What, no hockey fans?

SI knows as much about hockey as ESPN....which ain't much.  They spend their time covering the NBA and MLB.

This year is going to be very different and true Wings/hockey fans admit that.  This is going to be good, nothing like last year.  We very well might lose, but it will be close and hard fought if we do.  No spotting 2 off the bat in blow outs.

Biggest difference is we actually have a Coach that can think on his feet and play to our abilities rather than sit back, trap and wait for the opposition to do something first, then try to react to it.  Last year, Malkin was injured as was Crosby.  Both are healthy and tearing it up.  Hell, our role players have put up more points in the playoffs than DET's stars.  Fedotenko is outproducing Hossa and Datsyuk so far.

Game on and a different game it will be this year.

Matt, I have no doubt the Pens will do much better. I wouldn't be surprised if they take it in 5 but I think it will go to 7. This team is playing much better all around, more production from all lines and defensemen as well. More important, this team will not be in awe of the finals or the Wings.

5 is pushing it IMO, although I'd be glad to see it.  6 is my prediction.  Split at the Joe, 2 wins at home, close loss in game 5 and bring it home for the fans in 6.

That's my dream anyway :)

Then again, I never in my wildest dreams thought we would sweep the Canes.  I figured that for our toughest 7 game battle in the East after they beat Boston.

The next week is gonna be fun, that's for sure.

Tonight's the night...

Get out your team sweaters and cheer the boys on

The  Wings are banged up and that is not good.  The new schedule seems to be setup to crown the hype boys as the new champions.  If Bettman were David Stern, I might think he is biased.    I think the Wings may take it as additional motivation.

However, I think what the Pens fans are wrongly discounting is that they lost last year due to a drop in performance by the Pens stars.  It was Detroit's defensive play by both forwards and D-men that resulted in the lack of performance.

I think/hope that it will happen again this year.  Especially with the Pens new aggressive philosophy.  Team defense wins, not a high flying offense.  The Pens got to the finals struggling against the Flyers and Caps.  Then, they took advantage of Ward morphing into a sieve in the Eastern finals.

I would not expect Ozzie to give up weak goals.

fischermh is already making excuses for his boys when in fact only Datsyuk is out.  No injuries to the Pens, Gonchar was faking is 2 game miss earlier and certainly their lose last year against the Wings was not because of Pens injuries just inferior play.

Funny how the hottest goalie coming into the playoffs suddenly becomes a sieve. I really do hope that this mentality is shared by the Wings. Oh yeah, the NHL is giving every advantage to the Pens, probably fixing the series just so they can hype cover boy Crosby who finished 8th in a player poll for best players. No jealousy there, purely objective too. 

Whaa, whaa, whaa.

As I recall last June, the whining and excuses were pouring out of the Pens mouths and keyboards.  Go back to post 685, and you see that I am picking the Wings. Even banged up and tired, I think they will beat the Pens.

Only Dats is out?  He was only had 97 points during the regular season and is only one of the top 5 defensive forwards in the game.  Somehow, I think you would not be so nonchalant if Crosby or Malkin were sitting out.

Did you see the goals Ward let in?  Come on, you can't believe that it was some special english that only the elite Pens put on the puck that was responsible for the goals. 

Just to be fair, Chelios is also out.  If he were playing I'm be more apt to pull for Detroit.  No smack talk here tbough, I'm too busy digging my ankle from the back of my throat from the last series, but it was worth it. I'm surprised the Canes made the playoffs at all this year and I work very closely with some Boston folks.  Really enjoyed that.

Have fun folks, let the  roll on

Chelly is scratched because he's 47 freaking years old and a liability on the ice most nights.

I also love how Fish pulls out the one flukey Talbot goal that went in after Ward was totally deflated from 13 goals in two games.  Yeah, they were all soft like that, that's why we won.

Get a TV dude, you can't call games from the newspaper highlights the next day.

Fischy, it really is nice to see you back talking smack. What's the points of fandom if we can't jabber and act like we really make a difference. Yeah, Dats is out but so were 3 others through some of the last series but now you talk about the Wings being banged up? Seems like a little doubt sneaking in, that is so unlike you.

My point and Babcock's is that normally after two short series, the teams get a week off.  In addition, I cannot remember when playoff games were on back to back days.

Anyways, let see what happens tonight.

Stop crying.  This is your first back to back and it's home & home.  It's our 2nd back to back and the first was home & away.

Looks like Fleury let one in his back door .  Good game so far other than that

Go Wings!!!!! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossi Smash 

Tonight's the night...

 

Get out your team sweaters and cheer the boys on

 

Who is crying now?  Where was Cindy and Eugenia?  How could the mighty Pens let a minor league hockey player light the lamp?

And the number one star for the Wings... Joe Louis Arena dasher boards.

 HA HA HA, whining, and excuses.

The Pens have played in Detroit before and they have scouted the Wings and the Joe.  Ozzie didn't let in any bad goals.

And the boards kept the unstoppable Pens from scoring.  And frustrated Cindy, his slash of Maltby after the game was priceless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurel Hill Crazie 

And the number one star for the Wings... Joe Louis Arena dasher boards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurel Hill Crazie 

And the number one star for the Wings... Joe Louis Arena dasher boards.

Wanna piece? 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dasher-Board---Detroit-Red-Wings-Joe-Louis-Arena---8x10_W0QQitemZ190310020691QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090525?IMSfp=TL090525153002r34774

Quote:

Originally Posted by fischermh 

 HA HA HA, whining, and excuses.

And frustrated Cindy, his slash of Maltby after the game was priceless.

 

Not really a "slash", but definitely out of line.  What a big baby.  The rest of the Penguins and their fans oughta be embarrassed.  I was pulling for them some until I saw that.  I hope they lose now.

At least y'all got to see the game.  We got the first 5 minutes, then were relegated to a sort of "pic in pic" while the main screen and audio featured the weather and storms.  The local NBC affiliate got pounded with complaints but didn't switch back to the game 'til there was less than 5 minutes in the third.  And for this I took a nap??

Quote:

Originally Posted by fischermh 

 HA HA HA, whining, and excuses.

 

The Pens have played in Detroit before and they have scouted the Wings and the Joe.  Ozzie didn't let in any bad goals.

 

And the boards kept the unstoppable Pens from scoring.  And frustrated Cindy, his slash of Maltby after the game was priceless.

 

Much to do about nothing. Just a little post game chat and "see ya tomorrow night" ...Since we don't know what was being said at ice level it's pure speculation and the press needing something to build up for the rest of the series.

Stat tuned for game two tonight @ 8

REEEDDDDWWWWWIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGSSS!!!!!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fischermh 

 HA HA HA, whining, and excuses.

 

The Pens have played in Detroit before and they have scouted the Wings and the Joe.  Ozzie didn't let in any bad goals.

 

And the boards kept the unstoppable Pens from scoring.  And frustrated Cindy, his slash of Maltby after the game was priceless.

 

No whining, just facts. The board scored a goal and got an assist therefore was the Wings best offensive player. Just noting home ice advantage. They know where to hit the boards and how to play the rebounds. A goals is a goal and the Wings know how to clean up the trash.

Osgood was the #1 star. The Pens had great chances and Osgood kept the door closed. This series is just starting.

Again the whining about calls and non-calls and fighting at the end of a game. That's what the League wants. They could fine or suspend Crosby, they won't. I am worried about crgildart's defection though. That could be big.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurel Hill Crazie 

 I am worried about crgildart's defection though. That could be big.

I've got plenty of reasons to dislike both teams.  Let's start with their sweaters.  The Penguins are just plain lame.  It looks like a Nickolodeon character.  I used to think Detroit's logo was pretty cool. I now see their logo as symbolic of the death of the US auto industry.  I car wheel with angel's wings on it.  As for hockey, nobody really WON the game last night, but Fleury sure LOST it.  And really classy move after the game by Corsby.  Sure he was saying see you tomorrow night  He reached back around his back behind him in an attempt to try to trip someone.  Nice
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurel Hill Crazie 

 

I am worried about crgildart's defection though. That could be big.

Uncle Louie is ready to fill his shoes/skates.  I've been wearing him down and I think he's starting to dig hockey now.

A minor league player two weeks ago, has equaled the goal production of the entire Penguins team over the past two games.

Half of the Pens goals this series was scored by a Wing.

The Penguins have scored 12 goals in 8 playoff games against Detroit.  The is 1.5 goals per game.  They won't win to many series with that kind of production.

And finally, Detroit is playing without their Crosby/Malkin,

Maybe you will admit Detroit is the superior team.

It all comes down to the question..  Can the Dirty Birds avoid losing at home tomorrow?  If they lose tomorrow it's all over cept the formalities.

Fisch, I wouldn't say the Wings are the superior team. They've got better goal tending for sure but the Pens have out played, out shot and out hit the Wings. All for naught I know, the only stat that counts is goals.

Tomorrow will tell the tale. The Pens are in a deep hole and must win all games at home and still get one at the Joe.

crgildart, I think your latent anger over the Cane's thrashing is finally showing. The Pens are as dirty as the refs allow them to be, same as any team. There's been chippy play and cheap shot from both teams.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurel Hill Crazie 

crgildart, I think your latent anger over the Cane's thrashing is finally showing. The Pens are as dirty as the refs allow them to be, same as any team. There's been chippy play and cheap shot from both teams.

Anger isn't the issue.  I never expected the Hurricanes to even make the playoffs much less defeat the Bruins.  Crosby's antics after game one, though brief, violate cardinal hockey etiquette.  I'm not that upset over the Canes being out.  My 2006 Stanley Cup Champions hat and shirt still look really good.  My 1999 Stars gear is pretty raggy though.  I've always liked the Stars a lot more and am way more irked at their performance this season.

That said, part of me would still like to see someone that hasn't won lately to get the cup for the summer.  Nevertheless, it appears so far that nobody has what it takes to do that this season.

What cardinal rule is that? The one where you start a fight to 'send a message' after getting whooped? Rules in hockey are transitory if not imaginary.