Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars upset the San Jose Sharks 3-2 in OT!  Only home team to lose Game 1 and it looks like it's going to be a very physical series.  It would really be good if the Wings could eliminate the Avs quickly and watch these two teams battle for 7 games.  Like that will happen?!
 
So, it's ...

the Wings lead Colorado in the series 1-0
 
Dallas leads the Sharks in the series 1-0
 
Pittsburgh leads the Rangers in the series 1-0
 
Montreal leads the Flyers in the series 1-0
 
The most interesting series appear to be Dallas/San Jose in the West and Pittsburgh/NY Rangers in the East

ORIGINAL: TooBlueForYou

Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars upset the San Jose Sharks 3-2 in OT!  Only home team to lose Game 1 and it looks like it's going to be a very physical series.  It would really be good if the Wings could eliminate the Avs quickly and watch these two teams battle for 7 games.  Like that will happen?!

So, it's ...

the Wings lead Colorado in the series 1-0

Dallas leads the Sharks in the series 1-0

Pittsburgh leads the Rangers in the series 1-0

Montreal leads the Flyers in the series 1-0

The most interesting series appear to be Dallas/San Jose in the West and Pittsburgh/NY Rangers in the East

I think San Jose is just too deep for Dallas though.  Their lines are stronger.  I think they will regain and win in six.  Thats just me, though I would prefer to play Dallas.  You forgot to mention how much of a colapse that NY had.  3-0 in the first, 3-2 heading into the 3rd, then Pitt strangles them for three in the 3rd to win 4-5.  I think NY proved that young Pitt is vunlerable, and exposed that, but you cant sit back on a lead and expect them not to attack.  That game was theirs to lose, and they did just that. 

The Montreal game was good too, with that shot with 30 secs. to go, and into over time for the win.  Again, the Flyers had this one, and a great win on the road that would have been for them, but this is a demoralizing loss for them!

Dallas has owned San Jose and The Shark Tank is home away from home for the Stars.  I think they'll beat San Jose.  The Sharks can never close the deal and every series some part of their game disappears-if it's not defense, it's scoring.  Then the goaltending will go soft out of the blue.  Too streaky and way too inconsistent.  They never look like the same team twice.
 
The East is interesting and some fun games to watch but I don't think it matters who comes out of it.  The West will own them in the finals.
"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


The East is interesting and some fun games to watch but I don't think it matters who comes out of it.  The West will own them in the finals.

I hope your right...I guess I see Pitt as a scoring powerhouse, but I think their inexperiance in the playoffs will catch up to them.

With the Wings benefiting from Franzen's hat trick and leading 5-1 in the 3rd period of Game 2, this series is proceeding nicely and appears to be "too easy."  Chris Osgood leads the playoff goal tenders in goals against?!  I think the Wings can coast as long as they play with the lead, but a team that can score, like the Penguins, could put some pressure on them if they can get a lead.
 
It will be interesting to whether the Avalanche are able to make any adjustments with the series moving out to Denver.  They have Sakic, but no Forsberg makes their offense very anemic.

Man I was so happy today, everyone looked "tight". I just happenned to have a replay of the famous McCarty-Lemiuex and Ozzie-Roy battle royal playing and as I turned around to the TV, booyaa, my boy McCarty is droppin his gloves to give out another bar room brawl.

Was a decent little tussle, but I call it a draw, I forsee another one from my favorite brawler before its over. Aside from McCarty's little tussle, which was no biggie, I'm glad the boy's just played on through and piled it on score wise and didn't fall into the obvious Av's frustration. Let em be pissed, while we waltz our way through them to the finals

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

The East is interesting and some fun games to watch but I don't think it matters who comes out of it.  The West will own them in the finals.

That's twice I have read this sentiment coming from you and I expect more.  With the parity in today's league, you can't make those generalizations and I don't see anyone "owning" anyone thus far, save for the Pens over the Sens.
 
Of the 3 legitimate teams in the West (I don't see the Avs are advancing), I think the Rangers and Pens stack up well with any of them.  Is it a sure win?  Nope, but I think it would be a hell of a series and I don't think any Western team would be able to shutdown both Crosby and Malkin, or the Jagr line and Gomez's line from the Rangers.  That's why they play the games.    
 
I think Montreal could take Dallas, and maybe match up well w/ Detroit as the two teams play very similar styles, but I think the smallish Habs would get beaten up pretty good by the Sharks as SJ is very physical and if the Habs do make it to the Finals, they will already be black and blue.
 
As far as Philly, I have no idea what to expect from them...only that no lead is safe.  Just when I think they are done, they come back and win, so who knows. 
 
Each team has its weakspots, so we'll see.
 
 

ORIGINAL: TooBlueForYou

I think the Wings can coast as long as they play with the lead, but a team that can score, like the Penguins, could put some pressure on them if they can get a lead.

The Pens are unproven in net and not very physoical on D, which is usually a recipe for disaster in the playoffs, but they have two of the best forwards in the game, which causes a lot of mismatches.
 
 
"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

The East is interesting and some fun games to watch but I don't think it matters who comes out of it.  The West will own them in the finals.

That's twice I have read this sentiment coming from you and I expect more.  With the parity in today's league, you can't make those generalizations and I don't see anyone "owning" anyone thus far, save for the Pens over the Sens.

Of the 3 legitimate teams in the West (I don't see the Avs are advancing), I think the Rangers and Pens stack up well with any of them.  Is it a sure win?  Nope, but I think it would be a hell of a series and I don't think any Western team would be able to shutdown both Crosby and Malkin, or the Jagr line and Gomez's line from the Rangers.  That's why they play the games.    

I think Montreal could take Dallas, and maybe match up well w/ Detroit as the two teams play very similar styles, but I think the smallish Habs would get beaten up pretty good by the Sharks as SJ is very physical and if the Habs do make it to the Finals, they will already be black and blue.

As far as Philly, I have no idea what to expect from them...only that no lead is safe.  Just when I think they are done, they come back and win, so who knows. 

Each team has its weakspots, so we'll see.

ORIGINAL: TooBlueForYou

I think the Wings can coast as long as they play with the lead, but a team that can score, like the Penguins, could put some pressure on them if they can get a lead.

The Pens are unproven in net and not very physoical on D, which is usually a recipe for disaster in the playoffs, but they have two of the best forwards in the game, which causes a lot of mismatches.

 
Ok, ok.  A bit sensitive today, aren't we?   You're right-I shouldn't make sweeping statements like this.  What I meant to say was if the Wings (and of course, that's still a big IF) come out of the west, they will own ANYBODY the east wants to throw in there.  They are the best team in the NHL, by far, in shutting down scorers, just one of the reasons the Penguins or the Rangers don't scare me in the slightest.  You can't score when you don't have the puck and I'll put Datsyuk and Zetterberg against ANYBODY in the east.  Not only will they outscore these guys, they'll shut 'em down at the other end. (2 guys on the same line who score 90 points AND are both up for the Selke?  Please.)  Same deal as last year-Ottawa came out of the east as a high-flying, goal scoring machine and get completely destroyed by Anaheim.  The Pens are soft in their own end, their goalie is serviceable at best, and they lack experience to close the deal.  Someday soon perhaps, but not this year.  The Rangers are basically the same deal but with more experience.  Your Flyers are an enigma and you have never know what they're going to do.   Detroit could drop the next 4 to Colorado for all I know.  If so, I think the finals will be a little closer.  SJ and Dallas are good but the east teams could match up fairly well.  They'll get pushed around a bit by someone like SJ but that's not always a determining factor.
 
If the Wings (again, a big if) keep playing like they are right now, nobody in the east beats them.  Nobody.  What Detroit is laying on Colorado right now is anything BUT "parity".  I know you're trying to scare me with Crosby, Malkin, Jagr, etc, but you'll have to excuse me-they just don't worry me that much.
"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

Ok, ok.  A bit sensitive today, aren't we?  

Nah, I'm just a guy who likes to see things play out.  I also cautioned all the baseball "experts" in 2006 to stop assuming the that no NL team had a shot in the Series.  That became a mantra for the media in May or June of 2006 and continued until the Cardinals were about to win the WS.   
 

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

You can't score when you don't have the puck and I'll put Datsyuk and Zetterberg against ANYBODY in the east.  Not only will they outscore these guys, they'll shut 'em down at the other end. (2 guys on the same line who score 90 points AND are both up for the Selke?  Please.) 

You're helping to make my point.  The Pens have two of the best forwards in the world and they play on different lines.  Your boys would either need to be split up or someone on the Pens could run all over the Wings.
 
With the Rangers, I'm not trying to scare you with Jagr.  I can't stand the guy as he only plays when he wants to, but the Wings have no one on their roster who can match up with him physically.  If he decides he wants to play and he comes into the Wings zone and sticks his big rear end out and starts setting up the cycle, it isn't going to matter how many trophies guys have been nominated for.   If they decide they need to play against Jagr's line, Gomez and his line will give the Wings second or third line more than they can handle, and that doesn't even address Drury's line who will probably play against Datsyuk and Zetterberg at MSG.  The guy has what 14 game-winning goals in his playoff career.
 

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

If the Wings (again, a big if) keep playing like they are right now, nobody in the east beats them.  Nobody.  What Detroit is laying on Colorado right now is anything BUT "parity".  I know you're trying to scare me with Crosby, Malkin, Jagr, etc, but you'll have to excuse me-they just don't worry me that much.

I don't see what the Wings are doing to Colorado as an indication of anything other than the Red Wings are a very good team and the Avs are not.  The Avs have goaltending issues and Forsberg is injured again.
 
The Stars do not scare me at all.  They played very well in the middle of the season skyrocketting up the standings and then slumped towards the end of the regular season.  They should be just about ready to cool off again if they actually do get past the conference finals.  I'm glad to see Turco doing well in the playoffs, though. 
 

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

Same deal as last year-Ottawa came out of the east as a high-flying, goal scoring machine and get completely destroyed by Anaheim. 

Ottawa is a joke.  There is a huge leadership vacuum on that team and the Ducks were easily better last year--Anaheim had 2 #1 Defensemen who could play the game any way the Sens wanted it, and a former Conn Smythe winner in net.  I don't see any potential match-up of the remaining 8 teams being as lop-sided as last year's final.
 
Let's just see how it plays out.
"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

If the Wings (again, a big if) keep playing like they are right now, nobody in the east beats them.  Nobody.  What Detroit is laying on Colorado right now is anything BUT "parity".  I know you're trying to scare me with Crosby, Malkin, Jagr, etc, but you'll have to excuse me-they just don't worry me that much.

I don't see what the Wings are doing to Colorado as an indication of anything other than the Red Wings are a very good team and the Avs are not.  The Avs have goaltending issues and Forsberg is injured again.

The Stars do not scare me at all.  They played very well in the middle of the season skyrocketting up the standings and then slumped towards the end of the regular season.  They should be just about ready to cool off again if they actually do get past the conference finals.  I'm glad to see Turco doing well in the playoffs, though. 

I have to agree that you can't draw too many conclusions about the current series with the 'lanche, except that the Wings can't afford to let this series get out of hand or extended as it did with Nashville.  The Wings will need to play better hockey before thinking about hoisting the Cup.

The Stars-San Jose series appears very intense and physical.  While the Wings "should" be able to solve either team, the Wings could be in for a marathon series--something that they must try to avoid to stay strong and survive long enough to play in May.

What I really can't wait to see is whether the 'lanche get any kind of boost by returning home.  If the series was played four straight in the Joe, it would be over already.

Does anyone else see Crosby as a fabulous Diver/Actor? I hope I'm not the only one that can see he definately has a career after the NHL acting 

I like watching any hockey that is on, but the Stars/Sharks game, hard to pull for either of these as I hate both. Guess I will pull for the Stars as I hate most everything from Cali

ORIGINAL: MaizeinTN

I like watching any hockey that is on, but the Stars/Sharks game, hard to pull for either of these as I hate both. Guess I will pull for the Stars as I hate most everything from Cali

 
I watch Marty Turco in goal for four years at Michigan.  It was quite an adventure at times, not to mention the two National Championships to punctuate his career.  He will always get my best and I wouldn't mind seeing him get a point.
 
So, I want to see the Stars vs. Wings in the Western Conference Final.  I will watch the Stars-Sharks game after the Pistons finish over the 76ers and shut up the whiney Filthydelphia fans in the media.

Filthydelphia fans..........

Now that is soo funny. Even funnier, I got such a kick out of that, I will probably say that anytime I reference that city and spell it that way for a long time. Such a fitting name

ORIGINAL: zjgm02

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

Ok, ok.  A bit sensitive today, aren't we?  

Nah, I'm just a guy who likes to see things play out.  I also cautioned all the baseball "experts" in 2006 to stop assuming the that no NL team had a shot in the Series.  That became a mantra for the media in May or June of 2006 and continued until the Cardinals were about to win the WS.   

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

You can't score when you don't have the puck and I'll put Datsyuk and Zetterberg against ANYBODY in the east.  Not only will they outscore these guys, they'll shut 'em down at the other end. (2 guys on the same line who score 90 points AND are both up for the Selke?  Please.) 

You're helping to make my point.  The Pens have two of the best forwards in the world and they play on different lines.  Your boys would either need to be split up or someone on the Pens could run all over the Wings.

With the Rangers, I'm not trying to scare you with Jagr.  I can't stand the guy as he only plays when he wants to, but the Wings have no one on their roster who can match up with him physically.  If he decides he wants to play and he comes into the Wings zone and sticks his big rear end out and starts setting up the cycle, it isn't going to matter how many trophies guys have been nominated for.   If they decide they need to play against Jagr's line, Gomez and his line will give the Wings second or third line more than they can handle, and that doesn't even address Drury's line who will probably play against Datsyuk and Zetterberg at MSG.  The guy has what 14 game-winning goals in his playoff career.

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

If the Wings (again, a big if) keep playing like they are right now, nobody in the east beats them.  Nobody.  What Detroit is laying on Colorado right now is anything BUT "parity".  I know you're trying to scare me with Crosby, Malkin, Jagr, etc, but you'll have to excuse me-they just don't worry me that much.

I don't see what the Wings are doing to Colorado as an indication of anything other than the Red Wings are a very good team and the Avs are not.  The Avs have goaltending issues and Forsberg is injured again.

The Stars do not scare me at all.  They played very well in the middle of the season skyrocketting up the standings and then slumped towards the end of the regular season.  They should be just about ready to cool off again if they actually do get past the conference finals.  I'm glad to see Turco doing well in the playoffs, though. 

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

Same deal as last year-Ottawa came out of the east as a high-flying, goal scoring machine and get completely destroyed by Anaheim. 

Ottawa is a joke.  There is a huge leadership vacuum on that team and the Ducks were easily better last year--Anaheim had 2 #1 Defensemen who could play the game any way the Sens wanted it, and a former Conn Smythe winner in net.  I don't see any potential match-up of the remaining 8 teams being as lop-sided as last year's final.

Let's just see how it plays out.

 
I agree-gotta play 'em all.  Believe me, I remember with vivid clarity the Wing's 4-straight losses to Colorado in '99 and 4-straight to the Kings in '01 and you're right, I can't use Colorado as that big of a measuring stick right now. 
 
Every year there's that one team who gets hot, has goaltending, and thinks they can win it all.  I think this year that team is Dallas.  We've seen it before with Tampa Bay, Edmonton, Anaheim (with Babcock), etc.  The problem is I have no idea how good SJ really is.  Dallas is manhandling them in every facet of the game.  Dallas just hasn't impressed me this year but they're on a roll so who knows?
 
The one thing that stands out to me when watching Pittsburg and NY is the transistion game.  Neither team moves the puck quickly thru the neutral zone and this is the one area Detroit can dominate teams.  It's the biggest reason for their success this year, without question.  They play backside pressure as well as anyone and move the puck and that's a huge difference-maker.  When you have the puck the whole game it helps to eliminate big forwards like Jagr and we've seen this in the past when the Wings played Thornton, Iginlia, Ryan Smyth, et.al.  If they don't have the puck they're not going to hurt you.  This is what makes the 'too small', too Euro', 'no toughness' knock on the Wings completely over-rated.  You don't have to be running guys through the boards to win games when you have the puck all night.
 
But once again, we play the games for a reason and nobody knows right now.  The Wings could lose 4 straight and San Jose could win 4-straight, turning everything inside out.  Either way, it's going to be entertaining and it's just another reason to love this time of year.
"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

As expected, Colorado did respond at home and the pressure produced an early goal with TJ Hensick assisting to score his first NHL playoff point.  It looked like it might be a long night for the Wings when they had a shot ricochet off both posts, but the Wings scored two quick goals regained their composure.  2-1 Red Wings, 1st intermission.

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.

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.
    
"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

Boy don't the Wings look good tonight. Ozzie gave up some tough shots, man I hope they throw some salt in the wound by scoring a few more