I would absolutely bet on Vancouver over Pittsburgh. They have much better goaltending and defence. Pittsburgh has high end offensive talent, but they are not constructed well to win in the playoffs. They don't have anyone capable of shutting down the opposition's top scorers, they don't have the ability to prevent the opposition from scoring. They are also a worse team then they were last year, while the Canucks should be, at the very least, mildly improved (more likely significantly).

Last year Vegas had Pittsburgh as the favourites too. The Canucks and Blackhawks had equal odds, the Flyers were ahead of the Blues and Sharks, SJ was also behind the Sabres. The Sens, Leafs and Canadiens were even with the Panthers and Avalanche. The Islanders were 2nd last at 100-1, the Bluejackets were 300-1.

The Penguins beat a team Vegas had at 100-1 and then a team Vegas had at 40-1. Yeah, pretty impressive.

Do you have any rationale for thinking Pittsburgh is in the same class as Chicago and Boston other than that Vegas says so? You haven't actually provided any analysis.
- KB3Point0

Their goaltending and d were so great they have won 1 game over the last 2 years in the playoffs. Studs I tell you.

Luongo Tanev and Gillis for Tootoo a truckload of Wings Jerseys and Holland

I would absolutely bet on Vancouver over Pittsburgh. They have much better goaltending and defence. Pittsburgh has high end offensive talent, but they are not constructed well to win in the playoffs. They don't have anyone capable of shutting down the opposition's top scorers, they don't have the ability to prevent the opposition from scoring. They are also a worse team then they were last year, while the Canucks should be, at the very least, mildly improved (more likely significantly).

Last year Vegas had Pittsburgh as the favourites too. The Canucks and Blackhawks had equal odds, the Flyers were ahead of the Blues and Sharks, SJ was also behind the Sabres. The Sens, Leafs and Canadiens were even with the Panthers and Avalanche. The Islanders were 2nd last at 100-1, the Bluejackets were 300-1.

The Penguins beat a team Vegas had at 100-1 and then a team Vegas had at 40-1. Yeah, pretty impressive.

Do you have any rationale for thinking Pittsburgh is in the same class as Chicago and Boston other than that Vegas says so? You haven't actually provided any analysis.
- KB3Point0

So Pitt has the crappy goalie and the crappy D yet Pitt gave up less shots per game and less goals per game in the playoffs than van. Lets be clear I dont think Pitt has the better goalie or the better D but its funny how crappy you think Pitts d and goalies are and how great you think we are. Vancouver is the team that is built for reg season success. Look at how we have fared in the playoffs the last 11 games.

You have to almost applaud. LOL. Every vegas bookmaker or betting site has Pitt in the top 4 of last year and even this up coming year. They have vancouver in the 6 - 10 range around 16:1 - 22:1. Yet Van is better. Vancouver fans wonder why people come on our threads and rip us.
- Bluechip23

I have no problem if, as a fan, you have convinced yourself your team is great. That's what fans do...all of them to a degree. It's why the losses hurt so much, we just can't understand them.

IMO, the Canucks are one of the more interesting teams this year. Their range of possible outcomes is so big...they can win their division, or the Oilers could beat them and they can be in the lottery.

Luongo Tanev and Gillis for Tootoo a truckload of Wings Jerseys and Holland
- VANTEL

LOL. Instead of pretending to be the wings of the west coast we should just get their GM.

So Pitt has the crappy goalie and the crappy D yet Pitt gave up less shots per game and less goals per game in the playoffs than van. Lets be clear I dont think Pitt has the better goalie or the better D but its funny how crappy you think Pitts d and goalies are and how great you think we are. Vancouver is the team that is built for reg season success. Look at how we have fared in the playoffs the last 11 games.
- Bluechip23

Did Pitt have 24 penaties to kill in their first 4 games?

Did Pitt have 24 penaties to kill in their first 4 games?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Dirty Canucks

I have no problem if, as a fan, you have convinced yourself your team is great. That's what fans do...all of them to a degree. It's why the losses hurt so much, we just can't understand them.

IMO, the Canucks are one of the more interesting teams this year. Their range of possible outcomes is so big...they can win their division, or the Oilers could beat them and they can be in the lottery.
- djamon

Its going to be a great year. I will be shocked if we arent in t he playoffs. I expect a 4th - 6th finish in the conference. If we get a favorable matchup in the 1st round then I expect to see us in the 2nd but if not then it will be another 1st round exit for us.

Tootoo was awesome to watch as a Brandon wheat king. Running people over behind the net. He's just not big enough for the nhl.

Did Pitt have 24 penaties to kill in their first 4 games?
- A_SteamingLombardi

I dunno, were they dumb enough to take them?

Did Pitt have 24 penaties to kill in their first 4 games?
- A_SteamingLombardi

If you dont committ penalties you wont get called on them. Im tired of all the fans blaming the refs. Stop making excuses as to why we lost. It wasnt the refs it was the sharks being better than us. When we made our cup run I am sure we got our fair share of calls to beat Chi, Nash, SJ. But the moment we lost to the bruins its all on the refs.

Dirty Canucks
- VANTEL

We'll see this year how much of that was because of refs hating AV.

We'll see this year how much of that was because of refs hating AV.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Fixed. . The NHL hating AV GILLIS KESLER BURROWS LAPIERRE

Edler for Smith, Nyquest(sp) and Abbelgaitor
- Bieksa#3

No thanks...keep Edler. Wings don't have cap problems since bonuses can be applied to next years cap and they also will have to trade or waive 2 forwards if all of them are healthy. Nyquist isn't going anywhere.

Personally I would rather the Wings keep Tootoo. He played his role just fine last season. Eaves and Emmerton are likely the odd men out. If it were me Samuelsson would be the first to go with Emmerton or Eaves.

If you dont committ penalties you wont get called on them. Im tired of all the fans blaming the refs. Stop making excuses as to why we lost. It wasnt the refs it was the sharks being better than us. When we made our cup run I am sure we got our fair share of calls to beat Chi, Nash, SJ. But the moment we lost to the bruins its all on the refs.
- Bluechip23

I don't want to get into this discussion about ther refs, but they were brutal.

Did we earn the rep and this is the league paying back bigtime? Of course.

I dunno, were they dumb enough to take them?
- djamon

Their coach and Gm weren't dumb enough to call out the refs for it.

Their coach and Gm weren't dumb enough to call out the refs for it.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Exactly. Even Toronto media was laughing at the brutal calls, but again you hit the nail on the head.

I don't want to get into this discussion about ther refs, but they were brutal.

Did we earn the rep and this is the league paying back bigtime? Of course.
- VANTEL

Fair enough. Refs suck for everyone. They do the best they can. Will they make mistakes of course they will. AT the end of the day they are human.

Their coach and Gm weren't dumb enough to call out the refs for it.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Dont forget the players as well in this equation. Blew my mind when that happened. I knew we were done then.

Luongo Tanev and Gillis for Tootoo a truckload of Wings Jerseys and Holland
- VANTEL

Too bad we don't still have Raymond, might have been able to add Datsyuk to the deal.

Too bad we don't still have Raymond, might have been able to add Datsyuk to the deal.
- Marwood

It wouldn't have worked, they wanted Ballard.

Too bad we don't still have Raymond, might have been able to add Datsyuk to the deal.
- Marwood

LOL. I spit out my milk when I read that. Welcome back my friend.

Dont forget the players as well in this equation. Blew my mind when that happened. I knew we were done then.
- Bluechip23

There is a difference between complaining about calls on the ice during the heat of the game and stepping up to the mic after the game. All players complain during the game, but to bring in up after the game is over is just stupid and will always backfire in the next game.

There is a difference between complaining about calls on the ice during the heat of the game and stepping up to the mic after the game. All players complain during the game, but to bring in up after the game is over is just stupid and will always backfire in the next game.
- A_SteamingLombardi

yup totally agree.

There is a difference between complaining about calls on the ice during the heat of the game and stepping up to the mic after the game. All players complain during the game, but to bring in up after the game is over is just stupid and will always backfire in the next game.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Spot on.
Shut up and just play the friggin' game. Or just shut up anjd coach the friggin' game.