The Floppinator sure did keep us in it in the first period. The rest is history and the goal by D-Mac was a preview of what Darren has to offer. Not goal scoring, but playoff experience. The Wings have the fundamentals down pat and that is why we have such a good team. Fundamentals not structure as the DC said. Gee, for a hockey commentator he has no idea of the right terminology to use to describe what he is seeing. As far as breaks go, good for us. It’s about time. I like having Lady Luck on the Wings side for a change. Good to be lucky and lucky to be good. So,"BRING IT ON!” Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Great write-up Chief.  Agreed about Hasek and Homer.  IMO, Franzen played extremely well on Saturday too.  He has been a Swedish Wrecking Ball.

Bubba did get screwed, and I’m wagering they will find something else to cry about before this series is over.  I may have to modify my prognistication from a 5 game series to 4.  At the moment, the Hockey Gods are clearly aligned witht he Winged Wheel.  WooHoo! 

Monday nights game will define the series—lets hope short and sweet!

You must have had too much party punch yesterday, throwing compliments to the Delicate Genious—Good Gawd; buck up there Sailor.

is the Douche Canoe still saying we have no secondary scoring???

we only have 6 players without a point and even the little ball of hate mkII is taking it to them…

just wish Flip could hit the backside of a barn door with a banjo, maybe that’s easier to do down south…

if we sweep (or win in 5), we can avoid being on NBC next weekend and have even more disparaging remarks from the Canoe and the Shoe Beating Muppet.

Bubba’s angry? Meh…

The Wings are usually the ones getting boned on calls like that.  I’m glad one went our way this time.

Last year in the playoffs, Dom was pushed over the line by an opposing player while he had the puck trapped in the blue.  The ‘goal’ counted.  Did every Red Wings fan come out of their boxers ranting and raving?  Yes, for about two minutes.  Then we got back to watching the game knowing that one bad call or non-call early in the game does not decide the outcome.

Bubba’s whining about Hommer’s fat ass, too.  Personally, I fault the inexperienced Ellis for the Lidstrom goal.  You think Dom or Kipper or Giggy or Bobby Lu or any other seasoned netminder (except Legace) would not have moved up in the creased and initiated contact with Homer as Lidstrom was about to launch the shot?

Anyway, the fans who have a right to be angry right now are Boston fans.  That phantom trip called against the Bruins in OT last night, leading to the Kovy PP game-winner, was an abomination.

I caught this article late yesterday on nhl.com

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=NewsIndex

Predators Advance to NHL’s Second Round

Detroit (AP) Apr 12.  The National Hockey League today announced that the Nashville Predators were the first team to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.  The surprising announcement was made today at the Joe Louis Arena following the Predators’ 4-2 loss to another team by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman (emailto: ).  “We have a lot invested in this franchise and it gives me great pleasure to announce that hard work has payed off.  The Predators will be playing in the second round against another nameless, faceless opponent,” stated Bettman.

NBC’s expert hockey analyst Pierre McGuire congratulated the NHL on its bold decision.  “Nashville has been the best team in its first round series, in fact its the only team I’ve seen play.  It’s the right thing to do.”

Answering questions from a puzzled pool of reporters, Commissioner Bettman explained the decision.  “We’ve been propping up Nashville all year.  Check out their home schedule.  Almost half of their home games were against teams playing their second of consecutive-night back-to-back away games.  Do you think that was by accident?  The NHL gave no other team such an advantage.  If Nashville didn’t advance in the playoffs that would be an embarrassment for the league.  We already killed the sale of this franchise to a more deserving Canadian market.  This franchise will be successful, or I don’t know ice hockey.”

Questioned as to the historical tradition of having to win four games to win a series, Bettman countered, “Hockey tradition is overrated, so this was a no-brainer, something I’m good at.  I was in attendance today, and my aides told me it was a good game.”

NHL.com ace writer Dan Rosen enthusiastically supported the announcement.  “This validates my review of Game 1 that Nashville only lost because the other team was lucky.  The puck just goes to them.”

The NHL refused speculation about further playoff participation by the unnamed team that has not yet lost to the Predators in the first round.
____

1. Yes, the no-goal should’ve been a goal. Sorry, game still ends 4-3 though. And if you even give me that whole, “That goal changes the complexion of the game!” thing, then I’ll give you, “Yeah, you’re right, Bubba probably would have sat back and not have played nearly as well the rest of the first.” The point? There’s no way of knowing, so those arguments are weak.

2. Homer’s goal was legit. The rulebook does not exclude a player from being in the blue. Only in the case that being their takes away space the goalie needs to get into position to make a save. Ellis was as square to Lidstrom as he could possible get. End of story.

3. And don’t give me any of this Bubba’s so unlucky garbage. Did you see their goals yesterday? Yes, Detroit has had more breaks, but Bubba hasn’t gone without them.

4. Lastly, regardless of those bad breaks, the Wings have clearly been the better team. Ellis has been outplayed. The Arnott line has been awful. Dumont has been a turnover machine with the likes of Zetterberg and Datsyuk and Franzen hounding him. Bubba has been undisciplined, costing them the Lidstrom goal yesterday, as well as nullifying many power plays in the first two games. What has Detroit done wrong? Really just two things. They’re finishing has been a little tense, and the puck movement on the back end hasn’t been quite up to par.

Watching the replay of NHL On The Fly Final, and note three items:

1.  On the Fly chimes in on the “no goal” by Radulov.  Replays are conclusive.  Bubba was screwed.  Since the NHL is notorious for the “even up”; expect the Wings to get screwed in Hicksville.  Thanks Gary.  Ass.  But Wings will win anyways, and show a lot of class by dismissing the “even up” as the part of the game that it is.

2.  What seems to go completely unnoticed by the MSM is what the Pred. top players are doing, or more appropriately, not doing through two games:

Arnott 0 points, -2; Dumont 0 points, -4

3.  They show an interview by Douche Canoe of Hank, and DC is looking longingly at Hank, and may have blew it by the look on his face; Emma might be jealous;

I noted in the Forum that in game 1, Bubba had 9 shots in the last 40 minutes.  Last night, Bubba managed only 9 shots in the last thirty minutes. 

SHOTS 1 2 3 T
Nashville 15 5 7 27
Detroit 11 14 13 38

Damned impressive.  DC was noting, after the Draper goal, that Bubba had pretty much packed it in.

Expect Bubba to be on fire in the 1st on Monday.  If DET holds it own, or even manages a lead; this may be a really short series.

Be interesting to see which Ellis shows up.  Talk about pressure—and at home.  Ellis looked a lot more mortal yesterday than in game 1.  He is a rookie. 

CMOI was, well the CMOI.  Wings may go for a long ride this post-season if he keeps playing like he has.  Only softie I have seen so far was yesterday from TuTu, after LIL’s gift wraps a turnover.

Reading the comments from Preds GM David Poile…

In looking at the replay with the audio, the whistle had not blown before the puck was in the net.

Excellent analysis, Mr. Poile, even though the whistle sounding after the puck crossed the line has absolutely no bearing on whether the goal should’ve counted.  The play is dead when the ref loses sight of the puck. What happens after that point is irrelevant.  Argue that it’s Marouelli’s job to NOT lose sight of the puck in that instance and I’ll be on your side.

[Holmstrom] is the best at [screening] in the league, but he’s got his foot in the crease...It’s right there. [A referee] is right there looking at it.

Again, excellent analysis, David.  And if this were the 1998-99 playoffs, you’d have a valid complaint.

Stupid Bubbas, they have no idea why they should be angry.  They just is.

@RWBill--

Nice article. 

Anyway, the fans who have a right to be angry right now are Boston fans.  That phantom trip called against the Bruins in OT last night, leading to the Kovy PP game-winner, was an abomination.

Saw that.  It wouldn’t have bothered me if (as usual) so much worse hadn’t been let go earlier in the game.  Consistency, either strict or lax, is so much better than this random penalty crap.  I feel bad for Boston with all their injuries - an accomplishment just to make the playoffs, and then congrats! You get to face the nemesis you haven’t beaten all year!

It wouldn’t surprise me if that series is a sweep - but if Dallas can dispatch Anaheim in four straight?  The Stars played very well against the Ducks all year, but this kind of domination is a surprise for me.

Nope...still not a goal guys.

When they showed the footage of the ‘above the goal cam’ you see the puck hang ON TOP, but not OVER the line until it is pushed in by the sliding TooToo (I think it was.)

Regardless of whistles, or INTENDED whistles...NO GOAL.

Funny how no one appears to be using that camera angle as they whine about another Wings victory.

p.s. We need to have a DC photoshop contest. I’d pay money to see him wearing a dress...staring longingly at a clean-shaven Zetterberg.

Thoughts:

Was Babcock’s time-out a good move or what?  Babs is improving just as his players are.

How in the heck do they call a penalty on Hasek when Arnott hooked his skate?  That really upset CMOI.

I think all the Preds’ work on Hasek had an effect.  They were running him, tauting him, poking him, tripping him.  When he did not get the tripping call that should have been made, he lost it. 
In his temporary insanity he wandered behind the net, giving Radulov the free goal off the stansion.  Then he gave 22 a softy, and allowed 2 shots off the posts.  Thank heaven Babcock stopped the game with his timeout.

The Wings started to have trouble when 22 started going around banging people.  I was worried that Chelios might have broken a rib. 
Look out for more of 22 banging in Bubbaville.

Chief, this line was hilarious:  “Game 3 on Monday in front of a bunch of people who don’t like us very much. Many of them related.”

Wings have been the better team over the first two games.  Period.  Bring it on in Nashville.  This is a strong team.  The flying circus is unstoppable and the secondary lines are great.  Hasek, what can one say, an excellent game, even with the end boards mistake.  Only two blemishes are Lilja and Hudler.  Lilja makes that gaffe and Hudler is our weakest forward.  I guess only two players not playing well is ok.  Cautiously optimistic at this point.

On the calls, this stuff evens out.  Bubba got terribly lucky with the end boards goal.  That stuff all evens out. 

Hope we sweep and the other series continue to be long and contentious.

I was extremely happy to see Mac get a goal, and so were the other fans in attendance. I think I may have popped my spleen or a kidney screaming so loud. Was great to hear the Joe erupt like that.

actually, if you watch the top-down (first one I’ve seen) replay of the non-goal, it should NOT have counted.  the net was moving when the puck got to the blue line.

http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip45126#clip45114

close, but the right call by the refs.

oh, and later in that clip you can hear the Preds taunting Hasek after the Preds’ second goal.  That just goes to show how stupid they are.  the last goalie in the world you want to play against when he’s pissed is Hasek.  dopes.

Did anyone notice Zanon on the “Mic’ed up” segment?  After Tootoo’s goal, you could clearly hear him say “Five Hooooole!” a couple of times as he skated by Hasek.  The fact that Draper’s goal banked in off Zanon’s skate just moments later was poetic justice.

You don’t taunt the CMOI, without it coming back to haunt you.  He’s just too crazy in the head.  He’s been fantastic in these first two games.

Saw that.  It wouldn’t have bothered me if (as usual) so much worse hadn’t been let go earlier in the game.  Consistency, either strict or lax, is so much better than this random penalty crap.

Couldn’t agree more.  But the biggest travesty on that particular call was the (painfully) clear high stick to Reich’s face that went uncalled just prior to the phantom trip they called on him.  MacLean tried to poo-poo it after the game by saying the high stick came on the follow-through.  What the ... ?  Oh right, you’re only responsible before you contact the puck - after you’ve released the puck, heads are fair game.  That might be the dumbest thing MacLean has ever said on tv.

her is indisputable proof it was no goal, the net was off before it went in.

original position of the net, undisturbed:

net position when the puck is directly on the goal line:

see how the top end of the crossbar has already moved?  it’s no longer in front of the goal line, and the net is crooked.  the Pred player’s elbow is impacting the crossbar.

net position when the puck crosses the line:

now the bottom post has been pushed back, and the top post is further back.

clear and indisputable.  had they reviewed it, the call on the ice would have stood.

the original position superimposed on top of where the net was when the goal went in:

It appears the goal should not have counted, after all. What is best about the video posted above by PaulinMiamiBeach, was that Zanon, who screamed like a 9 YO girl after 22’s tying goal and hollered “Five Hole"(sheesh!), actually kicked the Wing’s next goal in the net! That was beeeyootiful!

It was a goal.  It doesn’t matter whether the net was moving or not.  Play is only stopped when the net is completely off its moorings, ie. you can see the holes in the ice.  Calgary had a goal like that allowed in game 1 where Iginla was falling into the net but just managed to hold it down long enough for the puck to cross the line.

I don’t know what the rule actually states realted to a net being on its moorings, but I’ve seen the net be disturbed but play continue so long as it does not actually come off the moorings.  The net was never off the moorings until after the puck crossed the line.  So given the way I’ve seen that handled in the past I think it counts.

However, count it or no - it’s still a Wings ‘W’ so who cares, eh???

I don’t think the Preds have gotten screwed at all so far in this series.  Z’s first goal in game 1 was supposedly “unfair because the play was offsides”.  And of course the goal-that-wasn’t-a-goal yesterday.  Both plays have been so close, that you have to go to the frame-by-frame replay to even consider saying that those calls were fair, unfair or whatever.  The obvious problem is that the refs don’t have that luxury.  Whether the Z goal was offsides (which it wasn’t) or not, you can’t friggin’ review an offsides.  You also can’t review the play from yesterday, because intent to blow the whistle isn’t reviewable either.  Even if it was, I still don’t think the replay was enough to overturn the call.  Nick’s goal with Homer in front of the net.  GOAL, no question, Ellis WAS square to the shooter, no contact was made between players. 

Zanon taunting Dom?  Not funny at first, HILARIOUS after Draper’s goal.  What an idiot.  I’m actually glad to see that NBC caught that on the microphone.  Shows you the level of class on that team, meaning none.

Overall so far, Wings have pretty much dominated, with the exception of the first period yesterday.  My prediction of Wings in 5 with a split at the SoGay is still looking good.  Of course if the boys pull off a sweep, I won’t be upset about that.

It was a goal.  It doesn’t matter whether the net was moving or not.  Play is only stopped when the net is completely off its moorings, ie. you can see the holes in the ice.

http://www.nhl.com/ext/0708rules.pdf

The goal frame is considered to be displaced if either or both goal
pegs are no longer in their respective holes in the ice, or the net has
come completely off one or both pegs, prior to or as the puck enters
the goal.

for the crossbar to have moved backward like it did, the pegs must be out of their holes.  that the rulebook adds “or...has come completly off one or both pegs” shows that the first part is partial dislodgement.

net be disturbed but play continue so long as it does not actually come off the moorings.

play continuing, and a goal being awarded, are two different situations.  again, from the official rules:

When the net is accidentally displaced by an attacking player, and
the defending side is in possession of the puck and moving out of their
zone, play shall be permitted to continue until such time as the nonoffending
team loses possession of the puck.

Looks like it probably should have counted.

But it wouldn’t be as significant if Nashville could figure out why the only scorer they have is Jordin Tootoo.  Even at a goal a game, if no one else helps him consistently this is going to be a very short series.

Good round for the agitators, though.  Tootoo chipping in offensively and Sean Avery has a couple for the Rangers.  They might have to toss more cash to resign him than they thought if he keeps this level of play up, as he seems to be a perfect fit with that team.

Well, I was actually in agreement with the MSM that it probably should’ve counted. But Paul from Miami makes a good point. After watching the TSN replay a few times, Paul’s caps are pretty accurate.

Ryan from Toronto makes a good counter-point, though.

Ultimately, what that results in is a small grey area where, frankly, both teams have valid points. Since the evidence was not undisputable, I would have to think that under no circumstance would the league have overturned the call on the ice.

After they showed Gary Bettman at the game I secretly hoped that someone at the Joe had a ‘Thanks Gary. Ass.’ sign.

check out ESPN’s NHL page headline:

Detroit Luck City

yeah, because they don’t have any skilled players.  Hasek didn’t stand on his head.  Nashville hasn’t gotten any lucky breaks.  they haven’t been outshot badly.  the Wings haven’t been taking the physical play to them.  sheesh.  the anti-Wings bias around the media only makes winning that much sweeter.

This focus on a disallowed goal is just an indication that you are not watching the other games.  It is happening in every series, happens every year, and just more of the same ‘ol, same ‘ol.  Every team that loses, complains about the officiating, and also most of the teams that win.  It is just hockey, get over it. 

The only way it will change is if you go back to one referee.  That would cut the number of bad calls by 50 %.  Eliminate the video replays and leave everything up to one referee.

Blaming Lilja for Tootoo’s goal is equally rediculous.
That shot was stoppable.  It came about when Hudler mishandled Cheli’s breakout pass and Cheli and Lilja had their momentum already on the forward rush.

There was a remarkable improvement in the NBC broadcast..
An indication that someone at NBC is reading the hockey blogs.  They cut way down on the idle chatter and actually did some play by play.

Paul in Miami: thanks for the images. They were helpful in proving that the gods may, in fact, be with us this year.

I TOLD YOU ALL BITCHES THAT BABBLES WOULD BE THE MAN THIS SERIES

ahem...and more pleasant news. I watched a lot of the Anaheim/ Dallas game last night (after the conference) and it was an absolute pleasure. Modano is still a treat to watch, Ribero is a high quality player and Richards is too. HOWEVER, there is no greater pleasure than seeing Scotty N and Sasquatch get all pissy, take stupid penalties and continually hurt their team. Especially Scott N.

For all the fellation he gets from the MSM, he proved himself a miserable “leader” yesterday. There was a close second pleasure though: JSG getting beat like Tina Turner. They’re even contemplating switching goaltenders for game 3.

Playing Dallas in the WCF would be lovely. A hard fought series for sure but Wings in 6.

Osrt,

I watched the Dallas/Ducks game last night as well. Niedermayer did prove himself a poor leader last night.

But I would argue he proved himself a poor leader when he held his team hostage for half a season.

I do one every year...a Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket.  I know, it’s not really a bracket.  Print this and you can keep track of all the series and write/type the rest in as things progress.

http://www.ubeek.com/2008%20NHL%20Stanley%20Cup%20Playoffs.doc

One thing I noticed, since I had to switch the logos, is that more teams in the East missed the playoffs that were in it last year than the West.

LOL @ Barry Trotz.  From ESPN:

“When I really watched it in review, his feet were in the blue,” Predators coach Barry Trotz said. “According to the rules, you can’t be in the blue.”

Really?  Is it still 1998?  If you “can’t be in the blue” then why are they whining about the goal being waved off when a Predator was IN THE NET?!

If you “can’t be in the blue” then why are they whining about the goal being waved off when a Predator was IN THE NET?!

Exactly.

But I would argue he proved himself a poor leader when he held his team hostage for half a season.

I would agree Nathan, but I’m not sure it wasn’t planned that way. Brian Burke creeps me out; he strikes me as an evil genius. Boo

If you “can’t be in the blue” then why are they whining about the goal being waved off when a Predator was IN THE NET?!

Point.

Oh another two pleasure points from watching the Poultry suck yesterday:

Bertuzzi took several idiotic penalties after “coming to the defense” of Selanne whenever he got bitch slapped, even when it was clean. Stilwuzi also flubbed two key shooting chances and, according to the Versus broadcast, hasn’t produced much in the last thirty games or so. All I could think was $4.5 million; I smiled.

Second was Schneider. He played well enough but went for a hit that cost them a 2-1 and the game winning goal, if I recall correctly. Oh Matthew, thanks for leaving.

(There was also a goal-of-the-week highlight from a while ago, in which Schneider coughs up the puck to a penalty killer then absolutely mugs the man trying to stop the breakaway. The guy keeps fighting, throws Schneider off, gets up and scores.)

I knew Dallas would play the Pond Scum tough and I like it that they took two games there.  The Ducks are looking like the dirty, cheap shot team that they are.

As for yesterday, after the Preds second goal, I was yelling, “Call time out, call time out!” I was so glad when Babcock did.  Settled the boys down.  I am not a big fan of the CMOI but he was awesome in the first period.  I just wish he would stay in the ^&%$$$#@@ net!!

Rafalski was better yesterday.  I thought the third period was total domination by the Wings.  Especially the final part of the third.

I just wish he would stay in the ^&%$$$#@@ net!!

Exactly.  That tendency alone is enough to fuel the stress train.

I always imagine that when Lidstrom is getting in players ears right before a defensive zone faceoff that he’s saying, “If Dom looks like he’s going to wander out of the net, you spear ‘im - got it?”

Blaming Lilja for Tootoo’s goal is equally rediculous.
That shot was stoppable.  It came about when Hudler mishandled Cheli’s breakout pass and Cheli and Lilja had their momentum already on the forward rush.

Of course the shot was stoppable.  Lilja’s momentum was not up-ice though.  He was in the right position to make the play and coughed it up when he felt the pressure, again.

He was in the right position to make the play and coughed it up when he felt the pressure, again.

He never had the puck.  It was bouncing toward him, took a funny hop and went through his legs.  Sure he makes some bonehead mistakes, but that wasn’t one of them.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but Nashville’s first, fluke goal was scored on what should have been a Red Wings power play. Arnott clearly hooked Hasek’s leg, yet the ref somehow translated that to “holding the stick” on Hasek.

Also, am I alone in waiting for the NHL to announce David Poile’s fine for saying the refs and supervisor of officiating are not making the right calls? Or are they just going to deduct it directly from Nashville’s profit sharing amount next season?