2008 Stanley Cup Finals

[the max 0]

Expect the Bruins to make a big time push for him. He and Chara get along well, he's familiar with Chiarelli from Chiarelli's days in Ottawa and the Bruins will have:

 

- Zhamnov's contract coming off the books officially.

- Murray will be traded, demoted or bought out.

- 10 million or so to play with, more if they get rid of Murray.

 

I'm not saying it's a definite, but they certainly have ties to Hossa and a need for a top-line winger of his caliber to drive the offense with Savard. You figure Sturm-Savard-Hossa with a second line revolving around Kobasew, Bergeron and Kessel in some capacity would be a big time improvement. The need is there, the money is there and the groundwork is there. Don't count the Bruins out.

 

It's not a definite but I'd say that the chances of Hossa staying in Pittsburgh are significantly less than zero.

[Nightwing 0]

I could see that. I dunno. I've been hearing rumors about San Jose, but they've really become the Toronto of the east when it comes to trade and FA rumors (Everyone seems to be going there). max: Do you think that the Bruins would pursue Campbell if he doesn't sign? I'm not intimately familiar with the Bruins situation as you certainly are, so do you think they could make a play for (arguably) the two most-talked-about FAs going into this off-season?

[the max 0]

Campbell fits their need for a puck moving defenseman, but I'd be uncomfortable with paying him as much as he's going to ask for. I don't think they need a high-end guy like Campbell. Maybe someone like Liles from Colorado or Hainsey from Columbus.

[packwingfn 0]

Even though the Red Wings are losing after the first period, that was still a pretty good first period. Let's hope they tie it up in the 2nd!

 

Still the same in the 2nd so far. This is what I expected the series to be like.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

It's scary how bad the Wings are playing right now. Nothing is fucking working and the Pens are using the Wings' own plan against them to perfection. Step it the fuck up already.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

Jesus Christ the Mule is just too good right now.

[packwingfn 0]

What an amazing goal by the Mule

[packwingfn 0]

This has been one hell of a game so far.

[Annabelle 0]

penguins have been really good, and the wings aren't in sync. bad passes. poor decisions. this game should be 1-1. the first goal was a brutal giveaway. but i don't think this game is over.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

I could see the Wings tying it but they need to tighten up considerably and Datsyuk and Zetterberg need to get in sync.

[packwingfn 0]

It's not the Red Wings BEST Game but It defnitely isn't their worse....The Penguins are finally playing like themselves but it is also the energy from the home crowd (I mean come on, they've been undefeated at home since February!!!). I am really not that disappointed in the Red Wings play...I've seen worse.

[packwingfn 0]

Can't say the Red Wings didn't try in that 3rd period. Just gotta tighten up in Game 4 and score first.

[Annabelle 0]

one bad period did them in. two weak pittsburgh goals. the red wings took it to the pens in the third who scraped by the skin of their teeth. i don't think detroit fans should be too worried.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

Fucking Christ, as good as Pittsburgh played the Wings had just too many fucking chances to tie the game. A late power play was a fucking gift and nothing. That aspect of the game better pick up and Lilja really needs to be taken out. Ericsson or Meech would be vastly superior options at this point.

[Red Baron 0]

What a great hockey game. Probably the best finals game since game six of the Oilers/Hurricanes two years ago.

 

Orpik was a monster out there, and Fleury played exceptionally well. (He should have challenged on Franzen, but oh well.)

 

I can see Hal Gill getting scratched in game four and bringing in Kris Letang insteead.

[Nightwing 0]

A great game overall, even if the Wings shot themselves in the foot more than anything else. The two dirty goals really killed them in the end, but they kept it close and competitive. I found the Igloo crowd to be a bit underwhelming what with all the "We are the real Hockeytown!" line (Seriously, if anything Nashville has been the craziest crowd in the playoffs by my watch), and the Wings kept themselves composed well enough. I think they can pull out Game 4, especially if the Pens decide (like they did in New York and Philadelphia) to start sleep-walking again.

[Red Baron 0]

I think they can pull out Game 4, especially if the Pens decide (like they did in New York and Philadelphia) to start sleep-walking again.

 

Maybe Detroit is going to do the same thing, like against Nashville and Dallas.

[MFer 0]

Yeah, I think the Wings will be fine, they just need to start out better in Game 4.

 

On another note, I'm really glad to see Ozzie doing well in these playoffs. He's always been one of my favorite Wings and felt he was underappreciated.

[Nightwing 0]

I think they can pull out Game 4, especially if the Pens decide (like they did in New York and Philadelphia) to start sleep-walking again.

 

Maybe Detroit is going to do the same thing, like against Nashville and Dallas.

 

Huh? Detroit never fell asleep on either of those teams. Dallas played them hard, but Detroit wasn't flat. In Nashville, that was more Ellis playing out of his mind and Hasek choking. Game 5 confirmed as much. The Pens didn't show up at all in New York for Game 4 (3-0), and only woke up in the 3rd period against Philly (3-0 until Staal started up). I honestly don't see how you can compare the two.

[Matt Young 0]

Bets game of the series tonight, made even better by Pittsburgh winning. Also, Don Cherry sported the pimpest jacket EVER after the game. Apparently, he's worn it before, as this pic is old:

 

[DrVenkman PhD 0]

Glad it won't be a sweep, I hate it when teams win championships on the road.

[Red Baron 0]

I think they can pull out Game 4, especially if the Pens decide (like they did in New York and Philadelphia) to start sleep-walking again.

 

Maybe Detroit is going to do the same thing, like against Nashville and Dallas.

 

Huh? Detroit never fell asleep on either of those teams. Dallas played them hard, but Detroit wasn't flat. In Nashville, that was more Ellis playing out of his mind and Hasek choking. Game 5 confirmed as much. The Pens didn't show up at all in New York for Game 4 (3-0), and only woke up in the 3rd period against Philly (3-0 until Staal started up). I honestly don't see how you can compare the two.

 

 

Exactly, thats how Detroit might lose game four or five. (Not both)

[Nightwing 0]

Oh. OH. Okay, different wavelengths, but I get what you mean. I thought you were saying they were the same, but you're just saying that is how it might happen. Gotcha.

 

To pose an interesting question: How many good games must be played for this series to be redeemed? If the Wings were to win the next two in incredibly fun games, would that be enough? Or does this need to go to six or seven to even become passable?

[Matt Young 0]

It has to go 6, at least. Anything less would not only be a disappointment as far as the series in general goes (games 1 and 2 could have only been enjoyable to Wings fans/Pens haters) as well as for the Pittsburgh franchise.

[packwingfn 0]

I still think the series goes 6.

[jimmy no nose 0]

Although I still don't see it going that way, if the Penguins pull out the series Brooks Orpik lives on forever. That 4 hits/3 knockdowns in about 20 seconds is something people talk about forever when looking back at the series. I'm about 100% sure he leaves as a free agent after this year, but I'm pretty sure he officially won over Pittsburgh last night.

[Red Baron 0]

It would be a great series if some of these games finish off in OT.

 

I still say the series will be done in six though, just not Pittsburgh winning it.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

While it was initially thought Tomas Holmstrom suffered a knee injury in Game 3, sources tell TSN the problem may be more of a groin/sports hernia condition that was bothering him just prior to the beginning of the playoffs. If the groin muscle is torn, and the Wings aren’t saying anything right now, Holmstrom could be forced out of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The team's official position is that it is lower body injury and they will know more Friday.

 

That would be a significant loss but plugging the Mule in there would obviously be the best solution. As for what they do for Homer's roster spot, I wouldn't go back to McCarty but instead go to Justin Abdelkader. Rookie or not he's shown enough that he could put in some quality minutes in an energy/checking role.

[Red Baron 0]

Why not McCarty? I mean just shove him in there for five minutes a game and give Maltby more ice time.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

McCarty has taken too many penalties and his play has been decent at best. I appreciate what he's brought in certain games but the next game is too important and they can't afford to be giving Pittsburgh any extra advantages nor can they afford mistakes (and he's made quite a few). I'm not saying Abdelkader would be that much of an improvement but he looked solid in the brief time he played late in the season. His speed and grit would be a definite asset.