Detroit's Round 1 opponent tracker

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I agree with BlueMonk's post. The Red Wings have a very tough path in the Western Conference being the two seed. If everything went to plan, the Red Wings could play Anaheim and Calgary before a potential meeting with San Jose in the WCF. Meanwhile the Sharks could get the Predators/Blues and then Blackhawks/Canucks in the first two rounds. No playoff opponent is going to be easy, but I don't think playing two physical teams like the Ducks and Flames would bode well for the Red Wings should they even make it to the WCF. This looks like 2007 except flipping the Ducks for the Sharks.

I don't want Anaheim in the first round. I would take Columbus, Nashville or St. Louis long before the Ducks because of travel purposes and the way the Ducks are playing right now.

Edited April 6, 2009 by GoWings1905

[Probie 7]

I agree with BlueMonk's post. The Red Wings have a very tough path in the Western Conference being the two seed. If everything went to plan, the Red Wings could play Anaheim and Calgary before a potential meeting with San Jose in the WCF. Meanwhile the Sharks could get the Predators/Blues and then Blackhawks/Canucks in the first two rounds. No playoff opponent is going to be easy, but I don't think playing two physical teams like the Ducks and Flames would bode well for the Red Wings should they even make it to the WCF. This looks like 2007 except flipping the Ducks for the Sharks.

I don't want Anaheim in the first round. I would take Columbus, Nashville or St. Louis long before the Ducks because of travel purposes and the way the Ducks are playing right now.

Too bad our boys didnt show up for a bunch of the games the last couple weeks. Oh well, its only the presidents trophy and home seeding through the playoffs. No biggie.

As a matter of fact, too bad this team didnt show up and play 60 mins for most of the season, think what our record would have been!

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

The Ducks would be the worst matchup by far, due to the travel, the physicality of their team, and the fact that their top players are more talented than just about any of the other teams we could potentially play in the first round. Also, we don't have a good recent history against them in the playoffs.

Columbus has Mason, but I'm sure we can handle them. St. Louis is a team we own and Nashville is a team who has never won a road playoff game. We've handled them before.

[stevkrause 1,247]

The Ducks would be the worst matchup by far, due to the travel, the physicality of their team, and the fact that their top players are more talented than just about any of the other teams we could potentially play in the first round. Also, we don't have a good recent history against them in the playoffs.

Columbus has Mason, but I'm sure we can handle them. St. Louis is a team we own and Nashville is a team who has never won a road playoff game. We've handled them before.

I personally think any West Coast team is a horrible first round matchup because of the travel alone... if it goes anything more than 5 games, you're a walking zombie going into round 2...

I'm rooting heavily for a strong St. Louis push to get them up to number 7 and Nashville down to 8, with hopes that Anaheim falls apart and falls out of the playoffs all together...

this last week is so nerve racking...

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

EDIT: Never you mind, think I forgot to carry the one.

Edited April 7, 2009 by Heroes of Hockeytown

[clutchngrab 12]

Yeah, the travel is huge and the path to WCF says alot about who will get to the dance. I don't like the idea of Anaheim and Calgary before San Jose at all. Especially when you consider the physicality and gooniness of those teams in addition to the travel. That would be one tough road.

[stormboy 47]

so at this point anaheim can ensure a playoff spot by winning their last two games, correct? if nash and st. louis win their last three games and ana wins their last two, they'll all have 92 points but ana will have more wins, and, assuming cls scrapes 3 points out of their last three, st. louis will still be on the outside looking in.

*shrug* i wouldn't say it's locked in at all at this point. that seems most likely, but other than cls and stl for one game, none of these teams play each other, so really anything could happen. any one of those teams could win all the rest of their games while any other could lose them all. in all likelyhood, they'll all get SOME of their possible points and things will end up about how they are now. tonight will be a big night.

Edited April 7, 2009 by stormboy

[Doggy 130]

I can't believe St. Louis just got 7 out of 10 points on a tough 5-game road trip. They deserve to make it.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

If the season ended today, the 1 seed is facing a playoff road that I'd much rather see the Red Wings face than the one the 2 seed would get. Especially if the Flames hang on to the 3 spot.

The Flames are a tough team that not only could make a tough 2nd round opponent for the Wings, but could also pose the most problems to the Sharks of any other team. So by getting the 2 seed, the Wings are potentially not only setting themselves up for a tough round 2 matchup (if they're fortunate enough to get there), but also eliminating the team that (IMO) stands the best chance of knocking off their biggest threat (the Sharks).

All this could change, of course; there's lots of time left for playoff seeding to change from top to bottom. But the early odds are that finishing first overall is a big deal. Not so much because of home ice in a potential Detroit-San Jose matchup, but because of the playoff matchups. Last season, the playoff matchups were a big reason why Detroit made it to the SCF. It was also the reason why the Wings didn't get there in 2007, when the Ducks coasted against inferior teams while the Wings faced a brutal first two rounds.

The Islanders loss felt like a turning point to me, and not a good one. First time the Wings were in control of their playoff seeding destiny and they showed up for only 20 minutes of the game. I hope time proves me wrong.

Still rings true

[stormboy 47]

i guess i'm not sure why everyone is so terrified of calgary. i mean, we've obviously had our own problems keeping pucks out of the net, but they've allowed four or more goals in 7 of the last 16 games, while being shut out three times and earning no shutouts themselves. they scored 2 goals or less in 11 of those 17 games. they're a tough, physical team, but, i don't know... i guess they don't scare me as much.

[C-Dub 0]

I hope St. Louis makes it in, that'd be great. However, I am pretty much set now on figuring we will be playing the Ducks. Part of me says "Bring it on!!!" but another part tells me the matchup will be tough due to travel and the style of play they bring to the table.

However, I do want someone to take out Pronger and all matchups will be tough in the playoffs.

SO BRING ON THE F---ING DUCKS!

[azshark 1]

I hope St. Louis makes it in, that'd be great. However, I am pretty much set now on figuring we will be playing the Ducks. Part of me says "Bring it on!!!" but another part tells me the matchup will be tough due to travel and the style of play they bring to the table.

However, I do want someone to take out Pronger and all matchups will be tough in the playoffs.

SO BRING ON THE F---ING DUCKS!

Great attitude! On any given night they can beat your Wings. BUT...beat you 4 out 7 not a chance!

[Krayzie_Bone 58]

Please let us get the jackets or blues just for travel.

[Guest Four]

ANYONE BUT NASHVILLLEEEEEEEE

[drwscc 212]

Even if Nashville wins their last two, it would require St Louis or Anaheim to lose both of their last two to get Nashville in the playoffs. Also, Nasvhill plays Detroit tonight, so hopefully their playoff hopes will die this evening with a loss.

[hoogs 8]

Even if Nashville wins their last two, it would require St Louis or Anaheim to lose both of their last two to get Nashville in the playoffs. Also, Nasvhill plays Detroit tonight, so hopefully their playoff hopes will die this evening with a loss.

That would be nice. The main reason I don't want the duckies is 10:30 starts

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

The best possible scenario is the Blues wind up 7 and Ducks 8. A Sharks-Ducks series is LONG overdue. We don't want the Sharks to draw the Blues either - they need Ducks or Nashville. The #2 seed could come back to bite us in the butt if we get a really tough draw and the Sharks get off easy.....

[Doggy 130]

Sorry for not updating. I've been in planes and airports for the past few days. Anyway, no deep analysis required. If the Ducks win today, we play them. If they don't, a Blues win tomorrow would mean them.

Edit: This is if Columbus are unable to earn a point in their game against the Wild.

Edited April 11, 2009 by Doggy

[wmubronco420 25]

if the ducks win and columbus loses we will play columbus, thats the best case scenario IMO so we can avoid all the travel. plus, the jackets are very inexperienced in playoffs.

the blues have locked up 8th place since the ducks ahve 2 more wins

Edited April 11, 2009 by wmubronco420