I don’t think there’s any tandem that is so good both ways. I guess the Sedin twins and the Lecavlier/St. Louis pairing have something to say about that, but their defensive abilities aren’t where Pavel and Hank’s are.

And yet people still find ways to doubt their ability and not rank them with the top players in the game.

Basically, Lilja reminds me of this guy. I don’t know how he did it, but he’s managed to raise his game when it mattered the most. And I’m damn happy he has.

As for Bertuzzi, I wish he would shoot more. A couple times last night I yelled for him to shoot when he had the puck, but instead he passed it off. It would’ve been so great to see him score a goal in an arena where the crowd booed him every time he touched the puck. I also wish he would throw his weight around more too. But did anyone else notice him falling down a lot in Game 6??

Datsyuk and Zetterberg have been underrated defensively for a while now. Zetterberg seriously needs some Selke consideration, which he’ll probably get once he plays a full season again. The reason why I think Pavel and Hank are the best duo in the whole league is because they can play any situation and be dangerous and effective. Who else can score as many points, have as good chemistry, and be as good defensively as these two are?

Yeah, Todd wasn’t overly physical, but I still get a kick out of it when players just go bouncing off him as they try to move him.

Tom,

I’m glad you saw potential in Lilja. I think his thing is he needs to know what his role is and he’s finally found it.

I read a blog during the series where the author asserted that the Wings have the better team, but the Flames have the better top-end talent. Looking at Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Nicklas Lidstrom, etc., I don’t think I can agree on that. I think the Wings are better in both ways because their top forwards are so versatile, as you say.

I agree on Cleary. We can only hope! And it he does end up getting the Conn Smythe, he’ll go down as one of those players who had a legendary run.

As for the Sharks, I’m not as nervous about them as I used to be either, but it’d still be great to avoid them now and let them duke it out with the Ducks.

I totally agree about the defensive play of our top line forwards. One thing that is rarely (if ever) mentioned is the fact that our top line guys are good enough all around to play 5 on 5, PP and PK. Very few teams in the NHL can claim that.

When Clears was awarded the penalty shot in game 5, something told me that this was the catalyst of the the series, or even the entire playoff run for the wings; that everything was riding on this one shot. Do or die, as says Versus’ playoff tagline. If he continues playing the way he did during the first round he has the potential to win the Conn Smyth.

I’ll also be rooting for the Stars tonight. I think Dallas and Detroit have had a good rivalry going for a few years now. But after witnessing just how physical the Wings played against Calgary, I’m not nearly as scared of the chance that they’ll get stuck playing San Jose next round. Either way, it will be an exciting series, and like everyone else (naysayers aside) I look forward to supporting our boys in a long playoff run. Lets go Red Wings!

I completely agree with you about Lilja… I had the exact same thoughts about him throughout the Calgary series. He reminds me of Fischer finally finding his game and becoming a great defenseman.

I actually think Bertuzzi could have played a bit more physically… in last night’s game there were a number of times where he could have finished his check and didn’t. Who knows, he still may be hurting and may want to take it easy when he can.

Cleary really surprised me too. He was as gritty and effective as any player on the ice during the whole series. I think he’s really found his place on the team, especially in the playoffs.

Lookin’ forward to finding out who our next opponent will be… this is the last time you’ll hear me say this after tonight… but, go Stars!