Convince me why I shouldn't be dreading this series....

[Guest Crymson]

Excellent, excellent post, Eva!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Nabokov and toskla together aren't better than kipper

Also, SJ isn't going to play goon squad, they can and nashville proved that. But to use a phraze, don't start nothing won't be nothing. We are perfectly fine with laying the body but playing clean, complete puck domination hockey.

Oh I have no fear about SJ playing dirty hockey. They're not a dirty team like Nashville. They're just a clean, gritty, young squad with tons of talent.

But as a Wings fan I'm confident we'll dispense some Detroit style justice.

Bert better keep ramping it up and turning into old skool power forward Bert, and Calder better get back to his pre-playoff form.

Wings in 7 (blood will flow)

I've got a whole ton of respect for this SJ squad, so I'm not going to take anything for granted. But I really wish we were playing a Canadian team so I could actually watch the games

CBC is never going to play SJ vs. Detroit... *sigh*

ah ha! canadian favoritism...i knew it....carry on

Actually, I'm a fan of Ottawa when it comes to the Eastern teams left in the race. They're a lot like the 97/98 Wings.

Just for the record:

Detroit went 15-3-5 vs Columbus/Chicago/St. Louis. 35 points in 24 games.

San Jose went 12-4-0 vs LA/Phoenix...gaining 24 points in 16 games against the two worst teams in the conference.

Detroit went 7-1 vs LA/Phoenix, for 14 points in 8 games vs the two worst.

San Jose went 10-2-0 vs Columbus/Chicago/St. Louis to get 20 points in 12 games.

So against five of the six worst teams in the Conference, Detroit went 22-4-5 for 49 points in 31 games, while San Jose went 22-6-0 for 44 points in 28 games.

That means, excluding head-to-head games, Detroit went 27-12-8 for 62 points in 47 games against Playoff clubs, Edmonton, Colorado, and the East, while San Jose went 26-19-5 for 57 points in 50 games against those same opponents.

So in other words...Detroit gained more points and more wins in fewer games against better teams, while San Jose gained points at the same rate against weak teams.

Please never try the 'weak division' argument when it's so easily refuted.

In the words of Drake Marcus:

Q.E.D. Biaaatch.

[EasyMark 8]

Just for the record:

Detroit went 15-3-5 vs Columbus/Chicago/St. Louis. 35 points in 24 games.

San Jose went 12-4-0 vs LA/Phoenix...gaining 24 points in 16 games against the two worst teams in the conference.

Detroit went 7-1 vs LA/Phoenix, for 14 points in 8 games vs the two worst.

San Jose went 10-2-0 vs Columbus/Chicago/St. Louis to get 20 points in 12 games.

So against five of the six worst teams in the Conference, Detroit went 22-4-5 for 49 points in 31 games, while San Jose went 22-6-0 for 44 points in 28 games.

That means, excluding head-to-head games, Detroit went 27-12-8 for 62 points in 47 games against Playoff clubs, Edmonton, Colorado, and the East, while San Jose went 26-19-5 for 57 points in 50 games against those same opponents.

So in other words...Detroit gained more points and more wins in fewer games against better teams, while San Jose gained points at the same rate against weak teams.

Please never try the 'weak division' argument when it's so easily refuted.

OK. I'll play.

Against the six bottom tier teams, the Wings had 22 wins in 31 games. The Sharks also had 22 wins but in 3 fewer games. Why head to head games are excluded from the quality win total makes no sense other than to skew the statistics. Adding those games gives a more complete comparison. The Sharks went 3-1 against the Wings, right? Including those 4 games means the Sharks had 29 wins in 54 games against quality opponents while the Wings had 28 wins in 51 games. So, in other words, the Sharks had as many wins against bottom tier teams as the Wings and one more quality win than the Wings.

How can we explain the Sharks having more total wins yet trailing the Wings in points?

The Sharks winning percentage is, as expected, higher against bottom tier teams. Had the Sharks played 3 more games aginst the bottom teams, as the Wings did, and three fewer games against the top teams, as the Wings did, then it is reasonable to conclude they would have improved their record.

Yet, even had the Sharks played the same number of games against bottom tier teams as the Wings, and won 2 of the those 3 games they would not have matched the Wings point total. The Sharks finished with 107 points to the Wings 113. A look at the relative records reveals the hidden source of the Wings points. The Sharks have 5 points from OT losses. The Wings, however, have 13 points from OT losses. Had the Sharks lost in OT as much as the Wings did this season then the Sharks would have had the higher point total despite playing three fewer bottom tier games.

The Red Wings have worked hard to have home ice in the playoffs. They have earned that right by racking up more than twice as many overtime losses as the Sharks. Turning losing into an art form is a skill not often found in a #1 seed. Hopefully, we can see that skill on display often throughout this series.

[Jackhammer 0]

I've been saying for months that I didn't want to face San Jose. They're big, they're fast, they're deep, their power play is lethal, and they kind of owned us this year when we faced em.

And yet, some of you seem pretty positive about this series. I'm looking for reasons to not be dreading this series.

I know their defense isn't that good and I know we have the edge in goal. Apart from that, help me out! Make me feel good heading into Thursday. I just have "Sharks in 6" running through my head and I hate it....

-Tim

It's playing teams like the Sharks that make watching a series exciting. I never doubted the Wings would beat Calgary, but with the Sharks there's an uncertainty that reminds me of when they used to play the Avs in the playoffs. The Wings seem to elevate their play just to the level needed to beat their opponent at times "Calagary series",but they'll have to play their best right from the start to beat this team. I for one can't wait to see it.

Wings in 5

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

We shouldn't dread this series because of the so-called assumption that the Wings are "soft". We're never going to run people out of the building, but the Calgary series showed that we can match the physical play, and even dish it out as well with some consistency.

There's no reason, at least not yet, to be dreading or losing sleep over this series when it hasn't even started yet.

Sharks are a good road team, yes. They have a really good balance of physical play and skill, this I am not denying. Yes, both times the Wings played in the Shark Tank they got schooled. I highly doubt these things, at least my 3rd statement, is continuously looming in the minds of the Wings players.

Sure, I would have rather played Dallas, but in the end you have to throw out the regular season, because playoffs are a different element and the teams you see now are probably not the same ones you saw in the regular season. Sharks and Wings never faced each other after the trade deadline, etc.

Like any other series, no matter who the opponent is, it's all going to be about playing with controlled aggression as much as possible, keeping your brainfart turnovers in your own zone to an absolute minimum, capitalizing on your power play if the referees start blowing the whistles, and your goalie making big saves when needed.

All that being said, I have no accurate prediction. The homer in me could say Wings in 5, but I'd be lying. Same if I went against the grain and predicted a Sharks victory. The series and matchups before the games start is just way too close to call before I see these guys out on the ice for a game or two.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Wasn't Calgary supposed to be "too tough to handle" for the Wings?

Give it time. San Jose is a physical team, but not a bunch of dicks like Calgary was. The Wings won't have to deal with sticks being wedged up their asses and what not, at least I hope not anyways.

[Firehawk 305]

I am looking forward to a hard hitting, tough series. Let's see if the wings outstanding record at home can pay off. If we can manage to get a 2-0 lead in this series going back to SJ, then I like our chances alot better there to steal a game than i did in Calgary since I don't think the wings fear playing away in SJ as much as they feared playing in Calgary.

We'll see though how this plays out. And you know what, if we lose, then at least we will lose to an excellent team that would truly be worthy to move on in the playoffs, unlike Calgary. This would be a much easier pill to swallow.

That being said, i think this series will be outstanding and I can't wait for it to begin.

Edited April 24, 2007 by Firehawk

[BeeRYCE 2]

The only hot commodity in this series is Joe Thornton, no Wing forward is better than him at all. However, put our grinders against him, and you can contain him. He's not as fast. Oh yeah, we have the best defenseman in the league to contain him.

With that said,

Lidstrom contains Thornton

As for San Jose's other superstars...

Zetterberg > Marleau

Datsyuk > Cheechoo

Bertuzzi > Guerin

Schneider > Rivet

Hasek > Nabokov

Our grinders > Their grinders

Overall, we are the better team. On paper, we're the better team. If everyone plays their game like round 1, it shouldnt be too much of a problem.

There, let the positive spirit flow.

[Guest LivingtheDream]

This has the makings of a great series. So many people here were praying for Dallas. It was, well, it was cowardly. To win the Cup you have to beat the best teams. You can't hide from them and there is no easy back door route to Stanley Cup glory. So, why shouldn't you dread this series? That's up to you.

Or just listen to Yoda:

I sense much fear in you.

Fear leads to anger.

Anger leads to hate.

Hate leads to suffering.

Suffering leads to an early post season exit.

[Guest MrSandMan]

This is the kind if team Hasek will own. Our Zets is starting thrive once again and we have big bert.

If we beat the Sharks, our chances at taking the cup this year will be great.

[Bender 0]

I don't think it's wise to focus so much on the whole idea that Kipper was the uber-goalie & anybody else (in the west) can't stop us. The Sharks are big, fast & talented - we have to get past them first in order to take advantage (if any exists) of their netminder.

My point being that we are kidding ourselves if we think that the SJ is just going to sit back like Calgary and depend on the goalie to save them.

This should be a great series, I'm looking forward to it. That said, my biggest fear against Calgary was that they would resort to dirty play (aka, "playoff hockey") resulting in injury to the Wings. There was never really a moment that I doubted Detroit could & should be victorious in the series. This year, it just felt like they weren't going to give up & roll over when the going got tough and indeed they didn't.

With the Sharks, I am very apprehensive that they could run away with the series if the Wings lose their focus or take them for granted, even for a few minutes. Still, I like our chances - but if anybody can negate our home-ice advantage, it's probably SJ.

[Naslund19 0]

I really don't understand why people are worried about this series.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't think it's going to be a cakewalk for us, not by any means. The way we played against Calgary really impressed me. They played somewhat physical and just played all-around great hockey compared to the past couple post-season Cup runs. With Bertuzzi healthy, that's going to be another asset to our team because we're going to need a guy like him out there against this Sharks club.

We've got some rest and come Thursday we'll be ready to play. The only thing that worries me is the Shark's offense. They got a lot of star players up front. If they get their PP going, we could be in a bit of trouble, IMO. Nabokov vs Hasek should be interesting, too.

Overall, I think it's going to be an entertaining series. I'm thinking 5 or 6 games to settle this. In the end, the Wings will come out victorious!

Let's go Wings!!!

[Aussie_Wing 354]

The Sharks sure scare me, one of the main reasons being Milan Michalek. He's just unbelievably talented. Big, physical, fast and can score. Going to have to be careful of him.

[Naslund19 0]

The only hot commodity in this series is Joe Thornton, no Wing forward is better than him at all. However, put our grinders against him, and you can contain him. He's not as fast. Oh yeah, we have the best defenseman in the league to contain him.

With that said,

Lidstrom contains Thornton

As for San Jose's other superstars...

Zetterberg > Marleau

Datsyuk > Cheechoo

Bertuzzi > Guerin

Schneider > Rivet

Hasek > Nabokov

Our grinders > Their grinders

Overall, we are the better team. On paper, we're the better team. If everyone plays their game like round 1, it shouldnt be too much of a problem.

There, let the positive spirit flow.

Wow....it's good to think positive, but come on, man. Don't you think this post is a LITTLE biased? What I'm getting from this is pretty much NONE of San Jose's star players even really compare to Detroit. We beat them in every aspect of the game, etc.

I don't know about that....we have good defense, but I think Thornton and Marleau are going to be hard to contain. I'm not being a pessimist either, just speaking the truth.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Hmmm... Here's what I think:

The Wings' 9 goal holocaust in January doesn't mean anything... It was in January, and this team has evolved since then.

Physicality won't be an issue. Both teams will bring it, no one's going to get beat up like the talking heads expected the Flames to do to us in Round 1.

Hasek will be put to the test. San Jose's offense scored the same number of goals as Calgary during the season, but their forwards are a lot faster and overall just better.

No worries, except for travel, the ever present worry. If the Wings were to advance, it doesn't stop, with Anaheim and Vancouver waiting in the Pacific TZ as well. This series should be a good one, with all the loser cheap shot punks eliminated. No predictions; Wings are good, Sharks are good, let's play hockey and see who's the best.

[detroitdan 0]

You shouldn't be dreading it because you are a Wings fan and you should always think we are going to win.

This is the correct answer

[spartansbleedgreen 12]

Keys to this series:

1. Stay out of the box! i'm looking at you Bob and J-O-O (schnieder). Their power play was terrible against Nashville and I'm sure they have been focusing on remedying that so lets not give them a change to figure out was what wrong and test their new methods. Similiar to Calgary in the regular season their power play destroyed us. We can't let that happen now when it counts.

2. Play OUR game. Puck possesion negates their stong offence. simple logic. Keep the puck off their forwards sticks an on our own and we don't have to worry about who is on the ice. This will also wera down their younger defence and pressure them into mistakes which we MUST capitalize on.

3. Play though the bounces and poor officiating. We all know this is going to come up. keep our heads up and face the adversity balls to the wall.

4. support Dom by clearing the net. they are going to put major traffic in front of the net to screen and disturb Dom. take care of it.

5. wear them down with our grit. Clears I'm looking your way. Keep it up buddy. Mule, Bert and Calder all need to keep grinding and frustrating their D and good things will happen.

[FinWing 26]

Have faith brothers (and sisters )! The Sharks are tough but that's the way it should be, there's no easy way to win the Cup. If the Wings just want it badly enough I don't see why they wouldn't advance.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Reasons you shouldn't be dreading this series:

The Wings are MUCH tougher/gritty then they have been in years.

They aren't letting anyone push them around.

Great goaltending.

Bertuzzi.

Datsyuk is finally showing up in the playoffs.

Zetterberg is coming around after a slow start to the first round.

Defense is fantastic.

Everyone is stepping up their game big time.

Kipper>Nabakov.

They are the Red Wings.

There ya go!! Feel better?

Sha Bam !

Everything she just said is 100% true.

Do not be afraid of the Sharks , we can take them , Our Defence is much better then theres.

Cheechoo isnt 100% , Michalek can be shut down. As can big Joe. Hasek is the best goalie left in the west , except for Luongo

[kevotron 3]

I have a feeling the Sharks fans were\are looking at the Wings like we were looking at Dallas. I think the wings best chance for the cup got eliminated last night. Ducks and Sharks beat the snot out of each other, while Wings drop Dallas in 6, then Wings vs winner of Ducks\Sharks: maybe a chance. There is no way in hell the wings are going to get thru BOTH of them. I would love it if they did, but it wont happen. IT PAINS ME TO SAY IT!

Sharks in 7

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

I'll lead you an example:

1997 playoffs, game 4 of the WCF. We crush the Avs 5-0 at home. The Avs come back the next night to crush us 6-0. Granted we were on the losing side of that swing (though we won the series), but it goes to show that, no matter how much you lose a game, it's only one game; you can lose it by 1 or by 50 and the result is the same. The next game starts out 0-0.

Wings won 6-0, not 5-0. I remember cause the scores matched. 6-0 and 6-0.

[BlakChamber 8]

Heh, After reading this thread, I really can't wait to see the meltdown when the Wings drop a game or two.

I don't think this is going to be a cakewalk by any strech of the imagination. The Sharks are big, tough, and fast. Plus they have 2 good goalies. Even if the Wings beat up on Nabokov, there's Toskala ready to take over. The Sharks are a better team that Calgary, and the Wings don't always play well on the west coast.

I think the Wings can win, but its going to be a tough battle and the series will probably go at least 6 games.

[Henkka 0]

Wasn't Calgary supposed to be "too tough to handle" for the Wings?

Give it time. San Jose is a physical team, but not a bunch of dicks like Calgary was. The Wings won't have to deal with sticks being wedged up their asses and what not, at least I hope not anyways.

I think Detroit is the most physical team at West right now. We did most hits/60mins on the first round.

1. Detroit 28,8 hits/60mins

2. Calgary 28,1

5. Vancouver 20,8

6. San Jose 19,6

7. Anaheim 17,2

Besides, the Sharks won three games against us with Toskala in the net. And Nabokov lost the one and was pulled away from 0-3 on that 9-4 Wings loss. They are still using Nabokov? Fine for me if so.

We lost two games with Osgood and McDonald in the net, so I wouldn't count anything about these regular season matches. The last match was in january, and we have changed a lot from then. Williams is gone = good, Bertuzzi is healthy = very good, we have Calder, we have awesome crazy Cleary.

We are a different, skilled, physical, hard-hitting, hard-working them with better goaltending. The Sharks can try to win us, but I think it will only be a try.

Edited April 24, 2007 by Henkka

[livediehockey80 0]

Eva,

You are a nut job on the political front. But damn...you buried that SJ Shark Troll with that post. Like a Bertuzzi take down of Phaneuf.

Kudos!

Just for the record:

Detroit went 15-3-5 vs Columbus/Chicago/St. Louis. 35 points in 24 games.

San Jose went 12-4-0 vs LA/Phoenix...gaining 24 points in 16 games against the two worst teams in the conference.

Detroit went 7-1 vs LA/Phoenix, for 14 points in 8 games vs the two worst.

San Jose went 10-2-0 vs Columbus/Chicago/St. Louis to get 20 points in 12 games.

So against five of the six worst teams in the Conference, Detroit went 22-4-5 for 49 points in 31 games, while San Jose went 22-6-0 for 44 points in 28 games.

That means, excluding head-to-head games, Detroit went 27-12-8 for 62 points in 47 games against Playoff clubs, Edmonton, Colorado, and the East, while San Jose went 26-19-5 for 57 points in 50 games against those same opponents.

So in other words...Detroit gained more points and more wins in fewer games against better teams, while San Jose gained points at the same rate against weak teams.

Please never try the 'weak division' argument when it's so easily refuted.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Where did you get the team hits stats from, Henkka?