Ranking potential 1st round opponents

[Antilles328 0]

Current Standings

01. y-San Jose 115 Points 3 GTG

02. y-Detroit 109 P 4 GTG

03. x-Calgary 94 P 4 GTG

04. x-Chicago 97 P 4 GTG

05. x-Vancouver 94 P 3 GTG

06. Columbus 90 P 3 GTG

07. Anaheim 88 P 2 GTG

08. Nashville 86 P 3 GTG

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09. St. Louis 86 P 3 GTG

10. Minnesota 83 P G 3

11. Edmonton 83 P G 3

We could end up playing Columbus, Anaheim, St. Louis, Nashville, Minnesota, or Edmonton in the 1st round.

Ranking them in order of who I would like to play

1. St. Louis

2. Nashville

3. Minnesota (Goalie, low-scoring games don't favor Wings)

4. Columbus (Goalie, Rick Nash always scores against us)

5. Edmonton (Cross Country)

6. Anaheim (Red Hot, Cross Country)

Best Case

01. Detroit

02. San Jose

03. Calgary

04. Chicago

05. Vancouver

06. Columbus

07. Anaheim

08. St. Louis

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09. Nashville

10. Minnesota

11. Edmonton

This would make it so we didn't have to play both Anaheim and SJ which would require cross country travel and we would have home ice advantage. An Columbus/SJ series wouldn't be bad either since Mason seems primed to steal a series.

Worst Case

01. San Jose

02. Detroit

03. Calgary

04. Chicago

05. Columbus

06. Vancouver

07. Anaheim

08. St. Louis

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09. Nashville

10. Minnesota

11. Edmonton

[VM1138 1,921]

Well, we're either playing someone from the Central or Anaheim.

I don't care who we play so long as we beat them.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I do not want to verse Anaheim in the first. The physicality and long travel do not make for ideal deep playoff runs.

That and I don't want Cory Perry injuring our players with cheap shots.

[Shaman 713]

I do not want to verse Anaheim in the first. The physicality and long travel do not make for ideal deep playoff runs.

That and I don't want Cory Perry injuring our players with cheap shots.

If we have to play the Quacks though, id rather do it first round and play them fresh and get them out of the way....Its worse when they make it past the first round, their style of play can wear a team down and if the Wings see them past the first round it could cost us.

[rick zombo 3,739]

I think a 1st round collision with Anaheim may be the best thing for this team.

No underdog nothing to lose opponents like Nashville/St. Louis.

Detroit will not underestimate Anaheim. The risk is there for any other 1st round opponent. Plus, they have something to prove to Anaheim, as a result of the 2007 loss, that goes beyond their cup defense.

In short, a first round win against Anaheim, may be the only emotional or team-building jump-start the Wings can build on in this years playoffs. And in may be enough to get them on a real roll.

Otherwise, they loose to Anaheim in the first round, playing the same type of hockey that would eventually see them loose to SJ, Calgary, Van, etc.

The 2009 playoffs: Better to burn out then fade away. Bring on the Quacks.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

I would not mind seeing Anaheim in the first round if it means no Central. The Central is clearly the best division this year and those teams get up to play for the Wings.

[RedWingedKitten 9]

I agree that playing the Ducks will definitly get the Wings going. We hate those SOBs. It's just time-changing/traveling crap I don't like.

[Guest MrSandMan]

It's pretty much going to pan out like this:

01. San Jose

02. Detroit

07. Anaheim / Blue Jackets

08. Nashville / St. Louis

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SJ will take first, because I doubt they'll lose 2 more games considering the rest of their season is "gimme" games (ala Avs, Kings, Yotes)

Detroit will take second.

Ducks will likely take 7th, I don't foresee BJ's blowing their last three games.

But here is the tricky part. Red Wings might be able to dictate the team that Sharks will face in the first round. Do we blow the Nashville game to give them a chance to face the Sharks the first round, or do we want to beat the Preds and hope Blues face the Sharks?

EDIT:

There is a chance that Preds could take 7th if they win their last 2/3 games (we play them thursday, so if we blow the game it'll help them take 7th) --- however, Ducks will need to lose 1 of their last two games. They play Stars and Yotes, not strong teams.

Edited April 7, 2009 by MrSandMan

[Nightfall 871]

You never pick the team you want to play. I remember many fans here couldn't wait to play Edmonton the first round back a couple years ago. They were the #8 seed and just not that good to some people on this forum. What happened? Edmonton beat us decisively.

So I am in the I don't care who we play so long as we beat them camp.

[SetecX 139]

I would like to see Nashville face San Jose in round 1. They are probably due for an upset, might as well be against the Sharks.

[Frozen-Man 144]

You never pick the team you want to play. I remember many fans here couldn't wait to play Edmonton the first round back a couple years ago. They were the #8 seed and just not that good to some people on this forum. What happened? Edmonton beat us decisively.

So I am in the I don't care who we play so long as we beat them camp.

I dunno, I think I pick the Sharks - lets just sweep them, get them out of the way and then we can move on to the rest of the competition.

[egroen 384]

Since the Ducks traded away Moen and Pahlsson, the two guys who disrupted the Wings more than anyone in '07, I am not as worried about Anaheim. I would welcome Anaheim, because there is almost no chance the Wings would underestimate tham and I have a feeling would go out and play with a vengeance. They are basically a one-line team now, and Detroit eats one-line teams up for breakfast.

Edited April 7, 2009 by egroen

[j.hoop 64]

im thinking anaheim should be our first round opponent. i dont wanna play the preds first round, they have many reasons to want to pound us. i think them vs SJS would be good, looking to get back all those years the sharks destroyed them in early rounds, and possibly wearing them out. either way, they say dont pick your poison, so whoever it is, bring it on!!

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Ideally, St. Louis. I dont think we'd underestimate them, and the travel is bearable. I wouldn't mind Anaheim. In fact, I think Detroit would have the easiest time against them, but I don't like that match up from a travel standpoint.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Anaheim. One scoring line, we got 2 Selke finalists from last year and hopefully in the playoffs, the best defenceman in the world. Anaheims goaltending is alot like ours a solid starter without the coaches confidence and a struggling veteran. Plus, we'd get up for games against Anaheim, I'd love to see this team play 60 minutes every game, they'd decimate the league.

[stactum 4]

The way all things are laying out now I wouldn't mind facing Anaheim. As many people here pointed out we won't underestimate them and it will be a very good team building process and if we win (and we will) I think we'll be a very tough opponent for everybody else who's still there.

Here is the thing, I'd love to see SJS to face Blues and here is why:

This is the record during this season, and as you can see it's pretty darn close so there is a potential for an upset. If SJS plays Preds there is no chance for Preds; SJS manhandled them in the previous playoff seasons and this regular season.

FINAL STL (4) - SJS (5) SO

FINAL STL (4) - SJS (5)

FINAL SJS (2) - STL (3) SO

FINAL SJS (1) - STL (3)

[VM1138 1,921]

If we have to play the Quacks though, id rather do it first round and play them fresh and get them out of the way....Its worse when they make it past the first round, their style of play can wear a team down and if the Wings see them past the first round it could cost us.

The travel thing isn't as important this year. The West this year is stacked with close teams.

It's entirely possible that we go to the West coast for Anaheim in Round 1 and then hang out in the Central and East for the rest of the playoffs. In that case, I don't think travel is a big deal this year.

[rage 24]

I am not scared of any of the potential first rounds enemies, I mean opponents.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

The way all things are laying out now I wouldn't mind facing Anaheim. As many people here pointed out we won't underestimate them and it will be a very good team building process and if we win (and we will) I think we'll be a very tough opponent for everybody else who's still there.

Here is the thing, I'd love to see SJS to face Blues and here is why:

This is the record during this season, and as you can see it's pretty darn close so there is a potential for an upset. If SJS plays Preds there is no chance for Preds; SJS manhandled them in the previous playoff seasons and this regular season.

FINAL STL (4) - SJS (5) SO

FINAL STL (4) - SJS (5)

FINAL SJS (2) - STL (3) SO

FINAL SJS (1) - STL (3)

Damn! You beat me too it.

Ask any SJ fan- the Blues always play them really well... I'm not sure if that will translate to the playoffs, but St. Louis always brings their a-game to SJ games.

[kylee 727]

i get an uneasy feeling when i consider the wings taking on the ducks in the 1st round...

Edited April 8, 2009 by kylee

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Anaheim. One scoring line, we got 2 Selke finalists from last year and hopefully in the playoffs, the best defenceman in the world.

Getzlaf is, however, completely and totally a Wings-killer.

[egroen 384]

Getzlaf is, however, completely and totally a Wings-killer.

Too true. But their offensive weapons have really dwindled since we lost to them in the playoffs. No McDonald, Kunitz or Penner and Selanne is more of a power play specialist now. More so than ever, the Wings can sick Lidstrom on Getzlaf... and our offense will have a much easier time without Moen and Pahlsson out there.