I'm not sure if Stevie Y is done ... there's some good games left in him. It's a very similar situation to Joe Sakic, and Sakic showed yesterday that he still has a few bullets left in the gun.
Yzerman just ran into a hot goalie. I'm guessing that he doesn't want to go out like this, and he'll try to make amends next season.
"Now you're gonna see ... a PerfectPlex!!!"
Rest In Peace, Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig. You are missed.
Anyone who blames the sweep on CuJo is smoking something. Four one-goal games, two OT games, one of them triple-OT. That's CuJo keeping the Wings in every game, waiting for his teammates to do their part -- and when you have a talent stack like the Wings have, it says something when they couldn't steal ONE victory.
What it says is that Giguere played out of his MIND for the Ducks in this series. A .965 save percentage against the defending champs, in his first playoff series? That's jaw-dropping.
CuJo 2003 == Cechmanek 2002. It happens.
(Not that I'm gloating too much. My Flyers will be damned lucky to get out of the first round, and would need divine intervention to get past the Devils under any circumstances.)
"You may be wondering why I have been making so many references lately to Fox News. The reason is that it is now my cable news network of choice -- because if Im going to watch the news and be lied to, I want it to be ridiculously obvious that I am being lied to." -- Center for an Informed America, Newsletter #34
While I still think I saw Detroit playing like a team that didn't entirely trust their goalie, I have to agree that Giguere's .965 save percentage is absolutely absurd, especially against one of the most dangerous lineups ever put together.
I also have to wonder how this Anaheim team would have done against a Bowman-coached Wings squad. The number of face-offs Anaheim was winning tells me that the Anaheim coach was both better at getting through to his team the importance of faceoffs and at getting the faceoff match-ups he wanted. I have to think that Detroit got outcoached more than just a little.
As for Yzerman, I think he'll wait and see what happens with the team. If they offload salary and/or a couple of key guys retire, I think you'll see Yzerman bail. If they keep the band together, so to speak, you'll probably see him back next year for one more go.
Originally posted by UnderwaterIt's all about to fall apart for Anaheim. They've been outplayed in both games and Giguerre's heat is starting to fade. Luck can only get you so far, and Anaheim has had A WHOLE FUCKING LOT of luck. Much like last year, something is going to go horribly wrong and Anaheim will crumble. There is no way, NO WAY, that Detroit is going to lose game 3. Watch the series turn around after that.
Do you prefer your crow cooked, deep fried, or broiled?
The greatest part about the bi-annual Detroit RedWing playoff collapse is listening to all the supposed "die-hard" Hockeytown fans turning on their beloved team:
"FIRE THE COACH . . . THE GOALIE SUCKS. . . . GET RID OF FEDEROV . . . . SHANAHAN'S A PUSSY"
It's the only time I listen to local sports talk radio.
"What do you mean 'Parts Unknown'? Are you telling me he doesn't have a social security number so we can track him down? How does he get a paycheck?" - G. Monsoon
I'm not sure if Stevie Y is done ... there's some good games left in him. It's a very similar situation to Joe Sakic, and Sakic showed yesterday that he still has a few bullets left in the gun.
I disagree. Yzerman is nowhere near Joe Sakic. Never has been. The only advantage Yzerman has ever had over Sakic is the leadership aspect of the game. Besides, Yzermans knee is horrendous right now.
As for Yzermans future, it all depends on what Mike Illitch (the owner) decides to do. He just lost about $68 million with Detroit getting swept. Thats a big hit. There are also key free agents to re-sign: Federov, Yzerman, McCarthy, Wolley, Robitaille, Larionov. I wouldnt be surprised to see them let Robitaille, Larinonov and Wolley go. I think Yzermans decision to play another year hinges on the signing of Federov. Early signs point to Federov leaving Detroit. He rejected $10 million a year offer earlier this season. Expect Detroit to offer even less now, after his performance this year.
As far as Joe Sakic having a few bullets left, the guy is what, 30? Hes got plenty of bullets left and a good 4 years before he starts to fade. Hell, Granato is even double shifting him, using him on one line with Hinote and Hahl and on another with Battaglia and Reinprecht. The guy had low totals this year because he went on the disabled list twice.
If Colorado or Dallas goes far enough in the playoffs, I expect them to make a run at Federov or Selane (although Colorado has to get Forsberg signed first and Dallas needs to sign Hatcher).
Interesting fact: A home playoff game brings in about $4 million. As the teams gets closer to the Cup, ticket prices rise and that amount increases.
Thank god I didn't put money on this series or I would have been in deep with some mighty unsavory characters.
Ye gods, I wasn't expecting this.
I bow before the greatness that is Giguere. I can't wait to see if he gets even better when he heads down to Dallas to face yet another star-laden (no pun intended) lineup with over a week's rest in his back pocket...