goaltending: edge chicago? really, have you seen Khabibulin’s save percentage. That guy aint gonna be ready for what the wings throw at him. Plus, wings defensive fowards are gonna shut down pretty boy kane and toews.

Read all the national publicaitons, everybody gives Chicaog the edge at Goal.  You should be happy he gave Detroit the edge at Defense.  The Hawk’s defensmen have been playing out of there minds.

I have picked from the start of play-offs Chicago my sleeper team, with Scotty over there I will have to go with Black Hawks in 7. The reason is if anybody knows the Wings weakness its Scotty and you can believe they are going to key on it.

Chicago is a great matchup for Detroit.  If it weren’t for Ryan Getzlaf playing like the best player in hockey, the Wings would’ve taken the Ducks in five at most.  Getzlaf succeeded because, well, he’s really good, plus he’s incredibly tough and hard-working, i.e., the type of players that have killed Detroit in the past.  Chicago has no Ryan Getzlaf.  I also think Osgood has outplayed Khabibulin.  If the Canucks can score 5, the Wings can score 10.  The Wings defense has enough speed to handle Kane and Toewes.  Add to that the experience advantage, and the fact that Datsyuk and Hossa are too good to stay in their slumps much longer, this could be short.  Wings in 5.  Unfortunately, once the Wings won game 7 against the Ducks, they won the Cup.  Especially once Boston lost.

You have to give the Wings credit.  On top of losing game 6, Datsyuk and Stuart absolutely got pummeled at the end of the game.  Some teams would lose heart after that.  I mean it was injury to insult.  Did the wings go down and bring up McCarty or Downie?  No.  Did they lose heart?  No, they turned it up a notch and sent the Ducks to the fairway and their GM into a baby tantrum.  The unlikely hero Cleary is on fire with Zetterberg and the Mule on the same line. If Hossa and Datsyuk start to bring it and our unsung hero Osgood keeps stoning the big boys when it counts this series will be over in four games. Sorry Chicago, you’ve had a nice story getting here but not this year.

Whether making your decision based on stats or a gut feeling I’m not sure how you could pick against the Wings (and I must say that the “Hawks in 5” prediction was absurd).  If you look at season stats you have to give the edge to Detroit.  If you look at playoff stats you have to give the edge to Detroit.  Detroit destroyed Columbus, and if it were not for Hiller standing on his head the whole series they would’ve done the same to Anaheim.  The Hawks needed two come from behind victories against the Flames to start that series, and while I am happy they beat the Canucks they still gave up almost a goal more per game than Detroit did in their Western semi series against Anaheim. 

Based on all of this and recent Detroit playoff success, how can you go against the Wings?  As a Minnesota Wild fan I am definitely envious of Chicago’s future, but when all is said and done I think we’re going to find that the Hawks just aren’t on the same level with the Wings.

Amen, Anaheim has some big boys and in the end, Detroit came out on top. It’s ashame Bostons not in the running for “LORD STANLEY”. Detroit will Triumphet over the Blackhawks just like the good old days. In Yet Another Rival!

Oh Ya The fight stats will probable change in this series from “none” too?

I guess game 3 was the case of the blind squirrel getting the nut. Chicago has been completely outclassed in every regard - no “edge” about it.