I agree. The Pens look better than they are because of the lack of quality opponents. They struggled against the Caps and they are a 1 line team. I don't see Malkin and Crosby running around against the Wings the way they have weaker teams in the East. The Wings will simply need to limit them to win the series. Who do the Pens have that will shut down Zetterberg, Hossa, Franzen, Hudler, Filipula, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Cleary, Samuellson, ect.....? Nobody. Not to mention Lidstrom will likely be back rested. Although not playing tonight both Lidstrom and Datsyuk took the morning skate today. With Lidstrom and Rafalski quarterbacking the power-play they are very dangerous. From what I can see the Wings are one of the few teams that haven't been struck by the disease of parity. The rest of the league is getting watered down in the new Gary Bettman NHL. Lots of 1 line teams playing mediocre hockey passing as greatness. Wings in 6. In another couple of years the Wings will get burned by the salary cap and start losing players that they spent years developing within their system. Fans in places like Pittsburgh think the cap is good for hockey. Wait until they win a cup and become the farm system for teams like Atlanta. Unable to hold on to their multi year investments.
quote=MSU Fan;243145]Fred...always stirring up trouble... :D
It is we, just as the fans of the Packers say "we" as well. :)
I grew up playing pond, roller, and ice hockey near Detroit, and that is my team forever. I hope that the Pens give a better fight than last year, but I still don't see the same caliber of team play that the Wings are giving both against Anaheim and now the Blackhawks...
GO WINGS!!![/quote]
