Something missing in the playoffs

[Graybeard 0]

Where are the rivalries? Playoff hockey is always exciting, but it so much more when you have a good hate going for the other team. Playing a good team like Dallas you want your guys to win but it's not the vein bulging desire to crush them. Sometimes I look at the picture I have on my office wall of Mac and the Turtle and realize how much I miss that kind of intensity in the games. Holding your breath as Sakic and Flopa criss cross coming across your blue line. Watching Flopa with one of his dorky looking butt checks. Wishing someone would push Foote's teeth in for his latest cheap shot. Punishing that whiny bish Patrick Waaaaa, either by running up the score or just him getting his ass kicked by our goalies. Ahhh, the good ol days.

[Reds4Life 51]

Colorado sucks..so rivalry is not there.

As for "crush" Dallas..this is hockey, not box or something.

[Mjolman 0]

We had it Great in those days, now its just very good.

Learn to enjoy it.

[Earthhuman 8]

If they had played Anaheim, I'm sure some of those feelings would re-emerge.

[OsGOD 3]

When we play Toronto next round for the cup... there will be mucho rivalry back!

Edited May 10, 2008 by OsGOD

[T-Ruff 47]

If they had played Anaheim, I'm sure some of those feelings would re-emerge.

Agreed. All the while I was hoping Anaheim would fail in the playoffs at any stage, in the back of my mind I wouldn't have minded to see them succeed for an eventual potential matchup vs the Wings.....

[sergei_is_still_a_wing 1]

meh. this is the most exciting playoffs i've seen in a few years. maybe its because the wings look phenomenal and i'm just bias in that regard, but i've enjoyed watching games from all series thus far.

sure theres no wings/avs of old, but at this time of year everyone is playing their ass off. no one fights because they dont want to hurt their team with so much on the line. it is what it is but im loving this years post season thus far. just my two cents.

[datsyukonethree 0]

It's hard to develop bad blood when the team is firing on all cylinders. So far they've handily beaten everyone they've faced by just playing their game. There's no need for them to cross those lines, and I don't see anything nasty developing as long as the team keeps rolling.

[Reds4Life 51]

Really?

This has been easily the most boring playoffs for me personaly.. It has alot to do with how soft we are... i hate seeing pass pass shoot block pass shot pass pass skate skate pass..

i like seeing hits fights blood anger emotions..

Watch box, wrestling or something like that then.

Fights in hockey are overrated as hell. You beat some fookin 4th liner and get 5 minutes..how great it is.

Hits? That's something else, and I saw some huge hits during the playoffs.

[Shockwave180 0]

Really?

This has been easily the most boring playoffs for me personaly.. It has alot to do with how soft we are... i hate seeing pass pass shoot block pass shot pass pass skate skate pass..

i like seeing hits fights blood anger emotions..

Not sure what you've been watching, frankly. None of Kronwall's hits have registered with you? Jeez, man, we hear the old "Wings are soft" crap from other teams' uninformed fans; I thought we'd been over this already.

[Pucks 66]

This is easily the best hockey in years. The game is fast again, great skating and passing and hiting with awesome scoring opportunities. The better teams are advancing. The teams that try to cheat are in the box where they belong. In other words it makes sense. If the game continues on this path and they get a handle on goalie equipment the fan numbers will start to come back again.

[Barrie 900]

This is easily the best hockey in years. The game is fast again, great skating and passing and hiting with awesome scoring opportunities. The better teams are advancing. The teams that try to cheat are in the box where they belong. In other words it makes sense.

I agree. I only like fights if it's justified, and not if it's just for the hell of it. I don't want to see players get hurt by a stupid hits, I'd rather see teams go at it face to face, man to man.

This year's playoffs have been outstanding. None of those annoying 7 and 8 seeds advanced past the first round, keeping the quality of hockey very high.

[VM1138 1,921]

I understand the desire for a rivalry and all that, but the teams that are left are all legitimate hockey teams.

This probably the best year for hockey in a decade. No more Carolina's, Tampa Bays, etc. going far. Legitimate contenders in Detroit, Dallas, Philly, Pittsburgh are left, and they're all amazing clubs with rich histories.

Plus, I'd think Philly-Pitts would be an insane series to watch. It's like a 7 game OSU-UofM series.

So no, we may not hate Dallas, but we're probably goign to see some of the best hockey in years in the next two rounds.

[evil204 4]

For me, this has definitely been the most boring playoffs since I started watching in 2002. Other than Game 5 against Nashville, there haven't really been any exciting, dramatic games for the Wings like last year. No comebacks from 2 or 3 goal deficits, the officiating is actually working in our favor, and everything is just going our way. But I guess I can't complain since we're winning...

The other series have been really exciting, though. I thought almost every match-up in the 1st round was really good hockey, better than the last few years.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Where are the rivalries? Playoff hockey is always exciting, but it so much more when you have a good hate going for the other team. Playing a good team like Dallas you want your guys to win but it's not the vein bulging desire to crush them. Sometimes I look at the picture I have on my office wall of Mac and the Turtle and realize how much I miss that kind of intensity in the games. Holding your breath as Sakic and Flopa criss cross coming across your blue line. Watching Flopa with one of his dorky looking butt checks. Wishing someone would push Foote's teeth in for his latest cheap shot. Punishing that whiny bish Patrick Waaaaa, either by running up the score or just him getting his ass kicked by our goalies. Ahhh, the good ol days.

I understand where you're coming from, but a lot of fans of teams would kill just to have their teams make deep playoff runs on a somewhat consistent basis, or even make the playoffs at all.

I know standards for this team are high, but I'm just enjoying that this team has made another deep playoff run, for the 2nd straight year. I don't think there's any team that can say the same other than Detroit.

Hopefully this time the run will be a little bit longer.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Really?

This has been easily the most boring playoffs for me personaly.. It has alot to do with how soft we are... i hate seeing pass pass shoot block pass shot pass pass skate skate pass..

i like seeing hits fights blood anger emotions..

Yeah, the Wings winning on a consistent basis and going to the conference finals for the 2nd year in a row and making a deep playoff run 2 years in a row certainly sucks doesn't it?

If you don't like it, don't watch.

I'd rather see the team win first.

Edited May 10, 2008 by SouthernWingsFan

[OsGOD 3]

for tonight.... its called FRANZEN!

[eva unit zero 271]

Wow awesome 1 big hit every other game, man am i syked about that.. Come on guys, Your telling me you dont miss some old time hockey? With some serious feirce checking.. with tons of emotion in the game..

I mean i like seeing a beutiful 1 timer just as much as the other guy, But during the in-between time i'd love to see some more Physical play.. Wings ARE SOFT.. Zetta/Huds and Flipper are the most pathetic people to watch when they are not scoring.. NOT SAYING THAT I DONT LIKE Z OR FLIPPER im just saying It's a sad sight to see, When a player is afraid to finish a check..

What you are basically saying:

I value a guy who will hit every game but be otherwise average over a player who will score a point every game or two and play solid defense.

What that statement effectively means:

I would rather watch a team full of physical guys who fight every game than a Stanley Cup champion who doesn't win through having the most muscle in the league.

If you can't accept that fast paced, skill-based hockey is a better game than clutch and grab hockey where the winner is the team that can put the most hurt on their opponents and get away with it...then you should go watch UFC because hockey is not for you.

[VM1138 1,921]

Fisticuffs have their role, and certainly it's exciting having a team that CAN fight back. But that's like...a few seconds a game of excitement. I personally LIKE watching the pass-pass-pass-crazy backwards spin-goal.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Wow awesome 1 big hit every other game, man am i syked about that.. Come on guys, Your telling me you dont miss some old time hockey? With some serious feirce checking.. with tons of emotion in the game..

I mean i like seeing a beutiful 1 timer just as much as the other guy, But during the in-between time i'd love to see some more Physical play.. Wings ARE SOFT.. Zetta/Huds and Flipper are the most pathetic people to watch when they are not scoring.. NOT SAYING THAT I DONT LIKE Z OR FLIPPER im just saying It's a sad sight to see, When a player is afraid to finish a check..

The difference between a boxing match and a hockey fight. is that when there is a hockey fight there is actual emotions.. there is something new every fight.. Unlike boxing where to technical and slow paced.. I agree with you with seeing some huge hits.. but for the most part.. they are not from the wings.. aside from the random Kronwall sightings and the few Drake runnings.

Yes it does suck, that we lead the league last year with the least amount of fights and was in 2nd with least amount this year.. Im sorry i enjoy a certain style of hockey... god i hate all of you who are so damn condensending with your remarks.. I STATED A FREAKING OPPINION..

----

I'am not ttrying to ruffle feathers, im just saying i love physical hockey and i miss the old days..I like big hits, I like emotional games , i love hockey fights.. I'd like too see some more of it during the rest of the playoffs.. sorry if i hurt your feelings by expressing an oppinion

How'd you like last night's game then? Pretty physical hockey there..........

[va Winger 0]

I think the emotion is still there. The game has changed. The new NHL is targeted to skill players, not goons who exact revnge with fights and grappling play. I too miss some of the pugilistic rivalries, but I love the fast skill laden game now. this is an amazing game of teamwork and unbelievable endurance and conditioning........I like it the way it is now................ where your dedication to skating, stick handling and team work make you the best you can be................

[C-TownWing 0]

Only a Wings fan could have his team up 2-0 in the conference finals and STILL ***** about how we got there.

It might be hard to believe after 15+ years, but there will be a point in the future where the Wings AREN'T freaking sweet, and you'll regret not enjoying this.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Only a Wings fan could have his team up 2-0 in the conference finals and STILL ***** about how we got there.

Quoted. For. Truth.

I'm a Wings fan. Therefore my priorities, when I sit down to watch a Wings game, go like this:

1. Wings win.

2. Wings win.

3. Wings win.

4. Wings win.

...

20. Wings win.

Get the picture? Boo-hoo, wah-wah, the game isn't physical enough. OK, sure. If given the choice between "Wings win 4-3 in an exciting, physical, hard-hitting game and make Steve Ott's face bloody in the process," and "Wings win 3-1 in a yawner where the Stars just don't seem to care," I'll take the physical game. But you know what? This needs to be emphasized:

The Wings are on a 8-game win streak that dates back to an overtime Game 5 in the first round. And that's not good enough????? Are you seriously saying that if the Wings win the Cup this year, you're gonna look back on the 2008 playoffs and remember how bored you were?

I'm sorry some of you take no joy in watching the incredible skill guys like Datsyuk and Z have, even when it doesn't result in a goal. Too bad you're missing out on the pure hustle that Flip uses to outrace guys to the puck and draw penalties (it led to a key power play goal in Game 1, remember?) What a shame you root for the finest hockey club in the world and you can't enjoy it when they use all three layers, from forward to defenseman to goalie, to so thoroughly suffocate the opposition's attack that they can't even muster 5 shots in goal in 20 minutes.

I'm enjoying these playoffs immensely. There's so much to enjoy about this team. We have the absolute best hockey player in the world here. We have guys who sacrifice their health to stand in front of the net. We have old friends who came back out of pure loyalty to the city and the team playing a huge role. Hell it damn near brings a tear to my eye to know that Chris Osgood preferred being a backup in Detroit to a starting job anywhere else - and now he's got his shot, playing fantastic hockey and leading our charge toward Stanley. There's more to hockey than hits. (Which the Wings deliver a fair share of too.) There's storylines, hustle, the way your eyes rivet to the screen when the Wings are protecting a one-goal lead in the final 10 minutes....if all of this is not good enough, then maybe the LNAH is more your style.

[WingsForever 2]

it all boils down to the NHL trying to clean up the sport. They want less fights and less violence it seems.

heck. they don't even let people fight anymore if there are two linesman around.

they separate the two immediately. oh well. Detroit's physical game comes from #55. He's the guy who will catch you with your head down and make you pay.

Though Drake had a good hit last night too.

[LIDDYGIBBY5 1]

Really?

This has been easily the most boring playoffs for me personaly.. It has alot to do with how soft we are... i hate seeing pass pass shoot block pass shot pass pass skate skate pass..

i like seeing hits fights blood anger emotions..

Then go watch Mixed Martial Arts. Hockey is not all about fighting!. It is part of the game, not the entire game. The game isn't decided by who has the most uppercuts landed in a game, or the most hip checks delivered. I'm am by no means saying that those things aren't important but they aren't the only things. You need to pass, shoot, block, and skate to win. This team is exciting to watch and they have won eight in a row. They are 10-2 in the playoffs. Don Cherry says something on ESPN and the some run like sheep over the edge of the cliff.

Edited May 11, 2008 by LIDDYGIBBY5