Philco is a bad influence.
- EKolb13

he is definately one helluva phhhuuuckin bad influence on all of us here...what a jackwagon ICEHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make a compelling argument how the Red Wings will beat the Blackhawks 4 times in 7 games. The best 5v5 team in the league, best PK in the West, high-end scoring, incredible defensive depth, commitment to the system, 200 feet of hell on ice when the other team has the puck, solid if not great goal-tending. But picking the team that hasn't lost playing hockey once the whole season with a full lineup (which they will have starting game 1) to win a series is biased. Please don't come back
- rollpards19

On paper it sure looks like they win. I still figure they do win. I am predicting now the hawks lose game 1. I get the feeling they come out flat and take wings lightly. They shouldn't but I expect it. And even though crawford has been great so far, I think a lot of us still expect him to start losing it sometime.

On paper it sure looks like they win. I still figure they do win. I am predicting now the hawks lose game 1. I get the feeling they come out flat and take wings lightly. They shouldn't but I expect it. And even though crawford has been great so far, I think a lot of us still expect him to start losing it sometime.
- tomcat24

I really don't see them coming out flat, Q has been killing them in the media, practices have reportedly been as intense as ever, the whole Stalberg situation. If anything I think they might be a little too jacked up and take some penalties. I watched Detroit vs. Anaheim, unless their defensemen all of sudden stop turning the puck over, there will be too many chances for the Hawks. I see a repeat of '09 only in the opposite way

Really - who wouldn't want to see a Hawk/Rnager cup final.

he is definately one helluva phhhuuuckin bad influence on all of us here...what a jackwagon ICEHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


- bogiedoc

Classic!!!

Really - who wouldn't want to see a Hawk/Rnager cup final.
- ksilvy58

Ratings wise Im sure it would be great, but I hate that team. Gotta pull for the under dog Sens.

I thonk its more of the Penguins are no where near as good as people think , they are a one trick offensive pony and exploited a very bad goalie in Nobokov , Anderson is a beast in net and the Penguins are very weak on defense.
- mrpaulish

Hawks in 4...not to be disrespectful to past red wing teams but we just do everything better then what they have now.....whatever Q wants to do with our 3rd line rw is ok with me..bickell is a playoff force.. with bolland back, we have 2 shutdown centers on scoring lines--wings can't beat that

Sharks....Wilson did more than any other gm to improve team

Pens....zebra's blow the whistle on sens and Sid on the PP trumps Anderson

rangers/bruins....they might both lose

I don't think Stalberg has done anything at all... To warrant this kind of treatment. He is a very important part of our best line vs the Wild. We won 4-1. He had a very good regular season. With him being a pending UFA assuming you think he is a valuable piece here- this is nothing short of stupid. Why exactly would he want to come back here and deal with this high school crap?

I agree. Hawks can win regardless. This kind of stuff will guarantee him in another sweater next year. And it's unwarranted IMO...
- ilinkhawk

The FO might know already that Stals won't be back if he did not except a number they have already thrown out to his agent. Now Q might be using his motivational techniques to get as much as he can out of him!!! Tomorrow we will have our answer....

Hawks in 4...not to be disrespectful to past red wing teams but we just do everything better then what they have now.....whatever Q wants to do with our 3rd line rw is ok with me..bickell is a playoff force.. with bolland back, we have 2 shutdown centers on scoring lines--wings can't beat that

Sharks....Wilson did more than any other gm to improve team

Pens....zebra's blow the whistle on sens and Sid on the PP trumps Anderson

rangers/bruins....they might both lose
- nellie

I think Shero did the most.

I think Shero did the most.
- DarthKane

I think Nieuwendyk did a good job improving....just not his own team.

I really don't see them coming out flat, Q has been killing them in the media, practices have reportedly been as intense as ever, the whole Stalberg situation. If anything I think they might be a little too jacked up and take some penalties. I watched Detroit vs. Anaheim, unless their defensemen all of sudden stop turning the puck over, there will be too many chances for the Hawks. I see a repeat of '09 only in the opposite way
- rollpards19

The only thing stopping me from saying the Hawks sweep is the respect I have for Babcock....I think he can get one game out of the Hawks.

The only thing stopping me from saying the Hawks sweep is the respect I have for Babcock....I think he can get one game out of the Hawks.
- UnnamedSource

Hawks in 6 (Hawks win games 2, 3, 5, 6)
LA in 7
Pens in 6
Rangers in 6

I think Shero did the most.
- DarthKane

I think Shero got the wrong guy in Doug Murray. He moves like a sundial.

I thonk its more of the Penguins are no where near as good as people think , they are a one trick offensive pony and exploited a very bad goalie in Nobokov , Anderson is a beast in net and the Penguins are very weak on defense.
- mrpaulish

Your right ....the Pens are not as good as people think but on the other hand the Habs were banged up big time including their all star goalie so the Sens are not Cup contenders even though they are trending.

Also here's a news flash .......Islanders are better than people think and the next few years will bear that out and that it is why the Pens were forced to 6 games

In conclusion
Pens will take out the Sens

Go Hawks go

Good stuff. The Sens are my dark horse to come out of the east. Hawks/Senators Stanley Cup?? hmmmmm
- z1990z

Got some in-laws from Ottawa...they'd be the OUTLAWS pretty quick if we didn't prevail

Philco is a bad influence.
- EKolb13

Hawks in 4...not to be disrespectful to past red wing teams but we just do everything better then what they have now.....whatever Q wants to do with our 3rd line rw is ok with me..bickell is a playoff force.. with bolland back, we have 2 shutdown centers on scoring lines--wings can't beat that

Sharks....Wilson did more than any other gm to improve team

Pens....zebra's blow the whistle on sens and Sid on the PP trumps Anderson

rangers/bruins....they might both lose
- nellie

Not sure I agree with this. I think the forward lines match up pretty evenly, and this has been borne out in 5 on 5 play this year.

The difference is that the Wings D (2 and 27 in particular) don't handle the cycle down low pressure well. The fact that the Hawks have 4 if not 5 D that are very capable of pinching/ jumping in the play to sustain that pressure is big.

In the Hawks end the emergence of Abelkader on Datsyuk's line means that Seabrook will be dealing with 8 in front of the net. I am sure he can handle that, but it does leave Cleary, Bertuzzi and Samuelson free to spend more time in front of the net with someone other than Seabrook. I have a feeling Bertuzzi may end up playing with Andersson and Nyquist on the third line.

I also think 2/27 will be more aggressive than normal pinching and jumping into the play. They will give up some plays this way, but in the long run are better off applying the pressure rather than retreating to the area that they have a weakness with.

The Wings do have PP problem in particular the right point spot on the second unit.

I think the Hawks win, but this has the ability to be a great series, with both teams having a solid reason to apply aggressive play from the point or D jumping the rush in transition.

Q will have some decisions to make on forward as to wether to go with speed or grit.

This series (and type of play I expect) will offer Jimmy Howard the opportunity to graduate from excellent regular season goalie to Big Time status worthy of a 6 year 30 million dollar deal.

I CANT WAIT FOR FACEOFF TIME

My thoughts exactly, to the word
- John Jaeckel

>Would also add that Stalberg HAS made major strides as a player in a Hawk uniform
>BUT -- his ill-timed turnovers and playoff perimeter play don't sit well with Q
>Q is pulling a "Herb Brooks" on Stals -- daring Stals to prove he is a player that CAN make a big difference in the playoffs
>Q has nothing to lose and everything to gain by doing it
>If Stals plays to his FULL potential, Hawks are that much better
>If not, he will sit
>I think Stalberg plays -- to see how he responds to getting the "Herb Brooks" treatment

I think Shero did the most.
- DarthKane

One thing though with Shero's additions is he made that team older and slower. Not that it won't pay off but the entire team looked slow in the games vs the Islanders I watched.

I haven't watched a SJ game since the trade deadline so I have nothing to go on with them. I hear they are faster, which was a problem earlier in the year.

Really - who wouldn't want to see a Hawk/Rnager cup final.
- ksilvy58

Borrrrrring. I want the pens outta the east. And, if not the hawks, the kings or the sharks outta the west

I really don't see them coming out flat, Q has been killing them in the media, practices have reportedly been as intense as ever, the whole Stalberg situation. If anything I think they might be a little too jacked up and take some penalties. I watched Detroit vs. Anaheim, unless their defensemen all of sudden stop turning the puck over, there will be too many chances for the Hawks. I see a repeat of '09 only in the opposite way
- rollpards19

Let's hope you're right. Game 1 would probably be the most likely for them to lose if they do lose a home game. I agree with the Hawks in 6 pick

One thing though with Shero's additions is he made that team older and slower. Not that it won't pay off but the entire team looked slow in the games vs the Islanders I watched.

I haven't watched a SJ game since the trade deadline so I have nothing to go on with them. I hear they are faster, which was a problem earlier in the year.
- Hemingways

Moving Brent Burns up to wing seems to have changed the entire dynamic of their forwards. He has been a difference maker there.

Not sure I agree with this. I think the forward lines match up pretty evenly, and this has been borne out in 5 on 5 play this year.

The difference is that the Wings D (2 and 27 in particular) don't handle the cycle down low pressure well. The fact that the Hawks have 4 if not 5 D that are very capable of pinching/ jumping in the play to sustain that pressure is big.

In the Hawks end the emergence of Abelkader on Datsyuk's line means that Seabrook will be dealing with 8 in front of the net. I am sure he can handle that, but it does leave Cleary, Bertuzzi and Samuelson free to spend more time in front of the net with someone other than Seabrook. I have a feeling Bertuzzi may end up playing with Andersson and Nyquist on the third line.

I also think 2/27 will be more aggressive than normal pinching and jumping into the play. They will give up some plays this way, but in the long run are better off applying the pressure rather than retreating to the area that they have a weakness with.

The Wings do have PP problem in particular the right point spot on the second unit.

I think the Hawks win, but this has the ability to be a great series, with both teams having a solid reason to apply aggressive play from the point or D jumping the rush in transition.

Q will have some decisions to make on forward as to wether to go with speed or grit.

This series (and type of play I expect) will offer Jimmy Howard the opportunity to graduate from excellent regular season goalie to Big Time status worthy of a 6 year 30 million dollar deal.

I CANT WAIT FOR FACEOFF TIME
- TedJacob

will miss having you guys in the west.....next time we have a series is the finals

So NHL refs can't find one minor penalty to call against the Rangers for 4 plus periods, but the Sens break the rules 70 seconds into game 1 tonight...

Moving Brent Burns up to wing seems to have changed the entire dynamic of their forwards. He has been a difference maker there.
- MartiniMan

Agreed..allowed them to skate 3 above average scoring lines. Kudos to both maclelland and burns for that