Empty Netter Assists - 5-29-09
Playoff Stuff
Penguins
-Mark Eaton is smart.
-So is Sidney Crosby.
-The Penguins are happy the Stanley Cup final is starting quickly.
-Did the NHL handle the schedule correctly?
-It's all Conan O'Brien's fault.
-Are games on back-to-back days really that big of an issue?
-Could you imagine the NFL scheduling the Super Bowl in such an unsteady manner?
-Despite all the schedule finagling, the Stanley Cup final is going to go head-to-head with some NBA Finals games.
-Why doesn't Marc-Andre Fleury (right, with Maxime Talbot) get more respect?
-By the way, we have seen the Talbot/Scotch story floating around the Internet. Great story, but we're not allowed to use it.
-So... Fleury or Chris Osgood?
-The NHL lucked out with with a rematch of last year's final.
-Is Sidney Crosby the second coming of Steve Yzerman?
-The Penguins are a year older and a year wiser.
-Tickets for games at Mellon Arena won't be cheap.
-At the very least, Fleury plans on improving how he steps onto the ice:
-"It hurts." - Dan Bylsma, June 9, 2003, then as a member of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim following a 3-0 loss in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final at New Jersey.
-Bylsma is going home again.
-Today's 1984 Oilers/2009 Pittsburgh Penguins comparison is brought to you by TSN.
-Don't expect to get any calamari in Pittsburgh over the next two weeks without a bit of a hassle.
-Just a reminder that NBC doesn't want you to watch any of their games on the big screen outside Gate 3. But make sure you watch Jimmy Fallon die a slow painful death at 12:30 a.m.
-We have to admit this "Smack a Penguin" game on the Detroit Free Press' Web site is very addicting.
Red Wings
-Marian Hossa used to play for the Penguins.
-Marian Hossa used to play for the Penguins.
-Marian Hossa used to play for the Penguins.
-Marian Hossa used to play for the Penguins.
-Marian Hossa used to play for the Penguins.
-This series has the makings of a classic.
-The Red Wings took yesterday off.
-"We're not happy, I have to be honest." - general manager Ken Holland on the schedule.
-Terrible Ted Lindsay ripped the NHL for scheduling Games 1 and 2 on back-to-back nights.
-Captain Nicklas Lidstrom ("lower body") is expected to play tomorrow. Forward Pavel Datsyuk (foot) and defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (appendectomy) are game-time decisions. Forward Kris Draper (groin) is doubtful.
-Since Lidstrom joined the Red Wings in 1992, Detroit has not finished worse than sixth place in the the overall league standings.
-Budd Lynch, the Red Wings' public address announcer, has been with the franchise since 1949. Chris Chelios was just in his third year in the NHL by then. We think.
Blackhawks
-The top ten moments in Chicago's season.
-It's only the beginning for the Blackhawks.
-How can Chicago get past Detroit?
-Goaltender Cristobal Huet's amazing save from late in Game 5:
-Ratings for Game 5 matched the record for Versus.
Non-Playoff Stuff
Atlantic Division
-Flyers forward Simon Gagne had surgery on his right hip.
-Former Islanders forward John Tonelli is facing DUI charges.
Southeast Division
-Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour isn't planning on retiring.
-Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier plans on pulling a Mario Lemieux.
Central Division
-The Blue Jackets want to tax your Virginia Slims.
Northwest Division
-The Oilers signed Alex Plante, a 2007 first-round pick, to a three-year entry-level contract.
(Photo: Fleury-Grant Halverson/Getty Images)