Smoke much crack there, Fischler?

Posted by Jeff from Pittsburgh on 05/07/08 at 12:44 PM ET

As for Dallas-Detroit, I’m going with the Bigger D, as in DALLAS on the basis of Marty Turco over Chris Osgood—or Dom Hasek—and their phenomenal motivation.

Because Detroit has absolutely no motivation...other than believing they should have made it to the finals and won the Cup last year...right Stan?

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 05/07/08 at 12:45 PM ET

I think Detroit has the edge simply because he compared Dallas’ #1 Dman to Detroit’s #5 guy.

Posted by moore00 from GR on 05/07/08 at 12:56 PM ET

Has he actually watched Malkin at all?

He seems to be a pretty tough kid to me - he certainly hasn’t had an upbringing where accolades were handed to him on a silver platter, that’s for sure.

If he can keep his composure and make the opponent pay on the scoreboard instead of taking retaliatory penalties, he’ll be fine.

I think Detroit has the edge simply because he compared Dallas’ #1 Dman to Detroit’s #5 guy.

You mean Chelios isn’t number 1?  I thought it was determined by length of service. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/07/08 at 01:02 PM ET

I think Detroit has the edge simply because he compared Dallas’ #1 Dman to Detroit’s #5 guy.
Posted by moore00 from GR on 05/07 at 01:56 PM

Until you pointed that out, I hadn’t bothered reading the actual article. I love how he referred to the Flyers as “pesky.” Not exactly the word I would choose…

I think I’ve said this before, but I can’t believe this guy is the same Stan Fischler who helped spark my interest in hockey as a kid in the 70s.

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 05/07/08 at 01:07 PM ET

The problem with this prediction doesn’t lie within who he picked. It has everything to do with the absence of content and evidence to support his picks.

Certainly, the Stars and Wings are equally motivated teams. Give me a break. The unmotivated teams are gone after the first round (which is why the Stars and Wings had flamed out in past seasons).

Feel free to pick Dallas, just please provide real analysis. And following-up with an article about how Detroit’s too old/slow/soft doesn’t count any more, Stan. I can’t argue with the points about Turco—it’s pretty clear that for this current playoff, Turco is playing out of his mind. But be honest, cite his past performance against Detroit. Refute that with some other facts. Develop a paragraph or two of discussion and explanation. Then give me a pick.

Don’t just toss us some cheap word-play and stick a pick onto the end of it.

Posted by Nathan on 05/07/08 at 01:14 PM ET

“The Flyers are this season’s team of destiny.”

Why? Before they lost, didn’t the Capitals have a more compelling case?  Didn’t the Penguins last year?

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 05/07/08 at 01:23 PM ET

This is the same old fossil that went with Nashville in six games. I think it is time for good old, old,old Stan to retire.

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 05/07/08 at 01:39 PM ET

What do you know, Stan almost made it through his entire article without mentioning his hero Chris Chelios.  So close.

So lets see, Stan went 3 for 8 in the first round (0 for 4 in the West), and went 1 for 4 in round two.  He was also dead on in his analysis:

I never liked the Avalanche. Still don’t. But, rooting interests aside, I have to give them the edge over Detroit.

Colorado’s defense hardly impresses me, while Detroit’s—thanks to Nik Lidstrom—does. But what I can’t feel strongly about is the Red Wings’ offense delivering in the clutch.

This has the potential to be the best series of the playoffs.  Dallas is playing great hockey right now, has already taken care of Anaheim and San Jose, and could certainly beat Detroit.  But please Stan show up with something better than comparing Dallas’ #1 defenseman with Detroit’s (injuried) 5th defenseman.

Posted by Django on 05/07/08 at 02:26 PM ET

To quote the late night sneaky uncle, John Kelly, “thank you, thank you, thank you!!!” A prediction of Dallas-Philly from the “Maven” is as good a guarantee it’ll be Wings-Pens as you can get…

So, from one Wings fan to Stan- thanks, Stan!  And keep on hittin’ that pipe, buddy!

Posted by mudshark on 05/07/08 at 02:40 PM ET

Right.  Because giving “cheeky” nicknames to the players on the teams you don’t pick makes your pick better. Brutal article.

Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 05/07/08 at 04:52 PM ET