Abel to Yzerman
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by IwoCPO on 04/06/08 at 12:28 PM ET
Comments (38)
Would kind of like to get through this one healthy. Wouldn’t mind seeing Hasek get in the groove. A few other pleasant sights would be a Cleary goal, a McCarty fight and a win.
Oh, and a wayward puck to the head of our hero Pierre wouldn’t hurt either. At least it wouldn’t hurt us.
Oh, and Homer completing every shift without a grimace, if he plays, would be nice too.
1235: McGuire interviewing Lidstrom. How do you feel about winning the President’s Trophy? Lidstrom: “I don’t know. How do you feel being called a Douche Canoe?”
1237: Homer, Datsyuk, Zetterberg. Franzen, Cleary, Filppula. Looks like Ericsson’s out there on defense. Wasn’t aware he’d been called back up. Knew Helms had.
1242: Abdelkader’s in there on a line with McCarty and Hartigan. I’ve seen the suggestions for nicknames for Sparty and I’m not sold on any. Abdelkader (and it’s fun to type. Any time you stay pretty much on the home keys it’s a fun word. I’m thinking “Home Keys” may be the winner) just got drilled.
1245: Holy Jumpin. Hudler scores. Great look from McCarty.
1251: Just waiting for the McGuire segment where he starts talking about how the Wings will lose to Bubba. I’m betting he waits for intermission since he’s so close to the benches.
1306: The Canoe just mentioned somebody’s left eye was bleeding on the Wing bench. Whoa. Another nice pass from McCarty. Almost another point. The Helm/Hudler/Mac line actually looks pretty good.
1311: Trying real hard not to stress about the Tigers. I don’t have room in my life for that kind of pain right now.
1315: Canoe: “Nashville has a fighting chance.”
:
1320: Milbury: “Hasek’s going to start the playoffs because if he doesn’t he’ll cause all sorts of problems in the room. You’ll see Osgood before it’s over.” We’re not seeing Osgood unless Hasek’s hurt. Three months ago? I would have suspected otherwise. Milbury appears to be living in December too.
1331: Mark of an MSM idiot: claiming Zetterberg is a front runner for the Selke without mentioning Datsyuk. Olzyck and the Canoe both fall into that category.
1336: Hasek you crazy motherfu***r. What a save.
1340: Frigging Hasek was trying another Gaborik slide before the whistle blew. I think he might be closer to being playoff-ready than many of us are giving him credit for.
1352: After failing to block the shot that beat Hasek the other night, Abdelkader’s been hitting the ice almost every shift.
1358: Hudler’s first two-point game since 6 January.
1405: NBC on the money again with Bobby Luongo promoting the playoffs.
1407: Canoe and Milbury have climbed all the way in San Jose’s shorts. Guess what? Until you do what you’re supposed to do in the playoffs, you’re still an underachiever.
1420: Puck to the face of Cleary. Eye, not jaw.
1424: Not a big Hartigan fan, as you all well know. But he’s been playing better the last two weeks. That giveaway, though, is not something Uncle Mike will easily forget.
1425: Charlie Buckets is back on the ice.
1429: Every time Hasek’s had a shutout with ten minutes left in the third I’m mentioned it, then he’s lost it. So I’m not going to talk about it today.
1440: Wing third and fourth lines have really looked good. Douche Canoe is talking Hasek right now. Says again goaltending is the Wings’ biggest question mark.
1442: 2nd goal of the day for Lidstrom. They should just go ahead and present the Norris today.
1445: Django with the comment of the day so far below. I, too, am gratified that NBC has elected to point out--repeatedly--just how similar poker and ball hockey are. I’m sure that geek they feature is an absolute monster on the pavement.
1451: And A2Y ruins yet another Hasek shutout.
1456: Have to wait and see the extent Uncle Mike lies to the Diggers, but it would appear the Wings came out of that unscathed. Homer looked concerned as he left the ice, but that is probably my paranoia speaking. Big playoff preview coming tomorrow.
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Comments
Happy, from Mac and Helmer… I like that.
Go Happy!
Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 04/06/08 at 11:47 AM ET
Hudler returns to the fourth line and scores on one of his first shifts. He did really well on the fourth line last year. Looks like he’s found a home.
Posted by Dave on 04/06/08 at 11:52 AM ET
Yeah, DC won’t talk smack while so close to the wings bench. He doesn’t want to get the Strickland special from Babble.
Posted by drgdado from A2 on 04/06/08 at 11:58 AM ET
McCarty’s mic’d up! Should be some good quotes.
Posted by Rumbear from Sun Diego on 04/06/08 at 12:05 PM ET
Just coming in and catching up on Tivo. I don’t mind Doc Emrick, but I’m wondering if DC’s anti-Wing sentiment is rubbing off on him? In his comment that there should be a trophy for the league assist leader, he mentions that just behind Joe Thornton is “Pavel Dats-suck...I mean Datsyuk.”
I had to rewind it twice to make sure I heard it right.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 04/06/08 at 12:08 PM ET
I actually thought “Home Row” as a nickname for Abdelkader until I realized it rhymed with something else and it might draw some immature snickering from forum members...not that there’s anything wrong with being immature.
Right-hand home row keys: “jkl;” How about “Jackal”?
Posted by Matt from Chicago on 04/06/08 at 12:11 PM ET
McCarty looks good. I didn’t think he would add anything for the postseason, but he looks big and active.
Douche Canoe just blew his wad over Bubba in the playoffs. Jesus Christ what a moron. That was stupid more than anything. He just blew his load over the “great young defensemen” Nashville had. Guess that’s why they limped into the eighth spot. I’m sick of the anti-Detroit bias amongst the NHL “media elite”.
Posted by TDeters from Washington, DC on 04/06/08 at 12:17 PM ET
I noticed that you can submit a question to one of the commentators and “win” 20% off an order at NHL.com.
Let’s bombard the douche.
“Pierre, how do you feel being labled “douche canoe” by the members of A2Y? I know you are aware because you seem the type that googles you own name every 12 hours. Also, can you take a puck to the face so we don’t have to suffer through you during the playoffs?”
Posted by eyesris from Chestertown, MD on 04/06/08 at 12:25 PM ET
I’m along for the ride on the Anti-Wing bias. IF Hasek and/or Osgood play just half-way good, the Wings will go for a long run. Hell, I don’t even think the Wings goalies would even have to steal a game just so long as they make the timely save.
I’m really impressed with the Abrasivker kid. And it sure was nice to see Mac get a point; great pass.
Douche Canoe, what a twinkie. Wings this season seem to have quite a bit more grit than in the recent past. Homer, Mule, Mac, Downey, Drake and Abrasisker. Thats six tough freaking forwards. Kronner, Lilja, and Cheli, three tough “D”.
I’d play the Ericcson kid too:
Lid/Raffi
Kronner/Stuie
Cheli/Ericcson
Those are my six.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 04/06/08 at 12:26 PM ET
NBC might as well have mic’d Joe Fan and his buddies if they wanted three guys to exchange hockey banter the whole game… Call the game, Emerick!
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 04/06/08 at 12:32 PM ET
D.C. says Zetterberg is a Selke candidate—what about Datsyuk???
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 04/06/08 at 12:32 PM ET
I like it when Doc takes digs at Pierre, because it’s hard to notice because he always speaks in that friendly voice.
And again, it’s Emrick. Can we all learn to spell that?
Posted by Steve from New Jersey on 04/06/08 at 12:35 PM ET
These guys are punishing us for the fact that the Sharks/Stars game wasn’t chosen as the Game of the Week…
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 04/06/08 at 12:50 PM ET
So I wonder how deep the Hawks can go in the playoffs this year… Oh, wait, they didn’t make the playoffs, not that you’d be able to tell listening to Ed-Zo and Doc and Yosemite Sam and his Magic Douche Canoe…
This is why the playoffs suck- no more Ken and Mick.
Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 04/06/08 at 01:05 PM ET
Matt, there’s not a chance in Douche Canoe Hell that game would be chosen.
Devils/Rangers and Pittsburgh/Philadelphia had much more meaning to them.
Posted by Steve from New Jersey on 04/06/08 at 01:09 PM ET
Wings looking pretty damn smooth. What a Rocket shot from Nick. Cleary parked in front of the net - nice goal!
Two points for the Oompa Lumpa, maybe that’ll get him going, though lately he has had a bunch of scoring opportunities. As Mick says, he is “snake-bitten”.
‘Hawks look like they have decided to pack it in.
One more period, PLEASE, no injuries.
Jennings Trophy looks like it has a new home for next season! Sweet reward for the Wings defensive play.
#4 line playing really freaking well.
Anyone else notice the Abdelkader kid always seems to be around the puck.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 04/06/08 at 01:15 PM ET
Just for curiousity and fun, here are the current odds to hoist the Cup, courtesy Vegas Insider:
ODDS TO WIN THE 2008 STANLEY CUP FINALS
Team Open Current
Anaheim Ducks 11/2 5/1
Detroit Red Wings 8/1 11/2
San Jose Sharks 11/1 7/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 14/1 10/1
Montreal Canadiens 28/1 10/1
Ottawa Senators 6/1 11/1
New Jersey Devils 18/1 18/1
Minnesota Wild 20/1 18/1
New York Rangers 14/1 18/1
Carolina Hurricanes 25/1 18/1
Dallas Stars 18/1 20/1
Calgary Flames 20/1 30/1
Colorado Avalanche 22/1 30/1
Boston Bruins 50/1 35/1
Nashville Predators 13/1 40/1
Philadelphia Flyers 85/1 40/1
Washington Capitals 70/1 50/1
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 04/06/08 at 01:18 PM ET
Um. No. No no no....nononono…
Cleary needs to stop playing the puck with his face…
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 04/06/08 at 01:22 PM ET
Some TV Info: The Red Wings/Predators will get the Sunday NBC game next week, unless Washington plays Philadelphia. If Washington gets a Canadian team, the Wings will play the Preds, likely in Nashville, on Sunday at 2PM.
Pittsburgh will probably get the Saturday game no matter what.
Posted by Steve from New Jersey on 04/06/08 at 01:24 PM ET
I can’t see the game. Can anyone tell me what the lines are? ZDH, Mule/Cleary/Flip, Helm/Mac/Huds, Hartigan/Abdelkader/?
As for Sparty, I like Abs, or the Abductor. Dave at GC suggested “Gator”, also a strong choice.
Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL on 04/06/08 at 01:34 PM ET
Pete:
Zetter/Dats/Homer
Cleary/Franzen/Fil
McCarty/Hudler/Hartigan
Abdelkader/Downey/Helms
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 04/06/08 at 01:39 PM ET
Well there you go. Doc, Eddie and Pierre will be back at the Joe this Saturday at 2PM on NBC.
Posted by Steve from New Jersey on 04/06/08 at 01:39 PM ET
You know, I never realized how much internet poker was like ball hockey in an alley. Thank you NBC for pointing this out to me every five minutes.
Posted by Django on 04/06/08 at 01:40 PM ET
Yeah I thought some Sparties call him Gator, which rhymes with the last part of his name. I like it for him as it fits his style of play.
Posted by Dave on 04/06/08 at 01:41 PM ET
Damnit chief, there goes the shutout. You’re gonna break Hasek’s crazy.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 04/06/08 at 01:51 PM ET
my god I wish I’d checked in here during the game. Just where did douche canoe come from? I’m not sure what that even means but I concur w/ the handle.. Almost as painful to listen to as Nancy boy/Packer on CBS, the only ones that could ruin the NCAA final four, well besides Mussberger.
Posted by rwbill on 04/06/08 at 02:24 PM ET
being a U of M alum, i cannot call Abdelkader Sparty. just doesn’t feel good. i vote for “Gator” too. dig it. tenacious, snappy, big. still green. werd.
Dom looked good. that’s all he needs to be. good. looks like we’ll be good for depth. Helm and Gator both looked really good out there, as did Mac on that goal.
Posted by Alex from San Francisco on 04/06/08 at 02:49 PM ET
That’s Billy Fudgepacker and Brent Douchebagger.
Anyway…
Abdelkader-> Abs-> six pack
Six Pack!!
No, wait, that’s McCarty’s nickname.
Posted by O-Joe on 04/06/08 at 03:37 PM ET
One word you never say during a game is shutout.
How is it that every fan and their mother knows that yet Emrick, a PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCER, does it every time. I swear, this man needs a nickname too. I’m working on it…
Instead of coming up w. different vessels for each member of the NBC broadcast team -canoe, dingy, kayak- could we just refer to them collectively as the douche fleet?
Posted by wingsfanindenver on 04/06/08 at 05:59 PM ET
There was at least one point during the game where a penalty was called and the “announcers” didn’t mention an effin thing about it. No wonder hockey has so little market share in the states. I mean seriously, this is the best the networks can do? Those announcers are pathetic. Pav has the most takeaways in the league, is plus 41 and has 97 points. But there is no way he deserves mention in the same sentence as the Selke. But I think I will go help them out by coding a very in depth ass finding = 2 hands + flashlight algorithm.
I think I actually caught an ear infection listening to those crack heads.
Jeez,
Dan
Posted by ITDeuce from Michigan on 04/06/08 at 06:30 PM ET
There was at least one point during the game where a penalty was called and the “announcers” didn’t mention an effin thing about it. No wonder hockey has so little market share in the states. I mean seriously, this is the best the networks can do? Those announcers are pathetic.
I read somewhere that the reason NBC is covering hockey like that is because some genius decided that hockey fans, especially casual ones, like conversational coverage instead of description of what is actually happening.
Probably the same folks who decided that all women watching the Olympics would rather see soft-focus coverage of the trials and tribulations the athletes have endured to get to where they are instead of showing more actual competition.
(I’ve learned not to mention the human interest stories to my mom - she gets quite annoyed.) 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/06/08 at 07:01 PM ET
that hockey fans, especially casual ones, like conversational coverage instead of description of what is actually happening
I can see that, but at the same time, I think it would be helpful if they explained things such as penalties and showed lots of replays. That’s how people learn the game. Otherwise, the whole NHL on NBC thing is kind of pointless.
The old Hockey Rules bits in the ESPN broadcasts were annoying for experienced fans, but they helped newcomers learn what was going on. If the NHL wants to create new fans, replays and explanations are the best way to do it.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 04/06/08 at 07:05 PM ET
I don’t disagree - it’s just a pity that the coverage is shoehorned into one little box, without any room for variation.
Typical of media in general, though.
If they could do more replays and explanations during the intermissions, pointing out some subtleties that take more time than is available between action during the game, that would also be useful.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/06/08 at 08:00 PM ET
I was at the game today and no, I didn’t see the DC around (I think he was hiding from Wings fans), but I wanted to ask a question to those who watched the game on tv. Buckets didn’t look great to me. He seemed to be floating a lot in the times that I saw him around the net. Do you think he’s still a little gun shy from the injury?
Posted by Hap from Grand Rapids, MI on 04/06/08 at 09:40 PM ET
Buckets didn’t look great to me. He seemed to be floating a lot in the times that I saw him around the net. Do you think he’s still a little gun shy from the injury?
I don’t he’s shy, at least he hasn’t been in the last few games. I think after going up 2-0 alot of guys were just trying to not get hurt in what was essentially a scrimmage. I can’t say I’d blame them.
Posted by wingsfanindenver from 'lancheland on 04/07/08 at 12:13 AM ET
Gawd, don’t talk to me about human-interest stories. I’m a damn misanthrope, I don’t want to hear about some kitten-loving little girl who overcame the adversity of eczema to become the latest US Olympian in jai alai. Get on with the competition. Heartstring-tugging human-interest stories are the single worst trend in reporting, sports or otherwise, in the last twenty years. Schmaltzy tripe.
Baroque, did that sound like your mother? Sorry.
I didn’t realize Ericsson had been called up either. Not sure what that means, especially as he had something of an off game. Guess they’re trying to get him as much playing time as possible now that the Griffs are out of the playoffs. Finally we get a little freaking something from Hudler. He ought to enjoy it because a goal and an assist probably aren’t going to go much way to securing a playoff spot. Same with Hartigan after that giveaway and forcing Dom to save his bacon (which he did admirably-- three on one and he would have had no idea where the shot was coming from-- great read). I expect Uncle Mike probably cut himself a switch after the game. “This hurts me more than it hurts you!” Otherwise though, it’s worth having a look at who picked up points in that game. Lidstrom is a given, but what’s this? No Zetterberg? No Datsyuk? All these strange names? But the Douche Canoe tells me the Wings have no secondary scoring!
As a born and bred Ann Arborite and a product of the Wolverine system, I can’t in good conscience call Abdelkader ‘Sparty.’ I like ‘Gator.’ But let’s see how this develops. Something will come up in a more natural way.
Away for the start of the playoffs. Can’t the family see that Bubba is more important than my mother-in-law’s sixtieth?
Datsyuk will take home the ‘Bud Light Plus/Minus Award.’ If these idiots who couldn’t mention him and Selke in the same sentence weren’t members of the PHWA, he might not have to settle for just that, what with his nearly sixty more takeaways than the nearest competitor and his 54.4% in the faceoff circle.
The world is full of idiots. Like I said at the beginning of this. Misanthrope. Don’t tell me I have no reason to be so.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from the middle of Greenland, far away from anybody on 04/07/08 at 04:11 AM ET
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Holy Hell. Hudler? I was unaware he was still alive. Oh well… Nice vision by D Mac.
Posted by drgdado from A2 on 04/06/08 at 11:46 AM ET