The schedule:

Game 1 -- Friday at Detroit, 7 p.m., Versus
Game 2 -- Sunday at Detroit, 2 p.m., NBC
Game 3 -- Tuesday at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., FSN, Versus
Game 4 -- Thursday, May 7 at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., Versus
x-Game 5 -- Sunday, May 10 at Detroit, 5 p.m., FSN
x-Game 6 -- Tuesday, May 12 at Anaheim, TBD, FSN, Versus
x-Game 7 -- Thursday, May 14 at Detroit, TBD, FSN, Versus
x-if necessary

I'm glad I can actually watch more than game one

I CANT WAIT FOR A HOCKEY GAME!

I agree. This series can't come soon enough.

I think that the Ducks might have taken the Wings in round one but the Wings seem to be back to playoff form. I think they'll do what every team thinks it should do against the Wings (and Wojo has a great column today on this): they'll play uber-physical and believe that they can intimidate :us: .

Oh yeah, and I fucking hate Pronger. I still get goose bumps every time I remember Stevie Y low-bridging the fuck and ruining that bastard's knee.

I think this is the possibility that that I was least looking forward to, but...

HOCKEY TIME!!!

Damn, can't watch game 1. I'll be watching every other game though. I suppose I could try to catch it at a bar somewhere.

I hope this layoff doesn't squash that swerve we had on.

As long as the Wings keep an eye on Charlie Conway and Adam Banks they should be fine. Banks has been on a roll lately, but he's just a cake-eater. Fulton Reed has a fantastic slap shot and Ken Wu has some great figure skating-esque moves, but I'm pretty sure Lidstrom and Rafalski can handle them. I just hope Stuart and Kronwall don't take it easy on Connie Moreau because she's a chick.

If the Wings can get a couple of early goals on Goldberg, I think his confidence faulters and we take the series pretty easily. I just think Gordon Bombay has lost his passion for coaching. I heard he returned to alcoholism, but owner "Mr. Ducksworth" isn't saying anything.

Cake-eater...lol

"You frickin cake-eater" I'm going to use that.

1 MORE DAY!

Yeah, I'm getting really hyped for this. I even had my Datsyuk jersey sent to me. I've been thinking a lot about the series (read too much) and here are some of the things I hope to see:

1. I hope the Ducks take stupid penalties and we can kill them on the powerplay. I think if we can convert at 25% we hurt them and if we get to 30% they're in trouble.

2. I hope we can still get goals and great shifts from our three and four lines. I'm fine with our one or two line just working to shut down their one line. It's way more important for their production than our top two lines are for ours.

3. I hope we can keep getting goals around the net. I missed big chunks of the Columbus series (Dad guy stuff I guess you could say), but I saw a lot of goals with guys in front of the goalie or picking up and shooting the puck all in tight around the net. It took a toll on one great young goalie and I'd like to see it again.

4. I hope we move our feet and the puck fast in our own end. Aside from the fact that when we don't move it fast we tend to make mistakes, I think they'll really try and pressure us and hope that they can forecheck the hell out of us. I'd love to see the Wings move out quickly in their own end and put the Ducks on their heels.

As long as the Wings keep an eye on Charlie Conway and Adam Banks they should be fine. Banks has been on a roll lately, but he's just a cake-eater. Fulton Reed has a fantastic slap shot and Ken Wu has some great figure skating-esque moves, but I'm pretty sure Lidstrom and Rafalski can handle them. I just hope Stuart and Kronwall don't take it easy on Connie Moreau because she's a chick.

If the Wings can get a couple of early goals on Goldberg, I think his confidence faulters and we take the series pretty easily. I just think Gordon Bombay has lost his passion for coaching. I heard he returned to alcoholism, but owner "Mr. Ducksworth" isn't saying anything.

LOL

Half and hour to go and I've got two cases of beer in the fridge and my red on.

This is going to be a long 30 minutes.

5 mins

I know nothing of Hossa, but hope he likes getting into the 2nd round. I know he wants more, but hopefully he's enjoying this.

Dats and Hossa out there and no one picks up the second trailer. Ouch.

Missed it. I'm worried we're going to be a lil sluggish tonight.

I think we've come out moving and hitting. The one flat-footed moment was the goal of course and I would like to see some more quality chances but I think we're doing pretty well.

Fucking punk Brown.

See...someone needs an asswhoopin already.

You can't extend your arms like that to the head, can you?

Time suit up and drop the gloves Tahoe.

nvm...penalty. major too

Time suit up and drop the gloves Tahoe.

I swear to God, I would. I seriously would.

No you can't.

Even if he just used his hip on the body he gets a crushing hit, but what he did was wrong on a few levels.

Stupid penalty from the Ducks. We HAVE to make them pay.

Franzen.

Pay motherfuckers PAY!!!!

Wow, he just kind of walked on in there.

Now that we've got the 1st one, I want another.

Come on. Set it up and get another.

Keep up the play by play guys!! I don't get versus on my cable, so your my only hope.

How do they look without Rafalski?

GO WINGS!!

www.atdhe.net and you can stream the game.

Not a bad first. I'd have liked to see another goal on that PP, but I have to admit that the Ducks killed it well.

We have to shut down that damn Getzlaf line. They're in deep shit if we do that.

www.atdhe.net and you can stream the game.


Uuuugghhh, my damn internet is too slow to watch it. Thanks any ways though.

Oh hell yeah!!

Ericsson!

Erickson just thumped someone with a nice right cross.

Nothing too serious, but just getting out some stress I'd imagine.

It's saying, "we are NOT going to stand and take your bullshit." It was a nice shot and proof that the Wings will not be intimidated.

On the fourth beer already so I might be getting carried away.

The Ducks look feisty. I thought they might be a flash winning the SJ series, but they look like they will play like this every night.

Oh they are NO flash. They are a tough team with strong D and a great one line.

Aaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!! I can't take this. I'm going to the bar.

I've been there JT.

DE...I don't get all the games out here and I just based that statement off of them being the 8th seed. I KNOW NOTHING

I just set here and laugh watching hockey. I love baseball, but a pitcher throws a pitch, scratches his nuts, picks his nose, thinks about something or other and then gets ready to throw another pitch.

Hockey is assholes and elbows. They are swinging sticks, spinning around, falling, skating, shooting...it looks gracefully out of control. Its a great sport.

And no sport beats it live. I love baseball, football and basketball too, but there's nothing like watching a great hockey game live.

Any thoughts on Hiller? Streaky? Consistenlty

LIDSTROM

Hell yeah!! I will be beating that horse....make those bastards pay!!

Hiller's been solid this year but we can rattle him with close shots, rebounds and red jerseys in front of him. Homer being Homer helps big time.

Any time you can get a score from a defender is a good thing, I think.

Gravy

Damn, I thought we had one on the rebound on the Franzen rush/shot

I hate calls like that in the playoffs.

FUCK!!

+1

OZZIE!

I missed the goal, but Ozzie was stellar right there.

edit...There was no goal. It was 2-2 at the end of the 3rd. geesh.

I'd like to see us move more and definitely have the puck more. They're taking us off our game and they're playing well on the penalty kill. We're playing all right, but we need to put on more pressure.

I dont' want to go to OT in the 1st game of the series.

LIDSTROM

Is that his 2nd tonight.

5 hole.

Holy shit that was awesome.

They stood around and he saw it and shoved that mistake down their throat.

THATS TOUGH...to come back from that with 50 ticks left.

If you can teach young defensemen when to keep following the play, that would be the textbook way to do it. He is, without a doubt, THE best defenseman of my lifetime and probably will always be.

Holy shit that goal is FULL

Great game. Gotta get that all important 1st game of the series at home.

Great playoff win. They were so tough but we got great goaltending and key plays. They really had a great chance to steal one from us there.

Hopefully it scared us enough for the boys to know the Ducks are for real.

I'm glad I watched this instead of the Tigers. Fun to watch.

I would have liked to have seen 59:30 more of that game than I did... but it sounds like a tough, good win.

HELLS YEAH!!!!

So glad I went out to watch that! Those f'n Duck's are going to be tough, but they are dumb as hell. "Our" power play will make them pay and Hiller will start to feel the pressure as this goes along.

On a side note: I'm patiently waiting for Hossa to be huge, not that he is playing bad, but let's score some goals buddy.

I hope he does come up huge, but it felt like Babcock had him out against the Getzlaf line a lot. I would like to see us take it to that line more than sitting back and trying to defend them.

We didn't deserve that win. Osgood was shakey and our passing was absolutely horrible. We looked like we haven't played in a month. I just hope we pick it up for game 2. The only one who can beat the Wings is the Wings.

I disagree with you. I agree that the Wings can do better and did not dominate the game like we know they can. I also think the Anaheim probably took the play to the Wings in the second period.

But I thought they were skating and moving and playing D over the length of the ice (for the most part). They also won most of the important statistical battles. They had more shots, more hits, won more faceoffs (big-time) and were +4 in giveaways/takeaways.

Most importantly they did what it took to win and stepped up. They attacked the net with close shots and screens and used their bodies on both ends of the ice. Ozzie was huge and Lidstrom is stellar.

Not all wins are going to be 4-0 and I like how the Wings didn't have their A game, were playing an incredibly tough team and still did what it took to win.

Man, why do the Wings and Tigs have to be playing at (roughly) the same time again...

Hawks and Bulls last night for ChiTown too. I don't get it.

Hossa already with a couple of nice checks. I like it.

OH MAN! Did Ozzie just stone Miller!

Nice goal. Backhander

And the Ducks had clearly been the better team. That has to hurt. Well, I sure hope it hurt.

I won't say we're lucky to be tied after that first period but the Ducks took the play to the Wings way more.

I won't say we're lucky to be tied after that first period but the Ducks took the play to the Wings way more.

Yeah. I don't like this game so far, and if I hadn't seen the score I would assume the Wings were down.

Miller will be having nightmares about a giant sized Ozzie tonight.

And our 1 and 2 lines have to start fucking stepping up.

How the hell did we have almost 2 weeks off and Rafaski is scratch again?

And I think that both Draper and Rafalski would help us a lot more with moving and playing better team D.

Ugh. We got owned that period.

Best shift of the game from that line. Great goal.

I really like that camera view that NBC has up high and behind the goal. You get to see the whole ice and watch plays develop.

Yeah, its fantastic during the power play when you know they're spending 90% of the time in that zone.

The Wings looked like the Wings the last 10+ minutes of OT. Keepaway puck control, letting plays develop... beautiful.

Well that sucks. Took up most of my day too. I suppose it's not in question or else there would have been a stink about it... but I never saw the puck actually go in the goal. Every view I saw I couldn't tell if it hit the post or went in, and the net barely moved.

I didn't watch the replays because as soon as they scored I turned off the TV in disgust. You're right about their great play in OT Uxka and maybe this loss will make them realize that they can start doing that in the first two periods and not thinking that they can just wait for the third to turn on the jets.

I just assumed we'd win it. Series on!

Coaches disagree on lack of Brown suspension, Rafalski not playing, Cleary is playing, Ericsson on his fight...


DETROIT -- It appears Mike Brown (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3523)'s hit on Jiri Hudler (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2120) won't cost the Anaheim Ducks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=ana) forward any further discipline. He got a five-minute interference call and a game misconduct Friday night in Game 1, and the league must believe that was enough punishment.
A source in the Ducks' front office said Saturday afternoon they had not heard from the league, which means Brown is likely in the clear. Usually, by then, the team would have heard if there was a hearing.
"It was a hard hockey hit," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said Saturday after practice. "It wasn't late. The time that he moved the puck, not a second passed. People say it was a headshot, but I'd say the player is admiring his pass and not looking. He's susceptible to a body check and that's what he received."
Wings coach Mike Babcock called the hit dirty and vicious Friday night, but wasn't in the mood to go there again Saturday.
"Nothing's changed for me, but it doesn't matter what I think," he said. "I'm not making these decisions."
The Ducks were angry about another hit, the one from Detroit's Niklas Kronwall (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2127) on forward Ryan Carter (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3441).
"It's amazing there was no review on the Kronwall check on Ryan Carter," said Carlyle. "Cut him in the first period, jumped and left his feet. But there were no replays on that. We let the league make those decisions.
"The league has a job to do and they have to protect people involved. We live by their decision and move on."
No Rafalski
When the Wings took to the ice for practice Saturday, star defenseman Brian Rafalski (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=755) was missing again, as was winger Daniel Cleary (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=163).
"Cleary will play, he's just an anti-practice thing," Babcock said with a laugh. "And Rafalski won't play. The lineup will be the same."
The Rafalski "upper-body injury" is a real head-scratcher. He was fine in the opening-round sweep over Columbus and somehow got hurt during the time off between rounds.
Asked whether he remained day to day, Babcock said: "Ah, sure."
Veteran forward Kris Draper (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=228) also remains out with an upper-body injury. He has yet to play in the postseason and that's been very frustrating for him.
"To say the least," Draper said Saturday. "It's something that surprised me. I certainly didn't think it would come to this, missing not only the first series, but now the first two games here. It's tough. This is the greatest time of year to be a hockey player and to sit here and to be able to do all the things I can do but not go out and play is frustrating. But I have to deal with it. I come to the rink every day with a good mindset."
Ericsson drops 'em
People were still buzzing after Jonathan Ericsson's Game 1 fight with Corey Perry (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2273), but the fact is, the 25-year-old Swedish blueliner had 83 penalty minutes in the AHL this season and isn't shy to drop 'em. He introduced himself to Buffalo's Drew Stafford (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3327) on April 6, as well. We don't think Perry will make the same mistake again after taking the worst of that one Friday night.
"The coach told me a few times to stay out of scrums and just play hard," Ericsson said Saturday. "But it was a good trade. I don't think he was too mad at me."
Ericsson said he never fought in Sweden for fear of suspension, but he learned in Grand Rapids (AHL) from Daryl Bootland and Brad Norton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=1381).
"It's nothing I ever look for. It was Perry who wanted to go [Friday]. I didn't ask him," said Ericsson.

I have problems with this:


"It was a hard hockey hit," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said Saturday after practice. "It wasn't late. The time that he moved the puck, not a second passed. People say it was a headshot, but I'd say the player is admiring his pass and not looking. He's susceptible to a body check and that's what he received."

he says it wasn't a second late, then he talks about Hudler admiring his pass and not paying attention. So if it wasn't late, how did Hudler have time to admire it?

BS, that hit was at least a couple seconds after the puck was gone.

I'm going to sound as old as Tahoe or like Mickey Redmond, but in my day it was strides and not seconds. You got one stride (more or less) to finish the check.

The fact is that Hudler didn't see Brown and was looking back at his pass rather than anticipating the check. Those are great times when you really get to lay out another player. Unfortunately for Brown, Hudler was more than a couple of strides away (and I agree with Chris on the seconds too). The other problem for Brown was that Hudler, already a smaller player, was crouched pretty low.

With all of that Brown's up straight and he got Hudler in the head with his entire wing. If he crouches and puts the wing in Hudler's body it looks like a shoulder hit. If he got really low he could have plastered Hudler with vicious hip check.

I honestly don't think Brown really tried to elbow Hudler in the head. But he was too late and his hit was too high. He fucked up. Admit it and shut up already. But then again, I guess you are supposed to complain about it as much as you can.

Terry Sawchuck and Brad Park baby

Damn late game. Plus I'm guessing it's on VS or NHLN, so I won't get the NHL playoff hockey game in bed.

Watching the game in bed is definitely Dad type.

AmIright?

REAL FANS watch the game and sleep on the couch. Sometimes wives just need to suffer a lil bit.

1 hour 20 minutes to go

REAL FANS watch the game and sleep on the couch. Sometimes wives just need to suffer a lil bit.

STFU!!

Honestly I don't know if I would survive tomorrow if I watched the whole game. I barely made it through today I was draggin so bad, and 5ish hours or less of sleep isn't going to cut it.

Little one keeping you up?

Oh Snap! Right off the face off.

Wings 1-0

what???!!!

Man, I'm sorry. Thats kind of being a dick. I shouldn't have done that.

They're still just skating around....warming up.

LMAO!! I got it after I really looked, but you couldn't have had a better set up. I was putzing around in the kitchen, saw the time and walked over quickly to family room to see if I had missed anything when I saw your post.

I admit I freaked. But just a bit.

I'm happy Dave Strader is calling the game.

Our PP numbers are good this series but I like what the Ducks do to us. Instead of getting into their box they cover the entire ice and do everything possible to not let us gain the zone and set it up.

My buddy out here (from Michigan, Wings fan) and me agreed with the sentiment and complained for years that the Wings played finesse hockey all year and won, but come playoff time, teams got physical and we couldn't handle it.

I don't follow it enough to say for sure, but it looks like the Ducks are more physical than we are. And thats not a good thing, imo.

BTW...Hossa with an opportunity there, not great, but he had a chance and came up empty again.

Has he done anything this year in the playoffs?

I think the Wings have conquered that now. Look at the hit Dats got to start the game. Look at the number of hits delivered by both teams in the first two games. They're (the Ducks) bigger and stronger and like to scrap more, but the Wings are a checking team.

OH SHIT

Sammy had it on his stick and couldn't stuff it home

Up and down skating and hitting and they call THAT penalty? Ugh.

That was a great penalty kill.

I think the Wings have conquered that now. Look at the hit Dats got to start the game. Look at the number of hits delivered by both teams in the first two games. They're (the Ducks) bigger and stronger and like to scrap more, but the Wings are a checking team.

Yeah, good points.

We sure seem to be more physical, I was just begining to worry again when the Ducks seem to have stretches where they are the more physical team.

I never thought it was fair to say the Wings got out-physicaled. They choose to not be goons, to not get dirty if they don't have to... and it's because generally the team is full of players that can play successfully like that. If a team lands a couple decent checks in a series, muddys the water a lil, and wins the series, it's an easy out for the writers.

It's time to put Chelios to pasture.

Well... fuck.

I never thought it was fair to say the Wings got out-physicaled. They choose to not be goons, to not get dirty if they don't have to... and it's because generally the team is full of players that can play successfully like that. If a team lands a couple decent checks in a series, muddys the water a lil, and wins the series, it's an easy out for the writers.

I think there were times when the physical play in the playoffs did affect the Wings. Remember those games when the Wings would have 50 shots on net but like 2 goals and made some goalie look great. I felt that in some of those games the other teams physical play forced the Wings to take those shots and kept them from getting down deeper in the zone.

It was the late Federov years that bugged us. I think it was post Probert and Kocur.

Nice glove by Oz.

Zet brought it in twice and was 1 on 3 and 1 on 2.

Seriously, I need to quit fucking worrying and bitching about the past and enjoy this run. We lost 1 fucking game and I'm ready to consider the Wings 'done'.

<-----UNHAPPY!

To borrow an argument from Motown, I think Babcock should switch Z and Hossa and put Dats and Z back together. We haven't had a dominant line in this series. Dats brings out the best in his linemates and we need to unleash Z. Franzen can center Hossa and Cleary or we can really mix things up, but I'd like to see if Dats and Z can start tearing it up. I want a line that just really takes it to them and puts them back on their heels.

Agree. Their D is tough. Try something.

I'm really starting to hate Hiller

I think interference is the call refs made when they have no fucking clue what to call. Just incredible.

FUCK

Tahoe can't you just drive a couple of hours and give Getzlaf a really good case of food poisoning or something? Needledick maybe their captain and Marchant the veteran but Getzlaf is half their fucking team.

I don't know enough about the Wings this year to know if they have that comeback game that they obviously need right now.

I sure am glad that we won that 1st game...and we won that one with less than a minute to go, iirc.

I think interference is the call refs made when they have no fucking clue what to call. Just incredible.

That was a fucked up call. He played the puck for chrissakes.

Every time I see Chelios on the ice, I see him make a mistake. Rafalski, come back!!!!

I couldn't agree more.

To borrow an argument from Motown, I think Babcock should switch Z and Hossa and put Dats and Z back together. We haven't had a dominant line in this series. Dats brings out the best in his linemates and we need to unleash Z. Franzen can center Hossa and Cleary or we can really mix things up, but I'd like to see if Dats and Z can start tearing it up. I want a line that just really takes it to them and puts them back on their heels.
Agreed!


Anyone else notice that we keep driving into their zone with a 1 on 3 or a 2 on 5?

Who nailed him?

I'd like to go toe to toe with Pronger...even at my age I'd do it.

Score

Finally..PP goal

Now don't give a quick one up right away

It's nice to see us generate some real pressure now.

Another great PK.

I was a lil worried when they set it up with 15ish left.

Down 1-2...I'll take it right about now

Wings making a big push to open the 3rd, which is good. The problem is if you don't get a goal, you letdown a lil bit and then the other team gets the mo.

I just wish they'd play every period like this.

The Ducks defenders look huge

Tie it up on the PP

Chelios' lost 5 steps kills us on D but at least we get PPs out of it.

HOW CAN YOU BLOW THE WHISTLE THERE?

Fuck!

FUCK THOSE GUYS

THAT WAS A GOAL

WE GOT SCREWED!

I CAN'T BELIEVE WE GET ROBBED THERE

Why the fuck do we have 2 refs and 2 linesmen if they can't cover the ice and see the puck?

COCK SUCKERS

The puck actually crossed the line before the whistle sounded. WTF?

I know I'm a virgin when it comes to hockey knowledge and all, BUT I KNOW A FUCK JOB WHEN I SEE ONE!

I really feel robbed here.

I'd beat the livin piss out of someone down there..or at least try

And fucking cheap shot piece of shit Pronger....

Damn.

How can these announcers just move on after a travesty like that?

Is that the Pronger that used to play for St Louis?

Because they're right. The refs are taught that if they don't see the puck that they have to blow the whistle. The moron fucking ref closest to the play lost the puck and he blew the whistle.

Is that the Pronger that used to play for St Louis?

Same.

I'm seriously pissed

I wish I lived next door to that Gary Betman dude right now. I'd play Rap music all night long.

I AM ENRAGED. THAT WAS OUTRAGEOUS.

I'm seriously ready to shove someone

Because they're right. The refs are taught that if they don't see the puck that they have to blow the whistle. The moron fucking ref closest to the play lost the puck and he blew the whistle.

The puck was at least a foot from Hiller.

Thats ok, they just woke us up.

Why does it seem like the Wings are always on the wrong side of these types of calls?

Seriously, fuck that ref. I hope Kronwall gets him next game.

Because they're right. The refs are taught that if they don't see the puck that they have to blow the whistle. The moron fucking ref closest to the play lost the puck and he blew the whistle.

But why was the ref nowhere near the net. Usually they get right on top of the net when the puck is in that area. Prior to Hossa hitting it in there were no Wings in the crease at all, so it wasn't like they were jamming away and he had to stop it quickly. No need for the quick whistle when nobody is jamming away.

But why was the ref nowhere near the net. Usually they get right on top of the net when the puck is in that area. Prior to Hossa hitting it in there were no Wings in the crease at all, so it wasn't like they were jamming away and he had to stop it quickly. No need for the quick whistle when nobody is jamming away.

And you are 100% right about that. The announcers who, unless they work for a Detroit station, are going to stick to anything they can that will not say that the Wings got robbed. So he lost the puck. They're right. The fact that he screwed up completely because he wasn't in position (and I'll even go further than you and say that he had time and could see that he should be getting into position behind the net) is something they don't want to touch.

I fell asleep during 2nd intermission. Sounds like things kept going about the same though. Through the first 2 periods, the officiating was horrendous. They were calling little ticky-tac penalties on the Wings but letting the Ducks ride all over our guys. Hell, there were 3-4 cross checking calls away from the play that EVEN I saw, and I usually just follow the puck when I'm watching. It was ridiculous on every level.

Not to take anything away from the Ducks, they played a hell of a game, but you've got to call the game consistently. If you're going to let them be physical, you can't call Lidstrom for knocking a guys stick out of his hands (which honestly looked like the guy was barely holding it on purpose to get the call) going for the puck, then let one of their guys ram into the back of Osgood's head and knock him over after the whistle blew on the ensuing powerplay with no ramifications.

Put Z and Datsyuk back together with Homer, Drop Hossa to a line with Franzen and see what they can do together. We've got to shake something up if the officiating isn't going to get any better.

I don't know if I would change the lines. Hossa and Pavel were creating a lot of pressure late in the game. I think the whole team just needs to come out with more jump from the start. I might consider starting Helm/Kopecky/Lieno (instead of Maltby) right off the bat to see if they can set the tone.

If they suspend Homer for his elbow (after allowing the one in game 1) that would be ridiculous. Homer wasn't even looking at the player when he elbowed him. The Ducks player ran over Hudler on purpose.

I don't know if I would change the lines. Hossa and Pavel were creating a lot of pressure late in the game. I think the whole team just needs to come out with more jump from the start. I might consider starting Helm/Kopecky/Lieno (instead of Maltby) right off the bat to see if they can set the tone.

I've been thinking about this one. First of all you're right, everyone's right, the Wings need to start playing 60 minutes of hockey. It's been a huge problem this season and it's finally catching up to them in the playoffs. And I do agree that Hossa and Dats were creating a lot more pressure in the third. Also, switching up the lines indicates a problem, and I don't want to look like the Wings are hitting the panic button.

But I would still think about switching Hossa and Z. The Wings had pressure in the third and lots of shots. What they didn't have was a lot of real quality chances. I don't know if it's just a question of moving your feet and being aggressive or maybe playing with the combination of players to throw off the Ducks a bit.

Pretty glad I hit the hay after the 1st. That whistle with the puck on the line was utter poop. Poop I say!

Didn't know Pavel and Hossa stepped it up in the 3rd. They weren't really creating ANYTHING in the first 2 periods.

Let's get this series back in EST, at least on weeknights.

We win tonight and we have home ice back

I'm really psyched for tonight. I'm looking forward to seeing how the Wings are going to come out. I'd even bet all my alpacas on it but I can't find it on the sportsbook.

I rewatched some of the game the other night and couldn't help noticing how many times we missed the net on shots. Hopefully that changes tonight.

As much as I'd like to play Chicago, I really don't want them to score and tie the game. I want the game to come on 7:30

I think we're going to attack the net better. Get more quality chances down low, get in Hiller's face and fly to the net for rebounds.

Right off the face off...Wings ....nvm

So are we going to miss the start of the game now for the Canuck-Blackhawks OT?

Or if it starts on their break do we have the game cut away?

Fricking son of a gun

Fuck a duck.

Fucking great! Can't get the game and they're already down in the first minute.

That was quick.

Looks like the Ducks are the ones doing the attacking.

Ducks 1-0

Fucking great! Can't get the game and they're already down in the first minute.

Look around your dial. I'm getting it in Sacramento. Aren't you in Detroit? They said everyone in Detroit would be getting it.

I'm getting it in Hawk country.

^ Thats weird

I'm in North Carolina.

I'd say we were hugely lucky that he fanned on that one or it'd be 2-0

DE...Announcers just saying that Babs said he is getting closer to a change on the lines.

Jeezis kreist how many fucking guys do the Ducks have out there? It's like they have a 7 on 5 advantage or something.

Chicago scored!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I was close to getting it streamed but I'd much rather this happen.

Ok, thank god. We're finally getting the Wings.

And Babs should have started the game with jumbled lines.

YEAAAHHH!!1

YES!

Now don't let them frickin score right away

Nice!

And Babcock finally listened to me about switching up the lines and having Dats and Z and Franzen with Hossa. :)

The pace and energy of this game is hardcore.

Thats what keeping pressure on will do for you

I fucking LOVE that Franzen, Hossa and Flip line!!!

WOOOOO!!! Franzen is the man!

Can we just get Cheli off the ice already?

And welcome to Gary Bettman's fucking NHL. You have to be fucking kidding me.

Babs didn't like that giveaway to start the game and decided to change it up. Good move.

Ozzie didn't have much of a chance on that one

Fucking Corey Fairy. Really, do the Ducks have another line?

Have I mentioned how much I love that line? And watch how Hossa uses the D as his screen. Great goal!

About time the Ducks actually get called for a pick. They do that what, 200 times a game?

We have home ice again.

I was scared to wake up and see the score - looks like the offense was fired up.

Fuck the Ducks - it's time to finish this.

That's what I like to see! I was confident going to bed, up 2-1 and more importantly, looking like they were playing hard to win. From the 1st period, it looked like it was going to take one hell of an effort from the Ducks to win that game. The Wings were not going to be denied.

Prolly our best effort and the first time we outplayed them, imo.

I enjoyed the shit out of this game. Didn't miss a second of it.

I went to bed when it was 2-1 and kept waking up all night wanting to check the score, but I didn't want to get too mad or too excited... so I forced myself back to sleep.

ps - Tahoe, WTF are you doing awake already?

Wings are recalling Kindul, Abdelkader, Leino, and Downey today. Probably just a formality since Grand Rapids was eliminated.

I'd like to see Lieno in there, especially if Kopecky misses any time. Maybe even Downey in there for Maltby.

I didn't get to see it. Hooray Versus!

Helm was impressive yet again last night. He's making the strides the Filpula did when he got playing time. He's beating his man a lot along the boards reversing the flow back and forth (in addition to his great checking). he's really turned the corner and is going to be a good player IMO. I think he's learned some puck handling tricks from all our skilled players.

I wonder what the D pairings will be when Rafalski gets back. I'd like to see Ericsson stay with Nick (good pairing), except on the power play. Rafalski would probably slide down and play with Lebda.

I think Hudler is gone for sure. he hasn't really shown up like he did last year in the playoffs. They'll let him go, use the money on Hossa, and bring up Lieno to replace him next year.

Any news on Rafalski? We need him back in a bad way...

I can't wait to see Rafalski. I remember Dats and Zett, Helm, Lidstrom, Ozzie and a couple others, but I don't remember Rafalski. Maybe seeing him will jar my memory.

Mo - Gotta be ready at 7am. Then I ususally come back home by 9am...letting others work. :)

It was great for Hossa to score. Hopefully it continues.

Chris, I'm with you on keeping that current top pairing together. Lidstrom is that savvy veteran presence that just knows exactly where to be and where to have his stick. Ericsson is young, energetic, and runs people into the ground when given the opportunity. Plus this is a great chance for him to play with and learn from the best in the game.

I haven't really looked very hard at it, but have Stuart and Kronwall gotten that chemistry back that they had last year in the playoffs? That would be huge for us. I love that pairing but during the regular season they just weren't bringing it like they used to.

You can't contain Hudler, you can only hope to contain him.

2-0 Wings

Wings need 2 more goals here. I hate these games where the Wings are nailing the post left and right and don't have much to show for it.

Well that helped a ton. Hold on now.

Sure wish I could watch the game. A bunch of channels haven't been working for me for a few days now, including NHLN. I called Comcast today, nothing worked over the phone. Then I thought to look at the wiring in the basement because a couple weeks ago we got a 230v line run for a new dryer, and kaching the dumbass ran it right over the incoming cable line without conduit.

Anyway, glad the guys are up 3-1. 4-1 now lol. Go Wings!

Did Hudler hit that goal in out of the air? That's how it looked in the pixelated crap internet replay. If so, that's badass.

Yes. I thought it was good real time, but had some doubts. As soon as they showed the first replay, you could tell that it was good. It was reviewed.

I fixed my cable. There was water in the line? I don't know, but I do get the Wings in HD tonight after not being able to get the last 2 games due to the cable.

I hope we can close these ducks out tonight.

I hope we can close these ducks out tonight.

POTY?

IM WATCHING THE GAME!!!!

Rafalski in, nice.

238 hells yeah

I was switching between the Tigs and Wings, but am ON the Wings now.

I need to watch Rafalski

I'm in at least until I pass out.

It's back on.

fuck not again. he had a clear fuckin path to clear that straight out

Well that suck laughing hyena dick

Shit

down 1

That goal fired the ducks up a lil bit

Yeah god damnit their defense is tight right now

PP Wings...Get 1 here