First off, congrats to the Blackhawks on a great year. They are the best story in hockey this season and are going to be 10 times better next season just on the experience they gained this year. If they can get another veteran D-man, they could really be a cup contender.
As for my pick for the finals... I'm going to hedge just a bit. As a fan, I love the Red Wings, but as an observer, I think the entire series depends on if Nicklas Lidstrom plays or not. Pittsburgh's firepower is very difficult to contain if Lidstrom doesn't play his 30 minutes a game. I think the Penguins have much more offense to work with than the Blackhawks had, and their defense is better, too.
Latest report I saw said the Wings expect Lidstrom to play so I'll say Red Wings in seven. If he doesn't play, or has to sit out more than two games, Penguins in seven. We'll find out right away how much the Penguins have improved over last year, but I think you have to give a big edge to the Wings in coaching experience. Until you've been behind the bench in the finals, you have to give the edge to the team whose coach has already been there.
What do you think?
And hasn't it been fun to watch the NHL playoffs this year? LOVE listening to Doc. He might be the best broadcaster in his sport alive today. I know a lot of people dislike VERSUS, but I'll take them over ESPN for one reason: When you're watching a game on VERSUS, it's about the game. Sometimes when things are on ESPN, its about ESPN more than the game, such as the basketball playoffs. Of course, they don't have anyone like Mike, either.
Comments
I love the Versus channel- announcing is good. Go Pens! I think the Eastern conference plays way faster and harder. Pens in 6...
I'm a big Penguins fan, but I'm hoping more so that they win just so the obnoxious Red Wings fans that seem to surround me will finally shut up. Whether or not the Pens win it, I think the changing of the guard is definitely taking place. Pittsburgh and Chicago are really young, so the future looks bright for both.
Agree on Versus over ESPN. Too many things going on for hokey to get the proper coverage on ESPN.
As far as the series, I'm a Pens fan, but I agree with Blake. Wings in 7. I think the series will be much more competetive than last years but if the Wings are healthy that should make the difference.
I know what you mean. On the Puck Daddy blog, they are constantly griping about Versus -- specifically their studio segments. Maybe it's just because I'm relatively new to the intricacies of the sport, but I like the broadcasts. They are entertaining and informative. Sure they say idiotic things sometimes. What sports broadcaster doesn't? Example: "If that had gone in the net, it would have been a goal." Ya think? :D
Tough call on the upcoming series. The Red Wings have been playing like they think it's 2008. And you've got a good point regarding the coaching. That being said, I don't think the Red Wings are as tough a nut to crack as they were last year. Bylsma has gotten the Pens this far, and it hasn't exactly been an easy road. So I wouldn't put too much focus on that. As a team, the Pens strike me as quite a bit stronger than they were last year. Stronger because they've been there, done that. Stronger because they are hungry. Stronger because they are playing as a team for one purpose, one goal -- not like a pretty good team with a couple of superstars (Washington, anyone?). And they made some very advantageous pick-ups late in the season. They aren't going to blink. Not this time. They are going to give Detroit all they can handle and then some. That's my prediction. Both teams are incredibly strong. Both would be deserving winners. And there is just so many unknowns that can effect things. But if I have to throw numbers out there, I'll say... oh, why not? Pens in 6.
I like Chris Simpson, Penquins in 5
I really like the Versus coverage. Hockey people talking hockey stuff. Mike Emery is the best. No doubt about it. I like the Red Wings for several reasons, 1. They beat my Blackhawks. 2. Lots of Stanley Cup experience. 3. To them it is all about the "Cup". Red Wings in 6 games as long as they stay healthy.
Wings in 7 and if that would happen that would mean that both my favorite hockey teams will have repeated as cup champs!! The game last night between the hawks and wings was one of the best games i have seen in a long time! I am a HUGE wings fan but i honestly felt for Huet after that game. No doubt in my mind that the blackhawks will be around for a long time to come if they keep that team intact!!
This may have been mentioned in one of the other 10 "I Love the Red Wings" posts on here, but did everyone see the shout out to the Komets for winning the Cup during the Wings game the other night?
Sounds like Flint is Toast.....how does that throw a Monkey Wrench into the IHL? Sounds like that is why Dayton is being fast-tracked into the league. Hope it all works out. Flint fans are saying they have attempted to pay for their season tickets and Perani is not accepting their money....
Sounds like trouble. Things don't sound so great for the IHL overall. Pushing a new franchise in to save the league without giving the team a chance to properly market itself....wow.
Flint rumor No. 7634 and counting.
I'll believe Flint is gone when the schedule comes out and they are not on it.
Even if it's true, and Dayton comes in, it's not like it's going to be a total expansion city. They did have hockey there last year. If Dayton was being fast-tracked, they would have already announced it instead of taking their time and checking all the details.
2 Months to me is fast-tracked....unless I am missing something here that says they have been putting this thing together for a longer period of time. (Dayton) And I want them in the league, I just don't want it to be thrown together to fail. I would like to see a strong team in Dayton, which is key for the IHL's success for other future expansion into Ohio and Indiana.
I know there are Flint Rumors....but this is more than a rumor. This is actual Flint Season Ticket Holders that are trying to pay their ticket balances and are being turned away. They say they used to go to the Arena Offices for the Flint Generals to pay for their ST, but the offices have been closed, and calls to Perani Sports tell them they are only taking down names for "possible" purchases of season tickets. This has alot of long-time season ticket holders in Flint very worried. The word has it that the only way that Bob Perani continues in this venture is if he owns the arena, and all accounts so far say this is a dead-end as it has been for several years in Flint.
I know we won't get an official answer right now on Flint, but the reports from the people trying to support the team with season ticket sales are sounding very very bad. Wouldn't you say?
Dayton Gems are sending out E-Mails regarding season ticket packages, they claim you can start buying the packages June 1st.....wonder if news from the IHL comes June 1st?
What will happen to the flint players?
Have you considered it might be a negotiating ploy with the arena?
Hey, if anyone needs to kill some time between now and the finals, here's "Smack a Penguin" from the Detroit Free Press. http://www.freep.com/article/20090527/MULTI/90527096 Not quite as good as "Fight Pat Roy" from back in the day, but still entertaining.