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Detroit

-vs-

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Pittsburgh

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Series Schedule:
Game 1: 8:00pm, Saturday, May 30th: Penguins @ Red Wings http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:VCLBPW1KlcxsmM:http://www.lyngsat-logo.com/icon/tv/nn/nbc.gif
Game 2: Time TBD, Sunday, May 31st: Penguins @ Red Wings http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:VCLBPW1KlcxsmM:http://www.lyngsat-logo.com/icon/tv/nn/nbc.gif
Game 3: 8:00pm, Tuesday, June 2: Red Wings @ Penguins http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:EHjo-kRrTA7x5M:http://www.lyngsat-logo.com/icon/tv/vv/versus.gif
Game 4: 8:00pm, Thursday, June 4: Red Wings @ Penguins http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:EHjo-kRrTA7x5M:http://www.lyngsat-logo.com/icon/tv/vv/versus.gif
Game 5: TBD
Game 6: TBD
Game 7: TBD

I'm going to get shitfaced on Saturday, aren't I...

I hope Pavel and Nick are ready to go after the NHL screwed them over and only gave the Wings 2 days rest.

Mo, I like the (2) and the (4) seeding designation.

Well played.

Had to make sure everyone understands that Detroit is the higher rated team. Some people might forget that.

We're #1 till we lose, imo.

I actually haven't seen one national writer or analyst pick the Wings yet.

Barnaby on ESPN

Most are saying the Wings are in trouble because of the short turn around/back to back games and the injuries. Do the Pens have any 4th liners that can kill of a penalty in the opponents offensive zone 1 on 3 and still manage two quality scoring chances? I doubt it. We're getting quality play across the board. I think the back to back benefits the Wings because of their 4 lines. The only question mark is the short turn around for our injuries.

Barnaby looks like a douchebag.

Do the Pens have any 4th liners that can kill of a penalty in the opponents offensive zone 1 on 4 and still manage two quality scoring chances?.
Fixed.

That Saturday-Sunday schedule is some BS. I understand you want to get those games on NBC, but that really screws us with our injury situation. Getting that day in between games can be the difference in a guy playing or not when he's fighting through an injury.

Fixed.

That Saturday-Sunday schedule is some BS. I understand you want to get those games on NBC, but that really screws us with our injury situation. Getting that day in between games can be the difference in a guy playing or not when he's fighting through an injury.

They're hockey players. Non-issue.

My bad. I thought this was basketball where a guy gets knocked over and has to lay there for 10-15 seconds before hobbling off, not hockey where they take a chunk of rubber going 90mph off the leg and don't even flinch.

Lidstrom and Ericsson will play in Game 1; Datsyuk iffy, Draper out

All of them practices with the team, apparently.

It's official, no Dats. We still got this though.

http://images.rockmnation.com/images/admin/its_peanut_butter_jelly_time_from_f.gif

LETS DO DIS!

ok, they hit Hossa, BFD. The Pens better know they are about to run into a:SHIT STORM!:

Our passing doesn't look very sharp.

Fuck yeah

Could it be better that Hossa gets the 1st one.

Oops, not Hossa. Stew with the 1st one.

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit

Seriously, the Wings forgot how to pass.

How did Cooke or whatever not get a penalty there? That was an elbow, to the head, after the whistle. I guess it's just another series where the refs are going to heavily favor the other team.

Definately should have been a penalty.

Take Dat, mofos

2-1!!

Fleury has actually hit both goals in lol. Neither were really his fault, but technically, he hit the puck in.

Abjulkater with a fricking goal!

YES!

YES!!!

That kids name is ridiculous.

Franzen with some a nice lil face wash with the glove.

Its phonetics

Not your spelling, I'm just saying no matter how it's spelled it's ridiculous.

Holy shit, no goal there, but that was fun to watch.

Abjucater wasn't even on the ice.

Indeed!

That was total craziness there for a bit.

It was very Tim Chevelday (I can't remember how he spelled it) by Fluery there coming out and having to dive to play the puck like that.

Why can't they name tv shows anymore? The Listener? Fuck that.

LOL!

They empty their net and the play stays in their end for 40 seconds.

I'd love for Hossa to get one...even if it was an open netter.

Hell Yeah!

How the hell did we not get the empty netter? lol

Anyway... 1-0, just how it should be :)

edit...don't want to jinx anything

Dats coming back would be nice.

And Crosby didn't get elbowed in the face by Zetterberg before the Red Wings used their trick boards to steal another goal...

I'll admit that it is going a little bit more both ways than with the Hawks, but these are these two teams that get the most brakes.

Oh and there is Zetterberg again, clearly a penalty shot, but again...

If Detroit wins this game they will be extremely lucky, two goals that only went in because the Red Wings rig their boards and a one in a million bounce off the post.

On the other hand the Penguins scored by exploiting Osgood's mediocre goaltending.

Osgood was poor on that goal. You have to control those rebounds (though the defense gave up the opportunity).

But Fluery kicked in two of the three goals. That's just a joke of a post.

Oh shit... we need to get LDB and me some Rum and Pineapple juice and go have some fun over there.

I'm not gonna send you guys over there lol. I just pointed out that he must have been watching a different series than the other 99% of the country against the Hawks. Then I pointed out that Oz is top 10 in playoff wins and top 5 in playoff shutouts.

Thought this had to be posted.
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I think Sergei Gonchar is officially "over the hill" as far as being a quality NHL defenseman.

Love being up 1-0 and having our Grand Rapids boys making the difference. Learn about depth Penguin fanboys. I thought the Wings played a serious game, not great but enough to get the job done. I thought, other than way too many giveaways, we were pretty solid defensively. Crosby never really got going and even when the Penguins dominated play it was more about having the puck and controlling the neutral zone. I mean they got some quality chances (Ozzie was SOLID) but they never really just had the Wings on their heels, cycling the puck down low in the Wings' zone.

In fact I fell like they never really tried to do that. When they were dominating the play it seemed like they were more interested in having the puck and setting up shots than keeping the puck down in the Red Wings zone, tiring out the Wings and getting their chances closer in on Osgood. I'm sure what they were doing worked great in the overrated East and on weaker defensive teams, but that's not wise against the Wings, and the Pens should have known that. It was one of the things that made the Ducks so tough. That damn Getzlaf line would get entrenched in our end, cause all kinds of hell and goals and make the Wings work twice as hard to just get the puck out of the zone.

I really think the Pens players felt that they could just have the puck and skate and create chances and go toe-to-toe with the Wings. And that's really stupid thinking. At the same time I think their coach knows that's not true. At one point, they're dominating play and he puts Crosby and Malkin on the same line. Why? If you're controlling the game, roll the lines and dominate. But he puts his two best on the same line. It almost felt like he knew they had to score then because he knew the Wings would get theirs and they might not have a better time in the game.

I still think we're looking at a tough series and that Pittsburgh really is improved over last season. But at the same time they haven't won a damn thing and should be considering themselves the underdog and play hockey that way. It felt to me yesterday like they had the wrong attitude towards how to play the series, which I love of course (if I'm right).

I think I sold Ozzie short there; he was fantastic last night. I think the NBC guys summed up the Malkin breakaway great: Ozzie comes out to challenge and it really does seem that he knew for sure that Malkin was just going to try to put it up high. He stands his ground, makes an awesome save and instead of thinking about a possible BS no-call the Wings bench gets fired up. I feel like the team has 100% confidence in him and he's able to anchor them. It's such a great thing to get from your goalie in the playoffs.

Has Ozzie been our best player these playoffs?

Has Ozzie been our best player these playoffs?

He deserves consideration. Nick has shut down the other team's best player, Zett has done that too. There's almost not a best player this year, it's really a team effort especially with the young guys stepping up and making big plays every game. Our 4th line hung with Pitt's 1st line for about 2 minutes last night at one point in the 3rd. Detroit's depth is rediculous.

Unlike the Chi Blackhawks, I respect the Pens...so far anyway. Seems to be some pretty good hockey out there.

Dat didn't even skate today, and will be out again tonight.

Love seeing Abdelkader get his first playoff goal. I graduated HS with the guy and played pick-up ball with him while in middle school. He was a tremendous athlete even then, and I always thought he'd play in the NHL, just not so well so soon.

Both of my parents graduated from Mona Shores.

My cousins live in Michigan.

I've been to Michigan a few times.

I can find it on a map.

Back on topic........ GAME TIME!!!

A win tonight would be HUGE!

Stew knocked it in.

We got a couple breaks last night, it might be their turn tonight.

Oz looked a little perturbed that his D couldn't get the puck out of the crease for 10 seconds. Oh well, I'm not discouraged yet.

Now see....thats what I'm talking about...

put the biscuit in the basket

WOOO!!

Shit I thought we even had 2 there lol

YEEEAAAAHHH!!!

So it's just myself and an intermittant Tahoe? In the finals? Poop on all of you!

Wow, Zet saved that while in the goal.

Also that was probably the funnies hogpile I've ever seen in the goal. 5 Wings on top of each other making sure nothing was going to get in that net.

You know what's hell during a hockey game?

When there's a fly that likes your TV.

Malkin, and whoever shoved Oz in the face/chest with his stick... are lil bitches. This did for me what game 4 of the Hawks series did. I just lost a lot of respect for the Pens, but in all fairness it was only 2 players so at this point it's just those 2 guys. Also Zet was startin to wail on Malkin. I love knowing Zet is a RW for a long time.

HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLS YEAH!

2-0

I thought Talbert(?) hit Oz in the chest with the stick was a lil below the belt, but not that bad. Fire the boys up. I don't know. It didn't really bother me for some reason. I considered it hockey.

The Hawks can still kiss my big, fat, pimply ass.

He (? I didn't catch who it was either) hit then pushed Oz in the upper chest. Yeah it wasn't horrible, but what made it bad was when Zet shoved him off of Oz (right thing to do IMO), Malkin started wailin on Zet from behind. The Wings started the last 18 seconds with a 5 on 3, so obviously the Pens got a lil stupid there.

Also, nice to know you have butt pimples Tahoe.

Just thought I'd share.

Did you guys know that the Pens should have been given a penalty shot in both games so far!!

At least, according to non Wings fans lol. I mean seriously... if you want to bitch about the refs a little, whatever. Penalty shots though? People need to wake up.

Also it's ludacris that Malkin was even considered for a suspension (I'm fine with him not getting one), but Zet needs to sit for his overall unsportsman like play due to many, many incidents from the two games.

The Wings are a dirty team, and the refs give them all the breaks.

Also, Mrs. Illitch is a whore.

I watched Sportscenter yesterday morning and they had to make sure to show Samuelson "interfering with Malkin" before the first goal to give Big E the open shot. It's not like that shit doesn't happen on every play! And then they had to show how it's just bad luck that Holmstrom fell on Fleury for Flip's goal. Nevermind that the idiot Penguins shoved him right into Fleury. Give me a break - when that happens to Osgood, there's not even a second look.

I can't even watch NBC or Versus anymore. I'm CBC all the way - at least they understand hockey.

And I think Darren Pang is a pedophile...

Just watched the game last night, had my dad DVR it for me while I was moving. It took some serious work to not hear the final score for an entire day in the office.

Fantastic game, I'm happy that the refs are letting it get physical and letting them play instead of jumping all over everything like the NBA.

I do so love that Malkin didn't get suspended from today's game, even though the league rule states he should for initiating that fight at the end of the game. I mean, that's just a silly rule in a rulebook, why inforce it?

I would have loved to have seen Z lay him out, that would have been the perfect ending to that game.

I'm with Mo, I'm all about the CBC announcers, they're fantastic! Too bad their signal is crap. If only I could get the NBCHD signal with the CBC announcers...

When did they change this from "The NHL Finals" to "The NHL Final"?

I Expect Great. answers to this question.

Just watched the game last night, had my dad DVR it for me while I was moving. It took some serious work to not hear the final score for an entire day in the office.

Fantastic game, I'm happy that the refs are letting it get physical and letting them play instead of jumping all over everything like the NBA.

I do so love that Malkin didn't get suspended from today's game, even though the league rule states he should for initiating that fight at the end of the game. I mean, that's just a silly rule in a rulebook, why inforce it?

I would have loved to have seen Z lay him out, that would have been the perfect ending to that game.

I'm with Mo, I'm all about the CBC announcers, they're fantastic! Too bad their signal is crap. If only I could get the NBCHD signal with the CBC announcers...
Why not mute NBC and listen to Ken call it on the radio? Or is there a substantial delay? I have no alternative options out here. At least the game is done by 9:00.

I'm all right with Emrick and Olczyk can sometimes be tolerable. I hate Pierre McGuirre in general and want to just punch him out this whole series. Since he's already next to the bench he might as well give a blow job to every Pen there; he's already doing so verbally.

And you're 100% right about the "interference" on Malkin Motown. It not only happens on every play, that's how you're taught to do it. As soon as that puck gets dropped you get into your man if you're center doesn't win the puck or if you get it back to the point. Even when Olczyk was talking about it so much during the broadcast he was talking about it as something you're supposed to do, not some that was illegal.

I love how we hear nothing about the linesmen totally jobbing the Wings last game on faceoffs. Wow, the Pens really made strides to improve their faceoffs during Game 2. It wouldn't have anything to do with the Red Wing center, who just happens to be on the HOME team and GETS TO PUT HIS FUCKING STICK DOWN SECOND, always getting kicked out of the faceoff circle. It was pathetic how often that happened. How many times did that happen to the Penguins? Hmmm Crosby getting to draw on Cleary, I wonder how that will go down.

Yeah, I can't stand McGuirre either. I hate it when the douchebag talks during the play too. They should just use that guy at the beginning of the pediods to get a feel for the chatter on the bench. That's it.

This Helm guy is frickin awesome. Ericcson is pretty damn good, Aplicator seems to have his shit together for being a Sparty.

The future is bright.

Pride comes before the fall.

Just wanted to say that because you mentioned MSU.

This Helm guy is frickin awesome. Ericcson is pretty damn good, Aplicator seems to have his shit together for being a Sparty.

The future is bright.


LOL

I'm amped!!!

What the hell is this? :little tony:

Fuck. Way too much time in our zone in general, but that wasn't good D anyway.

Oh well, is that Pens 1st lead in the series?

WOOOOOO!!!!!!

FUCK IN A

1-1 bizatches

Fleury can lick donkey balls as far as I'm concerned. I dont give a shit about that guy. Fuck him. fuckin donkey ball licker

What the hell is this? :little tony:

Little Tony

Little Tony

Yeah I can read the mouse over.... what is Little Tony?

We're in your house... beatin you. lol

Well 6 on 5 ad for the Pens and the score is still tied.

Good 2nd. Wings looked like they were getting stronger. 4 good lines is awesome. If we can win this, that would be the shizzie.

Missed the first. Wings seem to be in control of the play in the 2nd.

a friggin split would be awesomeness.

Did we win it at the Joe last year?

No, it went six games and hockey does 2-2-1-1-1

Penguins doing much better this period. Not a ton of chances for them but Wings definitely more defensive so far.

Damn. You could feel that one coming.

fuck fuck fuck

We could NOT clear that puck

We could NOT get our stick on the puck to clear it.

Helm is getting rocked everywhere.

7 Minutes to get it back.

4 minutes.

3 minutes

Pens might win it, but they haven't dominated by any stretch. Just a split in Pit.

2 minutes

that was shitty.

That PP was BS. Maybe the non-Wings fans can stop bitching about the refs now, because they gave the Pens that goal. Maybe I didn't see a good replay, dunno... but the 2 angles I saw, there was no penalty.

Either way, not worried. I don't see this team going 1-4 against a team that was the 10 seed with a month left in the season.

Yeah, Wing fans on other boards I'm reading are bitching about the call too.

That PP was BS. Maybe the non-Wings fans can stop bitching about the refs now, because they gave the Pens that goal. Maybe I didn't see a good replay, dunno... but the 2 angles I saw, there was no penalty.

Either way, not worried. I don't see this team going 1-4 against a team that was the 10 seed with a month left in the season.

I'm not concerned either...yet.

I guess if anything... it was one of those things where they let the guys play for 2.8 games, and even if there was some technicality of an interferance rule that was infringed upon you just don't decide to start nit-picking there. I've always said that refs being consistent is appreciated over calling the game one way or another. Whether it's the strike-zone, checking, hacking at guys driving the lane... just call it even all game however you want to call it and that is fine with me.

I don't know, discussing that penalty is a waste of time really. I mean they had 6 fuckin guys on the ice for close to a minute and the refs didn't even call it.

They had 6 non-goalie players on the ice for about 4 minutes in the last 2 games and couldn't score then either :P

This Dan Bulimya dude is starting to get on my nerves. Is this dude got a pulse? Fuckin monotone bitch.

I really don't understand hockey officiating, but it seemed like Helm was elbowed in the head at full speed (no penalty), then the pittsburgh guy gets nudged a little and penalty. It is entirely arbitrary? I really don't watch enough hockey to know the difference. The wings have looked terrible in killing penalties the last couple games. They were much better vs. Anaheim.

You can hit guys who have the puck. You can't hit guys (or impede then) when they don't.

You can hit guys who have the puck. You can't hit guys (or impede then) when they don't.

If you're referring to the last penalty, and xanadu's question...

I thought the puck was sliding by the Pen, at least reasonably close enough to allow the minor contact. It's not like he got jacked by any means. Blah, not trying to go on about one penalty, really don't care that much.

GAME 4 HERE I COME!!!

Well, that penalty did determine the outcome of the game.

Xanadu seemed to be saying he didn't know the rules too well. I was just explaining the difference between the two plays (to the refs at least).

Game 3 was Pittsburgh's to lose from the get go. They needed the game. All things considered I think the Wings are under the mind set that Game 4 is the more important game for them.

I don't know, discussing that penalty is a waste of time really. I mean they had 6 fuckin guys on the ice for close to a minute and the refs didn't even call it.

And it led to the game tying goal as well. That was total crap. The linesman and one ref were right there next to the bench. No reason to miss that. PLus they both had the D-man skate past them to the bench. How can they miss the call with the Wings bench screaming in their ears?

Uxka's hit the nail on the head: every Pen fan can shut his fucking trap about the refs now. There was no reason at all that four officials on the ice couldn't see that the Pens had 6 players. This wasn't a fuck up on a line change at the boards; they actually played with 6. The last penalty was a horrible call two; iffy at best during the regular season and just horrible near the end of the 3rd of a 2-2 Stanley Cup finals game. Inexcusable.

That said the Wings should have put the game out of reach in the second when they owned the Pens and their PK is really weak sometimes. I wish they would get more aggressive with it like that did last year instead of just playing the box and the passing lanes and letting them cycle so much.

Yeah I can read the mouse over.... what is Little Tony?
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/33/51910645_30efb62e7e_o.jpg

NEW YORK -- Television ratings for the Stanley Cup finals are off to their best start since 2002.
NBC said Tuesday that Games 1 and 2 averaged a 2.8 rating and 5 share. That's up 17 percent from last year, when the first games on the network were Games 3 and 4. Versus showed Games 1 and 2 in 2008; the cable channel is broadcasting Games 3 and 4 this year.
The ratings were the highest for the first two games on NBC or ABC since 2002, when the Detroit (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=det)-Carolina (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=car) series averaged a 3.4/7.
Detroit beat Pittsburgh (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pit) on Saturday and Sunday.
The rating is the percentage watching a program among homes with TVs. The share is the percentage tuned into the broadcast among those households with TVs on at the time.

Helm is getting rocked everywhere.
And he just keeps getting back up and putting his nose right in the middle of things.

He's like a young Sean Avery minus the insanity.

With a lot better puck handling skills too.

He's going to develop into a very solid 2nd line C if he keeps developing . The only thing I don't like is that he ends up on the ice too much, even when he's the one laying the hit on someone.

Why don't we just give them a cheesy fucking penalty every period. That way we'll be sure to crown Crosby king. In the first 2 minutes of the game?! Incredible.

And I love how Olczyk shows how in Game 3 the home team did get the home ice face off advantage yet no one ever mentions how that was negated for the Wings in Game 2.

Emrick is the only one calling it like it is. That was a penalty on Lidstrom.

No surprise that with a name like "Bylsma" that dude is from West Michigan (Grand Haven, I think).

Another point for Emrick for mentioning how the Wings are talking to the Linesmen about face offs.

Another point for the refs for a horrible playoff call.

Suck dat!

Helm is fucking out of this world.

And fuck you Pens!!

Yeah!!!!

Oh hell yeah!

Oh hell yeah!

+!!!!

And we've stepped up the hitting. Very nice.

Forget Oprick, Tahoe, will you take out Malkin already?

EDIT: And if Z had actually dropped the gloves he would have fucking wrecked Malkin. He totally had him.

Holy shit what an awesome backcheck by Franzen.

Nevermind. Fuck!

What the hell happened to our defense in the last 5 minutes?

edit: More like blue-line play, but you know what I mean.

We were so involved in our own pressuring that we started giving up rushes. And they made us pay.

I really miss Dats out there. With him on the ice that shit does NOT happen.

fuckin shit

oh boy

Kronwall just needs to fuck someone up at this point.

That period couldn't have ended soon enough. It hurts to say this but that was classic playoff hockey. What a momentum swing. They pushed the puck and got rushes and put the Wings on their heels. They got out the lines, line changes and matchups they wanted. We needed that break. It'll be interesting to see how they play with that lead and how we try to come back.

And I'll say it now: We need Z, Hossa, Hudler and Franzen to step up and score. We love Helm and all the Grand Rapids boys, but it's time for our big boys to fucking dominate. Our skill isn't just that we have four lines. We have MORE GOAL SCORERS THAN THEY DO! It's time for them to step up.

This one is quickly falling out of reach.

We forgot what works. We NEVER cycled the puck down low this game. We got goals and got up 2-1 and hey, life is great. But we never kept the puck below the hashmarks and you can see why it's so vital to do so. You get your chances closer on net. You keep the other team from pressing you high and getting rushes. We didn't play Red Wing hockey and they made us pay. Big time.

Yeah that just didn't look like the Wings for the last 30 minutes of the game.

Can I get a Dat? IMOFYPBBQ

IMOFYPBBQ
In My Opinion Fool Your Place Barbecue


Z needs Datsyuk out there. He looked like he was wearing down a bit halfway through the 1st then just looked exhausted for the 2nd. If we had Datsyuk, Zetterberg wouldn't have to be matched up with Crosby every single time. We'd be able to throw line 1 (Dats, Hossa, Holmstrom) out there when line 2 was tired, and if we had lines 3 or 4 out there, Babcock could grab with Z or Dats to throw out with them to control Crosby instead of just Z every single time.

Our puck control was terrible. No other way to describe it. We made at least a dozen potentially costly turnovers in the neutral zone and our own zone. If we make better passes and less mental mistakes, they don't get either of those breakout goals and we're in that game until the end. I don't want to take anything away from the Penguins and say we did this to ourselves, though. They came fired up and ready to play, and we came with a gun cocked and pointed at our foot.

WHERE THE HELL WAS HOSSA?! I only heard his name twice in the first 2 periods, and one time was just mentioning he was on the ice. Pathetic! He's supposed to be a superstar and he wants to get paid? Then show up when your team is on the road, do what you did at home, and get your ass in gear! He's been a rollercoaster these playoffs. I'm going to start calling him the Magician. He'll do some magical things that completely blow your mind one game, then he disappears the next.

Even though CBC showed a clip of Datsyuk in full gear taking shots at the rink all afternoon, I don't think he's coming back. We'll need to come out and dominate in Detroit to get the momentum back our way.

PP seem to be making a big dif this series.

3-0 Wings

Gives me confidence, if it did go to 7, that we have that game at home.

Fuck'n A

4-0

Zetty!

Fleury is a donkey ball licker

Pens turning into dirty bastards.

Fucks can't handle being outplayed.

Well, this one is, and has been, over.

Filppula is awesome. Hank is top-level. Hossa has been invisible!

Deja vu of game 4 from the last series.

Filppula is awesome. Hank is top-level. Hossa has been invisible!

That was a perfect assist from Hossa to get Fil that huge 2nd goal after the Pens killed our Power Play. 8 hits as well as solid all around D. Some goals would be nice, be we had 4 to spare tonight. Maybe he's waiting for a nice dagger into the hearts of Pittsburgh fans in game 6.

It's amazing how much of a difference Datsyuk makes. People were getting on him for not putting the puck in the net before he went out, but he showed his value tonight.

Hossa has been invisible!
I agree that Hossa was invisible in games 3 and 4, but he made his pressence known in game 5. He stepped up, threw his body around, and made some good plays on offense and defense. He didn't dominate the game by any means, but he was immensely than both games in Pitt, that's for sure.

How about the difference Datsyuk made! Having he and Hank out there will definitely make a difference in Pittsburgh.

Agree and agree.

Normally I'd say I was a bit skewed on this opinion since Dats is my absolute favorite player and it's really close to mancrush status, but everyone saw how vital he is for the team (even with our awesome depth) in Game 5. He is the best two-way player in the world and I wouldn't trade him straight up for any other player in the league.

And I think Lebrun at ESPN hit upon something that also was big with Datsyuk back in the line-up: the great effect it had on the other lines the Wings could play. Our top two lines became Dats-Z-Cleary and Franzen-Flip-Hossa (a line that I love). That's huge defensively on against their top two lines. Z and Hossa are elite two-way players and Franzen's a very good to great defensive player and Cleary and Flip are good to very good on D. We don't have one defensive hole on our top two lines and our blue line is much better than theirs.

We shut down Crosby and Malkin (who's given us more problems than Crosby) with those two lines.

Yeah, the Wings are great.

it's good vibe images time!
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http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/3623/darthz.jpg
http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Detroit+Red+Wings+v+Pittsburgh+Penguins+Game+NcNBS xlUSwYl.jpg
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The best thing is that assuming Hossa resigns, none of the key players performing right now will be lost. Hudler's done nothing and may as well not even be on the ice. Ericsson got some PP time with the injuries and can replace Sammy on the blue line there next year. This team will be just as good next year, if not even better (with more PT for Helm, Lieno and Abdelkader).

NBC is Weak Sauce:


PITTSBURGH -- Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is disappointed that fans won't be able to watch tonight's Game 6 at Joe Louis Arena on Joe Vision.


"I don't understand the dynamic of all that stuff. That makes no sense to me,'' Babcock said. "But to me we're all in the selling the game business. And the more people that can see it, the better off you are.''


The Red Wings weren't able to get the rights from NBC, which does not allowing viewing parties in rinks for games it broadcasts. Last year, the Wings got the CBC feed. No such luck this year.

That does suck. But on the flip side, NBC is also denying Pittsburgh the chance to broadcast the game outside the stadium. So at least we won't have to see them cut to those morons cheering outside like we had to for games 3 and 4.

Let's take this shit tonight!!! Woowoo!!!

Wings playing very defensively. Not pressing on rushes, back checking heavily.

Good penalty kill.

Are they doing short shifts or something? Seems like every time they reach the blue line the forwards leave for a shift change.

Are they doing short shifts or something? Seems like every time they reach the blue line the forwards leave for a shift change.

Keeping the matchups they want out there since Pit gets the last change.

Fuck

You know what would be sweet? A shot on goal not from the blue line.

I know the Wings are playing like shit, but maybe a whistle on the Penguins would be nice. Especially when they actually commit the penalty...

fuk

fuck yes

Power fucking play.

OH FUCK! Damn

Come on! Gotta take advantage on this power play!...fuk

Fuck. That was the game.

fuck fuk fufcff fuffkffkkfkkfkkkfkkkfkkkfkkk

Poop on a stick.

That sucked, but I still got confidence coming home.

Some of our chances could have easily went in.

First game I watch all season, and I saw a team that played way too leisurely and back on their heels. Man, talk about giving up the blue line anytime Pittsburgh wanted it. If not for some stellar Osgood, this could have been 7-0.
Cleary is usually a good finisher, but he was lame on that breakaway--no "deke" and he goes to the backhand and doesn't get the puck up in the air.

And what the FORK. Fillipula flubbing at the blue line leads to goal one, and Samuelson playing fag defense on that second goal.

This was one game where Osgood played good enough to steal it--but the Wings played like Renoir would have played if he wasn't busy painting fluffy hats and flowers.

Yeah, nothing pisses me off more than Ozzy putting out a great effort, and the rest of the guys laying an egg.

And I defended Hossa after game 5, but this was a pathetic effort by him tonight. If he's not hurt, and he doesn't make some big plays in game 7, I wouldn't expect to see him back next season. Can't justify big money on a guy who is so inconsistent in the playoffs. He's gotta bring a little more than just giveaways and shots from 90ft out.

We will win game 7. Front page, back page, etc.

Can't believe Scudero and his 4-5 saves in the damn net in the third.

I'm buying the Wings/NHL package next year. Hockey is good. And why not get the NHL when 'we' pretty much have a dynasty going. bah bye Pistons.

^ fair weather fan.

First game I watch all season, and I saw a team that played way too leisurely and back on their heels. Man, talk about giving up the blue line anytime Pittsburgh wanted it. If not for some stellar Osgood, this could have been 7-0.
Cleary is usually a good finisher, but he was lame on that breakaway--no "deke" and he goes to the backhand and doesn't get the puck up in the air.

And what the FORK. Fillipula flubbing at the blue line leads to goal one, and Samuelson playing fag defense on that second goal.

This was one game where Osgood played good enough to steal it--but the Wings played like Renoir would have played if he wasn't busy painting fluffy hats and flowers.
Strange to see Zip in the hockey thread.
More strange for him to be dead on when its his first serious visit.

At first the lack of penalties didn't bother me, it wasn't a dirty game, guys were playing hard but fairly clean (for hockey), but then the Pens realized they weren't getting called for anything and started taking advantage about halfway through the 2nd. One of the worst no-calls in recent history, a Pen puts his stick between Rafalski's legs, twists it, and lifts Raf's leg off the ground. Only Rafalski manages to keep his balance, so the guy just jerks his stick even higher until Rafalski goes down. The ref was labout 10-15 feet away watching the whole thing. The puck wasn't even anywhere near them and the ref was blatantly looking right at them and doing nothing.

That wasn't the best hockey we've played by far, but we were playing well enough defensively to keep us in the game and make a late push. Just think of how that game would have gone if we'd have had a power play or two in the first few periods to give us some momentum.

Fuckabettman...

I'm buying the Wings/NHL package next year. Hockey is good. And why not get the NHL when 'we' pretty much have a dynasty going. bah bye Pistons.

^ fair weather fan.

I might even start watching regular season games.

These are some thoughts I had about Game 6 (I've been spending a lot of time thinking about this stuff):

- I actually don't think the Wings were terrible in Game 6. I don't even think we were so bad in the first period when they outshot us 19828 to 3. Both last year and this year, it seems like the Wings go into "weather the storm mode", like they know the other team is going to come out flying for obvious reasons (back against the wall, playing at home, etc.) so they weather the storm and then turn it up a notch. It worked in Game 6 last year and has worked in many games this year. But it was a huge mistake last game. They should have jumped on the Pens early and crushed them from the outset. If Ozzie hadn't given them Conn-Smythe goal tending, they would have been looking at 3-0 just after the 1st.

- Therrien was a moron and Babcock owned him. Bylsma's not only got the matchups he wanted for the Pens home games this year, he took risks that worked. He started with Staal on Pavel and Z and had that third line out a lot. It worked. Well.

- I agree that the Wings short-shifted a bit too much in the first and it cost them any momentum.

- The Pittsburgh blue line (at least Orpick, Scuderi, Gonchar and Gil) were as good as they have even been that game. Last year Orpick was some moron who thought he could be Pronger and bully the Wings. He's playing great D this series. They've made great hits, blocked tons of shots and were able to take guys out of the play.

- The Staal goal pissed me off so much, not because of the rush, but because we still didn't get a back checker there in time to get that rebound or at least pick him up after he shot (denying him the rebound).

- Not only was Hossa bad, I thought that whole line was pretty weak. They need to step up at home.

- At the same time we were able to dominate play for long stretches during the second half of the game. We had a lot of great chances, Z hit the post, Cleary should have gone 5 hole (and Olczyk is absolutely 100% right about this; Fleury always sprawls for pucks going along his crease and Cleary should have gone 5 hole no matter what), Fleury had one stretch were he stopped 4 shots in 2 seconds, all from close range, Scuderi did the best Hasek impression ever by a defenseman...We had a lot of moments where we were the better team and we had several chances to win the game. We didn't cash in and they deserved to take that game.

- Anything can happen in a game 7, but we're still in good shape. When we play our game and get to roll our lines we can beat anyone. Ozzie has become a game changing goalie (well almost). And Babcock now gets the last line change.

- It's been a pretty good series with some amazing up and down stretches. I can't wait for tomorrow.

I feel like I'm going to be on the edge of my seat for the entire game tonight. We had better come out with some energy and intensity. Get Hossa going early, either making things happen with the puck or throwing his body around like a 3rd-4th liner, I'll take either from him at this point. Maybe laying a couple hits can get him into the game, like game 5, instead of the disappearing act he did in 3, 4, 6. I hope its just something about Pitt and all the booing that was throwing him off because I don't remember him being that bad in 1, 2, 5.

DE:

I totally agree with your point about "weathering the storm" and thought the Wings were in perfect position after the first period. But then the matador blue line defense takes over and the Pittsburgh guy blows in on Ozzie and they get a quick goal early in the second. But I disagree with their overall play, and if not for some super stellar Osgood, that game could easily have been over way before even the first period ended. What the Wings lack is a physical presence to play that kind of hockey, and defensemen who can seal off the blue line and generate odd-man rushes the other way so you can capitalize on some counter-punching.
And I still think there are long stretches where Gadzooks and Shutterbug can be shut down completely.
Of course, Shutterbug ringing that shot off the post was HUGE.

The last few minutes of the first I kept telling myself the same thing; that if we get out of this period we're looking good. You're absolutely right about the first half of the game. Without Ozzie they're not even in it. But when you're playing on the road in a playoff game like that against a good team you need to have great goal tending and a chance to steal the game. I thought, especially in the second half of the game, they dominated a lot of the play and had chances to pull out the win. Were the Pens the overall better team in that game? Oh yeah. But did the Wings play well enough (more or less) to pull out the win? I think so. Especially with Ozzie all over the place.

The Wings, when playing their game, do get a lot of odd-man rushes. But you're right, it's not done at the blue line as the Pens did to the Wings on the first goal of the game. I will say that I was fine with "giving up" that 2-1. One of the ways to beat the Wings, when you're moving your feet, is to have your forwards attack hard the Wings pointmen. We like to have all our forwards down low, below the hashmarks, and we love to put two forwards on the puck and one in front of the net. If the puck gets between them and the pointman, and attacking forward has a great shot pressing the blue and getting an odd-man rush out of it. We don't see it more because we have such stellar back checking forwards and you so often see Datsyuk just taking the puck off a guys stick or Hossa leaning into the man (not enough this series though). That's why I'm more pissed off about not getting back for the rebound than I am about the rush itself. And it's odd man rushes off of a turnover, especially in the neutral zone, that will get me screaming at the TV.

It would be nicer to see us seal the blue and get odd man rushes like that but we don't often (or is it often enough) play that style of hockey. We like to cover the ice, the length of the ice. The Wings are a checking team, they get men on the puck (although not talked about was how badly they finished their checks in the first period last game) and put their bodies on the man. We do get quite a few odd man rushes but I think we see them more coming from turnovers in the neutral zone. We excel at that.

Gads and Shuts can be shut down, but there's only one way to really do it: keep the play in the Wings end. You play with it in the neutral zone or let them have the puck and you're in trouble. Again I agree with you; the Pens in the first half of the game, and other stretches, did a great job of keeping the puck down low in the Wings end against that line (they even got a goal off them because of it).

I could probably add another 3000 words to this post just because this is all I can think about. I'm going to try not to look at the clock every 10 seconds to see if it's already 8.

And I'd like to add that while I didn't get too upset with the 2on 1, Zip is right that it was the defenseman's mistake. The puck was high up the boards already with guys pushing it, meaning the point man either has to get his ass back big time or pinch. But if he's going to pinch he has to either get that puck or take the guy out of the play (even if that means getting a penalty in today's NBA-called NHL). And if he's going to pinch, the third forward on the play better be back checking like crazy. None of that happened.

If the Wings win the cup, who would you give the MVP to: Hank or Ozzie?

Osgood has a .934 sv% and a 1.86 GAA and a shutout in this series, and I'm not sure if that's counting the empty netter or not. At least 4 of the goals against him were power play goals. He's single handedly kept us in games and he hasn't made any mistakes that have cost us.
For the playoffs as a whole, he's got a GAA of 2.0 and a sv% of .93 with 2 SOs, so he's stepped up his already great playoff goaltending when it matters most.

Zetterberg probably gets it because of how well he shut down Crosby in games 3 and 4. He's been playing well over 20 minutes every game and even with his Crosby focus and all of his line jumping in Pittsburg, he's managed to get 2 goals and 4 assists and has made his presence known on every shift.
For the playoffs, he has 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points and he's +13. As a bonus, he's managed 58%, 52%, and 61% in the faceoff circle @Pitt.

Any darkhorse candidates for us?

If the Pens win, its pretty clear that it will be Malkin. Leads the series in goals and points, constantly gets under the Red Wings skin....mostly by playing dirty. I really do hate watching him and all the cheap crap he pulls and usually gets away with. When he dropped a glove to punch Hank, before Hank and the other Pen grabbing him even knew what was going on, I lost the last little bit of respect I had for him.

Franzen would be the only dark horse for us.

I'd give it to Ozzie for sure (unless Hank carried us in game 7 with a hat trick or something). Ozzie has kept us in a lot of games.

I was going to say Franzen as the dark horse but I changed it when I saw how he hasn't shown up on the stat sheet very much this series. He's playing well, but I don't know how much they take stats into account for the award. Who decides who gets it, anyway?

If Osgood wins the MVP, that would help his longshot HoF chances quite a bit.

I think there's no doubt Ozzie's been our best player. He's had some ok games and one stinker, but he's been a great playoff goalie for us this year. He's carried more than once for entire periods of games. Had we won Game 6 the other night his performance would have been ranked up there with Hasek, Roy and Brodeur.

I actually think Orpik's been the Pens best player with Malkin a close second. And I agree Zekyl, I can't stand Malkin.

Edit: Well, I'm not 100% on Orpik but I do think his play has been incredibly underrated.

I didn't even think of Orpik. I guess that shows how underrated he's been. Malkin's the flashy player that gets a lot of focus, but Orpik has been solid this whole series.

Defense in general is underrated and to get this far you've got to be getting good blue line play. I think our D has been very good for the most part. I don't think the Pens D has outplayed ours, but they definitely have played above their potential. Gonchar's not 100% and you see Orpik, Scuderi and Gil making huge defensive plays. Their hitting has been solid and they've been finishing checks without taking themselves out of the play (something Orpik did once or twice every game last year). All three of them have at least once broken up a big rush or taken the puck of a Wings stick just as he's about to go in alone on Fleury. And all three have made game saving shot blocks. We can talk about Malkin and Crosby but those three are the only reason the Pens are playing game seven IMO.

Of course I'm a defenseman and defense coach so I'm a bit biased.

Again, it's pretty obvious hockey is all I can think about today. 5 more hours. Just 5 more hours.

My fiance just surprised me with a case of Bass Ale for tonight's game. She and my step-daughter are off to a party (which I didn't want to go to) but she's still going to hook me up with her famous spicy guacamole before she leaves. There is nothing else but the game for me right now.

I'm looking forward to this one.

I'm looking forward to this one.

Thank you for the short, concise post. I concur.

de, you sound like a lucky man.

Thank you for the short, concise post. I concur.

Yeah, I guess I'm doing the Internet version of babbling. It's just that I'm bouncing off the walls for this game to start.

de, you sound like a lucky man.

I think so. Though the guacamole is mostly for the party I just found out, but she's making extra for me.

For what it's worth, I didn't take that as a shot at you.

And I didn't take it that way at all. Well, I mean I wasn't offended and to be honest I do feel like I'm babbling. I've pretty much driven everyone crazy today.

I've got my Datsyuk jersey on and I've opened my first Bass. Just over an hour to go...

Where's LDB when detroitexport needs him?

And I didn't take it that way at all. Well, I mean I wasn't offended and to be honest I do feel like I'm babbling. I've pretty much driven everyone crazy today.

I've got my Datsyuk jersey on and I've opened my first Bass. Just over an hour to go...

Nah it wasn't a shot. Sure as hell didn't read all of it though [smilie=tongue3.gif]

Milbury's not bad but he's no Belien.

GAME TIME!!!

I hope they jump all over the Pens from the first whistle.

That's how I wanted them to start!!!

Lets do dis!

Oh for fuck sake! Do they realize that sticks today are made of Playdoh?

Shitty penalty.

Cleary is posessed tonight!! Let's hope he can keep that kind of intensity up for the whole game. Also Kronwall is looking for hits more than usual... that makes me happy :D

Really though, not to get all Mickey Redmond, but it was incredibly common to knock the stick of the other guy as you're both racing for the puck in the corner. Only thing today is that the sticks are toothpicks and refs now have to blow the whistle with their vagina.

Yeah I don't remember ever seeing so many slashing calls over broken sticks when theres been no body or hand contact as I've seen lately. It's pretty rediculous. When I was growing up, hitting the stick was fine, if not expected.

Exactly. Remember when if you whacked a guys stick and it fell out of his hands the whole bench would give him shit?

Yeah, I thought that's the point lol. Plus sometimes guys don't even hit it hard, and it probably already had a hairline fracture, but since it broke when you made contact you get a penalty.

Uh oh.

I know the RW PP hasn't looked stellar outside of game 5, but that was poop.

Not looking good.

Dats looks to be maybe 50% out there.

We need to get one back this period.

This one is over guys. Pittsburgh has no chance of holding on.

For the love of God, put the puck in the net. Can't be that hard.

Tigers 3, Pirates 1. Eat shit, Pittsburgh.

Can't... fucking... buy... a goal.

I heard Crosby was elbowed in the vagina, and will not return.

I'm going to try to find a way to meet up with the Penguins players after the game so I can shove each and every one of those pricks.

I'm going to try to find a way to meet up with the Penguins players after the game so I can shove each and every one of those pricks.

You can start with.... and, I would like my undies back.

My fucking whites.

Let's Go Wings!!!

Apparantly Crosby's vag is moist again.

And he still can't grow a beard.

The F in Fleury stands for fag.

The F in Fleury stands for fag.

Hells yea