NHL 2013/ 2013 Season

Don't count the wings out yet. Everyone underestimates us because the team was so bad in the beginning of the season due to half the team never having played in the NHL before. There are still some rough patches, especially with the defensive turnovers, but the team is playing with high energy and tenacity while it looks like Chicago just wants to ride their natural talent.  Frustration is really setting in on Madison, 2 goals in 2 games and Toews is looking as cold as Chris Perry in round 1.  Detroit's forecheck has been killing the normally stoic Chiciago defense, and the Wings absolutely DOMINATED the faceoff circle in game 3.  It's OK if nobody believes in this team yet, because I love when they prove everyone wrong.  This is the first time in a long long time that the Red Wings haven't had the pressure of extremely high expectations, in fact there are no expectations because they weren't even supposed to be in the playoffs, and that can only help a roster of young players.  I know the defense makes a lot of bonehead plays, and people tend to see that and write them off, but trust me these guys make a lot of great plays too, and they are helped defensively so much by the heavy backchecking of a forward core taught in practice by the greatest 2 way player in the game, Pavel Datsyuk.

Originally posted by sideways99 ^ If I remember correctly Detroit played a lackluster game in Detroit after taking Game 2 against Anaheim.  For them to beat the Blackhawks tonight they have to avoid this type of let-down.  I have a feeling Chicago is going to come out of the gates firing on all cylinders. My prediction: Blackhawks  5 Red Wings  1

Okay, I was off by just a bit... lolz...  Obviously I expected the Blackhawks to come out of the gates flying and run up the score last night, didn't happen. 

Regarding the post about Chicago losing their mojo, IMO I do not think so.  They will rebound and come back strong on Thursday.  Chicago hasn't faced much adversity this season, this series is really testing their mettle.

Now onto tonight's games.  My wild and inaccurate predictions:

Boston 3   NYR 2 (OT)
SJ 3  LA 2

Yep, same score for both games.

Originally posted by shwazy ^ As a King fan I guess you have to root for the Wings.

Man the Red Wings are holding their own... up 3-1 against the blackhawks....

Scoreless game so far. Hawks can do some damage but the Wings are exactly a pushover either. They'll give them a good fight. I can see this series going the distance.

^ If I remember correctly Detroit played a lackluster game in Detroit after taking Game 2 against Anaheim.  For them to beat the Blackhawks tonight they have to avoid this type of let-down.  I have a feeling Chicago is going to come out of the gates firing on all cylinders.

My prediction:

Blackhawks  5
Red Wings  1

^ Good to see the Sens take one from the Pens.  I'm hoping the Sens goal that tied the game late in the 3rd is a morale breaker for the Pens, would love to see Sid and the girls get knocked out of the playoffs.

Chicago at Detroit tonight, it will be interesting to see how both teams respond after the last game (great effort by Detroit, lackluster effort from Chicago).

2nd overtime!! Have we had any 2nd overtimes so far this season??? Or is this the 1st?

Yea, The Sharks are definitely battling....

Another super tight battle in Kings/Sharks series.  Sharks had to win and they did so good on them for that. They have another must win game...Kings still in the driver's seat.

Wow, Crosby has a hat trick - only took him 1:15 into the 2nd period to get his 3rd goal.

Originally posted by sideways99 Two penalties resulting in a 5-3 power play for the Kings late in the 3rd period doomed the Sharks.  It will be interesting seeing how San Jose responds in the next game. Pens and Sens tonight, my prediction:  Pitt 4  Ott 1

Really close game between Bruins and Rangers. Too bad the Rangers ran out of gas in OT. Seems like the B's found new life in their game after that huge comeback.

Wow...what a finish to the Kings game.  Two goals in 22 seconds with under 2 minutes to go to win the game.  That is a tough one for the Sharks to swallow.  Be interesting to see what kind of heart that team has down 2 going back home.  Kings were in same situation against Blues after losing two heart breakers (OT loss against a short handed goal due to Quick miss cue and the second game got scored on with 30 seconds left to lose) but then came back to win 4 straight.  Kings are in a great spot though and this team knows how to close.  Should be a great game 3.

Too much Blackhawks for Howard to handle, dude faced 41 shots.  The Red Wings defense looked pretty shoddy, especially Smith. 

Two games on tap tonight, my predictions:

Bruins 3  Rangers 1
Kings 2  Sharks 1 (OT)

U.S. beats Russia 8-3 in the World Championship tournament.

Originally posted by Witty1 Yea Quick was the star of the show on Tuesday... Sharks will have to put a lot more traffic in front of him to get goals.  They didn't put enough pressure in front of him.... and he was spectacular.  Otherwise, both teams played well... Sharks dominated 10 mins of the 1st and the last period.

Originally posted by sideways99 Pens beat the Sens 4-1.  Vokoun's stats are solid - 36 shots, 35 save, .972 SV%. Quick was even better, 35 shots, 35 saves.  Nice shutout. Is this shaping up for a Pittsburgh - Chicago Stanley Cup Finals?  The last time both #1 seeds met in the Stanley Cup Finals was 2001, Avs beating the Devils in 7.

Pens beat the Sens 4-1.  Vokoun's stats are solid - 36 shots, 35 save, .972 SV%.

Quick was even better, 35 shots, 35 saves.  Nice shutout.

Is this shaping up for a Pittsburgh - Chicago Stanley Cup Finals?  The last time both #1 seeds met in the Stanley Cup Finals was 2001, Avs beating the Devils in 7.

Only the Leafs are capable of something that! To be up 4-1 with 15 mins to go and end up losing in OT. So disappointing to come this far, be within arms reach of the 2nd round and then just give it away. Just absolutely heart breaking for any Leafs fan.

I think that  the Sharks Kings series will be an epic series. 

Originally posted by Von44 Reimer absolutely stood on his head last night to force a game 7. Now he's got to do it again. It'd be a hellof a comeback if the Leafs take the series against a strong Boston team.

Reimer absolutely stood on his head last night to force a game 7. Now he's got to do it again. It'd be a hellof a comeback if the Leafs take the series against a strong Boston team.

What fans....

Yep I'm stoked watching the Wings Ducks game as well.  Second intermission and once again, Detroit is up 3-1.  Corey Perry is still colder than last night's dinner, and Zetterberg is hungry.  Can the Ducks rally in the third again? Look out for Bobby Ryan, who's tied it up to force overtime twice now.

I'm looking forward to three 1-goal games tonight.  The Rangers held up their end by winning 1-0.