b.shanafan14

This, all over the place. I like how the Blues are built, but after the game against them last week, they have a few flop-artists themselves. Also, their incarnation of the bandwagon fan has been pretty bad; not Chicago or Pittsburgh bad, but bad nonetheless. I think something has to be be said for the Sharks having worlds more playoff experience than the young Blues. The Blues are the better team and will definitely have their time, but I have a feeling that drawing this opponent in the first round might have "upset" written all over it. I completely agree with you, if the Sharks win it will be tooth and nail, leaving them pretty much beat to hell. For this reason alone, I hope the Sharks do win. I like the Blues and hate San Jose with an unbridled passion, but I'd rather have a lower-seed, beat up Sharks team advance than a higher-seed, more talented, confident Blues team who could very well be a Round 2 opponent.

The Wings haven't been playing well at all, and I'll be the first one to admit it/point it out, but come on. No way this team goes down in 5. Besides the bottom 6 forwards, the Wings have the personnel to win a cup under the right circumstances (travel, health, effort, puck luck). The only question is whether or not everyone shows up come Period 1 Game 1 Round 1. This is the same team that lost 15 of 22 to end the season, but its also the same team that was leading the league two months ago. The playoffs are a whole different monster, just a much chance for let downs on the part of hot regular season teams. I understand people being a bit doubtful given the circumstances, but even at its worst, this team will not drop in 5. At its best, this team could win in 5. We'll see how it goes... DETROIT RED WINGS in 6.

2007: 3 Western teams in 3 series (Calgary, San Jose, Anaheim) WCF LOSS 2008: 1 Western team in 4 series (Nashville, Colorado, Dallas, Pittsburgh) CUP WIN 2009: 1 Western team in 4 series (Columbus, Anaheim, Chicago, Pittsburgh) SCF LOSS 2010: 2 Western teams in 2 series (Phoenix, San Jose) WCSF LOSS 2011: 2 Western teams in 2 series (Phoenix, San Jose) WCSF LOSS Travel is a huge factor in success or failure, especially as the Wings core players get older. Some might argue that the difference between a Cup win in 2008 and a Game 7 loss in 2009 could be equated to a difference between a 4 game sweep of Colorado and a 7 game battle with Anaheim. I'm glad we are playing the Predators. Lets hope the Wings get some things sorted out between now and Wednesday, come out hungry and ready to shock Nashville at home! Lots of folks counting out the Wings, and I admit, I'm a bit too realistic to be extremely optimistic, but anything can happen. We'll have to see which team shows up Wednesday night. Here's hoping the DETROIT *freaking* RED WINGS show up!

Interesting move, indeed... I'd love to see Emmerton replaced on the 4th line with someone with speed and tenacity. You know, someone we may notice out there for something other than "Who blew that coverage? Ohhhh....". For only seeing 5 minutes of ice per night, we sure is on for a lot of opposition goals. Hahahahaha.... thanks for that. I almost peed myself Not sure why Smith and other Black Aces haven't been brought up yet. I know that the AHL season isn't over quite yet, but the Griffins aren't going to make the playoffs, so it matters little, but I suppose if they aren't going to be thrown in immediately, might as well let them finish the season with their teammates and join the Wings later. I think we should definitely be seeing Smith in the depth chart ahead of Kindl. Even then, we may not see much of him, given Ericsson's strong play of late. Honestly, the most irritating defenseman to watch the past two months or so (besides Kindl) has been White. I wouldn't mind replacing him at Lidstrom's side with Smith, but I know Babcock would never do it.

On a lighter note,there are plenty worse things than being a Red Wings fan. The Wings have a running record for most consecutive 100-pt seasons, as well as 21 straight playoff appearances. The Calgary Flames... not so much. I almost peed myself when I saw this headline on TSN's video section: Haha 8th straight 90-pt season. Sweet, sweet mediocrity

I'd say they've improved all-around. They are better offensively than they have been, and the addition of Gaustad improves their bottom-six and for being a bit of a pylon at times, Hal Gill is a hell of a penalty killer and stay-at-home presence on their back end. I expect a very boring series when you consider that the Preds under Trots have always clogged up the middle and slowed the game down, with Rinne solid as a rock between the pipes. Add a shored up defense both on the blueline and up front to the Red Wings offensive woes, and it may be a chore to watch this series.

I have faith, but I also have my doubts. I believe this team is capable when they show up. Unfortunately, they haven't been showing up. They've limped into the playoffs, winning only 7 games in their last 22. They weren't bad today, but they lack the ability to finish scoring chances against even the most mediocre goaltenders. They have 3 or 4 days to prepare for Nashville. Lets hope they improve on all fronts, because that's where they are struggling.

1) Sucks to be banking on some hopeful playoff switch, which this team very well may not have. 2) The Wings live and die by three or four guys, too. And right now, no one is clicking offensively. 3) First-round upset by beating Nashville is a bit of an oxymoron (or it should be), but they definitely have the edge in goaltending and home ice.

Which I can't really fault NBC, Nashville is boring as s*** to watch. The games might be earlier than out West, but there is much more risk of dozing watching the Preds. Please, hockey gods, let Radulov go for a leisurely puck-watching float up the right wing boards leaving his zone...

f*** it.... GO MINNESOTA!! GO SAN JOSE!! haha

UGH! How did I forget that extra negative. The travel to Phoenix would have been worse, same with watching late games, but at least there would have been plenty of Wings fans diluting their White Out nonsense. Nashville fans get their playoffs tickets free in packages of Donettes at the truck stop, do some asking around about this "hockey" in the line to get in, mouth-agape listening to opposing fans explain it.

f***.... bittersweet. Hate Kane more than everyone but Crosby. Glad we have shorter travel and earlier games, but we are limping in.

Please Bert.... please...

Hudler is s***....

f*** 20 cent.

EDZO: "SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PENALTY!! SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PENALTY SHOT!" hahaha huge homer outburst!

Great pressure but need to SHOOOOOT MORE!

PPPPPPPPPASSSSSSSSSHHHHHAAAAAAAA!!!! I'm basically yelling to myself "HOMER!!! PAVEL'S BEHIND YOU!!!" 5th seed is a lock now, Nashville is the opponent, might as well put ourselves in a position to have home ice! Either way, the Wings biggest concern is their own play, not the opponent; YAY less travel and early games!

"Bounces didn't go our way. We didn't play 60 minutes. I though we took a step forward tonight." ......

WTF... puck battle in the corner, no one near the net but the goaltender, DZN on the ice. How was it knocked off?

Ugh! Hank needs to get that up!... And Nyquist getting hooked nicely

w00t. One goal deficit is more manageable if they can use the momentum. Unfortunately, it would be equally hard if the penalty minutes were reversed. The Wings powerplay is as dreadful as I've ever seen, and its been their Achilles's heel since January. They would be a better team with injuries and penalties turned off ala NHL '12

Blackhawks are flopping all over the place, but the Wings are earning a lot of them, so they can't complain about the ones getting called on them, only the ones they aren't getting in their favor. Then again, who wants to see anymore of the Wings powerplay?

What about getting bounced 3 years in a row, the 3rd year being in the first round, with the same first round opponent they've beat twice previously (Phoenix). At this point, I wouldn't dismiss any team.