43 replies to this topic

[YzerFan19]

The Red Wings look for their second sweep in as many rounds as they take on the Stars tonight. It's been ten years since Detroit last lost a playoff game in which they could eliminate their opponents but that was also in the Western Conference Finals, also against Dallas.

Chris Osgood was the goalie then but he's not the same as he once was. In 1998, Osgood still gave up long goals and could be shaken. Today's Osgood is one of the most mentally-tough players in the game. Nothing fazes him. Not goals against, not big saves. He's just in a zone that makes him tough to beat.

He's been able to do it before (see his reaction to my favorite save of all-time) but never this consistantly.

And that doesn't even speak to his level of play. He's better positionally than he's ever been, getting to where he needs to be and not wasting energy. A bit like how Nicklas Lidstrom plays defense.

So while I like patterns and history and all that, I can't say that the Wings' loss in Game Five in 1998 will have anything to do with tonight's game. Just an interesting stat.

Tonight the Red Wings will be without Johan Franzen, still out with unexplained headaches. The Stars continue to miss Jere Lehtinen, Stu Barnes and Philippe Boucher. Mike Modano and Brendan Morrow didn't practice yesterday but are expected to go today, both having missed time in Game Three.

[Johnny Polaris]

I've always had my (half) doubts about Osgood's potential. That baby face kid who had a hard time even getting into the players entrance his first year has got me sold. That third period of game 3, standing straight up and calmly steering the puck about the ice, shows some real confidence.

My brother in Phoenix who runs up to the practice facility when the Wings are in town, wrote me how he couldnt stomach what he was seeing. "Here on one end of the ice was Osgood, standing square, playing the angles and stoidly stopping shots. On the other end was a 6 time Veniza winner, flopping around the ice with his legs in the air and his stick God knows where."

No shot at Hasek but his time is over. Hope Ozzie can keep it going.


mini-rant ... I'm still p*ssed about the lame goalie interference call on Holmstrom and that continuous skick work (Morrow?) on the back of his legs.

[YzerFan19]

Update from the Dallas morning skate, via MacLeod: Both Modano and Morrow will play tonight.

On the Wings side of things, Filppula isn't on the ice but will play tonight.

[YzerFan19]

So far, no last minute updates. I'm still missing my laptop so I'll be checking in at intermissions.

[Britishwingsfan]

Osgood's single-handedly stemming the tide.

[Mathieu_Datsyuk132351]

One thing that makes me smile is how Datsyuk does the holy trinity sign if he's out on the starting line.

The Wings, I hate to say it, are looking a little slow. Hopefully this turns out like Monday's game, where they kick up the pace. I think it'd be neat to see Cleary get a goal, also.

[Britishwingsfan]

The Stars are going to score soon. The wings can only hold them off for so long.

[YzerFan19]

Likelihood that the Wings actually get the next power play? I say low.

Wings D has been strong so far. Nothing on offense, not that they's had a lot of chances.

[Mathieu_Datsyuk132351]

For once, I agree with the Versus guys. &quote: The overhead view was perfect....He was not in the crease./quote.

That p*sses me off beyond belief. So stupid.

[YzerFan19]

Jesus f*cking christ. It should be 1-0 right now. Who did Turco have to blow to get that goal called back?

[Britishwingsfan]

Total bollocks! What a sh*t call. I feel robbed.

[Britishwingsfan]

How did Cleary not score there?

[drwmike33]

That was F*cking stupid.

There was no question he was no where near Turco.

IF!

IF we lose this game, I hope to see a headline saying "NHL beats Redwings."

[drwmike33]

QUICK!

CALL IT BACK!

HE WAS WITHIN A FOOT OF THE CREASE!

[Britishwingsfan]

f*cking hell. What a time to concede a goal.

[choyer]

I can't f*cking believe they called back Datsyuk's goal. Eriksson was causing more interefence than Holmstrom. Complete bullsh*t. What else should we expect from ref's these days though?

[YzerFan19]

For future reference: Two skated in crease is good. Outside the crease is bad.

Holy sh*t.

[Mathieu_Datsyuk132351]

I'm a bit happier now Good goal.

[Britishwingsfan]

Get the f*ck in there!

[Britishwingsfan]

f*cksticks!