Curse of the 23-game win streak?

[Icesurfer 75]

Is it possible that the 23 game win streak will effect the Wings’ chances of winning the cup?

Of course everyone will say “no” now, but if the Wings don’t win the cup then they will look back again at all the injuries and how it may have effected the seeding, etc.

At what point during the win streak did Datsyuk’s knee start to bother him? Did Datsyuk keep playing to achieve the record? Should he have been rested longer earlier? We will never know.

I believe Lidstrom was actually hit twice in the same ankle. The first time earlier in the streak, but I am not sure. Was he already playing with a sore ankle before the second injury?

After Howard’s injury the defense was playing at a higher level. I thought so anyway.... because Joey Mac was in net. Fatigue had to be a factor.

We all know that playing with fatigue can lead to injuries. Babcock was saying they weren’t skating. I thought they were just exhausted. We all know that Babcock is very good at “pushing” his players and getting the most out of them. I am not blaming anyone.... it is part of the game. Injuries are inevitable.

Will the injuries prevent Wings from claiming a higher seed and improving their chances?

Sometimes I think, during a long season, it is not such a bad idea to take “a night off” if you know it will be a difficult game to win. Of course, it goes against the conventional thought of giving your best effort every single game… but realistically… how is it even possible to play at a high level every single game? It reminds me of the years when Scotty Bowman built his teams to win in the playoffs and not to win the President’s trophy or even the division or to set 23 game win streak records.... he could have cared less about stuff like that.... of course that was a different time and era.... before the game changed. The same rules no longer apply.

Hindsight is 20/20 but it still makes you wonder. At least as fans we can be proud of the 23-game win streak.

[jollymania 162]

Some of the points in this post are just hilarious, i would hope no one else thinks a lot of these things.

[Guest Crymson]

Why not hope for the best rather than predicting all the reasons why the Wings might fail in the playoffs? You've made two absurdly alarmist threads in the past several days. Why?

Have faith. The Wings are a good team. Stop coming up with every reason to doubt them!

By the way, the answer to your question is "No."

Edited March 6, 2012 by Crymson

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I honestly believe the players when they said they didn't care or notice the streak until it got very close to the record. Of course it's a remarkable achievement that they can be proud to have accomplished, but ultimately the most important part of 23 straight was they were getting valuable points.

Let's face it too: the Red Wings have had to defend home ice very well, with as poorly as they have played on the road.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I don't agree about taking nights off on purpose, but it is possible that having to defend such a long streak and all the media attention may have burned the team out a little bit.

Of course, injuries contributed to these last few home losses. The team will never come out and admit whether the injuries already existed during the streak or not.

If Lidstrom and Datsyuk come back soon, this team will be fine. I'm still not sold on a long playoff run. And no, there isn't a curse. That's taking it too far.

[Seraph 240]

If my impression of Babcock isn't completely off, I doubt he thought twice about the streak in putting together his line-up. How are we sitting around complaining about winning? You play every night to win, and that's what we did.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Is it possible that the 23 game win streak will effect the Wings’ chances of winning the cup?

Of course everyone will say “no” now, but if the Wings don’t win the cup then they will look back again at all the injuries and how it may have effected the seeding, etc.

At what point during the win streak did Datsyuk’s knee start to bother him? Did Datsyuk keep playing to achieve the record? Should he have been rested longer earlier? We will never know.

I believe Lidstrom was actually hit twice in the same ankle. The first time earlier in the streak, but I am not sure. Was he already playing with a sore ankle before the second injury?

After Howard’s injury the defense was playing at a higher level. I thought so anyway.... because Joey Mac was in net. Fatigue had to be a factor.

We all know that playing with fatigue can lead to injuries. Babcock was saying they weren’t skating. I thought they were just exhausted. We all know that Babcock is very good at “pushing” his players and getting the most out of them. I am not blaming anyone.... it is part of the game. Injuries are inevitable.

Will the injuries prevent Wings from claiming a higher seed and improving their chances?

Sometimes I think, during a long season, it is not such a bad idea to take “a night off” if you know it will be a difficult game to win. Of course, it goes against the conventional thought of giving your best effort every single game… but realistically… how is it even possible to play at a high level every single game? It reminds me of the years when Scotty Bowman built his teams to win in the playoffs and not to win the President’s trophy or even the division or to set 23 game win streak records.... he could have cared less about stuff like that.... of course that was a different time and era.... before the game changed. The same rules no longer apply.

Hindsight is 20/20 but it still makes you wonder. At least as fans we can be proud of the 23-game win streak.

No. A little too much over-thinking.

You play games to win no matter when they are on the schedule. In an 80+ game season and some with back-to-back nights/traveling grind, it is inevitable that some nights you will be off or tired. There will be adversity at times. There will be injuries, sometimes more than usual. It's not excuses or a cop out, it's just the nature of a lengthy season.

[CrimsonFlame 424]

If anything the streak will actually help us win a cup if we can secure home ice advantage. It is an intimidation factor.

[Guest stinky fish taco]

If anything the streak will actually help us win a cup if we can secure home ice advantage. It is an intimidation factor.

the two teams that the red wings passed when setting this record didn't win the cup during those seasons (29-30 bruins and 75-76 flyers).

[Rivalred 630]

the two teams that the red wings passed when setting this record didn't win the cup during those seasons (29-30 bruins and 75-76 flyers).

The team did something that not a lot of other professional sport teams have done in history.

Yes, it would be nice winning Lord Stanley every year, but after a while the want/desire just isn't there. What else is there to reach for?

If the Wings are victorious in the playoffs this year, it will make it sweeter, but not winning it all will not make it for a season of failure nor tarnish the 23 game win streak.