Columbus or Anaheim?

[Guest mindfly]

Read on Mlive.com that it's clear now that it's either Columbus or Anaheim in 1st round for Detroit depending on the outcome of the Blues-Avs game.

Topic says it all, and also state why.

- I say columbus because their offense isn't as good as anaheim, although it's certain that they are both physical hard hitting teams so detroit will probably have difficulties with both.

[dat's sick 1,002]

I can't make a choice. Both teams will give us a tough series. Blue Jackets would be better just because it means less travel for the team and earlier games for us euros. But they have Mason and Nash. Anaheim has Gigure who doesn't intimidate me in the least, but they also have Pronger who is sure to injure atleast a half dozen of our players.

Playoff-revenge against the Ducks, or making the Blue Jacket's first playoff appearance a short one?

It's too hard to decide.

Btw, I was hoping for the Blues. That's a team I would have felt comfortable facing.

Edited April 12, 2009 by dat's sick

[TheCaptain19 49]

one thing about mason is he has played zero games in the playoffs. you never know if a player is going to translate into the post season.

[ChitownWingsfan 54]

I'm hoping for Columbus for purely selfish reasons that 1) I hate Anaheim and 2) I hate late games on the West Coast.

[Vilmer 0]

Columbus in a hearbeat. Screw the Ducks and especially the first round travel. 10:30 games need to die in a fire!

[ComradeWasabi 109]

I really wanted St. Louis, damn. I guess Columbus if I had to pick.

[Jericho613 74]

I'd go with Columbus, for early games and easier travel. I don't want to play the ducks in the first round just because pronger would take cheap shots and try to injure one of our top forwards.

[Reds4Life 51]

I want the Quacks.

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

Thats a toughie for me too. On one hand, you have the ducks who don't scare me. Sure they're physical but I think that the wings could benifit from playing a physical team. So many times this year they have looked bored while in games...like they were just going through the motions. I feel if we played an intense team like ANA, it would help the wings ramp up their intensity better and start firing on all cylinders.

Now, columbus...they've embarassed us this year and we had a hard time beating mason when playing the jackets. Not to mention, Rick nash is a beast.

So, based on what i just said, I'd pick ANA for 1st round because it'd keep the boys hyped and if they made it through w/o injuries...I'd say they would be Proverbial Kryptonite for any team we'd face in round 2.

Edited April 12, 2009 by XxGoWingsxX

[DRW Dominance 255]

I think Detroit respects Anaheim as a better opponent and therefore will put in more effort. But that is one hell of a first round match up.

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

I think Detroit respects Anaheim as a better opponent and therefore will put in more effort. But that is one hell of a first round match up.

'

I agree

[hak 21]

no doubt in my mind that i want STL to get 2 points tonight

if STL wins tonight then we get to see:

SJS vs ANA

DET vs CJB

STL vs VAN

much more attractive matchups than

SJS vs STL

DET vs ANA

VAN vs CJB

[Guest Shoreline]

I'd prefer Columbus due to them not being a cheap shot artist team and it being closer to Detroit, i.e. less traveling. Give the Ducks to the Sharks.

So, sadly I find myself pulling for the Blues this game.

[Vincanni 1]

Columbus easily. Very little playoff experience, close proximity to Detroit, wouldn't have to stay up past midnight or well beyond to watch road games, Pronger's elbow doesn't play for them, etc.

Only downside with Columbus is there's more potential for us mailing games in and underestimating them. Also it'd be great to be the team that knocks Anaheim out of the playoffs since they stole our cup a couple years ago.

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

Anaheim

Becuase it makes for good t v.

[Bluedevils_13 0]

We can handle either team. I just do not want to play Anaheim, because I am afraid Pronger is going to be taking runs at our stars, and trying to injure them. We need all our boys healthy.

[I Red Wings I 40]

Columbus, if that happens I get to say I attended their first playoff game ever

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Anaheim. For a few reasons. One being that I want revenge from 2007, and also because like someone mentioned I think the Wings wouldn't take the Ducks lightly which they'd most likely do against the Jackets which would get them in deep trouble.

Edited April 12, 2009 by HockeyCrazy3033

[Datsyerberger 279]

Columbus. First ever playoff game, goalie with no experience, really short travel, moderate offense (but good defense)

That's opposed to Anaheim's Conn Smythe winning goalie, good defense, suddenly-on-fire offense, tons of proven and cup winning veterans, highly physical play, and the long travel.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Either team is going to be tough, so I'm picking the team down the street. No need to travel 4 hours by plane when you can get to the rink in less than 4 hours by car.

[Bluedevils_13 0]

Pronger vs. Ericsson = epic!

Very true. Or maybe we can get Pronger Cleary II, if Pronger doesn't decide to bust out his Lee press ons this time.

Edited April 12, 2009 by Bluedevils_13

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Columbus without a doubt. The travel purposes being the obvious reason and I also think the Ducks would give the Red Wings a tougher series than the Blue Jackets would. I'd like to see the Sharks have to deal with the Ducks in the first round.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Selfishly for TV viewing early, Columbus.

I could go through all the reasons to prefer Columbus and not Anaheim as many are probably fearing about the Ducks, but plenty were probably thrilled to play Edmonton a few seasons ago to open the playoffs up and look what happened. So I'm not worried as much about who the Wings face or not in terms of that regard or style of play. You draw who you draw. If the Wings can play as consistently as possibly for 60 minutes (or more if needed), they are a hard team to beat regardless of the style of play they are playing against.

[NC WINGS FAN 5]

Over the last decade, the Wings have not fared so well against those California teams, so I say Columbus. It means less travel for the Wings as well. Besides, games in Columbus are almost like home games at the Joe.