Will the Top Team in the West Purposely Lose to Avoid Playing Detroit?

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

Detroit is 5 points away from 7th place, so it looks like they will MOST LIKELY be the 8 seed in the West. Now San Jose on the other hand is first place in the West with 96 points. They are currently on a three game losing streak and are only 2 points ahead of second place Chicago and 3 points ahead of Phoenix (seriously). Now I'm not saying that they are doing that, but I do know if I was a coach, I would not want to play the Red Wings in the first round.

[Original-Six 254]

I hope not. We match up against them better than any other team in the playoffs. Go figure #8 vs #1

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

I hope so. If they spend time trying to "1st seed tank" and end up playing the Wings anyway that will be horrible for their energy come playoff time.

They won't, but it would be nice if they did.

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

They won't have to try hard...only 3 pts up

[8 Legged RedWing 367]

Nobody would ever do that. Who wants to start bad habits just before the playoffs start?

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Nobody would ever do that. Who wants to start bad habits just before the playoffs start?

This. Coaches just worry about winning and let the of the details work themselves out. I know it sounds simplistic but it's not an easy thing to do. Just ask Gretzky.

[55fan 5,133]

No tanking allowed. You stand the chance of losing home ice advantage down the road- assuming you make it past the first round.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I think you're putting too much stock into the Red Wings.

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

I think you're putting too much stock into the Red Wings.

I think you're not putting enough stock into the Red Wings.

agree to disagree.

[MCleveland89 122]

This. Coaches just worry about winning and let the of the details work themselves out. I know it sounds simplistic but it's not an easy thing to do. Just ask Gretzky.

I agree. Although I wouldn't be surprised if some team has done this before thoughout the history of the NHL, and I don't mean just against the Wings.

[vOrophin 5]

While I do think teams would like to avoid the Wings, I think setting bad habits and taking a losing streak into the playoffs or losing home ice would weigh on their mind more than facing the Wings.

[StaticWithABeat 0]

I hope no one here is so detached from reality that they seriously think a top-seeded team would intentionally try to fall in the standings to avoid a playoff matchup.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I hope no one here is so detached from reality that they seriously think a top-seeded team would intentionally try to fall in the standings to avoid a playoff matchup.

^ This.

You may rest a player or two down the stretch if you are already going to comfortably make the playoffs, you might bring in scrubs the last game or two of the season if they have no effects on the standings whatsoever as that is not all that unusual, but losing games on purpose is a pretty silly concept.

[The Secret 304]

Nobody would ever do that. Who wants to start bad habits just before the playoffs start?

Exactly... purposely trying to lose games for position would be the equivalent to a fighter ducking fights because he knows he is out matched by his opponent and he could lose. I think the goal is to win every game you possibly can and win for being the best team playing the best hockey at the right times... and beating the best teams and not to try and re-position your team to player a "weaker" team to have a better chance, come play off time the playing field is alot more level then its ever been and any team has a chance to win.

[Bannedforlife 403]

Ridiculous question. What kind of message would that send to your team?

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

The Sharks should have done that last year. Then they would have played Columbus, while we'd have matched up with Anaheim in the first round.

Hope McClellan has learned his lesson.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

If Chicago does, it will be because of Quenneville; but he'll think he's doing a good job.

[DSM 114]

Why would they? The Red Wings aren't nearly the team they were the past couple of seasons, and they're being backed by a goaltender who hasn't yet played in an NHL playoff game.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Sharks doing a good job of losing to Calgary so far.

Hope the Sharks can come back to dispel any conspiracy theories.

[anthonyn66 89]

Clearly San Jose wants us out completely.

[Chairman Maouth 97]

Anyone who thinks the Wings are going deep into the playoffs has not watched their regular season play this year. Anyone who thinks they won't go deep into the playoffs is disregarding their recent history. Anyone who thinks a team would tank to avoid playing them is just a little nuts.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

The Red Wings are not going to make the playoffs...!!!!

How do you know?

[Carp 0]

How do you know?

Cause they lose to a winless goal keeper for the worst team in the conference when they can afford to be giving away points.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Cause they lose to a winless goal keeper for the worst team in the conference when they can afford to be giving away points.

Could just as easily make it as well as miss it. It's about 50-50 right now. In an 80+ game season, you're going to lose a game here and there to a bottom feeder team in the conference, I don't care how good or bad of a team you are. I don't like that it happens but it is inevitable sometimes.

Edited March 20, 2010 by SouthernWingsFan

[sharkfan20 32]

Clearly San Jose wants us out completely.

haha you haven't seen our games, have you? this is a horrible time for us to be losing right now? we need to step our game. But we aren't like usual.=p

It doesn't matter who we play. We will just lose in the first round if we keep playing like this. And plus, theres a psychological thing in their head " here we go again, losing near the playoffs and in the playoffs" fml.

ANd if we lose to Edmonton on Sunday, it will bea all time low for us.

Edited March 20, 2010 by sharkfan20