GoWings1905

I agree to an extent. The Tigers have a chance now to "showcase" Inge in sorts for a potential trade, hopefully for some bullpen help. The dropoff from Granderson to Inge won't be that noticeable in the field, but clearly at the plate is a whole different story. As of now, the Tigers have no table-setter for the big bats in the middle of the order.

I am not sure what makes me more sad: seeing my favorite Tiger (Granderson) injured for a couple of weeks, or knowing Brandon Inge is his temporary replacement.

Dan Cleary! Man I'm pumped to see this team starting to get healthy again. I really hope Mac plays on Friday night because I will be there. As for tonight, the Red Wings have their focus back, the Blues just came off a nine-game road trip, and have nothing to play for. I have a feeling this one will get ugly... Red Wings: 5 (Z, Sammy , Datsyuk, Rafalski, and Z again) Blues: 1 (Stempniak)

I never wish to play a certain team, but I would prefer the Red Wings play Nashville in the first round, as opposed to any of the Northwest Division teams. I just want the Red Wings most of all to get healthy, and the playoff opponent shouldn't even matter when they do.

Friday: NY Islanders @ New Jersey NY Rangers @ Philadelphia Toronto @ Buffalo Washington @ Atlanta Minnesota @ Vancouver Anaheim @ San Jose Saturday: Colorado @ Edmonton Chicago @ Nashville Los Angeles @ Dallas Boston @ Montreal Toronto @ Ottawa Tampa Bay @ Florida Detroit @ Columbus New Jersey @ Pittsburgh Anaheim @ Phoenix Minnesota @ Calgary Sunday: St Louis @ Chicago NY Islanders @ Philadelphia

I could be mistaking very easily, but I always thought the NHL re-seeded teams according to points after the first round. For instance, lets say the Red Wings finish first, San Jose second, the Northwest winner third, and Anaheim fourth. If those teams all advanced, but San Jose and Anaheim finish with more points than the NW winner, then the Sharks and Ducks would play, leaving the Red Wings with the lowest point total team remaining. I always get the NBA and NHL formats confused, so I could be wrong about this...

1. Minnesota - travel purposes, and in my judgment the best "match-up" on paper 2. Colorado - no reasoning needed 3. Vancouver - Luongo 4. Calgary - Kipper, and they have the make-up of a tough playoff team

DP

The Red Wings were better than Columbus on Sunday, but tonight the scoreboard will actually prove it. Red Wings - 4 (Z, Maltby, Datsyuk, and Z again) Blue Jackets - 2 (Novotny and Klesla)

I really hope it's not Z. Or whoever the player is, that this is just rest for a nagging injury and nothing serious. Shouldn't Samuelsson need a night off soon to rest his sore arms?

No offense, but a regular season series is a far cry from the playoffs. I believe Pittsburgh did quite well against Ottawa last year during the regular season, and the result was quite different during the playoffs. The Red Wings have stuggled for the most part with every team in the Central, but could any of those teams beat the Red Wings in a seven-game series? Beyond that, Dallas is a classic choke-artist during the playoffs. Three straight 100-point seasons (possibly four), and they haven't won a playoff round in that span. Eliminating either San Jose or Anaheim in the first round would be way better for the Red Wings chances. Dallas isn't beating either of those two teams in a seven-game series.

I am by no means a Michigan fan, but Ohio State has plenty of issues of their own you should be more concerned about. Like for instance, playing a weak schedule every season and somehow getting into the National Championship Game where they are exposed by real teams, not run-of-the-mill Big Ten football programs. Ohio State is never challenged until they get to the real deal. That's what happens when you play Kent State and Akron as non-conference opponents.

I would rather see Anaheim and San Jose play in the first round. I just don't see Dallas as a real threat in the Western Conference, and I certainly don't believe Dallas has a prayer of beating Anaheim in a seven-game series. As far as the Presidents Trophy goes, it's nice if the Red Wings win it, but not necessary. They won twice in San Jose last season during the playoffs, and Anaheim won twice at JLA. You have to win on the road regardless of the seeding.

FSN Detroit will also have coverage for some games during the first two rounds. After that, Versus/NBC have exclusive rights to the conference and Stanley Cup finals.

Thanks for that well thought-out and insightful response. If Babcock isn't the best coach in the league, do you care to provide any thoughts as to who is? Or are you one of those people where nothing or no one on the Red Wings is ever good enough for you? I am sure if Babcock was "dumb" as you claim, he wouldn't be getting consideration to coach Canada in the Olympics. Do you know what happens when you "wait" to sign players/coaches? Ask the Buffalo Sabres how that typically turns out. Mike Babcock should be the coach of the Red Wings for many years to come.

Call me a homer, but Mike Babcock is the best coach in the league. He really transformed the Red Wings from the time he took over up until now. I hope they get this contract extension done. Babcock is a great coach, and a perfect fit for the Red Wings.

Yes it would have, now that I read it again. Thanks for the correction.

No clue who the players will be, but hopefully they look like defending Stanley Cup Champions.

In a selfish way, I hope Mac doesn't play on Wednesday. I am going to the St. Louis game next Friday night, and am hoping that will be his first game back at JLA. That would be about the extent of excitement for that game, since neither team will really have anything to play for by then. I am kind of worried about Homer's injury. From what I have heard and read, it seems to be more serious than initially reported. The Red Wings need Homer back and healthy come playoff time.

There is no logical answer to this question. Brad Stuart should definitely be on the point for the second power-play unit. What good is Samuelsson's right-handed shot when it just goes into the feet of the defense anyways? Hell, put Chelios out there if being right-handed is the criteria. I don't understand how anyone could even argue that Samuelsson is a better option than Stuart at this point. Sammy is frickin' useless. If Babcock keeps him as a top-six forward during the playoffs, with a healthy Cleary and Homer, that would be inexcuseable.

Snooze fest of a game... If this helps Nashville get the 8th seed though, then whatever it takes I suppose. Just worth mentioning because I'll probably never get to again, but Nick Lidstrom was really off today.

The Red Wings are scary good. Congrats guys on the playoff berth, division title, and another 100-point season. We are the most spoiled fans in the world.

Datsyuk is putting on a clinic out there. Get a power-play goal here guys, and put this game to bed.

Nice shot Pav! TUR-CO, TUR-CO and now Z, or maybe Sammy!