before they get any respect from this poster.

Edited April 26, 2008 by TeeMan

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

If Dallas knocks off the Ducks then the Sharks, they are NOT to be taken lightly. They are our little brother (as they play our same game but we are better at it) and are always a danger to embarrass us.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

Samuelsson's play this post-season has led me to believe he gets a hard on to give-aways at the opposition's blueline.

Dallas is really surprising me. I had the Stars out in the first round because the Ducks were playing so well down the stretch, even though I questioned Anaheim's ability to score, and Dallas was in a downward spiral ever since February for some reason.

[Yemack 1]

The way they are playing they may very well win the Cup.

Yes I think they are playing better than us right now.

[Jasper84 333]

I hope Dallas knocks out the Sharks. If they continue to play like they did last night, it won't happen.

As far as TSN and such giving the Wings some credit to their current success, if the Sharks get knocked out like the Ducks, I don't see that happening. I believe that if the Sharks do get knocked out, the next favorite will be the Penguins, if they already aren't for certain reporters.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I'm not afraid about Dallas at all. I hope they advance so we cab beat them in 4 games.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

I'm not afraid about Dallas at all. I hope they advance so we cab beat them in 4 games.

Oh yeah? Care to explain why?

[irishtemper14+25 11]

dallas hasnt been suprising me, i knew they had a sweet offense....turco is suprising me, but i like it when we play him =D

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Oh yeah? Care to explain why?

We've owned that team in the past, and we'll own them again. They don't have the type of team we usually struggle against, just like the divealanche.

I'd be more worried about San Jose, because we were fortunate to get past them last year thanks to that game 4 finish. Dallas is overachieving a little right now, but I still don't like their chances against the Wings, especially with a depleted defense. Just like us last year, an injured team can only go so far before the injuries catch up with them.

Actually, I still expect San Jose to win that series so we're all getting ahead of ourselves.

[edicius 3,269]

Isn't everyone getting a little ahead of themselves here?

We've won ONE game in the second round (as of this posting). Remember that thing about counting and chickens and hatching.

That said, I don't think there's a single team left that I'd really hate to see win the Cup (unlike Anaheim '07, Edmonton '06, etc.).

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I really like the Stars. They've always reminded me of the Wings somewhat in their play, and just being a classy team.

Can they beat the Sharks? Absolutely. I picked a Wings/Stars conference finals before the playoffs began and I'm hoping it turns out that way.

That being said, if the Wings and Stars both advance, Dallas is NOT to be taken lightly at all.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

We've owned that team in the past, and we'll own them again. They don't have the type of team we usually struggle against, just like the divealanche.

I'd be more worried about San Jose, because we were fortunate to get past them last year thanks to that game 4 finish. Dallas is overachieving a little right now, but I still don't like their chances against the Wings, especially with a depleted defense. Just like us last year, an injured team can only go so far before the injuries catch up with them.

Actually, I still expect San Jose to win that series so we're all getting ahead of ourselves.

Just because they've owned the Stars in the past, doesn't mean they will do it again in the present, plus Turco has finally turned it on in the post season and has been fantastic.

[Reds4Life 51]

Dirty work? If Dallas wins - they are better than San Jose. How's that dirty work? And vice versa.

[hardcoretom21 71]

HEY! WTF????? Dallas leads the series 1-0, the Wings are leading 2-0, BUT NOTHING IS OVER!

Who the hell is already looking at the 3rd round???????

[CrossCheck24 2]

If they knocked out San Jose that would be great, I just hope they tire each other out and let the worse team win in some sort of fluke, so that the wings have an easier path to the cup

[norrisnick 1]

Just because they've owned the Stars in the past, doesn't mean they will do it again in the present, plus Turco has finally turned it on in the post season and has been fantastic.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore;_ylt=...?gid=2008021709

This is Marty Turco's one and only regulation win against the Red Wings in his career.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Does anyone else out in cyberspace wonder if Dallas might knock off both the Ducks and Sharks and be nicely softened up for us for round 3 after two more physical series than we appear to be embroiled in?

Pretty soon the talking heads on TSN and other stations may have to give the WIngs some credit and explain why the "sure thing " Ducks and Sharks aren't continuing on in the playoffs

Also who have been our best Conn Smythe candidates and who need to pick up their game now?

I say Kronwall and Frantzen as our best players so far and sadly Rafalski has not looked too comfortable out there for some reason and Fillpula seems to be walking/skating on eggs out there

All the Sammy bashers will probably dispute this but Sammy has reasonable defensive responsibilities and puck possession skills he just hasn't done too much offensively yet.

Maybe he's waiting for more important games to shine Flame away !

Um, last time I checked it takes 4 wins to win a series and the Wings have only won the first 2 games, and the Stars have only won the first game. There's plenty of hockey left to be played in the 2ND ROUND before we should look ahead to the 3rd round.

This series is far from over.

[Shockwave180 0]

A Wings-Stars conference final would be appropriate, since it'd be ten years since '98. There's a long way to go in both series before that'd be a reality, though. Colorado isn't done yet, and the Sharks certainly aren't either.

[scottDFW 0]

It is one game closer this conference final match up after last night. Both series are 2-0.

From the outside, it appears you are just steam rolling the Avs. Pretty much what I expected. Did I say 'appears'?... You *are* steam rolling the Avs. Honestly, I don't expect it to stop. I'll be mildly surprised if it takes more than 4 games to end this series, I'll be quite surprised if it takes more than 5.

I hope we are able to dispatch the Sharks in 5 or less. That is a pretty tall order, but I like that we really have a *team* game and Zubov is back just in time to be somewhat re-integrated by the time the, increasingly likely, 3rd round RW-Stars meeting occurs.

If we both get there, this next round should be a monster.

I don't know what will happen, but I would be surprised if you find us as easy to handle as CO.

I'm definitely watching your series with interest.

[scottDFW 0]

Dallas is really surprising me. I had the Stars out in the first round because the Ducks were playing so well down the stretch, even though I questioned Anaheim's ability to score, and Dallas was in a downward spiral ever since February for some reason.

If I had to guess.....

We brought Richards on at the trade deadline. He had that insane opening game. Mo got shuffled to 3rd line center and took it pretty hard. I think a lot of February March was Richards getting integrated for real and getting some chemistry developed and Mo getting over his pout and embracing his new position.

Speaking of Mo as checking line center..... Now that he's decided he enjoys that position, I can't spot a more effective and dangerous 3rd line still playing. San Jose is moaning about the their top line being near absent. There is a reason, look who is tasked with keeping them in check. That line is defensively brilliant AND is potting *plenty* of goals.

All that said, things could change at any time. This *is* hockey, after all.

Here's to a Red and Green conference final.

Go Stars!

-Scott

Edited April 28, 2008 by scottDFW

[Yemack 1]

I was watching second period of Sharks Stars game last night and it reminded me how Stars are like us last year.

The way I see it they are playing on a some kind of mission. (what is it? I dont know) and they used up quite a bit of intensity just to get here. (kinda like us playing calgary and then sharks) I think they are slowly running out of gas and that's why I want this series to go long more than anything. When you play out of your comfort zone injuries occur quite often and I want Sharks to sap more mental strength from Stars if possible. (or we may get Sharks IF we do advance)

Strangely we have been somewhat similar to Ducks run last year. Ducks played Wild who played against Ducks quite well and then they pretty much dessimated Canucks in second round and faced resilient but toughest yet Red Wings. Because we went through fire, we were very determined but little bit out of gas and out of bodies. (plus they had refs in their pocket)

Is this sign of things to come? I sure hope so. (but then again that means Stars will be an unstoppable force next season)

Edited April 28, 2008 by Yemack

[Nightfall 871]

I have never, and will never, choose our next round opponent. When you pick your poison, its usually the team that beats you. I have heard it for years, the armchair wings fans wanting to play a certain team only to get beaten by them. Edmonton when they were the 8th seed for instance. Fans on this board were foaming at the mouth for the opportunity to play them. Yet, they beat us rather soundly.

If Dallas and Detroit make it to the conference finals, it will be a hell of a series. Dallas is riding high right now, winning the little battles, and Turco is playing awesome in the playoffs. He did great last year in the playoffs in fact. Dallas just didn't have the firepower last year to make it past Vancouver. When you finish the playoffs last year with a 1.29 GAA and a .952 save percentage, as a goalie, I think you have to know you did your part.

In order for the Sharks to win this series, they now have to win at least 2 games in Dallas. That is a tall order.

[RedFX 48]

I'm not afraid about Dallas at all. I hope they advance so we cab beat them in 4 games.

If Dallas is good enough to beat Anaheim and San Jose, they're good enough to beat the Wings.

[C-TownWing 0]

If Dallas is good enough to beat Anaheim and San Jose, they're good enough to beat the Wings.

Agreed...I'm just hoping for a long, physical, high body count series that leaves the winner totally spent. Even at 2-0 Stars (and earned in SJ), I still think it could happen. The Sharks were dominant for good stretches again last night, as they were in game 1. Turco's just been unbelievably good.

My gut says the Sharks are done though--the team "leaders" are no-shows yet again, the coach is going off on the media, Nabokov hasn't been a Vezina finalist-caliber G as of late...all signs are there for the Stars to cruise in 5, 6 at the most.