NewUserName

I dont think that the Blues crapped out. They played well most of the series, just lost to a very good team. A couple of breaks go their way they could have very easily won this series. Its not like hey got their ass kicked or something but they did crap the bed down the stretch to get such a tough first round match up

NBC crew very briefly suggested it may have been high, but apparently Toronto made a quick decision. wow even I have seen it several times and it looks kind of high...oh well

I was in a no sound situation. How was the Bickell goal not reviewed, or was it and they just didn't show the ref saying good goal? It wasnt obvious, but it sure seemed close enough to being played with a high stick to warrant a review.

weren't you in the NIT last year? Lets be honest you came this close to losing 3 games before you made the final 4. If you would have lost any of those the whole feel about KU would be a lot different right now.

Like I said they are wasting 20 million, a lot of which they added in the last 2 off seasons. They probably would have been forced to play some of these younger players all of last year, but would they really be that much worse off with them? Its water under the bridge at this point anyway. It is just that in recent times the Wings have way over-valued veteran depth guys, while under valuing players in their own system. So they ended up paying way more for depth than they should have. Until this year when the youngsters were forced on them. If they were not paying the likes of Cleary, Samuelsson, Bertuzzi, Kindl, Weiss, Colavacchio, Tootoo, Miller, Quincey and others, there would be plenty of room to have added elite talent. Heck my biggest fear right now is that the Wings will re-sign Quincey and Legwand to 3+million for multiple years and our big hope for next season will be that Datsyuk and Zetts will stay healthy and youngsters will improve. I just rant like this because I think Holland is over-rated in some ways. Obviously he is good at drafting and player development, but kind of bad at taking advantage of that strength. I also look at a team like the Hawks and they went ballz out and signed Hossa when it made no sense at all. In the end, it wasn't that hard to replace Eager, Ladd, Buff etc etc. But it would be very difficult to get a player the same level as Hossa. well yeah, they would've had room for those guys if they didn't make all those other signings, but a lot of those contracts were signed years ago. realistically, it would've been hard for a team with two $7m cap hit guys (zetterberg/datsyuk) to sign another two $7m cap hit guys. the other issue was that there was a lot of competition for both players. almost everyone was in on suter and parise had a lot of suitors as well. Yeah I understand. And I think there was some anti-Detroit sentiment in at 1 of those players. But it isnt really just about them, it is that they really do not leave themselves any flexibility to make such moves because they have so much money tied up into mediocre players. Part of that is there is an organizational view that loyalty is important. That is why a player like Cleary has been around when he should probably have been sent on his way.

Like I said they are wasting 20 million, a lot of which they added in the last 2 off seasons. They probably would have been forced to play some of these younger players all of last year, but would they really be that much worse off with them? Its water under the bridge at this point anyway. It is just that in recent times the Wings have way over-valued veteran depth guys, while under valuing players in their own system. So they ended up paying way more for depth than they should have. Until this year when the youngsters were forced on them. If they were not paying the likes of Cleary, Samuelsson, Bertuzzi, Kindl, Weiss, Colavacchio, Tootoo, Miller, Quincey and others, there would be plenty of room to have added elite talent. Heck my biggest fear right now is that the Wings will re-sign Quincey and Legwand to 3+million for multiple years and our big hope for next season will be that Datsyuk and Zetts will stay healthy and youngsters will improve. I just rant like this because I think Holland is over-rated in some ways. Obviously he is good at drafting and player development, but kind of bad at taking advantage of that strength. I also look at a team like the Hawks and they went ballz out and signed Hossa when it made no sense at all. In the end, it wasn't that hard to replace Eager, Ladd, Buff etc etc. But it would be very difficult to get a player the same level as Hossa.

That is really what the Wings have become. The myth that they are a puck possession team has been over for several yrs. Truth be told the Wings made the playoffs because they sucked the least out of the contenders down the stretch. They didn't have some great stretch drive like last year. Probably would have been 11th or lower out West. Also, as for our great management team. The Wings have 20+ million invested in players that did not even play today, several of them healthy scratches, a couple of injured that were injury risks when signed and a few in AHL. The Wings could easily of had Zach Parise and Ryan Suter but Holland/Babcock were worried about depth. Depth is easy to obtain, heck they had plenty of depth in Grand Rapids. Really good player are worth the risk. As an example, look at the salary cap risk the Hawks took in getting Hossa. Did it cause them cap problems? yes. Did it also help the Hawks win two cups? Yes 2 DET goals were scored in the entire series NOT by Datsyuk/Zetterberg the depth is pretty pathetic, too But if they sign Suter/Parise they probably do not even play Boston. But there are other needs also. Our power forwards on the top two lines either do not want to be a power forward(Franzen) or have no skill(Adelkader). The youth line was not good, but I think a lot of what brought them success during the regular season was out working other teams. In the playoffs everyone plays hard. I think they will improve. I dont even want to begin to talk about how bad our d corps is. After Kronwall it is a mess. And Kronwall is not a very good PP QB.

That is really what the Wings have become. The myth that they are a puck possession team has been over for several yrs. Truth be told the Wings made the playoffs because they sucked the least out of the contenders down the stretch. They didn't have some great stretch drive like last year. Probably would have been 11th or lower out West. Also, as for our great management team. The Wings have 20+ million invested in players that did not even play today, several of them healthy scratches, a couple of injured that were injury risks when signed and a few in AHL. The Wings could easily of had Zach Parise and Ryan Suter but Holland/Babcock were worried about depth. Depth is easy to obtain, heck they had plenty of depth in Grand Rapids. Really good player are worth the risk. As an example, look at the salary cap risk the Hawks took in getting Hossa. Did it cause them cap problems? yes. Did it also help the Hawks win two cups? Yes

As a fan of neither team I have to say that this series has been great. Last nights game was a little more stale than the rest but it was still a very good game. I thought before this series started that it potentially could be one of the greatest first round match ups ever considering the quality of teams, history of rivalry, and the new format. It has really been fun to watch. I have always thought the goalie chant is terrible. It is bad no matter what teams fans do it. Sadly the first time I ever remember it being done was during the Wings/Avs rivalry in the 90s...I hope I am wrong, but Detroit fans in general do some dumb things.

Shattenkirk I think. Kane made a good point, that Smith and Saad drove to the opposite post and gave him the room he needed. Smart play. I think he let him get in too deep without doing something. Trying a poke check earlier probably would have helped. Letting him drift to the the bottom of the circle and not do anything is not the right play. On the other hand it is Kane. Trying any kind of check could just leave you looking stupid on Sportscenter.

So with Matt Cooke doing Matt Cooke things last night, I was thinking. Why does the NHL allow a team to still have 18 skaters when a player is suspended? I think if a team was down to 17 skaters when a player was suspended, a lot of crap would get cleaned up pretty quick. No team would even have a player like Cooke on the roster.

Helluva start, and what an atmosphere! You should try to catch a playoff game if you can. I have been to a couple in my life and it is the greatest sports atmosphere I have ever been in.

So what is the value of this quote here? I guess if your going to be a troll may as well buy in all the way. Im sorry newusername. I just would be less worked up about a dirty hit in a sport where you are kinda allowed to throw haymakers at each other until somebody goes down. Your post is misguided and stupid, if you would take the time to understand the game, you would understand why it is stupid. But since you do not enjoy or care, that is fine, be ignorant....just be smart enough to keep your ignorance to yourself. If not...your just trolling

So what is the value of this quote here? I guess if your going to be a troll may as well buy in all the way.

I think the Hawks are still okay. Obviously they have to win both back in Chicago, but its not like they have been greatly outplayed. Backes health going forward is going to be a question, sucks how it happened but it did. Also, pressure will go onto Blues to close the series out, can they handle it? Hawks have gotten limited scoring from their forwards, which you know is going to change. And overall I still think their PK has been great.

Since there was a 5 min major and Seabrook got a game misconduct, I think he will get 2 games. Just a guess though. He hit a star player, so that will not help.

I am shocked about the Hawks lack of discipline. I think one of their hallmarks is that while other teams have gone stupid(Canucks), the Hawks have maintained their cool and used the stupid against the other team. Seabrook's hit was shocking in its stupidity. That said the Hawks PK has been amazing. I think that has to be a great sign going forward. But I think their Defense's BABIP on shots from point is unsustainable.

So in the I cannot believe that just happened category from last nights Wings/Bruins game. Chara clearly boards Brendan Smith. Could have easily been a 5 min major, if Smith would have actually laid there and played hurt for a while. After Smith got up, Brad Marchand....yes Brad Marchand, came up and confronted Smith about embellishing. Boston makes it so easy to hate them.

Good luck to the Blue Jackets. I am not a Penguins hater, but I kind of like Columbus....except for Wisneiwski

I was going to jokingly call you a Wings homer, but then I remembered you guys hate(d) the Blues too If I was a Homer I would have Detroit up there:). St Louis has been terrible lately, makes me think that they may turn it on in the playoffs. Especially facing the Hawks. But the Hawks are probably the leagues most talented team. IDK, I have pondered on this series for a couple of days and may amend my pick later.

Boston, Montreal, NYRangers, Pittsburgh Wild, Sharks, Ducks, Blues(ducking for cover)

full schedule http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/4/13/5611404/nhl-playoff-schedule-2014-stanley-cup-first-round

I am leaning with the Wild upsetting the Avs. I think the Canadians will make a run to the finals. I know it will get a lot of attention and plenty of TV time, but is there a series more lame than Flyers/Rangers?

I heard several of the white, play baseball the right way members of the media this week finding ways to nitpick his game so far this year. Can't just enjoy the fact he is off to a good start and may be bouncing back after a terrible year.

I'm really tired of Lake being on an MLB roster and variance's continued propping-up of him. Well, not really, I hope variance props him up forever. "i'm really tired of the guy who's probably been the most productive position player on the team since his call-up being rostered!" We don't pay for past performance, remember? All the indications of future performance still suck, no matter what the superficial numbers say. And when that happens I hope he is sent down or whatever. But while he is being productive, I say we keep him