HAWKS WIN!! HAWKS WIN!!! THAT WAS FUCKING AWESOME.
When is Johan Franzen going to start getting more respect? The guy averages better than a goal every other game in the playoffs. Sure, he has a great supporting cast, but the guy is clutch.
[quote]mrw173 wrote:
When is Johan Franzen going to start getting more respect? The guy averages better than a goal every other game in the playoffs. Sure, he has a great supporting cast, but the guy is clutch.[/quote]
Oh for sure. His biggest upside is that the other teams usually work on checking Dats/Zetts/Hossa. So it gives many of the other players who are great on the team a chance to score.
I hope the bruins play the way the wings did last night. Or else they don’t have much hope. 
I don’t remember ever being wronger about a playoff series than I have been about Boston and Carolina. Anaheim taking out San Jose didn’t surprise me that much, but this? It is a combination of the Hurricanes finding another gear and the Bruins losing one it seems. That’s the one series I didn’t think would be close and it isn’t except with the other team on top.
As for Franzen. He can skate, has excellent hands, is deadly around the net AND is big and strong. He does indeed also have a knack for coming with production right when we need it most.
The wings produce in streaks of groups. For a while the first line big guns will be on fire then they’ll slow down and the role players will score some goals and win us a game. Defensive scoring will go in streaks too as well as individuals, like Holmstrom, Cleary and Filpula, especially Holmstrom.
It never seems to happen that everybody is hitting at the same time.
Now this is the Bruins team I expected to see. Carolina’s in trouble.
Wow, three game 7’s… the next two days are going to be great.
[quote]whotookmyname wrote:
Wow, three game 7’s… the next two days are going to be great.[/quote]
x2
Wings all the way…
EVERYBODY is calling the Wings in 4 or 5 which always makes me nervous. We should win, but as Scotty Bowman once said, “there’s nothing so uncertain as a sure thing” I’m inclined to think Carolina should get past Pittsburgh, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
EVERYBODY is calling the Wings in 4 or 5 which always makes me nervous. We should win, but as Scotty Bowman once said, “there’s nothing so uncertain as a sure thing” [/quote]
Indeed, indeed…
wont matter how many you wings win it in, penguins are gonna take it this time (and beat hossa up while we’re at it)
What did I say about streaky guys? Cleary’s turn.
It would really be something for the Red Wings and Penguins to meet in the finals again. I’d have to make a new avatar with Lidstrom hoisting the cup at the Joe this time.
How in the hell can they give Kronwall a game misconduct for a clean hit? Before anyone says he charged Havlat, he left his feet AFTER the hit not before.
[quote]StevenF wrote:
How in the hell can they give Kronwall a game misconduct for a clean hit? Before anyone says he charged Havlat, he left his feet AFTER the hit not before. [/quote]
And he started toward him from about 5 feet away.
Big surprises going on here. I didn’t think Pittsburgh would step on Carolina. I also did not think we would blitzkrieg Chicago without Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Draper, our best faceoff man.
Wadda mugging that was.
Things may be different for Chicago in Game 5. I think the Hawks youth was evident mid-way through the second period onward. What a mess of a game.
Also, you can’t count out the Cardiac canes. They seem to find a way when they are up against it.
Nonetheless, Pit/Det final would be sweet.
Oh, I never count anybody out until the final buzzer of that elimination game. However it is unlikely… in the extreme, that either Carolina will win 4 in a row or the Hawks 3.
In other words, barring miracles, it looks like a repeat of last years finals. I still haven’t looked up when that last happened.
I believe with all my heart that that series is ours to lose. We have the more experienced, steady and complete team with 4 dangerous lines, a stellar defensive corp and Osgood shutting the mouths of his critics again. That isn’t the same as saying we WILL win because it’s far from a given that we will play to out potential and Pittsburgh will be positively rabid in their desire for revenge for last year.
The last time that happened (two teams meeting in the Stanley Cup Finals in consecutive years) was 25 years ago when the young upstart Edmonton Oilers faced off against the powerhouse NY Islanders. The Oliers atoned for their drubbing the year before and took home their first Stanley Cup to begin their 80s dynasty.
Perhaps history will repeat itself with the Penguins in 2009?
In my opinion, I think as long as Detroit is healthy they will beat the Pens in the Finals. But if their two best players can’t go, I like the Penguins chances. I’ve never been a big fan of Osgoode, despite his winning playoff record. I think he’s the Wings’ achilles heel. Mix that with potential injuries and it’s tough to bet against Crosby and Malkin.
Regardless, it should be a fun few weeks of hockey!
What an outstanding game last night! Both goalies were great, and Chicago was able to keep their emotions in check. The rest of the Wings stepped up again and showed what depth and experience mean when it counts.
As for Osgood’s detractors, his record speaks for itself. Some say his record is because of the team in front of him, but I actually think it is harder to stand around inactive and then have to make the big save when called upon.
[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
In other words, barring miracles, it looks like a repeat of last years finals. I still haven’t looked up when that last happened…[/quote] 83-84 I think. Edmonton v. NYI (maybe?)
[quote]
I believe with all my heart that that series is ours to lose. We have the more experienced, steady and complete team with 4 dangerous lines, a stellar defensive corp and Osgood shutting the mouths of his critics again. That isn’t the same as saying we WILL win because it’s far from a given that we will play to out potential and Pittsburgh will be positively rabid in their desire for revenge for last year.[/quote]
I’m going with Detroit again this year, but it should be good hockey.
I like the Pens this year, they have one more year of experience and overall seem to be a much better then last year. The way Crosby, Malkin and Fleury are playing right now is exceptional! Crosby and Malkin are amongst the top 5 NHL playoff points per game players of all time right now, it should be an interesting final, I think Pens take it in 7.