Discussion & Summary of Round 1

[hak 21]

While we wait for round 2 to start I thought we could start some nice discussion and share some vids/pics from round 1. Share your favorite moments and discuss the sweep!~

Short recap of the games:

Game 1 :

Wings 4 (SOG 34) Jackets 1 (SOG 21)

3stars (nhl.com):

Osgood SV% 0.952

Hudler 1g 1a

Lidstrom +1 sog 1 shutting down nash line

Franzen (1g 1a) - Datsuyk (14-5 faceoffs + 6 hits) - Kronwall (1g) - Filppula (2a) - J Ericsson (1g in his first playoff appearance)

Highlights:

Game 2:

Wings 4 (SOG 39) Jackets 0 (SOG 25)

3stars (nhl.com):

Osgood (shutout)

Datsuyk (1g, 6-2 in faceoffs)

Stuart (1a, psycical play)

3power play goals this game by rafalski, datsyuk & hudler.

Lidstrom (2a, shutting down nash line), Holmstrom (Screens + 1a), Zetterberg (1g), Franzen (1a)

Highlights:

Game 3:

Wings 4 (SOG 26) Jackets 1 (SOG 32)

3stars (nhl.com):

Cleary (1g 2a +3)

Osgood (SV% 0.969)

Umberger (1g SOG 2)

Zetterberg (2g), Franzen (2a), Holmstrom (1g 1a)

Only time in the series Jackets had more shots on goal than detroit

Stuart with the hit of the playoffs so far on Umberger

Highlights:

Game 4 Wings win series:

Wings 6 (SOG 41) Jackets 5 (SOG 32)

3stars (nhl.com):

Hossa (2g, SOG 7)

Franzen (1gwg, SOG 5)

Nash (1g, 1a, SOG 3)

10 goals after 40minutes of hockey

Nash gets his first goal of the series

Franzen scores with under a minute left in the third period after a too many men penalty by Jackets

Lidstrom (1g, 1a), Cleary (1g), Stuart (2a), Kronn (2a), Holmstrom (1g, 1a) ..

Highlights:

Stat total:

Goals: Wings 18, Jackets 7

Shots on goal: Wings 140, Jackets 110

PIM: Wings 32, Jackets 58

Power play goals: Wings 7, Jackets 3

Individual stats Detroit:

1. Johan Franzen GP4 G2 A4 P6 +4
2. Daniel Cleary GP4 G2 A3 P5 +6
3. Henrik Zetterberg GP4 G3 A1 P4 +4
4. Tomas Holmstrom GP4 G2 A2 P4 +2
5. Marian Hossa GP4 G2 A2 P4 +2
6. Jiri Hudler GP4 G2 A2 P4 +1
7. Niklas Kronwall GP4 1G 3A P4 +1
8. Nicklas Lidstrom GP4 1G 3A P4 +4

(Stuarts hit on umberger)

(Commodore ends up in wings bench & Zetter scores)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8jWuLEYFa0&NR=1 (franzen hip check nash + more hits)

Who do you think is the round 1 MVP?

What are some of your best memories from this series?

Anything you are suprised over? Disappointed in anything?

Best goal in the series?

I can't wait for the second round to start so please I need something to read and I'm sure more of you feels the same

Edited April 27, 2009 by hak

[titanium2 867]

All this talk about playoff intensity, especially with Joe Thornton's ghost act so far in the first round, made me think about who the Wings rely on to set the example of determination and effort. The whole team bumps up their play - Nick and Pav more or less flatline at a really high level while guys like Z provide the needed playoff intensity. It's interesting how both forces work well together.

I'm a little concerned about Pav's point production. I'd like to see his line as a whole, not just Homer, go to the net more often like they did in Game 4. The team doesn't necessarily need a point explosion from Pav, but I can't help but think that he's got to start racking up some sooner or later.

Edited April 27, 2009 by titanium2

[SiLkK19 67]

First round mvp: Osgood.

[#18 the _Hoss_ 2]

First round mvp: Osgood.

QFT

[19Hockeytown5 0]

Who do you think is the round 1 MVP?

Chris Osgood for his play in the first 3 games. 2nd would be Pavs.

What are some of your best memories from this series?

Henrik Zetterberg putting game 3 and the series away when mike commodore went behind the net to get revenge for the Stuart hit. The crowd started to stand and then all sat down immediately in disappointment. It reminded me of the statue of liberty Roy save. Ozzie getting a standing ovation for his game 2 shut out at the Joe.

Anything you are surprised over? Disappointed in anything?

I was disappointed that we lost 2 separate 2 goal leads in game 4. Although I understand that sometimes it happens. The other guys want to win and make plays too. I was pleasantly surprised we swept them. Before the series, I thought it would go 5, possibly 6 games.

Best goal in the series?

Franzen's clutch goal in the final minute of game 4. (or a repeat of zetterberg's goal)

Edited April 27, 2009 by 19Hockeytown5

[Phazon 24]

franzen imo. 6p in 4 games is a great start.

[CrimsonFlame 424]

I was expecting game 4 to be a bust, but I was pleasently surprised. It was intense. Columbus really stepped up their game. If they had played like that for the entire series then things might have played out very differently.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

It wasn't a bad series if you think about it. I mean even though the first 3 games we blew them out. There still was some good things that happened, game 4 was good. I really liked it, back and forth. 2nd round will be even better, I hope.

[Shaman 713]

Zetterberg is the MVP, he got some great goals and his line shut down a very dangerous Nash line for most of the series.

[Guest Shoreline]

Aaron Downey, Lilja, and DMac. Without them the Wings would not have not made it to round 2.

Seriously though, Chris Osgood.. hands down. MVP. Next I'd say is Lids for his handling of Nash.

[evilmrt 636]

Zetterberg is the MVP, he got some great goals and his line shut down a very dangerous Nash line for most of the series.

Agreed. Zetterberg has been playing great defensively when the team needed an extra bump in that department, while still keeping the pressure on in the offensive zone and bagging some great goals.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

This was the easiest series I've ever seen the Wings play, so I'm afraid that I'm forgetting anything that happened in this series already. It was like a first round bye that went by in a flash.

I guess the MVP would have to be Ozzie. Our skilled guys were good in this series, but he was the big surprise and not them. Also, he bailed the team out early on in games when they weren't up to par.

[Frozen-Man 144]

This was the easiest series I've ever seen the Wings play, so I'm afraid that I'm forgetting anything that happened in this series already. It was like a first round bye that went by in a flash.

I guess the MVP would have to be Ozzie. Our skilled guys were good in this series, but he was the big surprise and not them. Also, he bailed the team out early on in games when they weren't up to par.

QFT

[DRW Dominance 255]

Heard Mr. Babcock on the radio and he said it was Zetterberg's best 4 game stretch of the season.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

My favorite moment was that whole span of time between the huge Stuart hit on Umberger followed by Commodore in the bench and then Z scoring while BJ's were trying to goon it up in the corner.

MVP in my opinion goes to Franzen/Ozzie and maybe Z as the runner up.

[Chunkylover 26]

Who do you think is the round 1 MVP?

Franzen was definitely a key goal scorer and played well opposite Nash; Lidstrom also deserves some credit for his shutdown, but for me the MVP was Osgood. He really stepped up and played great in the first game, he was a completely different player.

What are some of your best memories from this series?

I got to go to games 1 & 2 so that was pretty awesome. First playoff games I attended since the '02 second round against St. Louis, which were also two wins.

Anything you are suprised over? Disappointed in anything?

I was surprised at the Wings ability to actually play defense and Osgood's ability to play goal. I always believed they could flip the switch, but at times feared I might be wrong.

I was disappointed they let up in game four. I was hoping for the shutout, then hoping they'd keep the GA tidy, instead they made it an entertaining game.

Best goal in the series?

I loved that Zetterberg goal in game three because it shows what a good, smart hit can do to the opponent. Stuart lays out a good hit, Commodore tries to lead his team and responds with a near miss on Cleary, then plays Don Cherry hockey and gets scored on.

[Chunkylover 26]

I'm a little concerned about Pav's point production. The team doesn't necessarily need a point explosion from Pav, but I can't help but think that he's got to start racking up some sooner or later.

During the Nashville round last year I made a similar comment to a friend. Specifically I was disappointed at how Pavel had so many missed shots early in that series. He ended up with some good point totals so maybe he's just a slow starter. And by slow I mean that he's not overwhelming everyone else yet.

Ozzie getting a standing ovation for his game 2 shut out at the Joe.

People were loving him during both home games. Constant Ozzie chants; he was the #1 star in Game 1 and had a big ovation as well.

[hak 21]

Thanks for the responses guys

I missed one and a half game due to personal life thingies so i'm not really qualified to answer.. that's why im extra interested in what you have to say.

My favorite moment or at least the one moment who stuck the most is the shift where commodore ended up behind wings bench and then zetterberg scored. Awesome. Also Franzens game/series winner with 50seconds left.. Probably the 2 things that i will remember the best from this series.

Edited April 27, 2009 by hak

[puertoricanWingsfan 5]

Round one MVP:

Ozzie. Definitely. Oh, and Al Sobotka

Favorite moment:

without a doubt, Franzen's series winning goal in the final minute. I about killed my fiance cuz I was freaking out so much

[k3sparks 1]

Great efficient series by the boys in red, my favorite part was the national media saying "normally you can't flip a switch at the start of the playoffs... unless your Detroit." MVP is Oz folowed by Z.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

This was the easiest series I've ever seen the Wings play, so I'm afraid that I'm forgetting anything that happened in this series already. It was like a first round bye that went by in a flash.

Sweeping the Avs last year seemed easier - Theodore sucked far worse than Mason, the whole Forsberg thing backfired in their face, they had no answer for the Wings' offense, and they got really banged up their players dropped like flies (conditioning?). The Wings could have scored 10 goals in any of those games at will..... s*** Franzen pretty much single handedly smoked that team and that series....

[anthonyn66 89]

ozzie and the third detroit line

the third line played very well

pasha didnt play that well, i wouldn't give him second

[Guest Shoreline]

Sweeping the Avs last year seemed easier - Theodore sucked far worse than Mason, the whole Forsberg thing backfired in their face, they had no answer for the Wings' offense, and they got really banged up their players dropped like flies (conditioning?). The Wings could have scored 10 goals in any of those games at will..... s*** Franzen pretty much single handedly smoked that team and that series....

This.. and add on the Ducks/Blues in the 97/98/02 Cup runs. Wings just ran over both of those teams, and in the Blues case, they were often victimized by the Wings, even in their non-cup playoff years, since that 97 cup season. There's been easier.

Edited April 27, 2009 by Shoreline

[denverswingsfan 0]

Ozzy is the MVP hands down, no questions asked.

He was last year too but his name is Osgood and no matter what, it ain't happening.

He has had ONE bad period out of twelve. One that he was obviously injured, in a lot of pain and could barely get up and move side to side. After that, he came back in the third and returned to shutting down a team that was playing for everything trying not to be eliminated.

Not that the whole team isn't playing well, the opposite is true actually. The whole team looks like this is a continuation of last years playoffs. Like the regular season was just something to get through.

Here's to hoping Osgood returns healthy for the next round. The scoring can be spread out but there is only one player in the net and he is a lot more responsible for the success of this team than most will ever give him credit for.

Go OZZY, we really do believe.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Sweeping the Avs last year seemed easier - Theodore sucked far worse than Mason, the whole Forsberg thing backfired in their face, they had no answer for the Wings' offense, and they got really banged up their players dropped like flies (conditioning?). The Wings could have scored 10 goals in any of those games at will..... s*** Franzen pretty much single handedly smoked that team and that series....

The divealanche led at one point in the series. Plus, games 1 and 3 were close in that series.

Here, only one of the games was close, and we never trailed.