Red Wings Take Beating, Walk Away With Win

[wingnut96 0]

Personally I thought it was classy how Pronger poked Cleary in the eye at the beginning of the fight. What a cork soaker!

[Lidsyukerberg 0]

Again the question remains can we do it for a full 7 game series.

This is exactly the point I was going to make after reading the title and the original post.

I think some people are getting offended by hearing we played great game.

Nobody is offended to hear that we played a great game, just looking at reality.

Last nights game was a small taste of the playoffs. Sure we played well, but we also got hit hard all over the ice, it was a very physical game. Now imagine playing seven games just like that. That kind of play will take it out of anybody. Sure it can be argued that we got a little physical and I think that is great, but the point remains, what did it cost us? It cost us Cleary right from the get go. That's a high price to pay. If we lose a forward just because we get physical we won't last long in the playoffs.

Sure we won, but only by one point. If it was a totally lopsided game like 5-1 or something then I would say there is nothing to worry about. But when a big team can take guys out of the game and wear our team down like that and still get within one point, there might be some soul searching needed. They do that for a few games in a row and it's not hard to turn the tides in a playoff series.

I am stoked that they won, and I'm not taking that away from them. I was as happy as the next guy, just concerned about seeing that night after night in a playoff setting, that's all. Especially if Downey doesn't get to see any ice time.

[Reds4Life 51]

hm I still don't understand how can some people think that Ducks are tough team that hits Red Wings all over the ice and we got the beating. Wings clearly showed they can't be pushed around and Cleary did not play only because he was injured before and that fight revived his eye injury. You think that Ducks are not exhausted after game like that and Wings are? Wings won and still there are some individuals who would be satisfied only if we won by at least 5 goals. We have nothing to worry about. Wings can beat Ducks and it will be decided by small things, not Ducks "toughness". And don't forget we played back2back game and were missing Z and despite that we still beat Ducks in their building.

[Lidstromrules16 7]

This is exactly the point I was going to make after reading the title and the original post.

Nobody is offended to hear that we played a great game, just looking at reality.

Last nights game was a small taste of the playoffs. Sure we played well, but we also got hit hard all over the ice, it was a very physical game. Now imagine playing seven games just like that. That kind of play will take it out of anybody. Sure it can be argued that we got a little physical and I think that is great, but the point remains, what did it cost us? It cost us Cleary right from the get go. That's a high price to pay. If we lose a forward just because we get physical we won't last long in the playoffs.

Sure we won, but only by one point. If it was a totally lopsided game like 5-1 or something then I would say there is nothing to worry about. But when a big team can take guys out of the game and wear our team down like that and still get within one point, there might be some soul searching needed. They do that for a few games in a row and it's not hard to turn the tides in a playoff series.

I am stoked that they won, and I'm not taking that away from them. I was as happy as the next guy, just concerned about seeing that night after night in a playoff setting, that's all. Especially if Downey doesn't get to see any ice time.

Well, lets remember, cleary decided his own fate when he took on pronger, it is not like he was hit or anything. Sure our game winner came on a lucky break, pun intended, but I mean, the ducks got lucky too because if I recall Drapes had a clear cut breakaway out of the box, so if you look at it like the wings were lucky that beachumin broke his stick, the Duck were lucky it was Drapes in the box and on the breakaway. Sure the Ducks cycled, but we also had our fair share of cycling. Hell, I didnt even think Hudler looked out of place last night, and that says alot. I think there will always be a question of whether any team can handle what Anaheim dishes out in a 7 game series, but I think Detroit is just as capable as any other team, and lets not forget that if our PP was clicking, the series wouldnt have been that close against Anaheim. I mean, how many 5 on 3's did we get in game 5 that we couldnt score on?

[egroen 384]

So the Ducks sent their message: We will hurt you.

But the wings merely need to send back the message: We will score on you.

Anaheim playing so aggressively actually hurt them in last night's game. In fact, they are lucky the Wings' power play has been suffering lately, or the Wings would have won by a higher margin.

The Ducks had a lot of hooking/holding type penalties because they go for the big hit and are then out of position. If the power play gets back to where it can be, we are going to punish them even more for playing so aggressively.

The Wings need to play their game - not the Duck's game. Capitalize on the Duck's frequent mistakes. I am all for us adding some toughness at the deadline, but I am not feeling this sense of impending doom some of you seem to have -- should we not start looking and playing more like Anaheim.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

How about a little perspective people?

Yes, the Wings played back to back so they should be given mad props for this entire WC swing. And Z was out so kudos for the team stepping up.

Yes, they stood up physically and fought back. However, and here's where some perspective comes in.

1 fight was with Downey. Is he going to see any playoff time? You know O'Donnell is.

1 fight was with Cleary and he had to leave the rest of the game. Pronger didn't and eventually scored.

Look at the score. 2-1. Take away the lucky goal by Flip. And yes, Beauchemin's stick breaking was luck. If his stick doesn't break he doesn't waffle that pass right into Flip's lap and the play never happens to begin with. It was a pretty finish though.

Removing that goal, the score is 1-1 and our only other goal came 5 on 3.

So in 60 minutes of play we lost 1 forward, scored 1 5 on 3 goal, couldn't do anything with our powerplays 5 on 4 and scored the eventual game winner due to a broken stick.

The Ducks still cycled at will in our zone. We had stretches where we did great in their zone and likewise they did the same s*** they did in the postseason. They cycled and we couldn't get the puck off their big guys and they got chances.

Faceoffs were 27 to 26 in favor of Detroit = push

Hits were 23-15 in favor of Anaheim

Shots were 33-25 in favor of Detroit. I throw this stat out because we outshoot everyone and have for years and we've lost lots of playoff games despite racking up 30-40 shots.

Takeaways, blocked shots, almost everything was a push between these 2 teams.

What we saw is the same thing we saw in the postseason, two teams with different styles but just enough of a mix to make the games very close. Again the question remains can we do it for a full 7 game series.

This game was dangerously close and anyone who says we dominated I ask you to stop because your blind homerism is making me vomit all over my office and its starting to smell really bad.

What if, what if, blah blah blah. This is the same type of logic that you (or others..cant remember who exactly) were calling out Wings fans for when they tried to invalidate the Ducks beating us over 6 games. Doesnt matter. Hockeys a game where you make your luck as much as anything else. Maybe Detroit did get lucky with its offense, but Anaheim couldnt put the biscuit in the basket either, and who knows what they wouldve looked like if they had been without Getzlaf..

As for fighting, theres no way Cleary throws down with Pronger in the first place if this were the playoffs. And the Wings are a team that actually has the cap space to add more grit and size to the team, unlike the Ducks who better hope that Selanne is in damn good playing condition, and that the league actually approves the pittance (sp?) that theyll likely try and get him to play for..

[YoungGuns1340 1]

So the Ducks sent their message: We will hurt you.

But the wings merely need to send back the message: We will score on you.

Anaheim playing so aggressively actually hurt them in last night's game. In fact, they are lucky the Wings' power play has been suffering lately, or the Wings would have won by a higher margin.

The Ducks had a lot of hooking/holding type penalties because they go for the big hit and are then out of position. If the power play gets back to where it can be, we are going to punish them even more for playing so aggressively.

The Wings need to play their game - not the Duck's game. Capitalize on the Duck's frequent mistakes. I am all for us adding some toughness at the deadline, but I am not feeling this sense of impending doom some of you seem to have -- should we not start looking and playing more like Anaheim.

I cant agree with that statement more. Wed have to tear apart this team to be able to compete with the Ducks physically. It simply wont happen. But when we add players at the deadline - and we will, mind you. Considering we might have won the Stanley Cup if it werent for key injuries, theres no way Holland lets that happens again. Hell stack Detroit up a bit more. - when we add players, itll only make us deeper and likely bigger and grittier, and Im banking on it being closer to a 1997 repeat than 2003...

[Lidsyukerberg 0]

Wings won and still there are some individuals who would be satisfied only if we won by at least 5 goals.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying that I am not happy because we didn't win by five goals. Personally I liked it better when there were less goals scored in hockey, that was what made it exciting. What I am saying is that if we had won by a bigger margin then I would be less concerned about our ability to negate the type of bully, cheapshot, hard-hitting, physical play that the Ducks are going to bring to the playoffs. That's all I'm saying.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Everybodys talking about how hard it is to play against a team thats looking to run you all the time, but nobodys pointing out how it is almost equally tiring to play aggressively night in and night out. Detroit lost to Anaheim because, if you remember correctly, their PP crapped out. When their PP was firing on all cylinders, they blew out Anaheim. You can talk all you want about how Detroit will be toast against big bodies, but the bruise brother fans never seem to point out that it can kill a team when they have to chase a puck possession team around all night, especially when you commit to the hit when youve finally caught up with the puck and its possessor. Theres a positive and negative to both types of play.

Ill take solace in the fact that its going to be a lot easier for Detroit to add size and grit to its roster at the deadline than it wil be for Anaheim to afford taking on a key top 6 forward.

[esteef 2,679]

If anything, this game should be a wakeup call for everyone who thinks we are head and shoulders above every other team in the league just because our record says so. When teams play Detroit, especially in the playoffs, they are going to be coming hard. Everyone has known for the last umpteen years, to beat Detroit, you have to push them around, and Anaheim certainly exploits this the most. Sometimes it works, sometimes our power play sucks, but either way the Wings have to stand up for themselves or they'll just keep getting tee'd off on.

Last night was a good start but games like that make me hope McCarty gets back in shape quick, even if only to help out with one series in the playoffs. Remember, we don't need him to score, we just need him to take care of the rough stuff so guys like Cleary don't have to fight guys like Pronger.

wurd,

esteef

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Do you just say things like this to be different and get a rise out of people? You can't just arbitrarily say "take away this goal, because in a perfect world that one wouldn't have happened." That's the way hockey works, sometimes you get a good break, sometimes the refs bend you over and... well you know. And the point about Cleary has nothing to do with team toughness. There's absolutely NOTHING you can do about getting scratched in a fight. To use that as an indication of how the playoffs could play out is just ludicrous.

You're missing the point entirely.

People are saying we handed the Ducks their asses. What i'm saying is that's bulls***. We didn't hand anybody their asses. We scored a 5 on 3 goal and a goal off a broken stick. Is that how we measure handing somebody their ass? I reiterate, let's get some perspective people.

And regarding clearly. The point, which you missed, is that we don't have enough toughness. The point is that Dan Cleary having to go toe to toe with a guy who clearly outmatches him is not my idea of a tactically good strategy. Yes, it's always good to get Pronger off the ice. But, I don't think having our valuable, non-fighters going head to head against 6-6 guys who can fight is a good plan. And what happened? We lost Danny for the game and Pronger was fine and came back to score a goal.

If we were tougher maybe a Jamal Mayers would be a better trade off to fight Pronger is what i'm saying. We don't need nor should we want our guys going toe to toe with Anaheim.

Downey is a different story, I don't care who he fights, its all good.

If we have to match up against them are we going to be able to keep up that style for a series? They outsize us, they're stronger than us, they hit with more emphasis and they can outfight us.

The whole point was that we didn't hand their asses to them. And no, I don't try to be different. I try to be reasonable in a sea of homer bulls*** that seems to plague the board whenever we're on a roll.

I've seen this team be on a roll too many times to just think everything is fine and dandy. I don't watch the games just to see how great we are and toot our own horn. I look for weaknesses that another team can exploit so I don't have delusions of grandeur about how good we are or how great we match up to someone or how we handed somebody their ass in a 2-1 game where we got one goal on a 5 on 3 and another off a lucky break. 5 on 3's and a broken stick are not handing somebody their ass. Now, what Montreal did to Boston the other day, that's handing somebody their ass. Perspective!

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

How do we know we are going to even play Anaheim in the playoffs? A first round match-up is highly unlikely barring a major collapse on one of the team's parts. Who knows, Anaheim might get upset in the first round (personally, I would like nothing better), and as we know all too well, the Wings could too. I don't think it would make sense for the Wings to structure their team around beating one team in the league that we may never even need to face to win the Cup. I would like to see the Wings get a little bit tougher for the playoffs b/c, in general, the playoffs see an increase in physical play. However, I don't think this has to be done strictly b/c of Anaheim. We need to, most likely, get through at least the first round before we would even see them in the playoffs. I think the focus should be on getting the team ready for the playoffs as a whole, not on getting them ready for one team they may not even play.

I thought the Wings did well last night all things considered. The argument about the broken stick is pointless in my opinion, b/c, as others have pointed out, many times playoff games are decided by one goal scored in a very weird way. Did the Wings get a little bit lucky? Sure. But that's how hockey goes. There's no need to use that goal to take away from the win. I don't disagree with people who say we need more toughness, b/c I think we do too. I just don't think the focus should be all about Anaheim.

Edited January 24, 2008 by Sergeiwasmyfav

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

This is exactly the point I was going to make after reading the title and the original post.

Nobody is offended to hear that we played a great game, just looking at reality.

Last nights game was a small taste of the playoffs. Sure we played well, but we also got hit hard all over the ice, it was a very physical game. Now imagine playing seven games just like that. That kind of play will take it out of anybody. Sure it can be argued that we got a little physical and I think that is great, but the point remains, what did it cost us? It cost us Cleary right from the get go. That's a high price to pay. If we lose a forward just because we get physical we won't last long in the playoffs.

Sure we won, but only by one point. If it was a totally lopsided game like 5-1 or something then I would say there is nothing to worry about. But when a big team can take guys out of the game and wear our team down like that and still get within one point, there might be some soul searching needed. They do that for a few games in a row and it's not hard to turn the tides in a playoff series.

I am stoked that they won, and I'm not taking that away from them. I was as happy as the next guy, just concerned about seeing that night after night in a playoff setting, that's all. Especially if Downey doesn't get to see any ice time.

QFT! All of it. You're entire post is spot on.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

hm I still don't understand how can some people think that Ducks are tough team that hits Red Wings all over the ice and we got the beating. Wings clearly showed they can't be pushed around and Cleary did not play only because he was injured before and that fight revived his eye injury. You think that Ducks are not exhausted after game like that and Wings are? Wings won and still there are some individuals who would be satisfied only if we won by at least 5 goals. We have nothing to worry about. Wings can beat Ducks and it will be decided by small things, not Ducks "toughness". And don't forget we played back2back game and were missing Z and despite that we still beat Ducks in their building.

The Ducks game is a physical one. Ours isn't based on that. How long can you go up against a team that plays that style when its not your foremost strength?

I guess I must be crazy but I look at their roster and see how big they are, how tough they are and I don't see us being able to outdo them at their own style.

We still couldn't stop them from cycling in our zone because their forwards are too big and too strong. Exactly what happened in the postseason.

We won a 2-1 game and people are acting like we're gods. Hence why I asked people to have some perspective.

What do I get in return? Morons claiming I don't think we played well or that i'm selling the team short or blah, blah. You know what my first indication is that i'm talking to a dips***? When I say something positive about another team and its taken as a negative for the Wings.

Where did I ever say we didn't play well or Dom didn't play great or we didn't stand up to them or I was unhappy with our effort? Nowhere!

All I did was call out those claiming we handed the Ducks their asses and pointed out things I saw them do that helped them beat us last year in the playoffs.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

So the Ducks sent their message: We will hurt you.

But the wings merely need to send back the message: We will score on you.

Anaheim playing so aggressively actually hurt them in last night's game. In fact, they are lucky the Wings' power play has been suffering lately, or the Wings would have won by a higher margin.

The Ducks had a lot of hooking/holding type penalties because they go for the big hit and are then out of position. If the power play gets back to where it can be, we are going to punish them even more for playing so aggressively.

The Wings need to play their game - not the Duck's game. Capitalize on the Duck's frequent mistakes. I am all for us adding some toughness at the deadline, but I am not feeling this sense of impending doom some of you seem to have -- should we not start looking and playing more like Anaheim.

What's the message? Is it that we can score 5 on 3 and that Beauchemin should switch to a wood stick? Yeah, we really shot the lights out last night. What was the score again 6-1? My tivo must be screwed up I thought it was 2-1.

You gonna stick with that argument?

What was our PP rating last night?

What was it in last year's playoffs?

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I cant agree with that statement more. Wed have to tear apart this team to be able to compete with the Ducks physically. It simply wont happen. But when we add players at the deadline - and we will, mind you. Considering we might have won the Stanley Cup if it werent for key injuries, theres no way Holland lets that happens again. Hell stack Detroit up a bit more. - when we add players, itll only make us deeper and likely bigger and grittier, and Im banking on it being closer to a 1997 repeat than 2003...

While I can't say I agree with your position. My point from the start is that we need to get bigger and tougher. So if you think Kenny's gonna do it i'm with you on that at least.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I'll agree that the play between the Wings and Ducks were equal, but in no way did the Wings take a beating. I'm so sick of hearing that s***. Seriously. You'd think the way the Wings played last post season would maybe stop all the nonsense of them not being tough enough. I know they are nowhere near as tough as the Ducks, Sharks, etc.. BUT our boys can hold their own, and they've showed it since last April. If this was the Wings team of 2 years ago then hell yeah I'd say they'd get a beating and then some, but it's not the case anymore. Everyone on the team has stepped up in the physicality department. That's not to say that we shouldn't add a tough guy come trade deadline, because we should..but as far as im concerned i'm really proud of our guys. They don't back down anymore and it's great to see.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Everybodys talking about how hard it is to play against a team thats looking to run you all the time, but nobodys pointing out how it is almost equally tiring to play aggressively night in and night out. Detroit lost to Anaheim because, if you remember correctly, their PP crapped out. When their PP was firing on all cylinders, they blew out Anaheim. You can talk all you want about how Detroit will be toast against big bodies, but the bruise brother fans never seem to point out that it can kill a team when they have to chase a puck possession team around all night, especially when you commit to the hit when youve finally caught up with the puck and its possessor. Theres a positive and negative to both types of play.

Ill take solace in the fact that its going to be a lot easier for Detroit to add size and grit to its roster at the deadline than it wil be for Anaheim to afford taking on a key top 6 forward.

Absolutely agree.

As i've stated 1800 times so far (yet people can't seem to grasp it) i've said its going to be close no matter what.

It's going to depend on which style of play will hold out the longest. I'd say that's far more reasonable than those claiming we handed the ducks their asses. Which is what started my little tirade to begin with.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

If anything, this game should be a wakeup call for everyone who thinks we are head and shoulders above every other team in the league just because our record says so. When teams play Detroit, especially in the playoffs, they are going to be coming hard. Everyone has known for the last umpteen years, to beat Detroit, you have to push them around, and Anaheim certainly exploits this the most. Sometimes it works, sometimes our power play sucks, but either way the Wings have to stand up for themselves or they'll just keep getting tee'd off on.

Last night was a good start but games like that make me hope McCarty gets back in shape quick, even if only to help out with one series in the playoffs. Remember, we don't need him to score, we just need him to take care of the rough stuff so guys like Cleary don't have to fight guys like Pronger.

wurd,

esteef

QFT your entire post!

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

How do we know we are going to even play Anaheim in the playoffs? A first round match-up is highly unlikely barring a major collapse on one of the team's parts. Who knows, Anaheim might get upset in the first round (personally, I would like nothing better), and as we know all too well, the Wings could too. I don't think it would make sense for the Wings to structure their team around beating one team in the league that we may never even need to face to win the Cup. I would like to see the Wings get a little bit tougher for the playoffs b/c, in general, the playoffs see an increase in physical play. However, I don't think this has to be done strictly b/c of Anaheim. We need to, most likely, get through at least the first round before we would even see them in the playoffs. I think the focus should be on getting the team ready for the playoffs as a whole, not on getting them ready for one team they may not even play.

I thought the Wings did well last night all things considered. The argument about the broken stick is pointless in my opinion, b/c, as others have pointed out, many times playoff games are decided by one goal scored in a very weird way. Did the Wings get a little bit lucky? Sure. But that's how hockey goes. There's no need to use that goal to take away from the win. I don't disagree with people who say we need more toughness, b/c I think we do too. I just don't think the focus should be all about Anaheim.

Jesus christ its like beating a dead horse. The point about the broken stick has everything to do with the context of the argument. You can't claim to hand somebody their ass when your winning goal came because of a broken stick? Savvy?

[puckloo39 5,686]

I'll agree that the play between the Wings and Ducks were equal, but in no way did the Wings take a beating. I'm so sick of hearing that s***. Seriously. You'd think the way the Wings played last post season would maybe stop all the nonsense of them not being tough enough. I know they are nowhere near as tough as the Ducks, Sharks, etc.. BUT our boys can hold their own, and they've showed it since last April. If this was the Wings team of 2 years ago then hell yeah I'd say they'd get a beating and then some, but it's not the case anymore. Everyone on the team has stepped up in the physicality department. That's not to say that we shouldn't add a tough guy come trade deadline, because we should..but as far as im concerned i'm really proud of our guys. They don't back down anymore and it's great to see.

I couldn't agree more, HC.

I was very proud of every single one of the Red Wings last night. They stepped up, snarled in just the right places, and made the Ducks think about some things last night. They are no pushovers, our Wings - if the Ducks ever thought so, they don't anymore.

To me, it's less about who got in the last or best blow in a fight, as it is who took the high road, played their best, and won fairly. Wings won in all areas last night. I will take my classy, skilled Wings over goons with pet officials, anyday.

You don't have to be the toughest, you just have to be the smartest when the play is equal or roughly so. I think I know who wins in that contest, and it's not Anaheim.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I'll agree that the play between the Wings and Ducks were equal, but in no way did the Wings take a beating. I'm so sick of hearing that s***. Seriously. You'd think the way the Wings played last post season would maybe stop all the nonsense of them not being tough enough. I know they are nowhere near as tough as the Ducks, Sharks, etc.. BUT our boys can hold their own, and they've showed it since last April. If this was the Wings team of 2 years ago then hell yeah I'd say they'd get a beating and then some, but it's not the case anymore. Everyone on the team has stepped up in the physicality department. That's not to say that we shouldn't add a tough guy come trade deadline, because we should..but as far as im concerned i'm really proud of our guys. They don't back down anymore and it's great to see.

So by me saying the Ducks are tougher than us, that translates into we are weak or we took a beating?

I'd like to see where I might have said that, in case you were directing your comments to me.

Yet another example that you can't say anything good about another team without it having to "mean" something negative about the Wings.

Hell, I could say something great about ******* Ak Bars Kazan and somebody here would say I was dissing the wings.

sheesh

Edited January 24, 2008 by GordieSid&Ted

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

Jesus christ its like beating a dead horse. The point about the broken stick has everything to do with the context of the argument. You can't claim to hand somebody their ass when your winning goal came because of a broken stick? Savvy?

I never said we handed Anaheim their ass. Please read the post before you comment on it. I said we did well all things considered. I believe you said the same thing in one of your prevous posts. You seemed to miss the major point of my post which was that the focus shouldn't be all on Anaheim in my opinion. It should be on the playoffs as a whole. My comment about the stick breaking was not the main point of my post.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I never said we handed Anaheim their ass. Please read the post before you comment on it. I said we did well all things considered. I believe you said the same thing in one of your prevous posts. You seemed to miss the major point of my post which was that the focus shouldn't be all on Anaheim in my opinion. It should be on the playoffs as a whole. My comment about the stick breaking was not the main point of my post.

My bad, I wasn't directing that at you, just a general comment for those it applies to. There are others in this thread that claim we handed the ducks their asses, that's who those comments are meant for.

Edited January 24, 2008 by GordieSid&Ted

[egroen 384]

What's the message? Is it that we can score 5 on 3 and that Beauchemin should switch to a wood stick? Yeah, we really shot the lights out last night. What was the score again 6-1? My tivo must be screwed up I thought it was 2-1.

You gonna stick with that argument?

What was our PP rating last night?

What was it in last year's playoffs?

My, you're a prickly pear.

The Red Wings power play has been suffering lately, and I think they can do better. With a team like Anaheim, we did a decent job of capitalizing on their mistakes, but I think they were lucky we did not capitalize on more of them. I think this team is capable of doing much better on the power play.

My argument is that the Red Wings need to play their game, not the Ducks' game. I see a lot of out-of-position Ducks out there because they go for the big hit to "send a message". The Wings message should be "Run at us all day, but we will make you pay for it on the score board." *NOT* "We'll go toe-to-toe with you all night." They did a decent job of that last night. It doesn't matter if it is a broken stick, a 5-3 or Giguere going temporarily blind - the Ducks are a team that make a lot of mistakes.

That the Wings won at Anaheim, in a back-to-back game, and without their top forward is a great thing. EDIT: And I never said we "handed the Ducks their asses" either.

Ducks' fans also seem to take for granted Selanne coming back, and while I think it is a given he will, I do not think it is guaranteed he will play in the same ballpark as he did last year. Their secondary scoring will still be an issue. We do not need a complete facelift in players or philosophy to beat this team if we run into them in the playoffs.

Edited January 24, 2008 by egroen