ESPN's breakdown of the Wings/Flames series

[Hank 0]

This is going to be a very tight series with almost every game decided by a goal.

The key to the Wings winning will be Bertuzzi and Calder. If those guys can continue to play 'greasy' and with an edge we'll have a chance. Outside of those 2 we really don't have any forwards that will drive to the middle of the ice.

I'm still not convinced that our Defense can withstand a fast, aggressive forecheck and most of our forwards are still inclinded to keep to the high paremeter. We'll probably average over 30 shots a game with 5-7 of them coming from inside the middle slot. Calgary's defense and Kipersoff will feast off of the lack of middle ice battles.

I'm totally playing the part of pesimistic fan and I will say Flames in 6. Maybe 5. I don't think the Wings are gritty enough and their defense isn't fast or young enough to handle what the Flames will throw at them.

[edicius 3,269]

I have to admit that I've become a pessimist when it comes to the Wings in the postseason. Yesterday was my last day of shaving before the playoffs begin for the ol' playoff beard (or playoff stubble, as is more the case with me) and my wife was like, "So you're not going to shave until June?"

My response was, "Nah, I'll probably be able to shave again in a couple weeks."

As I always say, though...prove me wrong, boys. I got my hopes up the past three seasons (especially last season), I'm not doing it again unless they give me reason to.

Do I think they can win? Of course. Do I think they will? In all honesty...nope.

(Keep in mind, I was horrible picking Wings victories and losses during the Weekend Picks, so take my predictions with a grain of salt... )

[StevieY9802 6]

I have to admit that I've become a pessimist when it comes to the Wings in the postseason. Yesterday was my last day of shaving before the playoffs begin for the ol' playoff beard (or playoff stubble, as is more the case with me) and my wife was like, "So you're not going to shave until June?"

My response was, "Nah, I'll probably be able to shave again in a couple weeks."

As I always say, though...prove me wrong, boys. I got my hopes up the past three seasons (especially last season), I'm not doing it again unless they give me reason to.

Do I think they can win? Of course. Do I think they will? In all honesty...nope.

(Keep in mind, I was horrible picking Wings victories and losses during the Weekend Picks, so take my predictions with a grain of salt... )

I am with you they need to prove me wrong. But they haven't done anything to prove me wrong yet. Thats why I said I want to see the first two games to kinda judge it. I could tell last year after two games that it could very well be the oilers winning. And the same with the first two games against this very team 3 years ago. I think if Zertterberg was healthy all the way through till the end of the season it would be different. With him not being 100% it could be just like Dats last year where it took him a few games to get his game legs and by then it didn't matter any more. I hope to god I am wrong though.

[puckloo39 5,686]

I have to admit that I've become a pessimist when it comes to the Wings in the postseason. Yesterday was my last day of shaving before the playoffs begin for the ol' playoff beard (or playoff stubble, as is more the case with me) and my wife was like, "So you're not going to shave until June?"

My response was, "Nah, I'll probably be able to shave again in a couple weeks."

As I always say, though...prove me wrong, boys. I got my hopes up the past three seasons (especially last season), I'm not doing it again unless they give me reason to.

Do I think they can win? Of course. Do I think they will? In all honesty...nope.

(Keep in mind, I was horrible picking Wings victories and losses during the Weekend Picks, so take my predictions with a grain of salt... )

You're as bad as I am. Or I am as bad as you are... take your pick. I have a mini-vacation planned from May 5-12 when I know I will have no computer, and limited TV, probably no hockey coverage... will be lucky to find a source to see what scores are, even. My thought: "It might not matter as much to me by then, anyway."

Banished thought immediately!! Bad looo... but I am worried, when it comes to offense and ability to answer, I am not sure we've got what it takes. Defense and goaltending don't worry me one bit, but 50 SOG with 2 goals just won't cut it in the playoffs. If the Wings can't score, they won't win. Plain and simple. I wnt them to win, I think they can, but at the same time.... Calgary can win, simply by scoring one more than the Wings, regardless of how many pucks the D and Dom stop.

Someone, please reassure me, if you can. Even getting Zetterberg back concerns me, if he's not 100%.

It's Monday, maybe I just need coffee...

PS - Edit: just checked the user list, online members. Good afternoon, European Wings fans!!

Edited April 9, 2007 by puckloo39

[Chase 0]

I actually think this series is gonna come down to coaching. Babs has more expierience with his team, than Playfair does (since I do believe this is his first year with the Flames). Its gonna come down to who can put who on the ice at the right time, and match which lines up against the opposing teams lines. That, and for motivation/pep-talk sort of thing.

And I think Babcock is a good coach, and definatley has the edge over Playfair.

Edited April 9, 2007 by Chase

[jpfalcon09 0]

It's going to come down to whether or not the Wings will be able to adapt their play if Calgary decides to bottle up the neutral zone or not. If the trap is employed and the Wings forwards are stuck at center ice trying to skate in the puck rather than dumping it in, I will get that sick feeling that I got last year during the Oiler series. It's all going to hinge on that, the Flames will watch that series last year and take tedious notes on how to shut down the Wings, it'll just be up to Babcock and the 5 guys on the ice at that time to pony up and adjust their game to win.

[Chase 0]

It's going to come down to whether or not the Wings will be able to adapt their play if Calgary decides to bottle up the neutral zone or not. If the trap is employed and the Wings forwards are stuck at center ice trying to skate in the puck rather than dumping it in, I will get that sick feeling that I got last year during the Oiler series. It's all going to hinge on that, the Flames will watch that series last year and take tedious notes on how to shut down the Wings, it'll just be up to Babcock and the 5 guys on the ice at that time to pony up and adjust their game to win.

Exactley, if they play the trap Babcock is gonna have to coach his guys around it.

Although I do think we are a better dump-and-chase team this year then we were against the Oilers.

Edited April 9, 2007 by Chase

[DBR 12]

I am with you they need to prove me wrong. But they haven't done anything to prove me wrong yet. Thats why I said I want to see the first two games to kinda judge it. I could tell last year after two games that it could very well be the oilers winning. And the same with the first two games against this very team 3 years ago. I think if Zertterberg was healthy all the way through till the end of the season it would be different. With him not being 100% it could be just like Dats last year where it took him a few games to get his game legs and by then it didn't matter any more. I hope to god I am wrong though.

Ditto! I don't mean to be pessimistic, but the Wings haven't shown me anything to reassure me that they can win this series. With Lidstrom, Hasek, Zetterberg and Bertuzzi not all at 100%, not to mention, Schneids (elbow), Chelios's 'upper body injury,' I am damn scared. I truly hope the Wings can win this series, but I have strong, serious doubts. Honestly, I can sick with emotion in just thinking about another first-round playoff exit. It's not even embarassing anymore, it's expected.

On the otherhand, we do have Hasek in net and that gives me some hope. I don't even want to think about Datsyuk not showing up AGAIN (man, they should have waited to have him sign that contract, now he doesn't have to prove anything!!!)

I hope the Wings find the hunger and run with it, but I think they will be outworked worn down by Calgary.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Ditto! I don't mean to be pessimistic, but the Wings haven't shown me anything to reassure me that they can win this series. With Lidstrom, Hasek, Zetterberg and Bertuzzi not all at 100%, not to mention, Schneids (elbow), Chelios's 'upper body injury,' I am damn scared. I truly hope the Wings can win this series, but I have strong, serious doubts. Honestly, I can sick with emotion in just thinking about another first-round playoff exit. It's not even embarassing anymore, it's expected.

On the otherhand, we do have Hasek in net and that gives me some hope. I don't even want to think about Datsyuk not showing up AGAIN (man, they should have waited to have him sign that contract, now he doesn't have to prove anything!!!)

I hope the Wings find the hunger and run with it, but I think they will be outworked worn down by Calgary.

Of those listed, Z is the only one that I am worried about. The others were given breaks for unimportant games and they made up injuries in order to fill the roster spots and call up players. Hasek is NOT Curtis Joseph. Datsyuk was injured last play-offs, and was pretty much our whole offensive plan. Now is a little different, Z is bigger and better, and the addition of Bert and players getting hot at the right time (Calder, Sammy, Markov, Lang) we are the best team heading in the 2nd Season.

[DBR 12]

Of those listed, Z is the only one that I am worried about. The others were given breaks for unimportant games and they made up injuries in order to fill the roster spots and call up players. Hasek is NOT Curtis Joseph. Datsyuk was injured last play-offs, and was pretty much our whole offensive plan. Now is a little different, Z is bigger and better, and the addition of Bert and players getting hot at the right time (Calder, Sammy, Markov, Lang) we are the best team heading in the 2nd Season.

If what you way is true, Wings_Dynasty, about making up injuries to fill roster spots and call up players, then I feel slightly better. It would just be the Wings luck to have the gritty big boys on the other team take advantage of our injured players.

Come to think of it, if memory serves me correctly, in past seasons being this close to playoffs, we didn't actually know about any injuries (except when we saw the guy go down and out during a game) and no one really knew who was injured and who was not. That seems to be different this year and doesn't help the optimism!

Edited April 9, 2007 by DBR

[MaynardJKeenan 1]

i think the real stat that matters is the save % and youre right you have kipper on top there, but i think dom brings in more experience, i dunno man its damn close

Goals Against is what wins or loses games, unless your save % is 100.

[Covenant 0]

Coaching - Detroit >>>> Calgary

-Jim Playfair?

Goaltending - Detroit=Calgary

-The best goalie matchup in either conference.

Offense - Detroit > Calgary

-regular season is gone.. I like our offense much better with Zetterberg coming back, in whatever capacity he's limited to. He'll only get better as the games go one I believe.

Defense - Detroit>Calgary (one >, remember Kronwall is gone)

Powerplay - Detroit << Calgary

-I'll give this two to the Flames, our PP is atrocious lately, and most of the season too. With Lilja out there mugging people too, the PK team is going to have to be at their best.

Penalty Kill - Detroit>Calgary

-agreed!

[Hank 0]

Exactley, if they play the trap Babcock is gonna have to coach his guys around it.

Although I do think we are a better dump-and-chase team this year then we were against the Oilers.

I don't know how much coaching can help a team win when an obvious blueprint to beating Detroit has been available to the other 29 teams since 03.

The Wings are what they are. They're not a big, bruising team that wears their opponents down. We don't crash the net. We don't forecheck aggressively and we don't try to take over the middle of the ice.

We play puck possession and try to make 2-3 pretty passes before knocking one in.

For this team to 'adapt' to the style of play that everyone and their dog will employ against us we need to acquire and draft players that can beat it.

Asking Detroit to play any other style is like asking Sidney Crosby to be the best fighter in the league. It ain't gonna happen.

If the Wings win this series and any beyond it, it will be from winning the same way they did in September through March.

[esteef 2,679]

i think the real stat that matters is the save % and youre right you have kipper on top there, but i think dom brings in more experience, i dunno man its damn close

Keep in mind, goaltending is about more than one guy vs. one guy. Our defenseive core and Ozzie as a backup gives us the win in this category as well. Individual stats are close with Dom and Kipper but as a team the Flames gave up 27 more goals than us this year. Noteworthy I thought...

esteef

[StevieY9802 6]

Goals Against is what wins or loses games, unless your save % is 100.

I agree. Obviously you want good in both columns but if the Wings only gave up 10 shots and Dom gave up two goals his save % isn't good at all but giving up 2 goals isn't that bad. I think Dom is gonna have to come up big. These games are going to be close. And lets face it Manny didn't exactly make the big saves when needed. And all of those games were close.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

It's great that he picked the Wings in 7, but I don't want to go to a game 7..I'll most likely have a a heart attack.

I agree with Jiggy for the most part, but I'd say goaltending is equal, and offense is either equal or a slight edge to the Wings given all the guys are healthy. When they are on their game..watch out..because their skill is sick.

[Viperar 16]

Goals Against is what wins or loses games, unless your save % is 100.

yeah but having a good defense also affects your GAA, the save % is more telling of a goalie's stand alone skill, thats what i was trying to convey. I wasnt downplaying the GAA at all, just saying its more of a how good is your defense at keeping shots wide or allowing shots.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Coaching - Detroit >>>> Calgary

-Jim Playfair?

Goaltending - Detroit=Calgary

-The best goalie matchup in either conference.

Offense - Detroit > Calgary

-regular season is gone.. I like our offense much better with Zetterberg coming back, in whatever capacity he's limited to. He'll only get better as the games go one I believe.

Defense - Detroit>Calgary (one >, remember Kronwall is gone)

Powerplay - Detroit << Calgary

-I'll give this two to the Flames, our PP is atrocious lately, and most of the season too. With Lilja out there mugging people too, the PK team is going to have to be at their best.

Penalty Kill - Detroit>Calgary

-agreed!

Say both Hasek and Kipper are injured in Game 1. Who has the edge then? Can you name Cal's backup?

[aflac9262 211]

Off topic, but did anybody listen to NHL Radio earlier? Apparently our fans hate our team.

I wonder if they also understand the state of the Michigan economy, and that we have three championship caliber teams playing at the same time.

http://aflac9262.googlepages.com/nhlradio0.mp3

[esteef 2,679]

Off topic, but did anybody listen to NHL Radio earlier? Apparently our fans hate our team.

I wonder if they also understand the state of the Michigan economy, and that we have three championship caliber teams playing at the same time.

http://aflac9262.googlepages.com/nhlradio0.mp3

NHL Radio. What do they know? I don't trust anyone who doesn't eat smelt!

[JayUp88 1]

Off topic, but did anybody listen to NHL Radio earlier? Apparently our fans hate our team.

I wonder if they also understand the state of the Michigan economy, and that we have three championship caliber teams playing at the same time.

http://aflac9262.googlepages.com/nhlradio0.mp3

How can you hate us lol

[GiantRobot 0]

Coaching - Detroit>>>>Calgary- Not even close

Goaltending - Detroit<Calgary- Close, but Kipper has a slight edge due to youth/health

Offense - Detroit=Calgary- I'd say were about even here

Defense - Detroit>>Calgary

Powerplay - Detroit<Calgary- Calgary is sharp here

Penalty Kill - Detroit>Calgary

Winning at home - Detroit>Calgary- This could be the Wings biggest advantage as the Flames have a tough time winning on the road

Winning on the road - Detroit>>Calgary- Calgary is tough at home though, so its a wash

Intangibles- Confidence is a big thing this year, and it looks like guys like calder, Sammy and Holmstrom are full of it right now. I know chicago is a sad team, but the way those guys scored against them the other day, they have to be energized and ready to go.

Momentum- Detroit>Calgary- Calgary has been through a lot lately, and that might just give detroit an edge

Confidence- Detroit=Calgary- Id say both teams are confident, but I think our kids and 2nd tier players are ready to go

Health- Detroit<Calgary- Need I say any more?

Determination- Detroit>Calgary- The Wings are out to prove something, and will be on a mission.

A lot of my views could be homerism talking, but I think I was being objective.

The bottom line is that this series is going to be tough for both teams, and exciting for the fans.

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

We got to have faith poeple, we're a diffrent team than in '04 ,we're bigger and stronger and we've also upgraded in goaltending. Sure we've not got Stevie Yzerman or Shanny anymore and I know they can't be replaced,but we've got a great leader in Lids,and a couple of stars in the making in Zetts and Dats. I got no fears going into this matchup.

[StevieY9802 6]

We got to have faith poeple, we're a diffrent team than in '04 ,we're bigger and stronger and we've also upgraded in goaltending. Sure we've not got Stevie Yzerman or Shanny anymore and I know they can't be replaced,but we've got a great leader in Lids,and a couple of stars in the making in Zetts and Dats. I got no fears going into this matchup.

04 isn't what makes me scared. Its 03, 04 and 06 and the fact that Calgary is a good team. Yzerman was a loss and his leadership will be missed but Shanny? yeah his one goal from last year will be missed. I loved Shanny when he was here but it was time to move on.

[Zion 93]

I also have Detroit in 7. Where did my "picks" thread go?