Wings-Ducks series breakdown

[redwinger4747 6]

Here is my breakdown of the Wings-Ducks series:

Offense- Selanne, McDonald, and Getzlaf are the main forces for the Ducks and are highly skilled, but the Ducks have gone most of the playoffs running 3 lines. Meanwhile the Wings have had outstanding balance running 4 lines and getting production out of almost everywhere led by the first line of Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmstrom, which has 11 goals and 12 assists.

Edge: Detroit

Defense- The Ducks boast two of the best in Niedermayer and Pronger plus sturdy Beauchemin. The Wings match up well with Lidstrom, Chelios and some surprisingly strong play from defensive-minded Lilja, but are hurting from the loss of Schnieder and Kronwall. Lebda is also not 100% but is back in the lineup. Both of these teams will be heavily playing their top-four defensemen over their 5th and 6th, but the Ducks have health on their side.

Edge: Anaheim

Goaltending- Hasek and Giguere have both been outstanding and have been here before. Both can build off experience with Hasek winning a cup in 2002 and Giguere taking home the Conne Smythe in 2003. This battle might decide the series.

Edge: Even

Coaching- Babcock's no BS style seems to be working and he might know a thing or two about his former team, which he took to the Stanley Cup Finals. Carlyle is in his 2nd year as an NHL coach, but has been steady behing the bench leading the Ducks to the Conference Finals last year not to mention 2 great regular seasons. They both are strong coaches and know how to keep their team composed even after falling behind, but I like Babcock's toughness and experience.

Edge: Detroit

Intangibles- I think it's safe to say that Detroit has had the tougher road to get here, which may prove valuable. However, this has also banged them up and the Ducks enter this series the more healthy team. Both teams have plenty of experience, but the deciding factor here is home-ice advantage, which goes to Detroit. Both teams won their home games during the regular season, so it might be key.

Edge: Detroit

Prediction- These teams match up extremely well and this will certainly be a tough series. Detroit, however, seems to have found the heart and determiniation that we have seen take them to the Finals several times. I wouldn't be surprised to see them fall behind in games or the series, but look for them to battle back just like against San Jose.

Prediction: Wings in 7.

[Cruiser008 37]

The way I see it:

Offense - Detroit (similar top-end talent but the Wing are a bit deeper)

Defense - Anaheim (Wings just lost a #2 D-man; Ducks have two of the top 3 in the league. This could be a mismatch)

Goaltending - Even (Giguere has been more consistent, but Hasek has been clutch)

Special Teams - Anaheim (similar PP numbers, but Anaheim has by far the playoffs best PK%)

Coaching - Detroit (Babcock's experience and knowledge of certain Anaheim personnel gives him the edge)

Intangibles - Even (Detroit has overcome more adversity and has the home ice advantage, but Anaheim is healthy and rested)

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

The way I see it:

Offense - Detroit (similar top-end talent but the Wing are a bit deeper)

Defense - Anaheim (Wings just lost a #2 D-man; Ducks have two of the top 3 in the league. This could be a mismatch)

Goaltending - Even (Giguere has been more consistent, but Hasek has been clutch)

Special Teams - Anaheim (similar PP numbers, but Anaheim has by far the playoffs best PK%)

Coaching - Detroit (Babcock's experience and knowledge of certain Anaheim personnel gives him the edge)

Intangibles - Even (Detroit has overcome more adversity and has the home ice advantage, but Anaheim is healthy and rested)

I agree with your assessment Cruiser. I think the original poster may be a bit skewed towards the home team.

There are other intangibles that come into play. Now some people may dismiss these intangibles as "yeah, yeah, heard it all before and we still won". To that I say, did we still win in 2003 or against Calgary or even last year vs Edmonton?

There is a reason why teams look for players with size, strength, speed and youth. It may not have helped the Sharks beat us last round but that doesn't make it irrelevant.

The Ducks have great talent all over the ice. Their 3rd and 4th lines aren't as skilled as ours but if our 3rd and 4th lines don't contribute on the scoresheet then Anaheim has the edge their b/c what you're left with is size, grit, toughness, finishing checks and wearing down the opposition and Anaheim has the players to do it.

From my perspective, I haven't been as nervous going into a series since probably 95,96,97 when we had to face those great Avalanche teams.

Anaheim is a great team and I for one am not taking them lightly in the slightest. I am looking at this like we're the underdogs. I think we're older, slower, smaller, and injured at some key positions and we have our hands full. Here's to hoping that we take all of that and shove it right in the pundits faces. But make no mistake, the boys are in for the fight of their lives this series, no doubt in my mind.

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

Here is my breakdown of the Wings-Ducks series:

Offense- Selanne, McDonald, and Getzlaf are the main forces for the Ducks and are highly skilled, but the Ducks have gone most of the playoffs running 3 lines. Meanwhile the Wings have had outstanding balance running 4 lines and getting production out of almost everywhere led by the first line of Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmstrom, which has 11 goals and 12 assists.

Edge: Detroit

Defense- The Ducks boast two of the best in Niedermayer and Pronger plus sturdy Beauchemin. The Wings match up well with Lidstrom, Chelios and some surprisingly strong play from defensive-minded Lilja, but are hurting from the loss of Schnieder and Kronwall. Lebda is also not 100% but is back in the lineup. Both of these teams will be heavily playing their top-four defensemen over their 5th and 6th, but the Ducks have health on their side.

Edge: Anaheim

Goaltending- Hasek and Giguere have both been outstanding and have been here before. Both can build off experience with Hasek winning a cup in 2002 and Giguere taking home the Conne Smythe in 2003. This battle might decide the series.

Edge: Even

Coaching- Babcock's no BS style seems to be working and he might know a thing or two about his former team, which he took to the Stanley Cup Finals. Carlyle is in his 2nd year as an NHL coach, but has been steady behing the bench leading the Ducks to the Conference Finals last year not to mention 2 great regular seasons. They both are strong coaches and know how to keep their team composed even after falling behind, but I like Babcock's toughness and experience.

Edge: Detroit

Intangibles- I think it's safe to say that Detroit has had the tougher road to get here, which may prove valuable. However, this has also banged them up and the Ducks enter this series the more healthy team. Both teams have plenty of experience, but the deciding factor here is home-ice advantage, which goes to Detroit. Both teams won their home games during the regular season, so it might be key.

Edge: Detroit

Prediction- These teams match up extremely well and this will certainly be a tough series. Detroit, however, seems to have found the heart and determiniation that we have seen take them to the Finals several times. I wouldn't be surprised to see them fall behind in games or the series, but look for them to battle back just like against San Jose.

Prediction: Wings in 7.

I agree with most of this.

I disagree with the goaltending. I think Hasek is too unpredictable. If we get the Dom from game 6 in Calgary and games 5 and 6 in the San Jose series, I think it's too close to call. But that's just it. In the majority of the games, Dom hasn't been great, namely in the San Jose series giving up those early 2 goal leads, and too many soft goals. I think Giggy is a very good goaltender. He is going to be supremely tough, and his ability is only enhanced by the fact that the Ducks are so solid on the blue line.

I also disagree with the prediction. I understand picking a team in a game 7. We all do it, I'm guilty. My logic is this, in a game 7 anything can happen, alla San Jose in '94. To pick one team or another is too hard, there are so many factors leading up to a game 7. I'll go with the same prediction I made for the first two series, Detroit in 6.