Playoff Hockey

[Jake Ryan 1]

Does anyone else get the feeling that the Red Wings will have to be in "Playoff Hockey" mode this whole season? The announcers have said similar things in a few of the games, but this is going to be a challenging year watching the Red Wings battle during the regular season. We're all used to them being on coast during the regular season, so I wonder how we're all going to hold up watching a bunch of nail biters. Or do you think that other players will make up for the scoring from Hossa, Hudler, Sammy, and Franzen? That's a big void if you ask me.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

no

stop posting

[RusDRW 155]

no, we're not going to be in "play-off" mode. We're still better than 75% of teams in this league.

[Trapt1307 81]

Wow, every time I see you post, it's negative. You take WAY too much out of the first couple of games of the season. They'll be fine...four seed at worst.

[dat's sick 1,002]

It'd be great if guys like Kronwall and Stuart could be in "playoff mode" all year instead of sucking for 82 games and then being awesome for 20-ish games.

I do think the Wings will have to grind out more 2-1 or 3-2 wins than usual this year. Especially with Franzen being out.

[Buppy 1,720]

'Playoff hockey' sounds a little strong. But what does that really mean? Win 4 of every 7? That'd be 46-47 wins, about what I'm hoping for.

But I think some people are forgetting that with who we lost, and who replaced them, we already needed to improve defensively and have certain players improve even before Franzen got hurt.

Maintaining the status quo from last year, with a healthy Franzen, still would've been like 30-40 fewer goals scored which could easily be 10-15 or more losses. That would make us a low seed or out of the playoffs. With Mule out it's another 20-25-30 goals (depending on when and how strong he comes back) we need to account for, in addition to his defensive role.

It's going to take a lot of hard work from a lot of guys to manufacture goals, and strong defense to put up wins. So in the sense that 'we can't afford to take games or even single periods off' then yeah, playoff hockey of sorts.

[MadMan Mark 0]

I agree that we'll see more one-goal games. . . but PLAYOFF mode? (I can hear Jim Mora now, "Playoffs?, Playoffs?") Wings will be just fine. This team is resilient and Babcock can coach on the fly. He will put the best combinations together for what they need on any given night.

I must admit I was pissed after the 2 Sweden games, but what they did to Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom was great and they grinded out a win with goals coming from Leino, Williams, and Holmer.

We'll never know who the star will be each night, but this team will be no worse than a 4 seed. With that said, Chicago has not impressed me, St Louis is too Jekyll/Hyde, and Columbus just doesn't have the depth. Wings should still take the Central, even when Marion "my shoulder hurts" Hossa returns for the Hawks.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I've got no problem with how they're winning games lately. Remember 07-08? The games were a lot more like this than they were like the ones in 08-09. I mean we still had those crazy 6-0 wins in 07-08 but there were lots more of these close games. If Ozzy lets in 2 goals every game we're golden. A 2.00 GAA is much better than the 8.69 GAA we had last year.

[MadMan Mark 0]

I've got no problem with how they're winning games lately. Remember 07-08? The games were a lot more like this than they were like the ones in 08-09. I mean we still had those crazy 6-0 wins in 07-08 but there were lots more of these close games. If Ozzy lets in 2 goals every game we're golden. A 2.00 GAA is much better than the 8.69 GAA we had last year.

You said it, brother. . . as Dats and Z get warmed up, a 2.00 GAA from Ozzie is Golden.

I would like to see the D step it up and limit the quality shots on Ozzie. Chicago had way too many shots on net. Wash was pretty much neutralized until late in the game.

Ozzie's save on Ovechkin was awesome!

[Broken 16 381]

no, we're not going to be in "play-off" mode. We're still better than 75% of teams in this league.

But what does "playoff mode" imply? Ratcheting up the defense and intensity? I believe that's what the OP is implying. This is exactly what the Wings need to do this season unless they get miraculous scoring from unlikely people.

Edited October 12, 2009 by Broken 16

[Jake Ryan 1]

But what does "playoff mode" imply? Ratcheting up the defense and intensity? I believe that's what the OP is implying. This is exactly what the Wings need to do this season unless they get miraculous scoring from unlikely people.

Exactly. That's all I'm saying. I just think there will be a lot more intensity per game than we've seen in the past. The Wings are beatable when they don't bring it. In the past, they could squeak by on nights where they weren't on their A game. Now, I don't think so.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

But what does "playoff mode" imply? Ratcheting up the defense and intensity? I believe that's what the OP is implying. This is exactly what the Wings need to do this season unless they get miraculous scoring from unlikely people.

He's not implying anything. He wants discussion to go off topic and have people scream at each other. He will change his viewpoint multiple times and defend anything that is opposite. He just really likes heated discussions (10 page minimum). He can't be a troll or flamer, cuz the mods let him go. And go. And go. He's just a fun lovin guy that wants to heat things up.

But that doesn't necessarily mean that the topics that he creates mean anything more than an avenue for discussion.

[Broken 16 381]

He's not implying anything. He wants discussion to go off topic and have people scream at each other. He will change his viewpoint multiple times and defend anything that is opposite. He just really likes heated discussions (10 page minimum). He can't be a troll or flamer, cuz the mods let him go. And go. And go. He's just a fun lovin guy that wants to heat things up.

But that doesn't necessarily mean that the topics that he creates mean anything more than an avenue for discussion.

Strange... considering you are the first and only person to go off topic in this thread.

Exactly. That's all I'm saying. I just think there will be a lot more intensity per game than we've seen in the past. The Wings are beatable when they don't bring it. In the past, they could squeak by on nights where they weren't on their A game. Now, I don't think so.

This is definitely shaping up into one of the more intense regular seasons in recent memory. Lots of variables at the moment. Fun s***.

[servo 15]

From the onset of the season, I've always looked at this notion of making up goals from the 2007-2008 season, in essence only needing to make up for the loss of Hudler. This replacing Hossa's production business has always been statistical bulls*** IMO. With the loss of Hudler and Franzen, everyone will need to step up and produce. I doubt we will have home ice advantage this year. Prior to Fanzen's injury, I was fairly confident that we would beat Chicago in the standings, now.....Not so much.

The balance of this year lies in our special teams and Ozzy's GAA.

Anything less than top 6 in the league is troubling for our playoff chances.

Also, expect Zetterberg to have his annual 2-4 week back spasms.

[Jake Ryan 1]

He's not implying anything. He wants discussion to go off topic and have people scream at each other. He will change his viewpoint multiple times and defend anything that is opposite. He just really likes heated discussions (10 page minimum). He can't be a troll or flamer, cuz the mods let him go. And go. And go. He's just a fun lovin guy that wants to heat things up.

But that doesn't necessarily mean that the topics that he creates mean anything more than an avenue for discussion.

Gee, perhaps that's why they call these things "Discussion Forums". Do you think that could be it? What a concept! You mean, we can talk/argue/debate/discuss things online? Holy moly. When did they come up with this?

It's ironic that your very post about me wanting MY thread to go off topic is off topic in itself!!!!

[Jake Ryan 1]

This is definitely shaping up into one of the more intense regular seasons in recent memory. Lots of variables at the moment. Fun s***.

I agree. It's going to be interesting to see the way Babcock juggles the kids (Helm/Abdelkader/Kindl) with the vets (Maltby/May/Eaves). I would rather have the kids play 50/50 until the last 20 games and then have the vets finish the regular season. Then bring the kids back in after the first round of the playoffs.

[thedisappearer 291]

no

stop posting

This.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

Gee, perhaps that's why they call these things "Discussion Forums". Do you think that could be it? What a concept! You mean, we can talk/argue/debate/discuss things online? Holy moly. When did they come up with this?

It's ironic that your very post about me wanting MY thread to go off topic is off topic in itself!!!!

I thought you'd appreciate the irony. Some folks around here think I'm hating on you and that I don't "like" you. Not true. Ride on, cowboy.

[OsGOD 3]

Z and D are playing like last years playoffs... is that what you mean?

[Jake Ryan 1]

I thought you'd appreciate the irony. Some folks around here think I'm hating on you and that I don't "like" you. Not true. Ride on, cowboy.

I getcha. I just like to point out irony.

[Hack & Whack Rule! 160]

Playoff hockey starts later in the season. You see, each team plays 82 games. Then, when all the teams are seeded, they come with a schedule. This schedule pits two teams against each other in a best of 7 series. Eventually, these different series whittle down the field to two teams, with the winner of that series winning the Stanley Cup.

Up until that point is reached is what we call "Regular Season". The Red Wings, as well as the rest of the league, will play this "Regular Season" hockey throughout 82 games. Your post is irrelevant.