# The 2008 NHL Hockey Playoffs - Steppin' It Up for the Stanley Cup **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 7, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362 "2008-04-07T18:50:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2008, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/201 "2008-05-29T02:52:55Z")
Wow! I think this is the 1st time I have ever said this when my team loses…but… WHAT A GREAT GAME!!! Exciting from start to finish…what a 3rd period eh? ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/202 "2008-06-01T06:43:18Z")
That was a great hockey game. Go Wings! ---
**Author:** ![as\_u\_wish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@as\_u\_wish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/as_u_wish)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/203 "2008-06-01T13:52:34Z")
The killing of the 5-3 power play was some of the most exciting hockey of the year. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/204 "2008-06-02T00:00:53Z")
What’s left to say. We all know the records. Coming back from a 3-1 deficit is nearly impossible, and the Penguins are heading back to the Joe where they’ve been shut out and spanked. They won’t have the last change to keep Crosby away from the Wings that have kept him bottled up. Can they keep the series alive for one more game? Hey. Anything’s possible. They’ve beaten Detroit once in this series by playing a more defensive system to keep Detroit from making those crisp passes. That could buy them some time for their secondary scoring to step up, which will need to happen. The two top lines will likely continue to cancel out, and I don’t see Malkin making much of a difference. This is the first time he’s ever played this much hockey in one season, and I think the fatigue is getting to him. I also wouldn’t be surprised to find out he was injured in the Philly series. On the other side, everything is in Detroit’s favor. They’ve got the last line change, so they can keep Pittsburgh’s big guns under wraps. They’ll have history and the home crowd on their side. Holmstrom will be back in the lineup. Osgood has been solid, and Zetterberg is coming off his best game of the series. Between him and Datsyuk deciding to become a power forward, they could actually push past the Pens young stars and get some points in what should be the last game of the series. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/205 "2008-06-02T22:23:36Z")
Osgood for Conn Smythe? Zetterburg’s got the numbers, but without Ozzy we wouldn’t have made it past Nashville. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/206 "2008-06-02T23:01:54Z")
I don’t see how you could possibly give the Conn Smythe to a goaltender making 21.3 saves per game. Zetterberg or Lidstrom should win it. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/207 "2008-06-02T23:06:41Z")
[QUOTE=Rysto] I don’t see how you could possibly give the Conn Smythe to a goaltender making 21.3 saves per game. Zetterberg or Lidstrom should win it. [/QUOTE] Franzen has a case,doesn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/208 "2008-06-02T23:55:57Z")
[QUOTE=Rysto] I don’t see how you could possibly give the Conn Smythe to a goaltender making 21.3 saves per game. Zetterberg or Lidstrom should win it. [/QUOTE] Because the Wings consistantly started winning once they put Ozzy in. Value isn’t just numbers. As far as I’m concerned, from the moment they benched Dom, Ozzy’s lead this team to victory after victory. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/209 "2008-06-03T00:49:09Z")
I’ve now heard two agonized yells from my husband, the Redwings fan. I was about to concede that the Redwings are the better team, but the Penguins are stepping up to the challenge. It’s 2 - 0 Penguins and the first period isn’t even over. Let’s go **Pens!** ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/210 "2008-06-03T01:34:40Z")
[QUOTE=Happy Lendervedder] Because the Wings consistantly started winning once they put Ozzy in. Value isn’t just numbers. As far as I’m concerned, from the moment they benched Dom, Ozzy’s lead this team to victory after victory. [/QUOTE] Seems rather akin to declaring Ray Emery MVP of Ottawa’s 2006-2007 season on the basis that once he became the starter, the team started winning again. Detroit started winning after the switch because Hasek was playing terribly. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/211 "2008-06-03T01:58:37Z")
[QUOTE=Siege] I’ve now heard two agonized yells from my husband, the Redwings fan. I was about to concede that the Redwings are the better team, but the Penguins are stepping up to the challenge. It’s 2 - 0 Penguins and the first period isn’t even over. Let’s go **Pens!** [/QUOTE] It’s 2-1 after two periods, but it was a rough one for Pittsburgh. Gonchar hit the boards funny and looked really shaken up. He might be back for the third, but Ryan Malone won’t. A slap shot to the face sent him right off the ice and likely to the hospital. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/212 "2008-06-03T02:09:30Z")
And both Gonchar and Malone back. Really surprised on Malone. I thought he was off for X-Rays for sure. That’s why hockey is the toughest sport. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/213 "2008-06-03T02:27:49Z")
Detroit takes the lead off of goals from Datsyuk and Rafalski. 3-2 Wings. Great friggin’ hockey right now. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/214 "2008-06-03T02:43:03Z")
After three periods it’s 3-3 off Talbot’s stick with the goalie pulled. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/215 "2008-06-03T02:45:24Z")
Unreal. What a third period. Ryan Malone is crazy…going for the blocked shot with seconds left. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/216 "2008-06-03T02:51:25Z")
UGH UGH UGH…overtime coming up ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/217 "2008-06-03T03:08:09Z")
Well, pretty freakin’ exciting game… ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/218 "2008-06-03T03:36:28Z")
Entering double OT, I just lost my wife to the comforts of bed. This is one hell of a game; unfortunately I’m watching it alone now. I _hate_ watching big games alone. Malone is a friggin’ machine. I’ve never seen a guy take a rocket to the face like that, hop up like a kangaroo, and eventually return to the game. I’m absolutely amazed at the difference between shots-on-goal for the two teams. GO WINGS! ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/219 "2008-06-03T03:43:00Z")
[QUOTE=Happy Lendervedder] Entering double OT, I just lost my wife to the comforts of bed. This is one hell of a game; unfortunately I’m watching it alone now. I _hate_ watching big games alone. GO WINGS! [/QUOTE] I’m watching it with ya buddy. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362/220 "2008-06-03T04:03:40Z")
So am I, but I don’t think I can make it through another intermission and OT. C’mon Wings. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2008-nhl-hockey-playoffs-steppin-it-up-for-the-stanley-cup/444362.md?page=12)