NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted March 28, 2008 yeah, I am predicting that Friday's Sharks-Ducks game will be a cheapshot-a-thon. Why do you say that? The Sharks play a pretty clean game.....they're physical, but for the most part not cheap. The Ducks on the other hand...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted March 28, 2008 Why do you say that? The Sharks play a pretty clean game.....they're physical, but for the most part not cheap. The Ducks on the other hand...... They're going to want payback for Kunitz's butt-end to Cheechoo's head. Cheechoo's out because of it. If Kunitz had been suspended (as he should have been), it might not be an issue. The Sharks do play a clean game...but that doesn't preclude the possibility of taking out someone like Niedermayer or Selanne with a good, clean, hard hit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted March 28, 2008 They're going to want payback for Kunitz's butt-end to Cheechoo's head. Cheechoo's out because of it. If Kunitz had been suspended (as he should have been), it might not be an issue. The Sharks do play a clean game...but that doesn't preclude the possibility of taking out someone like Niedermayer or Selanne with a good, clean, hard hit. That's true, and I completely forgot the Cheechoo incident was the result of Kunitz. If the game gets out of hand score-wise in the Ducks favor, I can see the Sharks losing their tempers and gooning it up a little bit. Thornton gets that way when he's frustrated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ashenhigh 9 Report post Posted March 28, 2008 I see the best chance for an upset with someone beating the NW division champ at the 3 spot - they're likely to play vs. each other in the first round and they are all so evenly matched... Yeah I agree. 3rd seed will be either the Wild or the Flames. Making the 6th seed the wild/flames or even the stars. As long as the 3rd seed looses, the cup is ours to loose. Im still debating with myself if facing the ducks in the 2nd or 3rd is best. Im confident the ducks will make it out of the first round (although I wish they would all die in an airplane crash when flying to dallas). If they play the Sharks in round 2, thats going to be one hell of a hockey serious and there will be LOTS of injuries, no doubt. So as long as we arent down to our 4th string defencement by round 3, then its 3rd cup in ten seasons, and 4 cups in 11 years baby. I think we can all agree that no matter if its the pen/sens/habs or rangers, the west is taking the title yet agian. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted March 28, 2008 Yeah I agree. 3rd seed will be either the Wild or the Flames. Making the 6th seed the wild/flames or even the stars. As long as the 3rd seed looses, the cup is ours to loose. Im still debating with myself if facing the ducks in the 2nd or 3rd is best. Im confident the ducks will make it out of the first round (although I wish they would all die in an airplane crash when flying to dallas). If they play the Sharks in round 2, thats going to be one hell of a hockey serious and there will be LOTS of injuries, no doubt. So as long as we arent down to our 4th string defencement by round 3, then its 3rd cup in ten seasons, and 4 cups in 11 years baby. Okay, I hate the Ducks players and organization just as much as anyone...but that's over the line. They're still human beings with families and children. Even a completely worthless excuse for a human being like Pronger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted March 28, 2008 stars and flames currently both have 90 points both with 77 games played. hopefully the stars can hold off the flames so the ducks and stars can have a go in the 1st . thats the most ideal match up to me. i dont think the flames will handle the ducks much at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMountainWingGal 108 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 i don't think it would be particularly nice if the #8 seed won lol yeah we pretty have the 1 locked up so edit #5-7 seed! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 And the Sharks have locked up the Pacific, so we can take that into consideration. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 I always just assume to start with the the first 4 seeds will win - like last year. In that case the Wings have a very good probability of playing the Ducks in the second round. Personally, I don't see Wings, Ducks, or Sharks losing in the first round - but you never know (esp as a Wings fan - yikes ) Yes it would be nice if a #5-8 seed won - then we would potentially avoid Sharks or Ducks until the WCF. I see the best chance for an upset with someone beating the NW division champ at the 3 spot - they're likely to play vs. each other in the first round and they are all so evenly matched... Our playoff road will be tough no matter what though - have no idea who the opponent will be with just a week+ left! Could be 6 teams - likely Avs, Nucks, Preds, or still possibly Stars, Flames, Wild. Crazy end to the season - at least the wings took care of their business early! The year before last in the West, the #1, #2, #3 and #4 teams all lost in the first round. Anything can happen. I think that the Ducks are ripe for an upset with the way they are playing right now. They are still having trouble scoring goals, Getlaff is not going to be 100% healthy and Giggy was out last night with back spasms. Add to that the fact that dickhead (oops I mean Pronger) is going to be rusty after his latest suspension, and I see it in the cards. Maybe I'm wrong but there are 2 things that I would enjoy most. #1 the Wings hoisting the cup and #2 the Ducks going out in the first round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 retard, my whole post is based on the fact that one of the seeds 5-8 will sneak a series win (it happens at least once EVERY SINGLE SEASON) Im glad you basically repeated what I said. So you get off on going on the internet and calling people "retard" when they agree with you. Didn't your momma teach you any manners? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 Yes, many people forget that teams are re-seeded by points, not by how they finished in the regular season. For example Minnesota has 5 less points than the number 4 seed, even though they are number 3 seed. I don't like that divisional leaders are seeded 1-3. That's not correct. The division winners still maintain their seedings. This is from NHL.com In the Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals, teams were re-seeded according to the same criteria as the Conference Quarterfinals. Higher seeded teams gained home-ice advantage So the Northwest winner if they suvive will still be seeded over the previous #4/#5 winner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zombiewing 3 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 (edited) The year before last in the West, the #1, #2, #3 and #4 teams all lost in the first round. Anything can happen. I think that the Ducks are ripe for an upset with the way they are playing right now. They are still having trouble scoring goals, Getlaff is not going to be 100% healthy and Giggy was out last night with back spasms. Add to that the fact that dickhead (oops I mean Pronger) is going to be rusty after his latest suspension, and I see it in the cards. Maybe I'm wrong but there are 2 things that I would enjoy most. #1 the Wings hoisting the cup and #2 the Ducks going out in the first round. I also think that those quacks from Disney are prime for an upset. They seem to be lacking that 'flow' that made them so deadly last year. In addition to your points, I would also add that they lost some key components of last year's run. Andy Mcdonald-2 way and clutch as hell Dustin Penner-at 6'4, 245, he was a load of crease crash. Those two combined for 13 playoff goals. They did pick up Bertuzzi, but...whatever...he just glides and sneers nowadays (hey, I'm Todd, I almost killed somebody and now I have issues...my back hurts, leave me alone). We have our weaknesses too. But I am feeling good about our chances against the big dogs. Edited March 29, 2008 by zombiewing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 I also think that those quacks from Disney are prime for an upset. They seem to be lacking that 'flow' that made them so deadly last year. In addition to your points, I would also add that they lost some key components of last year's run. Andy Mcdonald-2 way and clutch as hell Dustin Penner-at 6'4, 245, he was a load of crease crash. Those two combined for 13 playoff goals. We have our weaknesses too. But I am feeling good about our chances against the big dogs. Yeah, but you're forgetting that they gained Schneider and Bertuzzi, and Bert is certainly a threat playing with Perry and Getzlaf, much like Penner did last year. Also, both Perry and Getzlaf are greatly improved from last year. I guess they also gained Doug Weight, but he's been hurt a lot. However, when healthy, he's still a great passer, making their PP even more dangerous. I want them to lose in the 1st round also, but I think a lot of Wings fans are engaging in wishful thinking that the Ducks will fold their tent so easily. I don't see it happening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zombiewing 3 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 Yeah, but you're forgetting that they gained Schneider and Bertuzzi, and Bert is certainly a threat playing with Perry and Getzlaf, much like Penner did last year. Also, both Perry and Getzlaf are greatly improved from last year. I guess they also gained Doug Weight, but he's been hurt a lot. However, when healthy, he's still a great passer, making their PP even more dangerous. I want them to lose in the 1st round also, but I think a lot of Wings fans are engaging in wishful thinking that the Ducks will fold their tent so easily. I don't see it happening. good points-and yes I am thinking wishfully, but I think that the loss of McDonald hurts them the most. And I think that I was afraid of Penner more than Bertuzzi. They are dinged up a bit, as we are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 I also think that those quacks from Disney are prime for an upset. They seem to be lacking that 'flow' that made them so deadly last year. In addition to your points, I would also add that they lost some key components of last year's run. Andy Mcdonald-2 way and clutch as hell Dustin Penner-at 6'4, 245, he was a load of crease crash. Those two combined for 13 playoff goals. They did pick up Bertuzzi, but...whatever...he just glides and sneers nowadays (hey, I'm Todd, I almost killed somebody and now I have issues...my back hurts, leave me alone). We have our weaknesses too. But I am feeling good about our chances against the big dogs. Also they lost their back-up goalie. If Jiggy's back is a problem, they are done. Most importantly though after last's year, we are HUNGRY and that is the biggest intangeable of all. We got screwed last year by having to play Calgary and San Jose and losing Kronwall and Schneider while the Ducks played weak teams and had no significant injuries. I'm not sure which I want the most, for the Ducks to go out in the first round or for us to hand them their asses on a plate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nutz2u Report post Posted March 29, 2008 Yeah, but you're forgetting that they gained Schneider and Bertuzzi, and Bert is certainly a threat playing with Perry and Getzlaf, much like Penner did last year. Also, both Perry and Getzlaf are greatly improved from last year. I guess they also gained Doug Weight, but he's been hurt a lot. However, when healthy, he's still a great passer, making their PP even more dangerous. I want them to lose in the 1st round also, but I think a lot of Wings fans are engaging in wishful thinking that the Ducks will fold their tent so easily. I don't see it happening. I don't think Perry will be back until sometime in the second round. Anyone know the word on Getzlaf? Don't worry about Bert cuz Chelly's gonna kick his ass all over the ice Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zombiewing 3 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 I don't think Perry will be back until sometime in the second round. Anyone know the word on Getzlaf? Don't worry about Bert cuz Chelly's gonna kick his ass all over the ice Getzlaf is a day to day with a "sore" shoulder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 Also they lost their back-up goalie. If Jiggy's back is a problem, they are done. Most importantly though after last's year, we are HUNGRY and that is the biggest intangeable of all. We got screwed last year by having to play Calgary and San Jose and losing Kronwall and Schneider while the Ducks played weak teams and had no significant injuries. I'm not sure which I want the most, for the Ducks to go out in the first round or for us to hand them their asses on a plate. I almost forgot. This year they are 28th in GFA. Down at the bottom with Columbus and the Islanders. Now before everybody jumps up and down about how that doesn't matter in the playoffs, last year they were 8th going into the playoffs. Sorry but you can't win in the playoffs if you can't score. It would be quite a feat if of the 16 playoff teams, the one that had the lowest GFA of all of them in the regular season suddenly was able to score enough through 4 rounds to win the Cup. Yes, scoring in the playoff drops, but it is pretty much across the board. Last year they scored 2.6 GFA IN THE PLAYOFFS, this year they scored only 2.35 GFA IN THE REGULAR SEASON. 9 teams scored less than 2.5 GFA in last years playoff. 7 of them were gone in round 1 and the other 2 in round 2. This means that they have to have a much better GFA in the playoffs than they did in this years regular season to not get bounced early. Think about that. Has it ever been done before? There scoring has to go UP in the playoffs. I can't believe that that has ever happened. It always goes DOWN. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwings56 1 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 Let's not forgot also that the Wings handled the Ducks well last year playoffs. So if they do meet again this year in the Semi's I give favor to the Wings. The Wings have added Rafy, Stuart, Drake, McCarty. That is skilled Defense and gritty forwards. Also players like Datsyk (who 'never' performs well in the playoffs) played really steady last year's playoffs and players like Fil, Kopecky, Z, Kronner are all more experience and playing really well this year. The Wings have a good combination of grit and skill, unlike last year when they had Bert, Lang, Calder (players who were slow and didn't do much - although Lang did score HUGE goala and Bert crashed a little) I am pumped for the Wings run this year, they are winning lately against bad teams but without Homer, Stuart and Hasek. It should all come together for them and they will win the Cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 Regardless of the Ducks talent after the second line their team is "built" for the playoff grind. They know how to play in the postseason to be effective, and they've got a goalie that absolutely shines onces April comes. Is there a chance they'll be knocked out before the Wings....absolutely (escpecially if they meet up with the Sharks in round 2), but keep in mind that the 6 seed will have to upset the 3 seed in order for the Wings/Ducks series to be pushed back until the conference finals. If the 3 seed beats the 6, it will be DET/ANA in the second round barring upsets. Edit: (Kelsey) Grammar Exuse me but thats bulls***. San Jose is "built" for the playoffs. They are bigger and faster than the Ducks and as we all know they have not done anything in the playoffs. If they were "built" for the playoffs, how come they have won only 1 cup. The Ducks are not nearly as good this year as last year. They will go out in either the first or second round. No McDonald or Penner, no back up goalie and the inability to score (they are 28th in the league compared to 8th last year) so stop repeating what the guys on NBC are saying because it is total bs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 Exuse me but thats bulls***. San Jose is "built" for the playoffs. They are bigger and faster than the Ducks and as we all know they have not done anything in the playoffs. If they were "built" for the playoffs, how come they have won only 1 cup. The Ducks are not nearly as good this year as last year. They will go out in either the first or second round. No McDonald or Penner, no back up goalie and the inability to score (they are 28th in the league compared to 8th last year) so stop repeating what the guys on NBC are saying because it is total bs I am not sure how many remember this but Bryz won the first three games of the Min series last year. Sure they won 4-1, but not on Jiggy's watch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 That's not correct. The division winners still maintain their seedings. This is from NHL.com In the Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals, teams were re-seeded according to the same criteria as the Conference Quarterfinals. Higher seeded teams gained home-ice advantage So the Northwest winner if they suvive will still be seeded over the previous #4/#5 winner. Yeah, I was gonna say...there's never been re-seeding by points in the time that I've watched hockey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
detroitdan 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 San Jose is the only team I am afraid of...they are big, strong, and fast and they are playing out of their minds right now...but I'm still sure we can handle them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superman54 91 Report post Posted March 29, 2008 Agreed, San Jose is the one team im worreid about. Don't get me wrong, im not thrilled about potentailly facing the Ducks either, but I know the Wings want to kill them more then any other team, and that they will! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedLightGoesOn 81 Report post Posted March 30, 2008 (edited) The only reason why the Ducks won the Cup was because of Teemu Selani, dont get me wrong the Ducks were a solid team, but Selani was the difference maker (scoring the goal in OT to send us back to Anaheim with the chance of elimination). However, despite having Selani back, the rest of the Ducks team just doesnt seem with it. I think San Jose is a better team this year, but the Wings will beat either team for 2 reasons. 1) Defense. Our defense can shut down San Jose's "crowd around the net and pray that it goes in", 2) This one is a big if, but if the grind line should be as good as it was, we shut down their top line, plus score. I mean thats why we won championships, defense. The teams that I am worried about are the bottom dwellers, namely rank 8, only because they may become hot at the end of the season enough so to win them a playoff bid. I would say the Ducks get knocked off in the second round by San Jose, in 6. This was a matchup all of us were hoping for last year, and I want to see it again because whoever comes out on top will be drained and easy for us to pick off. Edited March 30, 2008 by RedLightGoesOn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
