Better for this team to lose on or two heading to the finals?

[NHLrules? 32]

I am torn here.

I think this team needs a good dose of levity before moving on.

Make them remember you have to play the games.

The only reason rest would be good is to help some of our old dudes, get some rest.

What do you guys think?

edit: this is a great time for Babs to go into the locker room and pull the told you so as it pertains to work ethic and hard nosed hockey.

Edited May 15, 2008 by NHLrules?

[fastballspecial 0]

I guess that's one way to look at things.

Gives 'em character, right?

[Yemack 1]

Rest is important but I think we can always learn from mistakes. we have to remember we are going to win 1-0, 2-1 games. Not 5-2, 8-4.

Also we can't win all of them. Sometimes we have to accept that our best is not enough to win games. So we can't be frustrated if things don't go our way.

[Gutierrez 7]

I kind of agree. A loss always sucks but lets be honest, we had to lose a game eventually. It's the law of averages. I'm confident we will win finish this back up at home.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I agree. We'd all love to win every game, but a loss every now and then *especially when we are up 3-0* is not a big deal. Let's eliminate them at the JLA!

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Either way were gonna have 5 days of rest if we win next game.

[Doggy 130]

I'm sure when Detroit beats Dallas they'll then focus their concerns on preparing for the Finals.

It's a cliche but it very true. You must take it one game at a time - in this league, it is a HUGE mistake not to.

[DYags 0]

Going into game 4 I told my friends that I was "hoping" for a loss. I didn't want our boys soft going into the finals. But as the game went on I kept wanting a W more and more. But now that the loss has set in, I'm happy with things. No reason to be concerned going back the JLA up 3-1. Our boys will fly out the gates because they have a reason to.

Don't worry, Be Happy Now

[rick zombo 3,739]

Better to lose one. But not two.

[Reilly 24]

Win or lose, the Wings need to start getting more consistent scoring from their second line.

COME BACK FRANZEN

PLEASE!!!

[puckbags 863]

Going into game 4 I told my friends that I was "hoping" for a loss.

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!! Who hopes for a loss? This is a veteran team who knows exactly how close they are to the finals.

[Cern 0]

I think 5-6 games is the sweet spot provided they don't become OT grind-fests. Although it's annoying that this game of all of them is when we lose. The Wings seem to be cursed by a higher power to never get that 10-win streak.

[pavyaz19 1]

i was telling people before tonight's game that i wouldn't be upset if we lost. I really didn't want to head into the finals with some crazy winning streak. Heck, we've still never won 10 in a row... I'd rather get a loss or two out of our system before we sweep the Pens, ha.

[pavyaz19 1]

Going into game 4 I told my friends that I was "hoping" for a loss. I didn't want our boys soft going into the finals. But as the game went on I kept wanting a W more and more. But now that the loss has set in, I'm happy with things. No reason to be concerned going back the JLA up 3-1. Our boys will fly out the gates because they have a reason to.

Don't worry, Be Happy Now

agreed 100%... sorry, i didn't see this post before i posted my previous one.

[betterREDthandead 58]

The Freep made the very excellent point that it would not really be ideal to go into the Cup Finals with the pressure of a win streak that everyone would be talking about.

Plus it increases the likelihood that Franzen will be available for the Finals.

[Reds4Life 51]

Of course that it is much better to win in 4 than in 5.

[toby91_ca 620]

I'd never hope for a loss, but after it happens, you look for the positives and I do think it is good to be able to deal with the loss and bounce back.

I've seen many on here suggest the Pens haven't had to deal with any adversity yet, so they may not be prepared for the Finals. The Pens have dealt with some adversity in games, but in terms of a series, they really haven't (have been up 3-0 in all 3 series so far and have only lost 1 game). All that considered, the Wings haven't really dealt with much either, so it goes both ways.

[toby91_ca 620]

Plus, Ilitch probably doesn't mind the extra revenue he'll get from game 5.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I never hope for a loss but as others have said, you can take some positives out of it. I would say that Dallas played the best game of the series, the Wings had a goal taken away from them due to poor officiating all night, played on the road which favored Dallas' matchups, and still had a tie game with 15 minutes left.

While that effort was better for Dallas, I don't see all those things happening again on Saturday at the Joe.

Here's hoping the Wings close it out in 5.

[egroen 384]

More rest for Franzen... I'm ok with it.

[Texas Wingnut 0]

No way does playing an extra game or two make any sense. More chances for key players to get hurt, more travel, more chances for cheap shot artists from Dallas to take a run at top line players. Now all that said, while it would be great to be 16 and 2, realistically the odds of this are pretty steep. I don't care how many playorr losses there are as long as there are 16 playoff wins!!!!

[BlakChamber 8]

Winning in 4 is obviously better than winning in 5, 6, or 7. But you can't expect four sweeps. The Red Wings really haven't faced any adversity in the 8 games leading up to last night. The trick is how you bounce back.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

The longer this series goes, the less our chances are of beating Pittsburgh. I expect them to sweep tonight, and I don't want a young and rested team sitting around waiting for the Wings.

[VM1138 1,921]

The longer this series goes, the less our chances are of beating Pittsburgh. I expect them to sweep tonight, and I don't want a young and rested team sitting around waiting for the Wings.

I was thinking about this, btu I don't think it's really true. We haven't had a particularly grueling run. I don't think one 7 game series would drain us goign into the Finals. We played some pretty brutal series in 2002 and still won, despite Carolina having more rest.

Of course, Pittsburgh is much better than Carolina ever was.

If they close it out on Sunday it won't be an issue at all, I wouldn't think.

[NHLrules? 32]

Have you watched the East?

They look bad, like they did in 97.

I dont think the Wings will have that much competition.

Our PP will tear either of these teams a new one, and Philly PP looks horrid.

The only thing we would have to do is stop Pitts powerplay, and hit Malkin and Crosby.