WoopWoopDangleDangle

Actually, looking at the Sharks last series, I wouldn't call Niemi and Howard a wash.  The edge in Niemi v Howard in these first series definitley goes to Howard.  San Jose needs him to be much better to have a shot.  Wings need Howard to be as good or better to have a shot.  
The other aspect of keeping goals out of our net is defense.  Edge goes to the Wings.  Not even close.
Power Kill- for the Wings needs to be much better, especially considering our many, many two player vacations to the box in last years series.  (btw...how much did that end up costing the Sharks$ and was it line itemed as "Bettman Ref Assurance Payment" in their FY2010 financials??...just curious...anyway)...
Forwards- I kind of have a slight change of angle from your opionion; yes, the Sharks may have more quality forwards, but collectively I believe some of our forwards are on a different planet when it comes to playing the playoff game and production (Dats, Z) and are as potent as the Sharks.  The way our 4th line played the last series, I may even question your orginal statement of "more".  I like the Wings chances and believe whatever the outcome, this will be a lot of fun.

hope you dont think i wrote that lol

And what hilarious blogger wrote this?

Puck Daddy via Yahoo

i find role players to be of as high quality as scorers
and this is true dats and hank can be on a completely different level when in the playoffs..id even throw franzen in there

The first real indication that the Sharks were shedding the choker label was last spring, when they built a 3-0 lead on the Red Wings in the conference semifinals, got their asses handed to them in Game 4, but still managed to close out the series in Game 5. Now, that maturation as a contender has continued, to the point where Joe Thornton(notes) — Joe Thornton! — is scoring clutch, series-winning goals.

But while the Sharks are learning to be a champion, the majority of this Red Wings roster has been one. They dispatched the Phoenix Coyotes with an assassin's resolve. They'll be rested. They'll be healthy. They'll be ready.

Leaning Towards … The Sharks. Niemi and Howard are a wash, and San Jose has more quality depth at forward than Detroit. This is a different Sharks team; dare I say a special one?




kinda bolded what i found funny

all we can ask for is a really good series

I'll put it this way...there is a reason my first hockey jersey was Helmer

and having him behind Datsyuk in the voting isnt THAT bad

Very helpful thanks for the input.
I'm from LA so i know what to do/not do here but I have never been to Arizona so I'm just trying to get some opinions off  whoever has been there/lives there.
Hope to be able to make it!