Road to the Cup

[Zeke 5]

I feel that we had an easy road to the Cup last year,when you consider Nashville,the Avs,Dallas,and finally the Penguins,who were talented but inexperienced.It was nice of Dallas to take care of the Ducks and the Sharks for us,so we could save our energy and use it on them.

This year we have more talent,(Hossa),but the road may be a little more challenging when you consider we may start with the Ducks,then face Chicago,and finally the Sharks as a worst case senario.If we have any thing left in the tank after those three teams,we are likely to face Boston in the final,who should have an easier time in the east.

I know repeating is the most difficult in hockey,but with this lineup,how do our chances look?

Do we stack up,or will Kenny see that changes are required?

[stactum 4]

Well, it's hard to predict what will be the scenario this year, but the way our defense shows up and disappears kind of worries me.

I think Detroit had easier schedule during playoffs in terms of travel and I am hoping that this is going to be the case this year. By the way, I think you should add Calgary in the mix of these teams that I don't necessarily would want to face because of travel, but all things considered, if we'll have to face at least one of these teams anyway.

As far as situation in the East - I wouldn't say Boston will slide through playoffs, I honestly don't think they'll be in the Finals, but will see. Other teams to watch over there will be Washington, Montreal and maybe even NJ. I think Washington will be last year's Pittsburgh.

And I think that Dallas run last time was primarily because of Brenden Morrow, that's the type of player that Detroit is lacking right now. Drake filled that role during last season and if we won't get a guy like that we may be in trouble.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

In terms of your assessment of the Wings road to the cup, while I appreciate the frankness, all teams that win the cup rely on a little luck. You don't think the Ducks benefited from the fact that Ottawa was unprepared by coasting through the East and that Detroit was without 2 of their top 3 Dmen? Any team will tell you, before you start talking about your teams qualifications for winning the cup, you have to be healthy, and you have to have luck.

As for the Wings this year, while my heart really (obviously) wants us to repeat, my mind says its doubtful. So I'm torn. While anything can happen, I'd say the odds are against us at this point. The defense has been incredibly inconsistent, and has been a weakness more often than it has been a strength, while the goaltending has been shaky. Even though our 4th line is all but absent, I have no problem with our offense going into the playoffs. Unfortunately, no offense is going to be able to carry what appears top be an average goaltender and a well underperforming defense against a very tough Western Conference.

Notice, however, that I said the odds are against us at this point. If Holland pulls a rabbit or two out of his hat that shores up some of our problems, I'd have a change of heart. But with this roster, I'm not going to bet on the Wings to repeat.

Edit: I forgot to add: Let the "O ye of little faith" debates begin!

Edited January 21, 2009 by YoungGuns1340

[SoDakWing 8]

I'm thinking we will face SJ in the conf. finals

and before the season started I was talking to my buddy and predicted that we will see Washington in the SCF. I still think that come playoff time we will whooop up on SJ and goin against Washington will be a battle after facing SJ but we'll light up Thedore and/or Johnson and shut down AO like we did with Cindy Crybaby last year.

At least i hope anyway

[Zeke 5]

Well, it's hard to predict what will be the scenario this year, but the way our defense shows up and disappears kind of worries me.

I think Detroit had easier schedule during playoffs in terms of travel and I am hoping that this is going to be the case this year. By the way, I think you should add Calgary in the mix of these teams that I don't necessarily would want to face because of travel, but all things considered, if we'll have to face at least one of these teams anyway.

As far as situation in the East - I wouldn't say Boston will slide through playoffs, I honestly don't think they'll be in the Finals, but will see. Other teams to watch over there will be Washington, Montreal and maybe even NJ. I think Washington will be last year's Pittsburgh.

And I think that Dallas run last time was primarily because of Brenden Morrow, that's the type of player that Detroit is lacking right now. Drake filled that role during last season and if we won't get a guy like that we may be in trouble.

I feel we will need at least 2 more gritty players for this year's run.I think the competition will be not only bigger and tougher,but also more hungry than last year's.

We had ideal matchups last year in the west,and its unlikely the path will be as easy this year.

[DyingAlive 27]

You can't assume anything about the playoffs.

For all we know Boston could tank and lose to the 7 or 8 seed. San Jose could lose in the second round..that wouldn't be anything new. The road to the Stanley Cup is impossible to predict, because the playoffs can be so unpredictable.

We won't know the Wings road until we get there.

[Guest DetroitBoy313]

In terms of your assessment of the Wings road to the cup, while I appreciate the frankness, all teams that win the cup rely on a little luck. You don't think the Ducks benefited from the fact that Ottawa was unprepared by coasting through the East and that Detroit was without 2 of their top 3 Dmen? Any team will tell you, before you start talking about your teams qualifications for winning the cup, you have to be healthy, and you have to have luck.

I think you hit it on the nose with that one.Game 5 against the Ducks in 07 it's 1-0,I believe Lidstrom hits the post in the 3rd period,if that goes in we win the game and probably go on to win the series.I don't believe last year was an "easy" road to the cup.Franzens OT winner was HUGE soo there is a really thin line between beating teams getting beat.Dallas beat in my opinion the two teams I did NOT wanna face but we still beat them,what does that tell you? That we most likely could of beat SJ or the Ducks.

You can't assume anything about the playoffs.

For all we know Boston could tank and lose to the 7 or 8 seed. San Jose could lose in the second round..that wouldn't be anything new. The road to the Stanley Cup is impossible to predict, because the playoffs can be so unpredictable.

We won't know the Wings road until we get there.

Another good point.Who knows who's going to make it and who knows who's going to tank in the first or second round.Just gotta wait and see.The only team that scares me is SJ,they have soo much to prove to the NHL and their fans and they will want revenge from the 07 defeat.Other than SJ noone else scares me.

Edited January 22, 2009 by DetroitBoy313

[RusDRW 155]

The play-offs hockey is way different compared to the regular season. The principle difference is that it is much more simple and you have to play under constant pressure. That was the major thing I was afraid of in 2008 and 2007 runs. I simply did not know how good we are in dump and chase style of play, battles along the boards, elevating our hitting, etc. Our "new" big guys (Dats, Zeta, Hossa, Franzen, Hudler, Kronner) have cleary shown that they can excel in that type of hockey so I have no worries now. Still I think we need to add some toughness to our 4th line to handle guys like Ott anf we are ready to go.

PS I would also bring Ericsson to our 3rd pairing but it won't happen this season.