So, how about the Pens?

[Pensfan 0]

Who gets their hockey news from ESPN?

Interesting stat, take it for what it's worth.

Penguins record vs. the Western Conference this year: 8-1-1

Pens vs. Ducks : 5-4 W

Pens vs. Avalanche : 2-3 L

Pens vs. Wild : 4-2 W

Pens vs. Stars : 4-1 W

Pens vs. Coyotes : 3-1 W

Pens vs. Oilers : 4-2 W

Pens vs. Flames : 3-2 W

Pens vs. Canucks : 2-1 W

Pens vs. Kings : 4-2 W

Pens vs. Sharks : 2-1 SO L

[Rivalred 630]

Burnside already has his preview up:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2008...mp;lid=tab1pos1

EDIT: Guess the Wings are the underdogs...? Funny how that works.

"Burnside" needs some "side burns".....

[Dabura 12,232]

I loathe all things ESPN, but Burnside tends to be pretty sharp and level-headed. And pro-Wings.

Kind of sad to see him jumping on the Pens bandwagon with this preview, but oh well.

[NHLrules? 32]

The real question is how far into the series will it go before some idiot here complains that we could've gotten Hossa if Holland didn't suck so bad.

Ill be that guy and get it out of the way:

We could've gotten Hossa if Holland didn't suck so bad.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

So if Johan is ready to go..

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Filpula-Franzen-Hudler

Maltby-Draper-Cleary

Drake-Helm-Samuelson

or fiddle with the 3rd/4th lines. I'd say Crosby will play against ZDH, Staal will play against Franzen, and Malkin against Draper. I like our chances.

And our defence owns Pittsburgh.

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Chelios-Lebda

Lilja

Gonchar-Whitney

Orpik-Letang

Scuderi-Gill

Sydor

Come on now folks, if the Wings play hard for 60 minutes in every game they should crush the Penguins, but I think it will go at least 5, and if Pittsburgh really bring it to us maybe 7.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Wings are the favourite, at least in Vegas

Melrose also picked the Wings, not sure if thats a good thing. I think it'll be 50/50 on the "experts" opinoins.

Detroit and Pitts stack up pretty good with one another. I think they have a bit more offensive depth, while we have more defensive depth and play a better all around game. It'll be a good series, i say Det in 6 or 7.

[fastballspecial 0]

Babcock should look into splitting Lidstrom and Rafalski.

Lidstrom - Kronwall

Rafalski - Stuart

Chelios/Lilja - Lebda

Makes sense to me.

[Third Man In 2,091]

Pens vs. Avalanche : 2-3 L

You lost to the Avs this year? How did you manage that? The Wings were 8-0 against them, playoffs included.

Just kidding, of course!

The Pens didn't become legitimate Cup contenders with the rise of Malkin or the addition of Hossa. They became Cup contenders in February when they learned to play team defence, and this makes them a formidable opponent. Pitt and Detroit are 1-2 in GAA these playoffs, and it's no coincidence they are the teams squaring off in the Finals. The Pens are also rested. This should be the Wings' sternest test.

A lot rides on Mule. If he can play and picks up where he left off, than the Wings can match the Pens up front. The Wings have a solid edge on defence, and while Fleury is a legitimate Conn Smythe candidate in goal for the Pens, Ozzie's been every bit as good and has been here before.

Then, it's experience vs. youthful exuberance.

[Rivalred 630]

Anyone know where Pitts was at in the standings when Marc Andre went down with his injury and Conklin took over in net?

- Just want to look at the numbers for curiosity...

[zaxx 0]

No one has mentioned yet that our second line is almost as good as our first in our own end. That is if Franzen can come back he is plays a great defensive game enough that he gets regular shifts on the penalty kill. A second line with Franzen healthy would give a strong offensive push to compete with Malkin's line while being able to shut down the pens offense.

[Pensfan 0]

Anyone know where Pitts was at in the standings when Marc Andre went down with his injury and Conklin took over in net?

- Just want to look at the numbers for curiosity...

15-12-2 before Fleury went down.

I really don't know where they were in the standings at the time though. I'm sure you could make an educated guess with their record at the time.

[WiNgSowN 0]

Question: Is Gary Roberts hurt or something? I haven't heard nothing about him this playoffs and thats unusual cause he's like the definition of playoff performer.

Edited May 20, 2008 by WiNgSowN

[Pensfan 0]

Question: Is Gary Roberts hurt or something? I haven't heard nothing about him this playoffs and thats unusual cause he's like the definition of playoff performer.

Tell me about it. He's out with pneumonia right now. He's only played 6 games this playoff run (2g-1a on the 4th line), but rumor has it he'll be ready if not for game one, but game two.

[WiNgSowN 0]

Tell me about it. He's out with pneumonia right now. He's only played 6 games this playoff run (2g-1a on the 4th line), but rumor has it he'll be ready if not for game one, but game two.

Oh Thanks. I really respect him as a player. He always does whats best for the team. He's a good guy to have on your team.

[Pensfan 0]

Oh Thanks. I really respect him as a player. He always does whats best for the team. He's a good guy to have on your team.

Definitely. With the Penguins going further and further into uncharted territory, you need somebody on the bench (and in the locker room) who knows what it takes to win. The Penguins are definitely unexperienced compared to the Red wings, but I'm still holding onto the young "we have something to prove" philosophy.

Edited May 20, 2008 by Pensfan

[Rivalred 630]

For some reason I see this series as "Yzerman v.s. Lemeiux" even though it is not.....

[poxer 0]

I'll try to give a realist match-up with the pens.

Detroit Offense

1. Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

2. Hudler-Filppula-Cleary

3. Drake-Draper-Samuelson

4. McCarty-Helm-Maltby

Detroit Defense

1. Lidstrom-Rafalski

2. Stuart-Kronwall

3. Lebda-Lilja/Chelios

(Thanks to Pensfan for the update on the lines for the Penguins)

Penguin Offense

1. Dupuis-Crosby-Hossa

2. Malone-Malkin-Sykora

3. Kennedy-Staal-Ruutu

4. Laraque-Talbot-Hall (Roberts)

Penguin Defense

1. Gonchar-Orpik

2. Whitney-Letang (Scuderi)

3. Gill-Scuderi (Letang)

And now because i'm very tired and kinda lazy at the moment I'll refer to each line as DO1, DD1, ect...

These are the match-ups that I think might and could happen.

PO1, PD1 vs DO3, DD1/2

PO2, PD2/3 vs DO2, DD2/3

PO3, PD1/3 vs DO1, DD1

PO4, PD1/2/3 vs DO4, DD1/2/3

Discuss?

Edited May 20, 2008 by poxer

[WINGS TILL DEATH 9]

I think that is funny.

I think the Pens have been good offensively. But have they met the likes of Lidstrom/Rafi/Kronwall/Stuart?

I think they will be getting a rude awakening when Kronner hits them or even Drake. I think we will play a more physical game then they are used too. Plus, Drake and a few others REALLY want this bad and they have more experience so they should take it in 5 or 6!!

There better not be a SiD the Kid homer butt's too big cry baby session!

We've been good offensively as well! We scored 4 in a row tonight, and remember routing Colorado? Also the West as of the 2004 has always been more physical then the East. They wont be able to compete with that. I can't wait to see Sid get himself demoralized by a massive open ice hit from Kronner! I want to see it no weaker then a freight train into a pigeon; of course not with the same fatal results.

Play so physical that the Pens are scared to touch the puck.

[Pensfan 0]

I don't really know the lines for the Penguins but I'll make them up.

Penguin Offense

1. Hossa-Crosby-Malkin

2. Malone-Staal-Sykora

3. Dupuis-Talbot-Ruutu

4. Laraque-Kennedy-Hall

Penguin Defense

1. Gonchar-Whitney

2. Gill-Scudari

3. Orpik-Letang

(as I said before, I don't know their lines so if someone wants to tell me the lines i'll change it but for now this stays)

Dupuis - Crosby - Hossa

Malone - Malkin - Sykora

Kennedy - Staal - Ruutu

Laraque - Talbot - Hall (Roberts)

Gonchar - Orpik

Whitney - Letang (Scuderi)

Gill - Scuderi (Letang)

Kennedy and Talbot get switched around sometimes during the game. Sometimes you'll even see Laraque with Malkin and Staal. Therrien usually starts with this and then there's no telling.

Edited May 20, 2008 by Pensfan

[Cern 0]

the young "we have something to prove" philosophy.

Funnily enough, I think it's the Wings with that philosophy in hand. Every sportscaster in North America has barely stopped short of coronating the Cup to Cindy right here and now. Detroit?

Predictions split with Nashville, predictions split with Colorado, practically awarding Dallas the 33 Year Comeback the second Game 5 ended, too old, too European, too complacent in the post-season to get the job done. If I was on that Wings roster I'd be fed up with it year after year, and now that they're this close to getting the top prize I think they're going out to prove everyone wrong.

[poxer 0]

I hope Wings win just to Chelios retires. He's getting too old.

[Datsyerberger 279]

Babcock should look into splitting Lidstrom and Rafalski.

Lidstrom - Kronwall

Rafalski - Stuart

Chelios/Lilja - Lebda

Makes sense to me.

IF that were to be done, and I think it highly unlikely, I'd do Lidstrom-Stuart and Raffy-Kronner instead. Why? Kronner is more responsible with his hits, and Rafalski has the offensive edge to be able to take advantage of them quickly. Stuart is less responsible with his hits overall, though is still quite solid and physical (usually), and this would pair up well with the non-physical Lidstrom (who can also keep things from turning sour when Stuart lands a big hit).

But I'd rather keep them as they are.

[Firehawk 305]

I think if we continue to play a heavy puck possession game, we'll keep their big lines off the board much like we did with the Avs and Stars for most of those series. If you don't have the puck, you can't score goals.

[ThreeRiversFan 0]

Pavel and Hank will be busy keeping Malkin and Crosby tied up and vice versa....

Now just have to think who will tie up Sykora and Hossa....

You do realize that Malkin and Crosby are on seperate lines....right?

See...this is the dilemma...Pens have two 1st lines....pick your poison.....

I was so impressed with Zetterburg and Datsyuk defensively....but playing all that defense against either of our top two lines

will limit their offensive production.

Franzen is the X-factor...if he comes back...things will be very interesting

[Guest LivingtheDream]

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.

Interesting, so they are little babies with a temper? Fantastic. Did you tell Babs about this? Who would you pair with Draper to take on their second line? Mac has me worried being so slow and out of shape.