ORIGINAL: zjgm02

ORIGINAL: TooBlueForYou

The change of venue didn't hurt either Pittsburgh or Dallas as both teams now have a 3-0 series lead.  Can the Rangers win one at MSG to avoid a sweep?  Can the Sharks get a win in big D to force the series back to San Jose?  The Wings need to win tonight to keep pace.

I am very surprised that both the Pens and Stars are up 3-0.  If the Sharks go down in 4 straight, there is bound to be an ugly scene in SJ.

The Rags outplayed the Pens tonight, but a stupid penalty killed their momentum and they gave up the winning goal on the ensuing PP.

I'm am not sure how things are going in the West, but the officiating in the East is boardering on professional wrestling.  Referees are trying to manipulate the score of games by giving PPs to teams trailing as a way to let them back in it.  The Philly-Montreal series has been an absolute joke.  Then as I watched the Pens-Rags tonight, NY was given 5 of the last 6 PPs in the game all while they were trailing by two goals at different junctures in the second and third.

I love the game, but I am considering walking away from the NBAization of it with the manufactured drama of the last two or three minutes.
   

 
The West is the same.  Every game you can see them allowing just a little bit more hooking and holding.  There is no doubt in my mind these guys go into their locker rooms between the 2nd and 3rd period, review the penalty minutes, and do whatever it takes to even it up.   The refs in the Detroit-Colorado series haven't been atrocious as in years past, but definitely some head scratching calls. 
 
I was a ref for a while, doing local A games/HS etc and I can tell you there is no doubt I'd stick it to certain guys I didn't like and let other guys get away with a bit more.  It's a fact of life and human nature.  What I never considered was the score or which team had how many PP's vs the other team.  It was their job to keep up in that dept, not mine.  If you didn't like the fact that your team only had 2 PP's while the other had 8, then stay out of the box.  It's certainly not a coincidence that PP's are almost dead-even at the end of a series in the NHL.
"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

Hmmm, I think these Red Wings might be something special.  http://genuinelysarcastic.blogspot.com/
Michigan Recruiting Map 2009

I'd hate to think last night's beating was the end of Joe Sakic, but he has to at least be considering retirement after this nightmare season of missing nearly half the Avs' games.

10 pts in 10 playoff games is great for a guy who will be 39 in a couple months, but it's clear the Avs aren't close to winning, so what would be the point besides not being able to hang 'em up?

I would rather not see him sign with a different team for a chance at another Cup, or for him to re-sign with the Avs only to be dealt to a contender at the deadline. "I'm your basic bad-postured, guilt-ridden ball of confusion with a trace of paranoia, self-loathing, and a little faith thrown in for some good taste."
-Richard Lewis

Looks like we have Dallas, starting Thursday at home.  They should be nice and "rested" after essentially playing a 'double header' with San Jose last night.  4 OT's.  Yikes.  I like this match up-Dallas has trouble scoring goals (I think the Wings gave up 5 goals in 4 games to these guys during the season), and the Wings haven't had too much trouble scoring.  If there's a chink in the Wings armor, it's the dump and chase game (which Dallas plays well), and we have struggled mightily at times clearing our zone and breaking the forecheck.  Turco will have to play out of his mind and we have a history of making good goalies hall of famers, but I think the Wings should dust Dallas in 6.
 
Rant for today: The Eastern conference and the ridiculously out-of-balance travel.  Bettman needs to get his head out of his a$$ and re-align these conferences.  The Wings in the west is moronic, as we consistently have to travel across the country every single year.  If it's not Calgary, it's Edmonton.  If it's not Edmonton, it's San Jose.  This year has been the biggest break we've had-Nashville is easy travel and Denver was ok.  Meanwhile, the east just drives back and forth.   You can't be jumping 3 times zones every 4 days and not have it impact you in the end.  Luckily, Dallas is like Denver and is better than doing San Jose but Philly and Pittsburgh can just take a friggin' cab.  Ok, I'm done. :) 
"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

Well TK I think you just summed it all up there.  I agree 100%.  I'm glad to be facing Dallas.  Thay are not as 'physically imposing' as SJ.  Not that the wings couldn't handle that but I'm just tired of the media saying they can't match up with a physical team.
 
As for the travel, I agree that it wears on a team after a while.  How would You re-align them though.  If Detroit goes East then next year Nashville and Chicago are crying about not being in the East.  Someone Has to be the furthest East Western team.

ORIGINAL: kentuckywolverine

Well TK I think you just summed it all up there.  I agree 100%.  I'm glad to be facing Dallas.  Thay are not as 'physically imposing' as SJ.  Not that the wings couldn't handle that but I'm just tired of the media saying they can't match up with a physical team.

As for the travel, I agree that it wears on a team after a while.  How would You re-align them though.  If Detroit goes East then next year Nashville and Chicago are crying about not being in the East.  Someone Has to be the furthest East Western team.

 
I agree.  Somebody gets left out for sure under the current set-up.  But instead of dividing N. America vertically (which Detroit being in the west makes no sense) you could divide it horizontally.  Basically just draw a line from left to right thru the middle of N. America.  Then you'd have teams like Buffalo, Boston, Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, Chicago, Rangers, Islanders, Columbus, Calgary, San Jose, Edmonton, etc etc as the North Conference (or north of the dividing line) and then have teams like Pitt, Philly, St. Louis, Carolina, Nashville, Tampa, Florida, Atlanta, Dallas, Colorado, LA Kings, Anaheim, etc etc as the South Conference. (I know I've left out a bunch of teams but you get the idea.)  This way everybody travels west and everybody travels east.  Pittsburh would have to play Anaheim as many times as we'd have to play Edmonton or Calgary.  I have no idea if this would work or makes sense but the current set-up is goofy.  This would at least guarantee some Original 6 match-ups again.  Just thinking out loud.
"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

Looks like we have Dallas, starting Thursday at home.  They should be nice and "rested" after essentially playing a 'double header' with San Jose last night.  4 OT's.  Yikes.  I like this match up-Dallas has trouble scoring goals (I think the Wings gave up 5 goals in 4 games to these guys during the season), and the Wings haven't had too much trouble scoring. 
 
They have had trouble in past years with goal scoring, but this years playoffs have been quite the opposite. They have been a very offensive team. They should also use their physical play to help control the puck control style of the Wings, but my guess is they will fall into playing the way the Wings want them to play. Turco has been playing out of his mind this series, but I still think Detroit has his number unless he truely is about to take the next step in his career. Being from Dallas, and most of my friends and co-workers being Stars fans, it is going to be a fun series. Krys Barch and Grossman are 2 of our customers who we have hooked up with some customized work, and I think I might be able to get tickets, but it might be weird sitting in the team family section with  Wings jersey on. Wings in 5

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. ----Aristotle

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

ORIGINAL: kentuckywolverine

Well TK I think you just summed it all up there.  I agree 100%.  I'm glad to be facing Dallas.  Thay are not as 'physically imposing' as SJ.  Not that the wings couldn't handle that but I'm just tired of the media saying they can't match up with a physical team.

As for the travel, I agree that it wears on a team after a while.  How would You re-align them though.  If Detroit goes East then next year Nashville and Chicago are crying about not being in the East.  Someone Has to be the furthest East Western team.

I agree.  Somebody gets left out for sure under the current set-up.  But instead of dividing N. America vertically (which Detroit being in the west makes no sense) you could divide it horizontally.  Basically just draw a line from left to right thru the middle of N. America.  Then you'd have teams like Buffalo, Boston, Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, Chicago, Rangers, Islanders, Columbus, Calgary, San Jose, Edmonton, etc etc as the North Conference (or north of the dividing line) and then have teams like Pitt, Philly, St. Louis, Carolina, Nashville, Tampa, Florida, Atlanta, Dallas, Colorado, LA Kings, Anaheim, etc etc as the South Conference. (I know I've left out a bunch of teams but you get the idea.)  This way everybody travels west and everybody travels east.  Pittsburh would have to play Anaheim as many times as we'd have to play Edmonton or Calgary.  I have no idea if this would work or makes sense but the current set-up is goofy.  This would at least guarantee some Original 6 match-ups again.  Just thinking out loud.

 
 
 
I get what you're saying.  It would bring some parity to the NHL.  I'm sure the 'hockey purests' would vehemently fight this but it would probably be really good for the game.  God knows how badly I want to see our Wings play some more Original 6 games, these Wings-Blackhawks games just aren't cutting it for me anymore

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

Rant for today: The Eastern conference and the ridiculously out-of-balance travel.  Bettman needs to get his head out of his a$$ and re-align these conferences.  The Wings in the west is moronic, as we consistently have to travel across the country every single year.  If it's not Calgary, it's Edmonton.  If it's not Edmonton, it's San Jose.  This year has been the biggest break we've had-Nashville is easy travel and Denver was ok.  Meanwhile, the east just drives back and forth.   You can't be jumping 3 times zones every 4 days and not have it impact you in the end.  Luckily, Dallas is like Denver and is better than doing San Jose but Philly and Pittsburgh can just take a friggin' cab.  Ok, I'm done. :) 

I agree the East has it easier (who wouldn't agree?), but for every complaint by Wings fans take a look at Dallas.  They are one or two time zones and at least a two-hour plane trip away from every other team in their division.  If anyone has a case to bitch, it's the Stars.  I doubt the league would ever leave the Blackhawks as the lone O-6 team in the West.  Plus, you move Detroit, you better move C-Bus too so they can at least have fans show up for 4 home games per season. 

Of course moving would also mean the Wings have to play in a real division instead of against the sisters of the poor.  Be careful what you wish for.      
 
Oh, Wings-Stars...  Detroit has a HUGE advantage up front and a bunch of vets.  Stars definitely have the edge in goal (Turco stopped 61 of 62 SOGs in the clincher) and beware of their young mobile D.  If Turco keeps up his play, Stars in 6.  If he doesn't, Detroit in 6.
 
 
"I'm your basic bad-postured, guilt-ridden ball of confusion with a trace of paranoia, self-loathing, and a little faith thrown in for some good taste."
-Richard Lewis

"Of course moving would also mean the Wings have to play in a real division instead of against the sisters of the poor.  Be careful what you wish for.    "
 
  
Except this year the WIngs did not do that well against their divsion rivals like they have in the past and they still led the league in points!

ORIGINAL: umgoblue14
 
Except this year the WIngs did not do that well against their divsion rivals like they have in the past and they still led the league in points!

True for the first time since the lockout. 
 
The Wings are .740 in their division and .700 outside of it--including .683 versus the East--since the lockout. 
 
I would say they definitely benefit more from being in the Central Division than they suffer from being in the Western Conference.  You gotta take the good with the bad.   The Central Division is the weakest in hockey outside of the Southeast.
 
 
"I'm your basic bad-postured, guilt-ridden ball of confusion with a trace of paranoia, self-loathing, and a little faith thrown in for some good taste."
-Richard Lewis

No doubt everyone up in here is for the Wings laying a beat down on Dallas, actually I hope they smack Modano around as much as possible, but who to pull for on the other side, Filthydelphia or Filthsburg? I am definately opposite of "Diver Down" Crosby, so Philly in 7.

And who stayed up and watched the entire game? I was barely able, got so boring as they were so tired, but by god please dont change the format (4 on 4, Shootouts etc)

After two OT's the need to just do a cage match, imo. Those who can do, do; those who can't, go into journalism.

ORIGINAL: zjgm02

ORIGINAL: umgoblue14

Except this year the WIngs did not do that well against their divsion rivals like they have in the past and they still led the league in points!

True for the first time since the lockout. 

The Wings are .740 in their division and .700 outside of it--including .683 versus the East--since the lockout. 

I would say they definitely benefit more from being in the Central Division than they suffer from being in the Western Conference.  You gotta take the good with the bad.   The Central Division is the weakest in hockey outside of the Southeast.

 
You left out 12-1 against the east in the Stanley Cup Finals (that would be 3 cups in 11 years.)  I know I'm only supposed to go as far back as the lockout season, but I figured I'd mention this stat anyway.
 
As far as Philly vs Pittsburgh: IF Dallas beats the Wings, I'd like to see Philly go all the way.  If Detroit gets in, I'd kinda like to see Pittsburgh since the Wings already played Philly in '97. (I guess Philly played that year, if that's what you want to call it.)  However, I have a real hard time rooting for Pittsburgh against anybody soooo....I guess I'll go with Philly.  I loved the Broad Street Bullies like no other team in the '70s so I think I'll stick with them.  They don't have Clarke-Barber-Leach but I'll still go with htem. That should make you happy Z.
"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

You left out 12-1 against the east in the Stanley Cup Finals (that would be 3 cups in 11 years.)  I know I'm only supposed to go as far back as the lockout season, but I figured I'd mention this stat anyway.

I was merely pointing out that the Wings benefit more from where and who they play than they are hurt by their travel schedule.
 
 

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

As far as Philly vs Pittsburgh: IF Dallas beats the Wings, I'd like to see Philly go all the way.  If Detroit gets in, I'd kinda like to see Pittsburgh since the Wings already played Philly in '97. (I guess Philly played that year, if that's what you want to call it.)  However, I have a real hard time rooting for Pittsburgh against anybody soooo....I guess I'll go with Philly.  I loved the Broad Street Bullies like no other team in the '70s so I think I'll stick with them.  They don't have Clarke-Barber-Leach but I'll still go with htem. That should make you happy Z.

If the refs let the teams play, flyers in 6.  If they don't, Sh!ttsburgh in 5.
 
"I'm your basic bad-postured, guilt-ridden ball of confusion with a trace of paranoia, self-loathing, and a little faith thrown in for some good taste."
-Richard Lewis

ORIGINAL: zjgm02

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

You left out 12-1 against the east in the Stanley Cup Finals (that would be 3 cups in 11 years.)  I know I'm only supposed to go as far back as the lockout season, but I figured I'd mention this stat anyway.

I was merely pointing out that the Wings benefit more from where and who they play than they are hurt by their travel schedule.

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

As far as Philly vs Pittsburgh: IF Dallas beats the Wings, I'd like to see Philly go all the way.  If Detroit gets in, I'd kinda like to see Pittsburgh since the Wings already played Philly in '97. (I guess Philly played that year, if that's what you want to call it.)  However, I have a real hard time rooting for Pittsburgh against anybody soooo....I guess I'll go with Philly.  I loved the Broad Street Bullies like no other team in the '70s so I think I'll stick with them.  They don't have Clarke-Barber-Leach but I'll still go with htem. That should make you happy Z.

If the refs let the teams play, flyers in 6.  If they don't, Sh!ttsburgh in 5.

 
Now, by letting the teams play, you're not talking about hooking-holding-tackling Crosby and Malkin are you?   Seriously though, I think the Flyers will benefit somewhat as the whistles slowly disappear the deeper the playoffs go.  We're already seeing it.  Things that were called 100% of the time during the season were called 75% of the time in the 1st round and about 50% in the 2nd round.  Interference thru the neutral zone is the biggest issue but now we're only seeing calls that may have a direct impact around the net.  I think Philly can handle Pittsburgh.  They can skate but they can also rough up their D, plus Biron has been steady.  It'll be a war and I would have to think this could go 7.
"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

Ok, off to a good start against Dallas.  Wings turned in a pretty standard workman-like effort.  Lots of crying and moaning about the refs from Dallas, but it should have been worse.  They had 3 blatant takedowns that weren't called and they don't seem to like Franzen and Homer in their crease.  You could try moving them out of there if you have a problem.  Lots of talk about the Stars not having their legs but the fact is, the Wings can play A LOT better and they have.  It's just amazing that the Wings always have the knack of making opponents star players disappear.  Were Modano and Morrow even on the ice?  I know Morrow picked up a garbage goal, but did the guy even play the first 2 periods?  I'm sure Dallas will pick it up but they'd better not wait until they get home 'cuz the Wings are just getting started.  The odd games are everything in any playoff so this is a good start.
 
Now, on to the announcers on Versus.  I can handle Doc and his squeeky, somewhat creepy voice and his goofy sayings.  But Ed Olcyzk (I have no idea if the spelling is even close) is a complete idiot.  I counted 6 of these little dandies:
 
"IF Rafalski miss-plays that puck, the Stars are off on a breakaway"
"IF Kronwall misses that check, the Stars have a 2 on 1"
"IF Lidstrom doesn't make that pass, the Stars are on a breakaway".
"IF Stuart stumbles, the Stars have a clear break on Osgood".
"IF Chelios doesn't chip that puck past Richards, look out"  and on and on....
 
Yeah, ok Eddie.  And if Rafalski, Franzen, Filpula, and Homer don't score, Dallas wins 1-0.  And if you weren't such a blatant cheerleader for anyone playing the Wings, you'd actually be somewhat credible.  What a moron.
 
Wings are rolling and we're already in their heads.  The ghosts of seasons past haunt these guys when it comes to Detroit.
"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

Well, I guess the Wings found a way through the playoffs hottest goalie Turco, huh?  At least for one game anyway. 

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

Now, on to the announcers on Versus.  I can handle Doc and his squeeky, somewhat creepy voice and his goofy sayings.  But Ed Olcyzk (I have no idea if the spelling is even close) is a complete idiot.  I counted 6 of these little dandies:

"IF Rafalski miss-plays that puck, the Stars are off on a breakaway"
"IF Kronwall misses that check, the Stars have a 2 on 1"
"IF Lidstrom doesn't make that pass, the Stars are on a breakaway".
"IF Stuart stumbles, the Stars have a clear break on Osgood".
"IF Chelios doesn't chip that puck past Richards, look out"  and on and on....

Yeah, ok Eddie.  And if Rafalski, Franzen, Filpula, and Homer don't score, Dallas wins 1-0.  And if you weren't such a blatant cheerleader for anyone playing the Wings, you'd actually be somewhat credible.  What a moron.

I don't debate that Eddie O is an idiot.  His still slurps all the Pens players he used to coach so having him as an analyts for any Pens games is ridiculous yet Vers