and how can you say that the loss of Datsyuk was not big? 3-3 going into overtime. Having someone like Datsyuk would have either helped the Wings win the game before O/T or would have been a huge help in O/T to get the win. Instead the Blackhawks get the win and are now back in the series. Getting a win is huge especially for the younger team. They'll probably be much more confident going into the next game now.


and no suspension for the shot to the head... just a $2500 fine. $2500 is a pretty weak fine considering these players earn millions of dollars a year but I'm pretty sure it goes to a charity of some sort so it's at least doing some good.

The Wings were just sloppy early on, but, we got it back together, only to falter in overtime. Ozzy just wasn't doing well in the beginning of the 2nd period. It seems like the majority of the goals in this series are re-directs. With the way the Wings played without Datsyuk, I could see them handing a home loss to Chicago in game 4, as long as the play like they did in the last 12 minutes of the 2nd period.

and maybe that's all it was.... but again I have to say, having Datsyuk on the ice early on might have kept them from being as sloppy.... it might have been the advantage Chicago needed to stay in the series.


And opinions on the Kronwall hit on Havlat? If you watch the play the refs don't call anything.... I think the hit was pretty clean. Havlat had his head down and wasn't expecting the hit which is probably why he took it so hard. I think the penalty calls were reactionary by the refs and not deserved.... Hopefully Havlat is okay because that would hurt Chicago's chances of beating Detroit.

I think it was clean. He was hunched over a bit, if he had been standing up, Kronwall would have gotten him right in the chest area. Yea, not knowing a hit is coming always amplifies the hit once it gets there. Yes, there were a few penalties that went to either side, but, there was a little bad blood between the teams after that. Datsyuk, being a great all around player, could have helped out the Wings, but, I think we can pull out a win in Chicago.

for sure... if Detroit plays a solid game from the get go they will probably get the win.... Chicago barely got out of game 3 with that win so it's very possible that Detroit will be going home with a 3-1 lead in the series.

uh oh... Pittsburgh is up 5-2 with a minute left...

looks like they'll be heading to the finals pretty soon. Up 3-0 it's nearly impossible for Carolina to come back. And with Crosby and Malkin tearing it up like the are I'm really looking forward to the finals! It will be a much more even contest this year I think.

Oh, 6-2.... jeez... they're just not letting up.

HEY, don't diss baseball (or football, but more importantly baseball). It's a great sport (and even better when your team won the world series and you went to their parade)



anyway, was there any doubt that the Pens would win that series? The Canes just aren't that good a team. The East was a disappointment in the playoffs this year (in all but one series...Caps vs. Pens, until a pathetic game 7) , so hopefully the Wings and Hawks have a nice series (that the Wings will go on to win)

I agree ziggy, the East playoffs were weak this year. The only good series involved the Pens, as the Was-Pit wasn't bad, and it was fun watching the Pit-Phi series because of the bad blood between the teams. Anyway, the East playoffs have been anything but exciting. The West wasn't all that great, except for the Ducks beating #1 San Jose, the Wings taking out the Ducks in game 7, and, the current series hasn't been all too bad. I think that Datsyuk is coming back, and with Havlat and Khabibulan out, Detroit's chances just went up. GO WINGS!

well, the goaltending loss isn't huge.... you're going from a #1 goalie to another #1 goalie.... and one who is very very fresh. I don't think it will hurt Chicago too much there. I also have not heard word about Havlat not playing.

Detroit is probably losing Draper and Datsyuk for Game 4. Neither skated during practice on Saturday so they most likely won't be playing today.

And no, I didn't doubt the Pens would win.... I just thought Carolina would put up more of a fight. But when your tops guys are outscored like 10-1 by the opposing teams top guys it's hard to win games.

So Chicago will even it up with the Wings missing two of their best. That just means the series will go on longer. This one could very well go 7, and I'd be fine with that.

What a win for the Wings... without Datsyuk, Draper, and Lidstrom, the Wings take it to the 'Hawks. 6-1? Who would have thought that without these three players they could win this bad? With the way they played, I see this one done in game 5, with the Pens winning in 4. Looks like it wasn't going to as exciting a series as we thought it would be...

Yeah... after that game I don't see Chicago lasting much longer.... they might pull off a win in Detroit but I have trouble believing it's likely. I guess this young team has a little more growing up to do before they're ready to beat detroit....

No, I think that pretty much sealed the deal for the Wings. I really thought Chicago was a much better team than that. Oh well, Detroit will be back in the finals for like the billionth time

they are a good team... but most teams this year failed to beat Detroit.... they've just got such a dominant team/system going on. Sure a game or 2 here and there they would lose but it was rare for any team to beat Detroit more than once or twice all season.... I think Pittsburgh is the only team coming out of the eastern conference that has a realistic chance of beating them anyway.... maybe Boston if they had stayed on their game but they fell apart as the playoffs went on.

Oh, I know they're good, but after seeing the last two rounds I thought they were better.

I figured that Boston (with their amazing D) probably would have been the toughest opponent for Detroit, but like you said, they completely fell apart. I think the Pens have a shot, but they don't have consistent enough play from people not named Crosby or Malkin to beat Detroit yet

yeah.... but Detroit hasn't been totally on form either.... the Ducks gave them a good run.... 3 of the 4 games with Chicago have been a LOT closer than the 3-1 lead makes it seem.... and the top players for Detroit just aren't putting up big numbers. Datsyuk has been almost silent during the playoffs.... Dan Cleary is third on detroits scoring, which says a lot about how the team is putting up points....

I just don't see the dominant Detroit team from last year. Sure, they're still a great team but they're going to go up against a better Pittsburgh team. Sure Pittsburgh relies on their top 2 guys to win and most teams can't shut down both lines effectively. When one plays badly the other usually has a good game.

I guess I just think it's going to be a close series. I don't think either team has a clear advantage over the other.

Well, Detroit did just beat Chicago on the road 6-1 with two of their best players injured, so I don't think this series is any closer than that.

Overall, Detroit is just a better team...again...like they almost always are


EDIT: and now the Pens officially are going on to the Stanley Cup Finals

and there goes Carolina.... 4 more Pittsburgh wins left!

I think you mean 5 more Detroit wins. Since they'll finish off Chicago tonight, I think I'll make my prediction...Red Wings in 6. I'll even predict who will win which games:

Game 1: Wings
Game 2: Wings
Game 3: Pens
Game 4: Wings
Game 5: Pens
Game 6: Wings

Road wins are tough, but both teams are easily capable of them

4-1 series win for the Wings, here comes a Stanley Cup rematch. I see a similar series to last year... I think both teams are basically the same as last year, but, if Lidstrom and Datsyuk are out for the first game or so, expect a long series, or even a Penguins win. I would have liked to see a Wings loss tonight, just to rest up some of the players, cause now games 1&2 of the Stanley Cup are back to back I think, not good for players coming off of injuries. Well, its time to wait and see.... anticipation mounts