Could Some Westen Teams Who Make The Playoffs = Advantage Wings?

[rage 24]

So we are seeing a changing of guard so to speak w/ a lot of the Western Conference teams this year.

You have LA, Colorado, in the #1/#2 slots, Nashville #5, and Phoenix #7.

I think if those 4 teams make it into the Playoffs along w/ the Red Wings then the advantage goes to the Red Wings in any series involving any of those 4 teams. Why? Because of Playoff Experience! The Wings have a ton compared to those teams.

Remember what happened to Columbus last year? They seemed just happy to be there and I think that could be the same feeling for teams like LA and Phoenix should they make it.

Just thought I'd spread some positive vibes.

Who agrees w/ me?

1. * Los Angeles 36 47 2. * Colorado 36 44 3. * Chicago 31 43 4. San Jose 34 45 5. Nashville 34 43 6. Calgary 33 42 7. Phoenix 33 40 8. Detroit 33 39 9. Dallas 32 38 10. Vancouver 33 38 11. Minnesota 33 35 12. Edmonton 33 34 13. Columbus 34 34 14. St. Louis 31 33 15. Anaheim 32 31 * = Division Leader

[Doggy 130]

I dunno how Nashville could be put in that group. They've made the playoffs more than most teams in recent times, losing in the first round each time. I mean, last year was the first time they didn't make the playoffs since '03. They certainly wouldn't be happy to just "be there".

[DMAC 25 18]

So we are seeing a changing of guard so to speak w/ a lot of the Western Conference teams this year.

You have LA, Colorado, in the #1/#2 slots, Nashville #5, and Phoenix #7.

I think if those 4 teams make it into the Playoffs along w/ the Red Wings then the advantage goes to the Red Wings in any series involving any of those 4 teams. Why? Because of Playoff Experience! The Wings have a ton compared to those teams.

Remember what happened to Columbus last year? They seemed just happy to be there and I think that could be the same feeling for teams like LA and Phoenix should they make it.

Just thought I'd spread some positive vibes.

Who agrees w/ me?

1. * Los Angeles 36 47 2. * Colorado 36 44 3. * Chicago 31 43 4. San Jose 34 45 5. Nashville 34 43 6. Calgary 33 42 7. Phoenix 33 40 8. Detroit 33 39 9. Dallas 32 38 10. Vancouver 33 38 11. Minnesota 33 35 12. Edmonton 33 34 13. Columbus 34 34 14. St. Louis 31 33 15. Anaheim 32 31 * = Division Leader

agreed and another positive thing is that we should have the whole group back together by playoff time so they'll be rested and ready to go

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Who knows. Can't really determine this until the playoffs start.

[Zion 93]

[lets go pavel 2]

I'd be surprised if all those teams are in the playoffs come year's end. Something interesting ... look at the goal differentials for those teams compared to the favorites: LA +4, COL -1, NASH even, PHO +6 ... CHI +25, SJ +19, CAL +15. While there is something to be said for winning close games, and goal differential is just one measure of a team's performance, these teams are arguably playing at the top of their games and are not really dominating the opposition ... can they keep this up all year? A few bounces the other way, a few rough patches, and I think some of these teams slide out of the top 8.

And yes, I realize we are in the same boat (DET +3), but given all the injuries I think it's pretty obvious that we're not playing at the top of our game, and fully expect those numbers to improve once we have a few players back.

[RusDRW 155]

I'd be surprised if all those teams are in the playoffs come year's end. Something interesting ... look at the goal differentials for those teams compared to the favorites: LA +4, COL -1, NASH even, PHO +6 ... CHI +25, SJ +19, CAL +15. While there is something to be said for winning close games, and goal differential is just one measure of a team's performance, these teams are arguably playing at the top of their games and are not really dominating the opposition ... can they keep this up all year? A few bounces the other way, a few rough patches, and I think some of these teams slide out of the top 8.

And yes, I realize we are in the same boat (DET +3), but given all the injuries I think it's pretty obvious that we're not playing at the top of our game, and fully expect those numbers to improve once we have a few players back.

Very good observation. Phoenix, LA, and, especially, Nashville and Colorado are already in play-off mode. They fight for every puck like it is a play-off game and, at the end, the result is on the scoreboard. While there is nothing wrong with that they simply won't have an additional gear which is needed in the play-offs. This was also a big problem for San-Jose and looks like nothing is going to change for them this year.

[mmamolo 287]

I'd be surprised if all those teams are in the playoffs come year's end. Something interesting ... look at the goal differentials for those teams compared to the favorites: LA +4, COL -1, NASH even, PHO +6 ... CHI +25, SJ +19, CAL +15. While there is something to be said for winning close games, and goal differential is just one measure of a team's performance, these teams are arguably playing at the top of their games and are not really dominating the opposition ... can they keep this up all year? A few bounces the other way, a few rough patches, and I think some of these teams slide out of the top 8.

And yes, I realize we are in the same boat (DET +3), but given all the injuries I think it's pretty obvious that we're not playing at the top of our game, and fully expect those numbers to improve once we have a few players back.

That was a really smart post. Obviously goal differential isn't the be all end all, especially in today's NHL where we do see some blowouts, but it is a very telling tale of how well teams do on a regular basis. I tend to agree that between LA, Colorado, and Phoenix that not all of them will still be left standing come the end of the regular season.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I dunno how Nashville could be put in that group. They've made the playoffs more than most teams in recent times, losing in the first round each time. I mean, last year was the first time they didn't make the playoffs since '03. They certainly wouldn't be happy to just "be there".

If they made the 2nd round you could say that, though.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

We might have the experience on our side but you never know what can happen any night in hockey.

*Anaheim - Calgary - Edmonton we're all not that experienced teams coming in the playoffs.

[shoe 165]

it can go 2 ways, on one hand you can have an in-expereinced ready to be swept 4 games straight team due to what ever experience lack of confidence ect ect, on the other you can have a team very excited and ready to give it everything imagine a whole team of Darren Helms good lord thats a lot of energy and drive with plenty of determination coming at you.

I think the question should be... which unknown goal tender are the wings going to make look like an all star this spring and will they beat him? ( sure would be nice if Jimmy Howard could play that card in the spring)

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

If they made the 2nd round you could say that, though.

Or at least win a game on the road.

[VM1138 1,921]

Just my two cents: The only teams that might reasonably be expected to make playoffs that have even the slightest chance of going all the way in the West: San Jose, Detroit, Chicago. Everyone else is just the usual fodder for champions.

[lfd250 1]

Considering that we are technically in 9th place (dallas has a game in hand and if they win, they are ahead of us) we best just worry about getting to the playoffs.

[MacK_Attack 108]

Chicago will take a stanglehold on 1st place once they make up those five games in hand on L.A. & Colorado.

Considering that we are technically in 9th place (dallas has a game in hand and if they win, they are ahead of us) we best just worry about getting to the playoffs.

And they have Carolina tonight, which is as close to a "gimme" as there is in the league.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

The Wings would crush LA or Phoenix in a playoff series.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

The Wings would crush LA or Phoenix in a playoff series.

That's what I said about:

Edmonton in 2006

Calgary in 2004

Anaheim in 2003

LA in 2001.

[hooon 1,089]

Phoenix will not make the playoffs. This is just like last year, they were high up in the conference for the first half of the year and then they dropped off. (Chicago also had a major dropoff halfway through last year, they were neck and neck with the wings and sharks for the first half of the season... just sayin.)

[edicius 3,269]

And they have Carolina tonight, which is as close to a "gimme" as there is in the league.

That's what Pittsburgh thought too.

[lfd250 1]

Phoenix will not make the playoffs. This is just like last year, they were high up in the conference for the first half of the year and then they dropped off. (Chicago also had a major dropoff halfway through last year, they were neck and neck with the wings and sharks for the first half of the season... just sayin.)

Phoenix has one thing going for them, Bettman. They WILL make the playoffs. even if they lose the rest of the season.

[Zetts 236]

That's what I said about:

Edmonton in 2006

Calgary in 2004

Anaheim in 2003

LA in 2001.

Exactly. There's nobody that's "good" to play. (Unless that team happens to have a HUGE amount of injuries like Colorado in 2008.)

[cupforwings 138]

Considering that we are technically in 9th place (dallas has a game in hand and if they win, they are ahead of us) we best just worry about getting to the playoffs.

Wow, this statement is really original. I don't even think you came close to answering the OP's question.

The advantage will be to the wings, sharks, and hawks all those surprising teams make the playoffs, which they won't. I can't see Phoenix, Nashville, LA going anywhere deep, especially if they are playing the Hawks, Sharks, or Wings.

Edited December 16, 2009 by cupforwings

[Doggy 130]

If they made the 2nd round you could say that, though.

That's the other reason, as I mentioned, that they should NOT be pleased with playoff qualification. Two big reasons.

[rage 24]

I dunno how Nashville could be put in that group. They've made the playoffs more than most teams in recent times, losing in the first round each time. I mean, last year was the first time they didn't make the playoffs since '03. They certainly wouldn't be happy to just "be there".

That's the other reason, as I mentioned, that they should NOT be pleased with playoff qualification. Two big reasons.

You'll have to read my OP again. I just said that I felt that Detroit has more Playoff Experience than the 4 teams I mentioned. But I said that Phoenix and LA could be caught in the "just happy to be in the Playoffs" mentality.

Didn't say that about Nashville or Colorado since they make the Playoffs more than not. But Detroit is still stacked w/ players that have been going VERY deep into the Playoffs in the last 3 years.

That's what I tried to say in my OP.

[rage 24]

agreed and another positive thing is that we should have the whole group back together by playoff time so they'll be rested and ready to go

Yeah, that should make a huge difference in how this teams plays as well.

Who knows. Can't really determine this until the playoffs start.

Sure you can. Detroit has gone deep into the Playoffs the last 3 years. Those other teams I mentioned are not as experienced like that.

I'd be surprised if all those teams are in the playoffs come year's end. Something interesting ... look at the goal differentials for those teams compared to the favorites: LA +4, COL -1, NASH even, PHO +6 ... CHI +25, SJ +19, CAL +15. While there is something to be said for winning close games, and goal differential is just one measure of a team's performance, these teams are arguably playing at the top of their games and are not really dominating the opposition ... can they keep this up all year? A few bounces the other way, a few rough patches, and I think some of these teams slide out of the top 8.

And yes, I realize we are in the same boat (DET +3), but given all the injuries I think it's pretty obvious that we're not playing at the top of our game, and fully expect those numbers to improve once we have a few players back.

Great post. I could totally see that happening. I actually hope teams like Phoenix and LA make the Playoffs this year (as long as the Wings do as well) partly because I feel it could make a Series or two easier for the Wings if they were to face them, but also it'll be great to have some new blood in the West.

Bye-Bye Duckies!!

Just my two cents: The only teams that might reasonably be expected to make playoffs that have even the slightest chance of going all the way in the West: San Jose, Detroit, Chicago. Everyone else is just the usual fodder for champions.

Kinda what I was getting at! Thanks!