Playoff Standings Prediction thread

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Chicago, Anaheim and Nashville will be really tough matchups.

Phoenix or LA could also be tough, but I don't see those series' being as difficult as the ones above.

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

I don't want Anaheim as we all know it's one great line, that Swiss Miss goalie and 16 cave trolls. They are capable of any evil. Playing Nashville is like playing a hive of bees with a sharp netminder. There are +'s and -'s to each matchup I suppose but those two I would not like

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

Chicago, Anaheim and Nashville will be really tough matchups.

Phoenix or LA could also be tough, but I don't see those series' being as difficult as the ones above.

Exactly my thoughts. We can beat any of these teams in 7 if we play actual Red Wings hockey, but I think Chicago, Nashville, or Anaheim would be really tiring.

[Firehawk 305]

The aggravating thing is Detroit could potentially eliminate Chicago from playoff contention single handedly but they won't, and we'll draw Chicago in round 1. And then we're going to be in a world of s***. Chicago is no joke and they're the one team below 4th seed that has something to prove against us and I desperately don't want to play them. But we will. That's my prediction. I really hope SJ draws CHicago, then either way one big boy is eliminated.

My prediction:

Van/Anaheim

SJ/Nashville

Det/s***cago

LA/Phoenix

The east I don't follow enough to make predictions at this time.

[Booster313 138]

I am really torn on one hand I want to see Chicago out and Detroit in 2nd place probably playing Anaheim, yet I don't like the travel. Every time in recent history that we've won the cup we've had at least one close series.

97: St. Louis, Anaheim, Colorado, Philly (St. Louis is only one hour difference and Anaheim was a joke at the time we swept them so we only went West once.)

98: Phoenix, St. Louis, Dallas, Washington (Very easy in terms of travel)

02: Vancouver, St Louis, Colorado, Carolina (After starting on the West coast the travel was not bad.)

08: Nashville, Colorado, Dallas, Pittsburgh (Another easy road to the cup in terms of time zones, We swept Colorado so we again only traveled there once.)

[Jasper84 333]

For the whole year I've been hoping that Chicago would miss the playoffs. But now this past week, (and I HATE to admit it) I have been kind of wanting them to finish 8th, because I think they could bounce the 'nucks. I don't think Dallas or even if the Flames end up making it would be able to take the 'nucks

[pazzloski 7]

Does anyone have or know where to find the wings record against those teams mentioned above for this year? I know that the playoffs are a different story but it might be useful to know. but im sure that the wings could beat anyone of those teams on any given night if they play well.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

For the whole year I've been hoping that Chicago would miss the playoffs. But now this past week, (and I HATE to admit it) I have been kind of wanting them to finish 8th, because I think they could bounce the 'nucks. I don't think Dallas or even if the Flames end up making it would be able to take the 'nucks

I agree.

The Canucks would have to exercise some demons to beat the Hawks, after losing to them two years in a row.

Not to mention, they've never been in this position before and already have so much pressure from the Vancouver media and obsessed fans. It might be too much for them.

[aflac9262 211]

I'm kind of rooting to see a Vancouver-Chicago rematch. Although highly unlikely, I wouldn't mind seeing a Vancouver-Calgary rematch from 2004.

1. VAN

2. SJ

3. DET

4. NSH

5. LA

6. PHX

7. ANA

8. CHI

[Jasper84 333]

I agree.

The Canucks would have to exercise some demons to beat the Hawks, after losing to them two years in a row.

Not to mention, they've never been in this position before and already have so much pressure from the Vancouver media and obsessed fans. It might be too much for them.

And at the same time, looking at it the opposite way, if the canucks were to beat the hawks in the first round, then I could see them going all the way, because for them that would have to be a huge confidence booster.

[Trapt1307 81]

Honestly, I'm thinking it may be best off if the Wings finish 3rd just because I think Chicago and Anaheim will end up 7/8. I'd rather see PHO or LA in the first round, and hopefully VAN or SJ would get upset so the Wings would have home ice in the second round.

Edited April 5, 2011 by Trapt1307

[pucktividi 472]

I might be the only one here who wants from Chicago to beat the crap out of Sharks in the 1st round

[Guest Heaten]

Sharks would have to choke bad to not take 2nd place now. Probably for the best that Red Wings are in 3rd place.

[mmamolo 287]

I dislike seeing the Wings having to travel as much as the next fan. Obviously because it is tiring for the players and because those west coast games are on so late at night. But to be honest I think the playoff draw is far more important than the travel that a team has to do. If you look back at the last bunch of cup winners it's always about the path to the finals. Teams face injuries and long series'. It's so often the team in the finals that had the path of least resistence that ends up winning because they have more fuel left in the tank.

2010: Chicago cruised to the finals without any legit, serious threat when compared to what Philly had to go through.

2009: Pittsburgh had a cake walk to the finals and the Wings were injured and beaten up after a 7 gamer with the Ducks

2008: After Hasek's weak goals Detroit pumped Nashville, manhandled Colorado, and despite letting Dallas get two worthless victories the Wings cruised to the finals while the Pens, although they also had an easy path, just had nothing left in the tank due to inexperience.

you get the point.

Long, 7 game series' are killers. Injuries and extra flights are more of a factor than longer flights or changing time zone.

[Firehawk 305]

I dislike seeing the Wings having to travel as much as the next fan. Obviously because it is tiring for the players and because those west coast games are on so late at night. But to be honest I think the playoff draw is far more important than the travel that a team has to do. If you look back at the last bunch of cup winners it's always about the path to the finals. Teams face injuries and long series'. It's so often the team in the finals that had the path of least resistence that ends up winning because they have more fuel left in the tank.

2010: Chicago cruised to the finals without any legit, serious threat when compared to what Philly had to go through.

2009: Pittsburgh had a cake walk to the finals and the Wings were injured and beaten up after a 7 gamer with the Ducks

2008: After Hasek's weak goals Detroit pumped Nashville, manhandled Colorado, and despite letting Dallas get two worthless victories the Wings cruised to the finals while the Pens, although they also had an easy path, just had nothing left in the tank due to inexperience.

you get the point.

Long, 7 game series' are killers. Injuries and extra flights are more of a factor than longer flights or changing time zone.

I agree about the travel and about the opponents. But keep in mind, SJ, Van, LA, Phx, those all have to do plenty of travel themselves. I don't know if it's harder for them to travel here and play earlier games to their biological clocks or for east coast teams to travel west and play later games according to their biological clocks (probably better to travel east than west actually).

In a perfect scenario, Chicago gets 7th or 8th, we get 3rd, avoid Chicago, and let Chicago take a shot at upsetting one of the other two big boys who in my opinion, and it is painful to say it, look to be the teams to beat over the Wings in the west. Not just because they finished higher in standing, but because they have not won anything and both teams are very good, well rounded, well coached, and have had disappointing post seasons in recent memory.

I don't know if I'm more afraid of Vancouver or SJ this year. San Jose just looks scary as hell. They just dismantled Dallas, a team that is trying ot make the playoffs, then just dismantled LA, which was trying to catch them in the standings. scoring 6 goals on both of those teams in a 'playoff atmosphere' to me is scary.

Chicago scares me because they're the one team that has something to prove specfically with beating Detroit. I don't think the wings will go to Chicago and win any games there. I think it would be a seven game series and a home team series (home team wins all the games). That chitcago crowd is BRUTAL. I can't stand the "Detroit Sucks" chant constantly. I just don't want to go through that, at least not in round 1. IF we were to get them in round 2 or even 3 I could deal with it then, but not round 1. That would likely mean we'd have to face Chicago, SJ, then VAN and that would probably be an overbearing path.

Edited April 5, 2011 by Firehawk

[Guest Heaten]

I agree about the travel and about the opponents. But keep in mind, SJ, Van, LA, Phx, those all have to do plenty of travel themselves. I don't know if it's harder for them to travel here and play earlier games to their biological clocks or for east coast teams to travel west and play later games according to their biological clocks (probably better to travel east than west actually).

In a perfect scenario, Chicago gets 7th or 8th, we get 3rd, avoid Chicago, and let Chicago take a shot at upsetting one of the other two big boys who in my opinion, and it is painful to say it, look to be the teams to beat over the Wings in the west. Not just because they finished higher in standing, but because they have not won anything and both teams are very good, well rounded, well coached, and have had disappointing post seasons in recent memory.

I don't know if I'm more afraid of Vancouver or SJ this year. San Jose just looks scary as hell. They just dismantled Dallas, a team that is trying ot make the playoffs, then just dismantled LA, which was trying to catch them in the standings. scoring 6 goals on both of those teams in a 'playoff atmosphere' to me is scary.

Chicago scares me because they're the one team that has something to prove specfically with beating Detroit. I don't think the wings will go to Chicago and win any games there. I think it would be a seven game series and a home team series (home team wins all the games). That chitcago crowd is BRUTAL. I can't stand the "Detroit Sucks" chant constantly. I just don't want to go through that, at least not in round 1. IF we were to get them in round 2 or even 3 I could deal with it then, but not round 1. That would likely mean we'd have to face Chicago, SJ, then VAN and that would probably be an overbearing path.

You're right, Red Wings should just forfeit the playoffs this year.

[Vladifan 680]

I don't want Anaheim as we all know it's one great line, that Swiss Miss goalie and 16 cave trolls. They are capable of any evil. Playing Nashville is like playing a hive of bees with a sharp netminder. There are +'s and -'s to each matchup I suppose but those two I would not like

Love your phraseology. THANKS.

[Vladifan 680]

Chicago plays: Montreal tonight; the Blues Wed.; Us, Friday and Sunday.

San Jose plays: Anaheim Wed.; Phoenix Fri. and Sat.

Preds play: Atlanta tonight; Columbus, Fri.; and St. Louis, Sat.

Coyotes play: LA, Wed.; and SJ on Fri. and Sat.

From the looks of these lineups, Preds have the easiest schedule.

But what it all means I have NO idea. Except that if the Wings are on and focused, they can beat anyone. :deal:

[hockeychik25 10]

even though the time change i would rather play the ducks. i think we can beat them. i dont want to play the hawks

[HankthaTank 1,100]

To be honest, give me the Hawks for all the opposite reasons everyone else is posting in here. I hate hearing Wings fans sound scared

[hockeychik25 10]

also i can't wait til the photoshop begins

[WingZNut13 99]

At this point, I don't care. I don't want to play Nashville AT. ALL!

But like LeBrun said the other day on ESPN, "...as Chicago found out, no one wants to play Detroit when they are angry and right now, they are playing angry and have a chip on their shoulder."

I think the Chicago game was a turning point. I tihnk at this point, we dispose of Anaheim in the first round and then after that, there is no telling who we get.

also i can't wait til the photoshop begins

I was thinking about this last night to be honest. Besides winning, that's my favorite part.

[kylee 727]

Come on hawks lose tonight

[Firehawk 305]

At this point, I don't care. I don't want to play Nashville AT. ALL!

But like LeBrun said the other day on ESPN, "...as Chicago found out, no one wants to play Detroit when they are angry and right now, they are playing angry and have a chip on their shoulder."

I think the Chicago game was a turning point. I tihnk at this point, we dispose of Anaheim in the first round and then after that, there is no telling who we get.

I was thinking about this last night to be honest. Besides winning, that's my favorite part.

Do you mean Nashville? We didn't play chicago recently where we won.

I'm not saying the Wings can't win the cup at all, I'm just saying we are not the benchmark team in the west. And I think this can be a good thing. I still think SJ and Vancouver are the teams favored in general to win the cup. The wings are in the conversation but not like in past years. I think the Wings can do it, but a lot has to go right. The goalie situation needs to stabilize, the defense needs to be solid unlike during the regular season, and the big guns have to be the big guns.

If all that happens, we are as formidable as anyone but I don't feel comfortable picking the wings to win the cup like I have the past few years.

[stuck in socal 56]

Hawks lose in OT and Dallas pulls a win. Things are getting very interesting!