Should be a real battle with the potential of it becoming a classic before it’s all said and done.  Both teams are committed to playing strong team defense, so I don’t expect a lot of high-scoring games.  As such, this series, as do most when it gets this far into it, should boil down to the goalies.

For us, the good news is that (gay alert) ‘Turks’ has that mind-screw firmly seated into his skull when it comes to all things Wings.  The bad news is that the law of averages, not to mention common sense, dictates that at some point, sooner-or-later, the situation will have to improve for him.  He’s too good a goalie to never be able to pull it all together and win a stretch of games against Detroit.  Let’s hope it’s later.

As for Osgood, he’s been steady as he needed to be thus far and brilliant in spots when the situation demanded it.  But let’s be practical--he really hasn’t been tested, not for any sustained stretches of play.  For the Wings to prevail, Osgood will have to be sharp for more than just half-periods at a time.

Posted by O-Joe on 05/05/08 at 06:48 AM ET

If the past few games against the Sharks are any indication, Dallas will play the same idiotic game that everyone tries to play against us. Dump, chase and try to grind our D. Yea, cool. FAIL.

Unless Turco has a brilliant stretch, this series will not last more than 5/6 games. I would say 5, but the first game might be rusty and/or we may lose one in their building.

The transition game blows, their D’s ability to move the puck is mediocre and only because Zubov and Turco can roam.

Maybe I’ve hit a manic cycle or something, but seriously, I am not the least bit scarred.

Posted by Osrt on 05/05/08 at 07:39 AM ET

I actually preferred the way the Sharks matched up against the Wings than the Stars.  The Stars have more scoring depth with Modano on the third line, they have a better power play, and their star players are actually, you know, playing well.  Turco has been by far the best goalie in the playoffs, Modano looks like he’s back from ‘99, Richards has been dangerous, Ribeiro has been uncanny, and Morrow has been incredible.

It’ll come down to matchups, power plays, and defensive lapses in judgement.  The Wings will outshoot, outchance, and outplay the Stars for the majority on the series, but they’ll need to find a way to keep a very opportunistic Stars team off the board at critical times.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 05/05/08 at 08:11 AM ET

I think it’ll be a tough series - and as long as Lilja doesn’t end up in more than 1 game, the Wings will be OK.

Posted by jaybee on 05/05/08 at 08:21 AM ET

Detroit in 5.

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 05/05/08 at 08:26 AM ET

Dan Ellis gave Detroit fits.  Fortunately, Bubba didn’t have the horses to parlay that into a series victory.  Turco has the ability to play lights out just like Ellis did, only better.  And Dallas has horses. 

And oh, we have that wonderful ice in Dallas to look forward to.  No, it’s not as bad as it was in the old Reunion Arena, but it’s still bad enough this time of year to be a real pain in the ass to a puck possession team like Detroit. Of course, bad ice can be a good thing, too, given the Wings ability to pounce off the transition.  Maybe that ice will lead to some turnovers by Dallas in the neutral zone.

Regardless, this will be no easy task.

Posted by O-Joe on 05/05/08 at 08:38 AM ET

Disagree. Stars are a better matchup for the Wings because they like to sit back and play a counter-attack game. That doesn’t work against the best puck-possession team in the game.

The Sharks have bigger defensemen and better forechecking that gives the Wings problems.

The key will be to get pucks through to the net, because Dallas will pounce on the counter-attack and score a couple goals. I imagine we’ll see a lot of 3 - 2 games.

Posted by Nathan on 05/05/08 at 08:48 AM ET

Dallas being taken to six games after going up three-nil on the Sharks suggests that the Stars still have signs of a good ol’ choke brewing in them.  That’s good, obviously.  And playing into the seventh period last night should’ve put them at a disadvantage.  Fortunately for them, Little Gary gave them four days of rest, which pisses me off a little.  Wednesday should’ve been the series start day, but it isn’t thanks to Little Gary and his television buddies.  Ass.

Posted by O-Joe on 05/05/08 at 09:08 AM ET

The transition game blows, their D’s ability to move the puck is mediocre and only because Zubov and Turco can roam.

watching that game last night, the Stars don’t seem to be able to hit an outlet pass to save their lives.  of course, neither could San Jose.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/05/08 at 10:10 AM ET

from the Detroit News:

… Chris Chelios (lower body injury) missed Game 4 against Colorado and Babcock wasn’t sure if he would be ready for the start of the conference finals when the team returned Friday to Detroit.

The Wings are optimistic the time off will benefit Chelios, but if he can’t play, Andreas Lilja would likely replace him again.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/05/08 at 10:12 AM ET

A bit bleary eyed from watching the game last night.  Dallas had huge lapses in that game last night where they relied on Turco to save their bacon which he did quite well.  The goaltending was amazing.  I think that this will be an interesting series as Detroit will put up a lot more shots.  I think mid way through the second period the shots for both teams were pretty low.  Oh and for the record, I can’t stand Brendan Morrow.

I am also annoyed at Gary for the long layoff.  I was hoping the series would start Tuesday but no...we must wait until Thursday. Thanks, Gary.  Ass.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/05/08 at 10:18 AM ET

Oh, Paul, I just gagged reading that comment, SHUDDER!

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/05/08 at 10:19 AM ET

Morrow was a beast last night, 19 hits and a game winner.  Richards looks sharp, Riberio will be dealt with and Turco is playing well above his pay grade.  Yet the style is pure dump and go. Lot’s of scrambling. I do not think that’s gonna be as effective against the Wings who can roll four lines of D, yes, even with Lilja. 

Should be a good series, but the Wings are in charge.  Wings in 5.

Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 05/05/08 at 10:44 AM ET

Thanks, Gary.  Ass.

I’m way too lazy to verify this, but someone on one of the Wings’ boards stated Detroit had played 3OTs in a Friday night Game 7 against the Blues (was that the famous Yzerman winner just under the crossbar from the blueline against Carey?) and started the next round (Colorado) on Sunday afternoon.

Posted by O-Joe on 05/05/08 at 10:50 AM ET

I confess I didn’t watch too much of the Stars/Shark series—they both played very conservatively, tight defensively—not alot of scoring chances.  In short the games were kind of boring.

Having said that, the stats for the Stars are pretty comparable to DET in most areas, except for G/G (DET 3.80, DAL 2.92) and S/G (DET 39.3, DAL 30.0).

You can discount DET G/G some due to the 8-2 blowout in game 4 against AV’s.  I’d venture the S/G is accurate.

I think the series will be pretty tight if DAL performs as they have against the Shark. 

Of course if Turco performs as he always does against DET, the series could be very short

Turco has a 2-10-5 lifetime record vs. the Wings. That includes a miserable 0-7-2 record, 3.38 goals-against average and .882 save percentage at Joe Louis Arena.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/05/08 at 11:01 AM ET

We’ll see how great Turco is when he faces 50% more shots than he saw from the Sharks. And of the total shots he faces, he probably won’t even see 25% of them...not with Homer’s and Mule’s big butts in his face. I honestly don’t remember one time last night when a San Jose player fronted Turco, not even on a power play.

The Sharks also were the worst team at moving the puck up ice of any team I saw in the playoffs. If Dallas wants to get aggressive on the forecheck with the Wings, they’d better be ready to do 180’s and race up the ice after the puck...because that’s where it will be.

And I can’t wait for the first time Pavel comes streaking down the ice on a breakaway after pickpocketing one of the Stars so-so defenders. The puddle of water on the ice under Turco just may turn a little yellow.

The only way this series goes more than five games is if the Wings get lazy (like they did in games 3 and 4 in Nashville) or if Lilja costs us more than one game.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 05/05/08 at 11:08 AM ET

This will be a HIGH scoring affair...Wings WILL sweep.

Turco looked ‘lucky’ last night...they are banged up badly and are very tired. They do not have near the scoring depth that the Wings do.

Their lines cannot keep up with us short shifting, and are sloppy with their dump and chase...and wait...and wait....and wait offense.

I was actually scared of Nabby last night. MIRACLE saves. Turco can be beaten...and badly...and his biggest enemy is himself.

Oh...and Detroit has never looked more focused than they do now. Driven. Barely celebrating hilite real goals and nonstop chatter on the bench leads me to believe Uncle Mike has them all of like purpose. “Cup or your career.”

Posted by Scott H from Kalamazoo on 05/05/08 at 11:32 AM ET

Call me crazy, but I see this going 6 or 7 and there being a run on all things alcoholic in The Hasek.  If the Wings are not still taking residence in Turco’s kitchen, this will be a stressful series indeed.

I’m grateful we are guaranteed to avoid the west coast this entire playoff run, and that may be the one thing I like best about the Dallas match up.

I just hope the Wings didn’t get over-confident by dominating a sub-par and heavily-injured Avalanche team coached by some dolt who’s made a career out of getting dis-robed by the Wings in the playoffs.

We can’t afford to take any lapses like we did against Nashville, as long as that message has sunk in I think we’ll be fine.  However, history suggests that this is a very tough lesson to learn and apply on a consistent basis…

Posted by Hoser from Downer Peninsula, Michigan on 05/05/08 at 11:59 AM ET

Six games. With Brendan Morrow killing everyone, Zubov back in the lineup, and the bad ice, this series will be tough.

Posted by Nathan on 05/05/08 at 12:11 PM ET

been trying to find a Stars blog where fans actually comment.  so far, nothing.  Chief?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/05/08 at 12:16 PM ET

Paul,

The Battle of California has a list of Stars blogs on the left side panel - I think fans comment in about 3 or 4 of them.  Plus, there’s always the Dallas Morning News’ blog.

As someone who watched the whole Sharks/Stars series, I think it will be closer than a lot of people think - unless Dallas can slow down the Ribeiro/Morrow line. Those guys were monstrous, especially in the OTs. Richards was terrific as well, and would have had the game winner if it weren’t for that great Nabby save; I think he had something like 9 SOG, a bunch of which were real quality shots.

Posted by K from SF on 05/05/08 at 12:24 PM ET

Maybe this is a good omen, but THN again favored the Stars, just like they favored the Avs.

A lot of what they say is accurate, but I take big issue, again, with them rating Bubba Sr.’s forwards over Detroit’s. Also, they completely ignore Turco’s brutal history playing against the Wings, and his especially painful history at the Joe.

I will give the Stars their props. Down the middle, they are very strong. Even so, the Datsyuk/Ribeiro matchup favors Detroit, and if the likely Richards/Filppula matchup causes trouble, Zetterberg can be dropped to that line and Filppula can play on Datsyuk’s wing.

On the wings though, Detroit has to be given the edge. Franzen and Morrow are both starring for their clubs, but unlike Detroit with Homer, the Stars don’t have a second premier net-front player in their lineup.

Posted by Nathan on 05/05/08 at 12:24 PM ET

check starsblog.dallasnews.com

Posted by thesigngirls on 05/05/08 at 12:26 PM ET

Don’t forget, as well as the “Wings aren’t tough enough” meme, the ever-popular “no European captain has ever won a Cup.”

I don’t think it will be an easy series at all.  Dallas is very solid defensively, and eventually Turco has to figure out how to play well (or at least less putrid) against Detroit, but the Stars do tend to sit back for long stretches and let Turco save their bacon repeatedly.  That will work for a few shifts, maybe a period, maybe even a game - but for an entire seven game series?

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/05/08 at 12:37 PM ET

MacLeod reports Filpulla hurt, didn’t skate today, although St. James says both Filpulla and Chelios expect to play Thursday.

Filpulla would be a loss, and although I didn’t think Chelios was great in the Avs series, anyone is better than Lilja.

Posted by TDeters on 05/05/08 at 12:46 PM ET

Is this the year?
Is this the year?

“THIS IS THE YEAR!”
“BRING IT ON!”
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 05/05/08 at 12:47 PM ET

I wish I had the confidence going in as some of you bitches apparently do.  I don’t.  The Wings haven’t had a whole lot of adversity so far, other than what little they self-generated by taking Bubba too lightly in the first round.

No sir, I’m not confident at all.  The playoffs are not supposed to be this easy—-certainly not like it was in Round Two—-so they are due for a struggle. 

Also, by beating both the media darlings, Dallas appears to be this year’s team of destiny and I shat myself just typing that.  Not a big shat, though.  Just a little one.  The kind like when you’re lying around the house on a Saturday afternoon watching sports, having earlier had lunch with the family at the food court in the mall while shopping and you lift one leg thinking you’ll just squeeze out a little pooter and you go, uh-oh…

That kind of shat.

Posted by O-Joe on 05/05/08 at 12:51 PM ET

Val is probably just banged up - didn’t he miss a few practices and such near the end of the season, too?  He’s a young player with a bright future, and if he could be seriously damaged by playing he wouldn’t be in the lineup at all.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/05/08 at 12:52 PM ET

No, O-Joe, Dallas makes me nervous as well - but I’m really hoping that the Penguins and the Flyers spend seven games and multiple overtimes ripping each other into teeny tiny pieces.

Either of those teams could be a media-proclaimed “Team of Destiny,” too.  Pittsburgh because of Crosby (don’t tell me the league wouldn’t love to have him scoring goals in the Finals), and Philly because if they won the Cup after being dead last, it would justify all the “parity can mean quick turn-arounds and so the fans of every team can have hope (although even if the team is lousy we might still have to increase ticket prices, but we’ll be good soon - look at the Flyers!)” - there isn’t any real sloppy sappy story about Detroit because the team has been very good, and “a really good team going for another Stanley Cup” isn’t as appealing to small-minded MSM.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/05/08 at 12:58 PM ET

Wings in six.

Just like with the previous two series, it will all come down to which team plays better behind Detroit’s net and whether Dallas can shore up what looked like sloppy neutral zone play in the previous round against a team that builds tremendous speed between the blue lines. 

I think penalty killing is going to be more important for the Sharks than it is for the Wings because I think the Wings will take significantly fewer penalties. 

Third defensive pairing is still a concern, but only in the games we’ll play in Dallas.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 05/05/08 at 01:48 PM ET

That kind of shat.

I believe the, um, technical term is shart, Joe, as in, “dude, we gotta go- I just sharted.”

This one- I’m having a hard time coming up with a prediction against the Stars.  My arrogant, impulsive side says Wings in five.  On the other hand, my shrinking violet, scaredy-cat side says Dallas has a good chance of taking this thing. 

I’ll split the baby, and make an “unofficial” prediction of Wings in six (or seven, if Lilja’s in for more than a game).

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 05/05/08 at 01:59 PM ET

Detroit has to be better on the PK.  Dallas had an awesome PP against the Ducks and did o.k in the second round as well.  The bad ice in Texas is going to give the teams fits.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/05/08 at 02:29 PM ET

Here’s the schedule from NHL.com:

Thu May 8 @ Detroit 7:30 PM ET VERSUS, TSN, RDS (all HD)
Sat May 10 @ Detroit 7:00 PM ET VERSUS, CBC, RDS (all HD)
Mon May 12 @ Dallas 9:00 PM ET VERSUS, CBC, RDS (all HD)
Wed May 14 @ Dallas 9:00 PM ET VERSUS, TSN, RDS (all HD)
*Sat May 17 @ Detroit 1:30 PM ET CBC, NBC, RDS (all HD)
*Mon May 19 @ Dallas 9:00 PM ET VERSUS, CBC, RDS (all HD)
*Wed May 21 @ Detroit 7:30 PM ET VERSUS, CBC, RDS (all HD)
* if necessary

Posted by Cwix from Roanoke, VA on 05/05/08 at 02:31 PM ET

I was looking for THN’s third round preview.  I think I found it, but I’m not sure.  It seems to say the exact same thing as the second round preview except the word “Colorado” was crossed out and “Dallas” was written in and “Theodore” has been replaced by “Turco”

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 05/05/08 at 02:31 PM ET

I was looking for THN’s third round preview.  I think I found it, but I’m not sure.  It seems to say the exact same thing as the second round preview except the word “Colorado” was crossed out and “Dallas” was written in and “Theodore” has been replaced by “Turco”

Sad how budget cuts hit everything, isn’t it?

Still, recycling is a good idea. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/05/08 at 02:43 PM ET

if Lilja’s in for more than a game

This, to me, is more than a side joke at the official team goat. He scares me every time he touches the puck and every time a forward is coming in on his side and every time the puck comes to him in the offensive zone and we count on him to keep the play alive...basically his whole existence bothers me.

Why Lilja?? Aside from size I see no reason not to put in Meech, unless he’s not playing that well in practice. I. just. don’t. understand.

A healthy skepticism about the Wings’ focus, the bad ice and the potential for great performances from Morrow, Turco, and Ribeiro, is warranted. If, however, the Wings play their game, I simply don’t see the Stars standing a real chance.

The obvious:  A lot, I mean the whole series, depends on how Turco responds to the Wings. He is the backbone and I think he will need to see a chiropractor after this (rather short) series.

Posted by Osrt on 05/05/08 at 02:55 PM ET

About Filppula, from “The Highlander”:

I spoke with Valtteri Filppula. He downplayed his injury, saying that he “just didn’t skate today” and that “hopefully” he’ll be ready for Game 1.
Kirk Maltby, who will be in the lineup if Filppula can’t go, said “When called upon, just be ready ... that’s my job.”
Coach Mike Babcock said that Filppula is “just about ready to play.”

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/05/08 at 03:03 PM ET

@ mudshark

Good to know.  Sharted.  I like that.

And I can see wanting to go take care of that immediately when out in public.  But what’s the protocol when it happens at home?  Personally, I don’t see the urgency – certainly not before the game I’m watching has concluded.  But that’s just me. 

*shrug*

Posted by O-Joe on 05/05/08 at 03:15 PM ET

OSRT:

A healthy skepticism about the Wings’ focus, the bad ice and the potential for great performances from Morrow, Turco, and Ribeiro, is warranted. If, however, the Wings play their game, I simply don’t see the Stars standing a real chance.

I tend to agree with that assessment. 

I thought the Wings played through some good adversity against NSH.  More importantly, I thought they learned from that and played exceedingly well against COL.  The real question is just how much “competion” the Av’s were.

And, really, just how much competition did DAL face.  Granted both ANA and SJS are strong defensively.  But, it is also worth noting that neither ANA or SJS were scoring juggernaughts.  In the REG season.  ANA 2.4 G/G (24th), SJS 2.63 G/G (19th).  Post season, ANA 2.17 (12th), SJS 2.31 (11th).  So it isn’t like DAL has had to face a high-octane offense yet.

Realizing the regular season doesn’t mean all that much, it is worth noting DET won 3 of 4, and outscored DAL 12-5.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/05/08 at 03:16 PM ET

Realizing the regular season doesn’t mean all that much

did Dallas make any major trade-deadline moves?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/05/08 at 03:37 PM ET

Besides the difficulty of juggling the bench, is there a downside I’m not seeing in skating shorter shifts, keeping Datsyuk and Zetterberg together on one line, and having each of them center a second line? It would be a nightmare for an opposing coach trying to match up lines, particularly considering the defensive ability of each of them as well as some of the other forwards who also know how to score (and whose own offense would undoubtedly benefit).
The way Kronwall is playing and to a lesser extent Stuart (I’m not sure how his career got derailed but when he came up with San Jose I thought he was a future All Star), I’m less worried than I otherwise would be about a Chelios injury.

Posted by BobS. on 05/05/08 at 03:39 PM ET

did Dallas make any major trade-deadline moves?

Brad Richards.

Posted by shep from california on 05/05/08 at 03:41 PM ET

No one other than Morrow really impressed me. Turco played well but…
Twinkles fall to Wings in six.

Posted by knowntome from west of MI on 05/05/08 at 03:41 PM ET

Philly because if they won the Cup after being dead last, it would justify all the “parity can mean quick turn-arounds and so the fans of every team can have hope (although even if the team is lousy we might still have to increase ticket prices, but we’ll be good soon - look at the Flyers!)” -

Good call Ms. B:

From NHL.com’s preview:

The Stars entered the postseason as the fifth seed, but have shown just how phenomenal the parity is in today’s NHL. Dallas eliminated the defending champion Anaheim Ducks in the opening round and is coming off an impressive series win over the San Jose Sharks, who were the No. 2 seed in the West and finished the regular season with 108 points.

...only to be defeated by President’s Trophy winners and perennial contenders, the Detroit Red Wings.

Parity, sure; Do you all have a brain trust that rivals NASA?

Posted by Osrt on 05/05/08 at 04:08 PM ET

Dallas has ugly home uniforms, but at least they got rid of those 3rd jerseys that looked like they had a diagram of the female reproductive system on the front. 

Wings in six.

Posted by Matt from Chicago on 05/05/08 at 04:10 PM ET

And in case anyone thinks I’m lying:

Posted by Matt from Chicago on 05/05/08 at 04:19 PM ET

That’s a healthy looking vagina, Matt.

Thanks.
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(fap fap fap)

Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 05/05/08 at 04:45 PM ET

Nice pic....looks a bit like DC flexing his muscles wearing a dress.

Posted by Scott H from Kalamazoo on 05/05/08 at 09:47 PM ET

So I’m scrolling down through the posts, collecting my wits as I go, planning on adding my own small thoughts to the vast intellectual collection that defines A2Y… and then it turns out I get to post right below the vagina comments.  Ah, what the hell, far be it from me to complain about anything vagina-related, so here goes.

If Detroit plays Detroit’s game and Dallas plays Dallas’s game, Detroit wins the series.  I think it’s as simple as that.  But they still have to play the games.  For a while any team can play over its head (maybe Dallas fits here already) or below its potential (Anaheim and San Jose, perhaps???).

It will be interesting to see how Turco handles this series.  I think he’s done a lot in the last two years to get out from under the playoff underachiever cloud that has been following him around for most of his career.  But I also think Detroit’s in his head… something always seems to go wrong for him when he plays the Wings.  Is it possible to push that completely out of one’s mind???  I think not.  I hope not.

Posted by BobTheZee on 05/05/08 at 10:32 PM ET

Detroit’s going to struggle to enter the zone, and it’s going to be frustrating.  If they try to dump it in, Turco makes the a clean breakout pass.  The Wings weak lines will be exposed.  There will be turnovers, weak goals, and unbelievable saves.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  This series will hurt, and if Detroit loses the cup, it’ll be in this series.

It may all come down to Uncle Mike, how he responds and gets his team to respond if things start to unravel.  Matchups will be huge, and I wouldn’t be completely surprised if Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Franzen all centre their own lines at some point.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 05/06/08 at 12:55 AM ET