Your fearless leader asked me to inform you

My wife has your phone number Paul?

...

Oh. Nevermind.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 04/23/08 at 10:08 AM ET

this is like the cheifs wet dream, first ‘bubba, then the ‘dique ...shame the poultry are out or the internet would explode due to an overload of sarcasm

Posted by Pharazon from England on 04/23/08 at 10:13 AM ET

Red Wings!  Avalanche!  It’s the late ‘90s all over again!  Or, as the Denver media would probably call it, “Old Time Hockey”

Posted by Matt from Chicago on 04/23/08 at 10:19 AM ET

Red Wings!  Avalanche!  It’s the late ‘90s all over again!  Or, as the Denver media would probably call it, “Old Time Hockey”

LMFAO

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 04/23/08 at 10:23 AM ET

This should be a good series. The Avs are obviously better than they were in the regular season. Their fanbase seem to think that Detroit is worse (guess they didn’t see games 5 and 6 against the Preds). That’s simply not the case.

I think the key to the series is Adam Foote. He did a great job on Gaborik. But unlike Minnesota, Detroit has two legit game-breakers instead of one, so Foote won’t be able to shadow one of them the entire time. And to be quite frank, while Gaborik is the better pure talent, no questions asked, Datsyuk and Zetterberg are tougher, more determined, and difficult to discourage. Gaborik allows himself to be ineffective when he’s not scoring. Datsyuk and Zetterberg don’t. They find ways to make an impact, whether it’s with defense, penalty killing, or faceoffs.

Theodore will see more rubber, and better rubber (spare me the jokes) than he did against Minnesota. The Avs would be wise to take a page out of the Preds’ notebook and rather than playing the way they did against Minny—focusing on key players—they should focus on preventing second-chance opportunities, because that is the sole reason the Preds took that series past 4 games.

Posted by Nathan on 04/23/08 at 10:28 AM ET

I’ve been catching some flack for a eulogy I wrote for the Predators on Yahoo!, take a look:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/nhl_experts/post/Eulogy-Remembering-the-2007-08-Nashville-Predat?urn=nhl,78333#comments

</shameless-self-promotion>

Posted by brennan on 04/23/08 at 10:31 AM ET

Wings in five.  You heard it here first.

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 04/23/08 at 10:35 AM ET

Let’s Go Red Wings!

(clap, clap, clap-clap-clap)

Let’s Go Red Wings!

(clap, clap, clap-clap-clap)

...

I can’t wait to get this series started!
Stop the chatter, drop the puck, and let’s go!!!
We’ll settle this on the ice.
It’ll be a tough, grinding yet skill-filled battle. But we’ll see the Wings prevail in 7!!!!!!! And another step to Cup No. 11 in Hockeytown!!!

GO WINGS!!!

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 04/23/08 at 10:41 AM ET

In case you want more Wings info, Jeff has been doing a great job in updating all things Wings in the KK Forum…

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 04/23/08 at 11:00 AM ET

Paul, thanks for the compliment.  I’m just glad my workload was light today, giving me time to round up the numbers and analysis.  Just posted news from Wings’ practice today—Datsyuk is skating!!  (exhale!).  Can’t wait for Chief’s post, there are by far more entertaining, mine are mostly numbers (because that is what I understand).  Good Day everyone!! The Semi’s should be a barn-burner.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 04/23/08 at 11:23 AM ET

B: “Coming into the postseason, our team was hotter than a cousins-only sleepover.”

...damn that was funny.  Heluva writeup, partner.

Posted by disch from austin on 04/23/08 at 12:11 PM ET

Did you see that THN not only picked the Avs in 7?  Here’s the kicker:  part of how they came to that conclusion was suggesting that the Avs forwards have the edge over the Wings forwards!  Speechless.

Posted by Ryan from Albuquerque on 04/23/08 at 12:33 PM ET

Avs forwards have the edge over the Wings forwards

I saw that.  Ridiculous.  I also like their “Theodore is the real deal” comment.  Osgood isn’t, with two Stanley Cups and only allowing one goal in 2.5 games in the playoffs?  What happened to Theodore being inconsistent?  That’s out the window because of one good playoff series?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 04/23/08 at 12:48 PM ET

Flames fail. I’d say its time to add one of these to our little train.

Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 04/23/08 at 01:01 PM ET

The more things change, the more they stay the same.
This is going to be a good series with the Wings coming out on top! This is also going to be Chris Osgood’s year.

So,"BRING IT ON!”
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 04/23/08 at 01:16 PM ET

I’d say its time to add one of these to our little train.

Love that, Nate!

As for the dumbass media ekspurts, Denver and otherwise… Wings-envy. Wait ‘til they get the BIG DI@K up their hiney come Thursday.

GO WINGS!!!!!! GO OZZIE!!!!

Posted by Cwix from Roanoke, VA on 04/23/08 at 01:30 PM ET

I am getting some emails asking about the Wings schedule against the Avs on FSN Detroit.

FSN Detroit is set to televise three of the seven scheduled games in NHL Western Conference Semifinal series between the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche.

The first FSN telecast in the series is Game 3 on Tuesday, April 29. FSN also has Game 6 (Monday, May 5) and Game 7 (Wednesday, May 7), if necessary.

Note: Versus has national exclusivity for Games 1 & 4 of the series;
NBC has national exclusivity of Games 2 & 5:

Western Conference Semifinals: #1 Detroit Red Wings vs. #6 Colorado Avalanche
• Game 1- Thu. April 24 at Detroit, 7:30 PM, VERSUS
• Game 2 - Sat. April 26 at Detroit, 3:00 PM, NBC
• Game 3 - Tue. April 29 at Colorado, 10:00 PM, FSN Detroit
• Game 4 - Thu. May 1 at Colorado, 10:00 PM, VERSUS
• Game 5* - Sat. May 3 at Detroit, 1:00 PM, NBC
• Game 6* - Mon. May 5 at Colorado, 10:00 PM, FSN Detroit
• Game 7* - Wed. May 7 at Detroit, Time TBD, FSN Detroit

* = if necessary

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 04/23/08 at 01:35 PM ET

Paul, I’m a little confused.  Are the ones listed as FSN Detroit ONLY going to be on FSN Detroit, or will they also be on Versus?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 04/23/08 at 01:38 PM ET

Paul- Versus has exclusive coverage of only two games from this series, so those will only be on Versus, games 1 & 4.

But they will show these games too that are not exclusive to just Versus. (if you don’t want to click the link, games 3 and 6, if needed, will be on Versus)

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 04/23/08 at 01:50 PM ET

Ugh. Lilja in for Stuart.  Someone pass me the Maalox.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/23/08 at 01:58 PM ET

I know San Jose’s never made it to the Conference Finals, but have they never heard of potocin, either? 

Induce, man, induce!!!!

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 04/23/08 at 02:47 PM ET

So, schmucks and ne’er-do-wells, are we firmly back on the bandwagon?  Does that mean I won’t be finding any $9 seats to plant my butt in for game 5 next week?  A pity.  I’ll find my way there anyway.

Don’t forget, the last time Chris Osgood “won” a Cup, Eric Lindros was allegedly the best player in hockey, Bill Clinton was getting his groove on with Fat White House Intern, and Steve Yzerman was still able to walk without looking like Mr. Herbert from Family Guy.

The recent past suggests your team to be vulnerable as the bright lights of the playoffs get hotter.  If you think this year will be any different, Peter Forsberg is back to remind you otherwise.

Avs in 6.  See you there!

Posted by Anthrax Jones from Under the Red Wing Bandwagon on 04/23/08 at 02:53 PM ET

Ugh. Lilja in for Stuart.  Someone pass me the Maalox.

I spend three days at Betty Ford Center and here we go again.  I’m heading for the Club Car…

At least we have a troll to whack around.

Waiter!

Posted by Rumbear from the den.... on 04/23/08 at 02:57 PM ET

I know San Jose’s never made it to the Conference Finals

Riiiiiiight.

Posted by shep from california on 04/23/08 at 03:08 PM ET

I know San Jose’s never made it to the Conference Finals

Riiiiiiight.

That should read, ”past the Conference Finals.”

Thanks, troll.  We’ll get to you in two weeks or so.

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 04/23/08 at 03:38 PM ET

Thanks, troll.  We’ll get to you in two weeks or so.

Perhaps you should check the evidence before applying labels to people. But I’m sure you “know” that, too.

Posted by shep from california on 04/23/08 at 03:55 PM ET

Here’s the kicker:  part of how they came to that conclusion was suggesting that the Avs forwards have the edge over the Wings forwards!

Probably because the Colorado forwards have much more recognizable names - Sakic, Forsberg, Smyth.  Aside from Zetterberg and Datsyuk, and Holmstrom (who seems to get little respect because he isn’t mean, although I wonder exactly how much teams would have thrown at him if he was on the free agent market instead of Ryan Smyth?), few people know about Franzen and Cleary (although that is changing), or Filppula for that matter.  Their reputation precedes them.

I also like their “Theodore is the real deal” comment.  ...  What happened to Theodore being inconsistent?  That’s out the window because of one good playoff series?

Jose Theodore has been playing out of his mind, but it isn’t as though he was slumping for a brief time - he was HORRIBLE, and he was horrible for a lot longer than a few weeks.  The fact he played so well against Minnesota should be encouraging to Colorado, but it would be wise to consider his reliability a bit suspect yet.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/23/08 at 04:02 PM ET

Thanks, troll.  We’ll get to you in two weeks or so.

Perhaps you should check the evidence before applying labels to people. But I’m sure you “know” that, too.

Research?

Evidence?

You haven’t spent much time here, have you?

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 04/23/08 at 05:05 PM ET

Hilarious article Brennan, but what’s even more hilarious is the comments! And keep up the great work at Gloveside, always makes me laugh.

Posted by scheisskopf on 04/23/08 at 05:52 PM ET

Avs forwards: Sakic, Forsberg, Stastny, Smyth, Brunette, Wolski, Hejduk. I’m not agreeing or disagreeing with the article, but the Avs are more than 3 forwards deep.

Theo has been playing very well since December, not just one playoff series. He hasn’t been inconsistent since early in the season.

Posted by Jibblescribbits from San Jose, CA on 04/23/08 at 05:58 PM ET

Of course they have more than three forwards.

I was thinking of the mindset which seems to be common to many reporters charged with writing series previews of this type:  Write down the two teams, then think, “do I know any of the names of players on either team?”

If no, then peg them as a team of faceless nobodies.

If that method was followed, then Zetterberg and Datsyuk would easily come to mind, maybe Holmstrom, maybe Franzen - everyone else would be hard to recall.

Colorado, on the other hand, would immediately bring to mind Sakic because he’s been there forever, Forsberg because he’s been talked about forever, whether he was playing or not, and possibly Smyth because he signing was such a big deal in the offseason.  Maybe Stastny because his father’s name would also ring a bell, less likely Wolski (because Polish names are such a bear to pronounce that I think most Americans block them out mentally). 

A quickie name-recognition / reputation assessment would easily favor Colorado forwards over those from Detroit.  That’s all I meant.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/23/08 at 07:03 PM ET

Wings in five.  You heard it here first.

Daing, that was my prediction as well. Before anyone pegs me as being overly optimistic or, gasp, disrespectful to a worthy opponent, let me explain.

In 97-98, we met Anaheim in the Conference finals and swept them, but each of those games went into overtime---double and triple. I feel a very similar series coming on here. The games will be long hard battles, with both teams playing careful defense. They both have firepower and they’re both concerned with containing the other’s.

I actually hope I’m wrong––except for the Wings winning part––because the late games will be killer.

Posted by Osrt on 04/23/08 at 07:39 PM ET

Statsny had a horrible series against the Wild.  He seems to run very hot and cold.  I’m hoping he stays cold for the Wings series.  Brunette is also kind of a hot and cold player.  Wolski was dynamite in the first round.

I’m ready for some of the Wings hot/cold players to step it up.  Do you hear me Sammy?

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/23/08 at 09:24 PM ET

So I came across this image from an amusing web-comic today. I thought it was appropriate considering our first round...uh...coping mechanisms.

Its to big for the 500 pixel limit, so I’ll just link it.

Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 04/23/08 at 11:48 PM ET

You know, I’m really getting tired of always being the preferred opponent in the playoffs, ripe for a choke job, et cetera et cetera...It never stops.  Maybe all the opponents should take a second to think-- there are myriad reasons why we’ve got the top seed in the conference, and none of them are pleasant for prospective opponents.  The primary reason for the choke jobs was the top seed not taking first- and second-round opponents seriously enough.  Nashville was a much-needed wake-up call.  So to in that vein, I propose a new playoff slogan:

The Detroit Red Wings: Underestimate At Your Own Risk.

And I’m REALLY tired of the ragging on Metro Detroit and her people.  It’s not like there AREN’T scummy people and places in Denver, after all.  Unless someone hails from a city as staggeringly beautiful as St. Petersburg, I’m going to take these ad-hominem attacks as lazy journalism and/or debate, and pay appropriate attention to them (none).  Bernie Lincicome, I’m talking to you…

Polish names are such a bear to pronounce that I think most Americans block them out mentally

If people think ‘Wojtek Wolski’ is tough to pronounce, I suppose it’s just as well that Zbigniew Brzezinski isn’t a hockey player.

Baroque, how did your presentation go?  Did you knock ‘em dead with stunning bosoms and a thousand-watt smile, or with take-no-prisoners scientific acumen and serious academic chops?

Or a deadly combination of both?

(I know, any excuse to talk about a woman’s bust...)

I was watching On The Fly: Final last night and they were talking about the Rangers.  Sean Avery is a despicable reprehensible pig of an excuse for a human being.  God I wish he was still a Red Wing.

does this mean the return of Thometh?

More importantly, Chief, does this mean TeamDub’s Ricci To Garcia banner will be up all through the second round?

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from the offices of American Breast Enthusiast magazine on 04/24/08 at 02:28 AM ET

Went very well Andrew, thanks.  I decided to skip the bosom and go with smarts - more professional that way. 

Tired as anything, though - it was a 2 1/2 hour drive to the meeting and back, but at least it was pleasant driving weather.  The worst thing is the awkwardness of making a presentation assembled by committee, so the wording and structure and overall flow of the talk weren’t at my liberty to determine.

Barry Melrose has made his picks on ESPN.

Pittsburgh over New York
Philadelphia over Montreal
Colorado over Detroit
San Jose over Dallas

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/24/08 at 05:47 AM ET

Welcome back-- we missed you.  Glad to hear it all went well, even if you had to work with- gulp- other people.

Barry Melrose has made his picks on ESPN.

Oh boy, the Dive’s been picked by such a klevur ekspurt!  It’s the kiss of death.  Wings’ll win this one for sure now.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from railing against the conventional wisdom on 04/24/08 at 09:36 AM ET