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Abel to Yzerman

A Few Off Day Thoughts

by IwoCPO on 05/27/08 at 05:18 PM ET
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Anybody wonder just how bad things would be for Pittsburgh right now if the Wings were at all effective on the power play?  If the roles were reversed, and that’s a tough one to imagine right now…I know…we’d be pointing at Detroit’s dismal PP numbers: one for fourteen.

But the roles aren’t reversed, and now we can look at that stat and say…what if they get hot?

Haven’t heard anything from Little Gary’s romper room today, so I guess it’s safe to assume no disciplinary action will be taken against Gary Roberts for taking six strides and slugging a player from behind when he doesn’t have the puck.  I guess that’s allowed now.  It really doesn’t matter, from a strategic viewpoint.  Roberts is too old, too slow and did nothing to help that team. His presence in the lineup will probably help the Wings as it did last night.

But then there’s the principle and the precedent.  If you haven’t silently compared the Roberts assault to Bertuzzi’s, then you’re still loaded from the weekend. 

Chris Osgood embellished.  Established.  He was also run.  Twice.  Probably the best hockey discussion we’ve had in two years took place today in this post.  I’m tempted to say give the Pens fans some slack, considering their lots in life.  But, I also realize it’s hard to do that when the denials regarding Roberts’ actions keep pouring in.  To compare the two is idiotic.  To claim Osgood’s dive was on a par with Roberts’ gutless actions is the mark of a total imbecile.

Brad Stuart’s going to re-sign.  Anyone doubt that?  No? Good.  Now, quick. Give me your top six next year.  Lidstrom/Rafalski.  Kronwall/Stuart.  Then?  Keep in mind the development of Meech and Ericsson.  The four man race Helene St. James talked about before this year’s playoff?  That’s what we’ll have in September in TC.

Back to Osgood.  How loud do you think the jeers will be in Pittsburgh tomorrow night?  Oh, they hate them some Ozzie.  And if Pittsburgh scores?  I don’t mean takes the lead…just a goal at any point?  They’ll blow the top off that joint.

Anyone concerned about Uncle Mike’s inability to match lines Wednesday?  No? Me either.  Roll ‘em.  Roll four.  At some point as Michelle gets more desperate, she’s going to pair up Gary’s Baby Boy and his slew footing sister.  When she does?  Zetterberg’s line will shut them down. If not his, Draper’s. 

Here’s where the concern lies, and you’re all thinking it.  Nashville, Dallas, Pittsburgh.  After 2-0 leads, 3-0 in Sr’s case, the Wings faltered.  The question now is whether they learned from those letdowns.  I think they have but I’m not so confident that I plan on putting the Stress Train in storage for the summer.  Kate in PA likes to refer to Osgood as our silver lining.  True enough.  But, I think of Uncle Mike in the same way.  He’s willing this team to win, and that will—I think—won’t let them suffer similar lapses. 

Wasn’t Marc-Andre-Fleury supposed to be the more talented of the two goaltenders? Didn’t I read that somewhere, like 50 times?  Didn’t we predict Pens defensemen would be exposed—particularly Gill and Gonchar?  And didn’t we say that the idea that Pittsburgh is deeper down the middle is ridiculous?  I could have sworn we did.  Were we completely alone in those thoughts? I guess so.

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Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977.  No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y.  Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation.  There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature.  Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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