Winter Classic

[WeisWeisBaby]

Is it just me or is Detroit pretty much the best hockey team ever assembled? Even with the cup hangover, they are never unsettled when losing and always keep to the game plan and just exectue!!!

Great game overall, LET'S GO WINGS!!! Hope the pens make the playoffs this year, or else Crosby might have to move out of Mario Lemieux's basement!

 

[PADOMERNUT]

Is it just me or is Detroit pretty much the best hockey team ever assembled? Even with the cup hangover, they are never unsettled when losing and always keep to the game plan and just exectue!!!

Great game overall, LET'S GO WINGS!!! Hope the pens make the playoffs this year, or else Crosby might have to move out of Mario Lemieux's basement!

Calm down dude. The season isnt even to the halfway point. Have you seen Boston and San Jose play this year? Both can give your Wings all they can handle. Your goaltending situation has to be a major concern. Osgood is old, plain and simple. And Ty Conklin is not winning you a Stanley Cup.

Also keep in mind, on January 1st 2008 the Pens had 44 points. On January 1st 2009, they have 42. So easy on the trash talk big fella.

 

[WeisWeisBaby]

Haha, I know, I just get really excited about the Wings because they are only one of my two sports loves, and they are doing so well.

San Jose will be tough for sure, not too concerned with Boston just yet (West conference always seems better).

I think Pittsburgh will not make it too far this year, they are lacking the offensive grit needed for a playoff run and I see Boston edging them out or Montreal.

But once again Detroit looks amazing, and yes, we did crush San Jose 6-0 the other night showing that we still have it, and Conklin can flat out play. I have no doubt he can lead us to the promise land.

 

[Quinntastic]

I live in Michigan - so naturally I'm a Red Wings buff. So I'm with you on this one - Go Wings!

 

[PADOMERNUT]

Haha, I know, I just get really excited about the Wings because they are only one of my two sports loves, and they are doing so well.

San Jose will be tough for sure, not too concerned with Boston just yet (West conference always seems better).

I think Pittsburgh will not make it too far this year, they are lacking the offensive grit needed for a playoff run and I see Boston edging them out or Montreal.

But once again Detroit looks amazing, and yes, we did crush San Jose 6-0 the other night showing that we still have it, and Conklin can flat out play. I have no doubt he can lead us to the promise land.

I'm sorry, but if you truly believe this, you are using your homer glasses, and we all have them, to influence that statement. Conklin is a career journeyman, he is not all of a sudden going to lead you to a Stanley Cup. I am not saying the Wings won't win. They are the defending champs and the favorites to repeat, but I dont think Conklin is the one to take you there.

 

[WeisWeisBaby]

I disagree and I do believe my statement. Do I think Conklin is the reason or the goalie that will WIN us the cup? No, but I think he is good enough and proved it last year in Pittsburgh, and definitely this year in Detroit. He already has 3 shut outs and at times flat out makes incredible saves. Detroit doesn't need a goalie to win games, they just need a goalie to not lose games (which is also what Osgood is). So yes, Conklin by far can play between the pipes and win a Stanley Cup with Detroit.

I think it is absurd you feel differently, have you looked at his numbers this year? He's replaced Osgood and Osgood has only 2 losses and like 14 wins, that just shows you how good Conklin has been playing.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

I disagree and I do believe my statement. Do I think Conklin is the reason or the goalie that will WIN us the cup? No, but I think he is good enough and proved it last year in Pittsburgh, and definitely this year in Detroit. He already has 3 shut outs and at times flat out makes incredible saves. Detroit doesn't need a goalie to win games, they just need a goalie to not lose games (which is also what Osgood is). So yes, Conklin by far can play between the pipes and win a Stanley Cup with Detroit.

I think it is absurd you feel differently, have you looked at his numbers this year? He's replaced Osgood and Osgood has only 2 losses and like 14 wins, that just shows you how good Conklin has been playing.

Yes it is true that Osgood is 12-2, but a GAA over 3 and a .876 save percentage? That leaves alot to be desired. And I know Conklin is a quality backup, he saved our season last year by playing great when Fleury got hurt. But the fact remains he has NEVER gotten it done in the playoffs. In fact he has never started more than 35 games in a season and has never won more than 18. To think he can go from that to winning a Stanley Cup is absurd, IMHO.

 

[WeisWeisBaby]

I'm not saying that he is this amazing goaltender, but he has played very solid the past two seasons and I just can't see any reason why he would not do the same in the playoffs.

I don't think he has been really given a fair shot over the past couple seasons to be the starting goaltender, and yet he still won 18 last year and is on record to win over 25 this year. You can't tell me by the way he has played this year that it is "abusrd" to think he would play the same way in the playoffs. Like I said, I'm not saying he's a great goalie, but in Detroit's system you don't need to be an amazing goalie to win the cup, you just need to not let in over 3 goals a game.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

I'm not saying that he is this amazing goaltender, but he has played very solid the past two seasons and I just can't see any reason why he would not do the same in the playoffs.

I don't think he has been really given a fair shot over the past couple seasons to be the starting goaltender, and yet he still won 18 last year and is on record to win over 25 this year. You can't tell me by the way he has played this year that it is "abusrd" to think he would play the same way in the playoffs. Like I said, I'm not saying he's a great goalie, but in Detroit's system you don't need to be an amazing goalie to win the cup, you just need to not let in over 3 goals a game.

You and I both know that playoff hockey is different. Everything is taken to a different level. And I guess we won't know until April, because he has never had to be "the guy" before. I know he is a solid goaltender. I just think it is absurd for you to sit there and say you have no doubt he will take you to the promised land, when he has never taken anyone to the promised land.

Bottom line is we are both speculating at this point. Let's continue this conversation in February when things are at least a little clearer.

 

[WeisWeisBaby]

Agreed, but just as my statement is absurd so is yours to say that he can't, and we both might never know if Osgood takes over the reigns.

I hope your Pens make it to the finals though, my dream stanley cup win for Detroit would go as follows:

1st round - Colorado (not sure why, but I always love sweeping the Avs)

2nd round - Chicago (bring the rivalry back)

3rd round - San Jose (I think it's only fair to go through the best to be the best)

Finals - Pittsburgh (a rematch of last year would be amazing, just simply good for the NHL)

 

[PADOMERNUT]

Agreed, but just as my statement is absurd so is yours to say that he can't, and we both might never know if Osgood takes over the reigns.

I hope your Pens make it to the finals though, my dream stanley cup win for Detroit would go as follows:

1st round - Colorado (not sure why, but I always love sweeping the Avs)

2nd round - Chicago (bring the rivalry back)

3rd round - San Jose (I think it's only fair to go through the best to be the best)

Finals - Pittsburgh (a rematch of last year would be amazing, just simply good for the NHL)

I will agree that both of our statements are absurd as neither of us has any evidence to back up what we are saying, it is just pure speculation.


I think the Pens need to make some moves if they are going to be a legit contender. First of all they need another goal scoring winger (Thank you Mr Hossa). Too many times they are forced to play Crosby and Malkin together in order to generate offense which makes them too one dimensional. Second of all they need some grit on the 3rd and 4th lines, and especially on the power play (Brendan Shanahan still unemployed?)

As far as your march to the cup, I will take b/c it will mean we will be there. And even though the Wings would be the heavy favorite, at that point I will just take my chances.

 

[WabashFalcon]

If this brings the NHL back, I'll host the next game in my backyard on my frozen pool.