LeonardSankar

I think its gonna be dejavu all over again as the Sharks win in 5 or 6 games as those guys have the Wings number. It doesn't help that the Wings can't play in their own end and I can't see how the Wings get by in this series as the Sharks have too much speed & depth. The Wings puck posession game doesn't exist anymore as they are always on the defense and thus get worn down and either give up goals or take penalties that lead to goals. I am not confident at all and I can admit it!

Thats what really bothers me about this years playoff matchups for the Wings as they got the easiest team of the field of 16 in the first round but now are in a position to pick their poison as matchups with the Sharks, Preds or Canucks really favours them as all 3 are serious problems for the Wings. If this was the 2008 edition I would be more confident but this Wings team can't handle speed teams like the Sharks or Canucks as the puck posession game doesn't work anymore e.g. they hardly ever have posession of the puck hence the increased shots on goal. Also if Jimmy Howard is asked to steal games the way the Hawks Corey Crawford is asked to do then its game over for the Wings.

I prefer the Predators b/c the Sharks will beat the Wings in a 7 game series as Detroit doesn't defend like it did in 2008 and thus that will be their undoing as the Shark pp will eat up the Wings pk and the Sharks are the Wings nemisis. Also the Preds are trouble to but the Wings might be able to handle the Preds over a 7 game series but San Jose is the team they don't want to play b/c they will outscore the Wings.

Yes Our team is the Detroit Red Wings and we have a bulls eye on our backs b/c all the other teams hate our guys e.g the Wings are the hunted even though they are not the defending champs we are still hated by all the other teams and they all want to take our guys down. Also very happy the Ducks are gone as I hate them. Hoping for a Hawks win and somehow maybe the Kings get past the Sharks as don't want San Jose in the second round as that matchup is not for me as the only glimmer of hope is if Antie Neimme falls apart and then the backup guy does the same.

So they are going to make the second round unless a miracle happens for the Phoneix. So with that being said the competition now gets way tougher as diffucult second round matchups loom in the form of the Sharks, Predators, or Ducks. I don't like my chances with the Sharks and also the Ducks & Predators also bug me. Even if they get past the second round I see no chance in hell they beat Vancouver as they have to much dept for the Wings to handle. I think if the Wings could start playing like they did in 2008 playoffs then they have a chance to win the Cup but I would imagine the puck posession-less defense-less play will rear its ugly head again at some time in these playoffs.

So assuming Zetterburg comes back in these playoffs what line does he play with and who is the odd man out assuming no more injuries occur? Does he play Center or Wing?

I am also very impressed with the better defensive hockey the Wings have played these first 3 games but I am also very cautious as its against the punchless Coyotes so they have no business giving up more than 2 a game to those guys. As far as defending against Vancouver goes, well I know they are dangerous on the forecheck, but what scares me is also what they can do on the rush as they tend to get those goals in transition and the Wings have been very turnover prone this season but its come down this series I know but cannot occur if they match up with Vancouver. Also another factor with Vancouver is that what if the Wings do in fact outplay them but that still doesn't give them the series b/c Roberto Loungo is capable of stealing a series just like how past Wings teams outplayed their opponents and lost the series e.g. 03 Gigere, 04 Kypersoft, 06 Roloson, 07 Gigere (game 5). As much as I would like to be one of those fans who predict Stanley Cups every year for their fav teams I am also very realistic and try not to let my guard down and be aware of when danger lurks. I also agree San Jose is a bad matchup and need to be avoided at all costs hence Go Kings Go!

My rationale is that I don't like how Detroit has played since they won the Cup in 2008 as their defensive game has totally gone downhill since as teams tend to get more chances to score on the Wings and they have scored on them hence the puck posession game isn't on like it was back in the spring of 2008. Believe if these were the Wings of 08 I'd say they sufficate the Canucks high powered attack but this years squad is not the case as even in this series with the Coyotes they have been able to penetrate the Wings zone from time to time and thus caused some panik but fortunately Howard has been solid but against Vancouver I don't think Jimmy can save the Wings bacon. I am also hoping the Sharks get upset by the Kings and the Ducks get beat by the Preds but that will set up Wings/Preds in second round and we all know how much trouble the Preds gave the Wings this year so its not a give they beat the Preds either.

I agree if the Wings find a way to get out of the West they win the Cup as the only thing that can come out of the East and beat them is if Cindy Crybaby returns and the league decides to politic the Penguins the Cup e.g. 2009 boy it still hurts me to this day as I was at the Joe for game 7!

FYI who's nickname is Pasha again? I am assuming you are refering to Pavel. Also if he plays with Dats does Homer play on that line or do they put the Mule out on that line as well? Also if Hank plays Center does that mean Dats goes to the wing? I prefer Dats and Zet at their regular Center positions respectively b/c thats where they tend to be more effective and it also gives us more depth on the line combinations.