NHL Thread

[pourmeanother]

Originally Posted by lucifer_sam

lol...that was right after they won the Cup in '06. of course they're going to be one of the top rated teams in that game.

Yeah, you're right. I just ran next season too and the Hurricanes won 67 games. What the hell, they are dominant in this game.

[Son of JayJamJah]

The Detroit\Pittsburgh rematch is on it's way.

[lucifer_sam]

yeah, i'll say. could happen a lot sooner than people expected too, thanks to what happened today.

undisciplined penalties (especially from the rookie asshat of the year Versteeg) led to one of the most disappointing games all postseason. Blackhawks look terrible, their goaltending fell apart and they made sloppy plays all over. i can understand their frustration but they can't expect to win whenever they take such stupid penalties.

[Son of JayJamJah]

Originally Posted by lucifer_sam

yeah, i'll say. could happen a lot sooner than people expected too, thanks to what happened today.

undisciplined penalties (especially from the rookie asshat of the year Versteeg) led to one of the most disappointing games all postseason. Blackhawks look terrible, their goaltending fell apart and they made sloppy plays all over. i can understand their frustration but they can't expect to win whenever they take such stupid penalties.

I blame the coaching. Quenville lost it before the second period started and that was it for the Hawks.

[Incogneato]

So how 'bout them Penguins?

Honestly if they keep performing the way they have been I have no doubt that they'll take the cup this year.

[lucifer_sam]

[Son of JayJamJah]

Originally Posted by Incogneato

So how 'bout them Penguins?

Honestly if they keep performing the way they have been I have no doubt that they'll take the cup this year.

It depends on the Wings health; if Datsyuk and Lidstrom are healthy Pittsburgh is going to have a real tough time.

[lucifer_sam]

Originally Posted by JayJamJah

It depends on the Wings health; if Datsyuk and Lidstrom are healthy Pittsburgh is going to have a real tough time.

i think either way the next series is going to go seven games.

last year the Penguins breezed through the playoffs, everything went their way until they actually encountered a good team, and by that time it was a little late to get acclimated to Detroit's style of play. this year they got it rough from the beginning, battling just to get into the playoffs and some more so to get past the Capitals (which was by far one of the most interesting series in the playoffs).

they have the experience, they have the conditioning, and they know what needs to be done to beat Detroit. not to mention the last four games have been some of the best hockey that the Penguins have played. even with Lidstrom and Datsyuk healthy and in the lineup, it will certainly be real tough for either team to come on top.

i know it sounds like i think Detroit's already won (and to tell the truth i can't see the Hawks coming back in the series after the last game), but this rematch is REALLY enticing.

[Incogneato]

The thing is, even if Datsyuk and Lidstrom are healthy, Detroit will need them, specifically Datsyuk, to produce for the team. So far in these playoffs, Datsyuk hasn't really done much at all in terms of contributing to the team's success.

Sure Lidstrom would definitely help them, but even with him healthy, I don't think they have what it takes to stop the Malkin/Crosby duo if they keep firing on all cylinders as they did throughout the series with the Canes. If they keep putting up these kind of numbers and Detroit's stars can't get it going, I can see the series being a quick one.

The Pens seem to be a much better team than last year, and the two people they'll really be counting on now have experience in being in the cup finals.

[Son of JayJamJah]

Originally Posted by Incogneato

The thing is, even if Datsyuk and Lidstrom are healthy, Detroit will need them, specifically Datsyuk, to produce for the team. So far in these playoffs, Datsyuk hasn't really done much at all in terms of contributing to the team's success.

Sure Lidstrom would definitely help them, but even with him healthy, I don't think they have what it takes to stop the Malkin/Crosby duo if they keep firing on all cylinders as they did throughout the series with the Canes. If they keep putting up these kind of numbers and Detroit's stars can't get it going, I can see the series being a quick one.

The Pens seem to be a much better team than last year, and the two people they'll really be counting on now have experience in being in the cup finals.

If Lidstrom are healthy Datsyuk play Detroit in Five otherwise Detroit in Seven.

Lidstrom is the best defender in the league and the best or second best of all-time. Datsyuk is the best defensive forward in the league and he and Zetterberg will shut down Crosby and Malkin much of the series as they did last year and have done to Rick Nash, Martin Getzlaf, Patrickj Kane and Johnathan Toews thus far and have done to pretty much everyone the past 15 years.

Pittsburgh does seem improved, but really are they? The had a better regular season and a better record in the playoffs getting to the cup round. Sykora and Gonchar were playing at a much higher level and Hossa (one of the top 10 forwards in the league) was on their side not Detroit.

The wings have (if healthy) the best forward, best defensemen, the better goalie, the deeper team, more expereince and the better coach.

The x-factor is the Penguins hunger. They are a very talented offensive team and with the Wings fresh off a Cup victory it's unlike they'll be as desperate for the cup as Pittsburgh.

I can't wait.