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You know, I’ve been watching hockey for well over a decade now. Every so often I get…concerned…about a team the Wings will be facing in the playoffs. The Avalanche in 1997 and the Calgary Flames in 2004, for example. But I’ve never been scared of one player before. The Wings’ Western Conference match up against the Dallas Stars is a good one. They have the edge in just about every position. They don’t, however, have an answer for Brenden Morrow, and it’s scary.
I have to admit a few things, first. For one, I rarely watch Dallas Stars games. Mainly because I can’t (I don’t have Center Ice), but mostly because they’re boring. I know they have good players, Modano, Lehtinen, Richards, and underrated players like Zubov and Ribeiro. But I never thought Morrow was this good, so good, in fact, that he’d have me worried. I knew he was a valuable player to the Stars, he’s gritty, players with an edge, and hits every time he has a chance to. Hell, every time there was a Stars trade praposal thread, Morrow’s name always comes up. But I didn’t think he’d be the difference in a series.
For those who watched the San Jose series know he was, to quote Pierre McGuire, a monster on the ice. As the clock hit 2 a.m. and it’s the 3rd overtime period of game 6, I’m watching Morrow playing like it’s the first period after having a week off. The guy didn’t slow down. He may in fact have given the Stars the win by knocking Milan Michalek out of the game. He does it all, and the Wings have nothing to counter him with.
Sure, you can start going up and down the Wings’ roster and make possible match ups to defend him, but the truth of the matter is, they don’t. This Wings team isn’t soft, but they don’t like to be hit, and Morrow is going to hit Datsyuk, Lidstrom and Zetterberg every time they’re on the ice. Who’s going to move him when he parks in front of the net? Lilja? Chelios? Kronwall?
Dan Cleary is the closest on the roster that mimics Morrow’s style of play, but we know Danny boy isn’t even in the same league as him. Let’s also not forget that playoff series against the Stars are painfully long, low scoring games. There will be a couple overtime periods, some probably going into 2nd or even 3rd OT’s. That means less penalties called, and more 5-on-5 play, which the Wings don’t like.
If there’s an answer for Morrow, let the Wings know.
All in all I do not expect this series to be a cakewalk, but then again I expected the series with the Avs to go at least 6 games too and nothing could have been further from reality. Either way, I have tickets to game 4 in Dallas and I'll be there at American Airlines Arena wearing my 1998 Nike game worn Chris Osgood away jersey, braving the crowd, and hopefully cheering on our Detroit Red Wings to another victory and one step closer to The Cup.
First and foremost, you discuss how the Wings don't have an answer for Morrow when he's in front of the net, and you throw Kronwall name in mockingly like he has no chance against him. Babs has changed up the defensive pairings to balance off Dallas' attack, and having Lidstrom paired with Kronwall allows Lids to cover, while Kronner keys in on the likes of Morrow. Kronwall by no stretch of the imagination is a soft player and he's playing the best and most physical hockey of his career right now. Sure, Morrow is going to score a goal or two but the first pairing is also going to make things difficult and frustrating for him.
Now, I notice you talk about the net presence Morrow is and you fail to discuss the fact that the Wings have the best 1-2 net front presence *by far* in the entire league! Holmstrom and Franzen will cause fits for any opposition simply because you need two solid, physical Dmen (which most teams don't have) to control them. As good of shape the Stars are in with Morrow, the Wings in just as good of shape if not better with the likes of Homer and Mule.
Lastly, "this Wings team doesn't like to be hit?" That argument was especially valid two postseasons ago, but last year the Wings really put a dent in that identity. This postseason, they feed off the opposition trying to hit them because it creates space and mismatches.
While I agree that Morrow scares me and that the Wings will absolutely need to keep an eye on him, I think he'll be manageable given the caliber of the Wings defense.