Mabuhay Red Wings 177 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 If I had to put into words the way I feel about the Wings chances this season, I'd say I feel half caution and half excitement with fairly high expectations. Everybody may feel differently from one person to the next. I got to reflecting on how I felt about years past as far as I could remember in my years as a competently enough fan of the game. Feel free to share any memories you guys have from past regular seasons going into the playoffs. 93: More or less, "I'm going to watch one game at a time and just see how this goes." 94: I actually had really high hopes this year because of the 1st seed and everything. So sad. 95: Very much a feeling of, "This seems to be going really, really well... Hmm..." and then the Wings landed in hell. 96: Definitely thought they would win it all. Had very little, if any, doubts. And then it happened. 97: 20% cautious, 80% not expecting much. And then they won it all. 98: The same as 97, actually. Even though they were defending champs and the theme of that year was, "Believe." 99: I really felt they would three-peat. The 99 post season definitely pissed me off more than any other run for any of my sports teams. I got greedy big time. 00: Had a decent level of excitement but not much. Nothing exceptional. God I hate Colorado. 01: A little less excitement than what I had for '00. Ugh... Late night first round against the Kings definitely ruined some grades. 02: Haha. I actually felt like, "They better ******* win it all, dammit... Or else... (shakes fist)." So very sad after Game 5 against the Avs. But it all ended very well. 03: Wasn't excited at all for this playoff run. I remember how they didn't get the 1st seed and thinking something just didn't seem right. I was more excited about the birth of the Euro Twins. From what I remember, Fedorov was on fire that year and then he ran into Steve Rucchin. 04: I actually felt really good about this year. I really liked the team from that year on paper. But it wasn't to be. 05: Lockout. 06: I was fairly excited but also a tad cautious because I started to see how the Wings would get one of the highers seeds and then lose. 07: Cautious with low expectations. I was very impressed after this playoff run. The foundation of the team was starting to really emerge. 08: A very slow building feeling of shocking amazement as they year went on. "Wow... They could really do this and I can't think of a better team in the league," is how I felt. 09: Definitely believed they would win it all. 10: Very much a "One game at a time, let's see where this goes" kind of feeling. 3 mjlegend, Aussie_Wing and 13dangledangle reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt198913 932 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 1993 I was expecting them to beat the Leafs in the first round but thanks to Pat Burns god rest his soul that didn't happen 1994 They were supposed to be in the finals with New York, horrible first round though 1995 Should of won the cup, I expected them to win the cup they had the best team but maybe still needed to learn how to win a little bit more 1996 This was the year right we had the best record in history, everything going for us. Nope 1997 Did not expect them to win it at all, I just wanted to see them play Colorado some time durring the playoffs 1998 After they got Fedorov back I fully expected them to win the cup and with ease 1999 After getting Chelios, Wenddel Clark, Ulf Samuelson, and Bill Ranford to play goal how could they not win the cup! Didn't expect then to get blown away by Colorado 2000 Adding Pat Verbeek but still didn't expect them to win 2001 Never expected them to lose in the first round I thouhgt they might have a shot at the confrence finals 2002 Really did someone that follows hockey not expect them to win that year 2003 Fully expected them to repeat, stupid Giggy 2004 Chaos that season however they got Hatcher back at the right time so I expected them to at least be in the mix for the cup 2005 Even though there was no season I still expected them to win the cup 2006 Led the league in points best team overall, everyone felt like it was going to be Stevey Y's last year definitely expected them to comptete for the cup, didn't see that loss to Edmonton in the first round coming 2007 Thought they had a great shot after beating Calgary in the first round and after getting Bert at the trade deadline but it wasn't to be 2008 Fully expected them to win the cup with Hasek playing lights out in the regular season, who knew that Ozzie would lead them to it 2009 Expected them to win the cup 2010 If they got to the conferecne finals it would have been a small miracle still this is Hockeytown, so I have to be honest I expected them to win the cup 2011 In my opinion for top to bottom they have the best line up out there, the only question is in goaltending which I believe Howard can answer. I think they win the cup beating Pittsburgh if Crosby comes back in 6 games if he doesn't come back then they beat Philadelphia in 6 2 Jasper84 and Mabuhay Red Wings reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 I'll stick with from '00 on, because before that I just watched hockey and didn't really get into the finer art of prediction. 2000: Honestly didn't expect much. 2001: I expected a bit more than 2000, that LA series just about killed me. 2002: It was sort of a foregone conclusion that they would win it all. 2003: At the start of the season I expected them to win it all but before long it just didn't feel like it would happen. 2004: Same goes for '03. 2005: Lockout 2006: Thought for sure they would win it. It seemed like they were destined for it, even moreso than in 2002. 2007: Felt really good about our chances, considering the "chip on their shoulder" storyline and that Anaheim series. 2008: Felt like it was destined to happen, and it did. 2009: During the regular season I didn't see how they could win it all, but once playoffs started it began to feel inevitable that they would win. 2010: Was seriously concerned about just making playoffs. Something felt off, even once they got healthy. 2011: Something just feels off. I want them to win, but they've been so inconsistent that I don't have that feeling that it's a foregone conclusion. Hope that changes come playoff time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RusDRW 155 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 This year I feel that we're much better than any other team. I rarely had that feeling in the past. Last time it was in 2007 when we lost to Anaheim and back in 2002 for obvious reasons. If our players want it hard, we're going to win. However, I don't think our players are motivated enough. 2 Jasper84 and wings1110 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsMyWings13 4 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 Feeling pretty good about this years team. I say we have as good a chance as any team at this point and time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckbags 863 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 We win...end of story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 All leans on #35 and what he can do for us. He plays like last night with a better product in front of him? Could be looking at a long playoff run into June Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mabuhay Red Wings 177 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 2005 Even though there was no season I still expected them to win the cup :thumbup: :thumbup: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 However, I don't think our players are motivated enough. They should watch Game 7 of the '09 Finals over and over again if they need motivation. That should give them an endless supply of motivation and pissed off energy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 Agreed. Some here feel the Wings laziness is just a reg season issue, and they'll snap outta it once the playoffs begin...I'm not that optimistic; I'm afraid their inconsistent play in their own end will continue come spring time. Not trying to "live in the past" or anything but in 2009 I have to say I had my doubts going into that playoff year too and then....try switch was flipped. The concerns are real but they are also not something we can expect to see come April. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 I dunno, this year I'm not super confident but I do think they have enoughw eapons to win it all if they peak at the right time. When you look at it, Vancouver and the Sharks are the 2 teams in the west that are the other best. Both teams have playoff demons, Luongo is not much of a playoff goalie and I think the Sedin sisters can be shut down with some physical play. I still think this team needs some fresh blood somewhere in the line up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest stinky fish taco Report post Posted March 3, 2011 2011: they won't win the cup. defense and goaltending is simply not good enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Zombos Ghost 82 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 defense wins in the playoffs. were decent but not good enough. I predict a ton of pucks dumped behind Rafalski until hes turned into hamburger like every spring... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 Not good. Defense is horrible compared to Red Wings standard. Way too much time is spent in our end, and Howard is not exactly playing great either. Barring a complete defensive turnaround, Wings have very little chance, if any, of winning the Cup. Also, it does not help that Modano MUST be on the roster. He is not a very good player anymore and the younger guys at least provide more energy. 2 Aussie_Wing and uk_redwing reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 The Wings aren't going to win the Cup with how they have been playing. Teams crack down on defense way more in the post season so those 5+ goal games that have been bailing our D out aren't going to be commonplace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 (edited) If everyone thinks that the Wings will continue with this defensive play when literally every single team that is in the playoffs, including the Wings, tightens up defensively, then I believe everyone is more of a chicken little and delusional than I thought. Edited March 3, 2011 by HankthaTank 1 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest stinky fish taco Report post Posted March 3, 2011 If everyone thinks that the Wings will continue with this defensive play when literally every single team that is in the playoffs, including the Wings, tightens up defensively, then I believe everyone is more of a chicken little and delusional than I thought. just like last year when the wings GA/G went up from 2.50 to 2.75, right? ...oh wait. 3 OakWing, Echolalia and anthonyn66 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 just like last year when the wings GA/G went up from 2.50 to 2.75, right? ...oh wait. Comparing this year to last year. Ok then.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donaldjr2448 43 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 Honestly - I dunno. Our inconsistency with defense has me concerned...Be lucky to get beyond the 2nd round. DITTO DITTO DITTO!!!! This team will not make it past the first round with this power play! Not to mention we cannot win at home. We'll end up playing Calgary or some team with a hot goalie in the first round and get smoked. Way to inconsistant with our play and its starting to get old real fast. But I surely hope that I am wrong! As for the past seasons. I really thought the Wings had a shot at doing something in 1993. I still cannot believe we did not beat Toronto that year. The year before that (1992) when we lost to Chicago in the second round still kills me too. We came back on Minnesota after being down 3-1 in the series and laid an egg against Chicago and Belfour. 1994 still has a bad taste in my mouth, the Series with the Sharks was over right after game 1, I knew that we would not beat them in that series, Irbe was just too good and we were inconsistant(hmmmmm.. kinda like this year). 1996 was killer, I thought we were the best in the league and simply could not do anything in the playoffs. 7 games with the Blues and needing a Stevie Y Miracle to win that series and Colorado was just too tough. 1997 I did not see coming until after March 26th. 1998, there was no one that could beat us and in 1999, I just think we ran out of gas. 2000, 2001 no desire in the lockeroom, losing to the Kings in 2001 was almost as bad as the 1994 series with the Sharks. 2002 there was no way anyone was beating us! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Copenhagen848 58 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 Honestly - I dunno. Our inconsistency with defense has me concerned...Be lucky to get beyond the 2nd round. I totally agree. I hope, but don't see the Wings going deep this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 I think we should be favored to win when Vegas makes their odds. I'm picking a Philly-Detroit final, with us winning a 5th Cup since 1997. I really don't see why we won't win, we're the best team with the most experience, plus we had some extra rest from a second round exit last year. Goaltending across the league is average, so I'm fine with Howard in the playoffs. I have no doubts the defense will tighten up once the playoffs start. Right now, with a big lead in the division, we're just killing time. Actually going back to 1995, I've picked the Wings to win every year but 2007 (Anaheim), 2009 (Didn't make a pick, haha), and 2010 (Vancouver). Hey, I've been right 4 times with the Wings, and a 5th with my 2007 Anaheim pick. I remember telling people when we got Shanahan we we're going to win the Cup. People thought I was crazy, but it was just one of those feelings that we were finally due. 1 Jasper84 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings1110 184 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 If we have the heart, and determination that hasnt existed so far this reg season we will, but if we continue to have no determination then no. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jesusberg 1,256 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 As others have said, the inconsistency seems to be a big issue. One game they'll pop in 7 goals, then can't score to save their lives the next. Similarly, Jimmy looks stellar for a stretch of games, then seems to stink it up. Hopefully they can all play with some real urgency leading into the post-season to prepare themselves for the long haul. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 1966-present: Wings will win the Cup! Lions will win the Superbowl! Seriously, 2008 was the only time that I felt that it was destiny. Something about Mac coming back felt Kharmic. 1 wings1110 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingZNut13 99 Report post Posted March 3, 2011 I like the way we look this year. We have the players. We need Ozzie to heal and I think we have to depth to make a solid run at the Cup. My only concern is this, lately, we have been unable to win at home. If we finish the year where we are, we would finish 2nd in the West which would give us home ice all the way until the conference finals. (assuming all the top seeds win out) Because of this, our inconsistency at home scares me with the amount of home games we are going to have to play being a top seed. If we can find a way to pick up some momentum in the final home stands that we have, maybe the Joe can become a feared place to play again. We are 17-10-2 at home. That just doesn't scream confidence to me. However, we are 22-8-3 on the road. We have been playing better on the road. If they don't find a way to make the Joe a stomping ground for any team that dares to step into it's confines, then we don't make it past the 2nd round. If we start to show up at home and our goaltending steps up(with or without Ozzie) we can win it all. Jimah(!) is a great goalie and I would put a lot of money on him taking us deep into the playoffs. With all that being said, we have a great team, a great coach, and a great chance to bring home Lord Stanley's cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
