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Not Your Typical 8th Place Team
by Paul on 03/19/10 at 09:26 AM ET
Comments (9)
from Chris Iorfida of CBC,
Detroit is flirting with its first non-playoff season since 1989-90 and will undoubtedly finish with fewer than 48 wins for the first time in more than a decade, but if the Wings qualify for the Stanley Cup tournament, they will likely be a trendy upset pick for many hockey observers.
That’s because in addition to the wealth of playoff experience on the club — highlighted by a championship in 2008 and runner-up status last year — the Red Wings stack up well against the teams in the West they would most likely face in the first round.
Detroit is 2-0-1 against each of San Jose and Chicago. The Wings are 2-0 against Vancouver, their opponent Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada to complete their Western Canada road trip.
While they currently sit eighth, Detroit has the fourth-fewest regulation losses in the West.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
“The Wings are 2-0 against Vancouver, their opponent Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada…”
I thought we beat the Wings 6-3 a few weeks ago? Hmm…must of been dreaming. Lets check those facts.
Posted by Rob from Vancouver on 03/19/10 at 09:39 AM ET
If the Wings make the playoffs, I’d expect them to at least get to the WCF, if not the Stanley Cup Finals.
There are ZERO teams in the west that want to play Detroit in the first round. Zero.
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 03/19/10 at 09:51 AM ET
There are ZERO teams in the west that want to play Detroit in the first round. Zero.
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 03/19/10 at 10:51 AM ET
I don’t believe that for a second. Chicago wants to… badly. It’s Cup or Bust for them anyways because their financia/capl future is bleak, and they still think they can take out Detroit in a 7-game series. The Hawks want it.
The Sharks sure as heck don’t though.
Posted by Primis on 03/19/10 at 09:55 AM ET
Unless something dramatic happens with the Hawks goaltending situation in the next two weeks, I would think that they would want nothing to do with an experienced offensive minded team in the first round.
They need to get Huet healthy and on track quickly or Scotty is going to be making some big decisions this off-season. For those Hawk fans who are Bowman virgin’s, make no mistake…. there will be changes.
Posted by LeoR on 03/19/10 at 10:40 AM ET
I don’t believe that for a second. Chicago wants to… badly.
I think the Hawks want to play Detroit, but I don’t think they want to play Detroit in the first round. They want an easy first round opponent to get their goaltending some confidence, and no matter what spot Detroit ends up in, they’re not going to be an easy first round opponent.
I think Chicago is pulling for Calgary to end up their first round opponent.
Posted by Garth on 03/19/10 at 10:56 AM ET
Detroit is 2-0-1 against each of San Jose and Chicago.
Chicago and Detroit have played five times this season. I believe actually Detroit is 2-2-1 against them. Niemi had back to back shutouts during a home on home series.
There are ZERO teams in the west that want to play Detroit in the first round. Zero.
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 03/19/10 at 10:51 AM ET
Just because most teams would prefer to play someone else in the first round doesn’t mean the WIngs can’t be beaten in a playoff series.
Posted by Dave on 03/19/10 at 07:08 PM ET
Out west I can think of 6 playoff teams that could probably beat detroit. Not San Jose because they couldn’t beat a strung out hooker trying to steal loose change from their pants pocket.
The Wings’ defensive machine isn’t what it used to be. If they face Phoenix they’d be decimated in 4 or 5 shutdown games. Probably LA is the weakest of all Western teams…but I still think they could beat the wings. If Bryzgalov is able to carry Phoenix, I see no reason why they won’t carry the West.
Posted by stoneman from vegas on 03/20/10 at 12:16 AM ET
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It’s the 12 OT losses that are just unforgivable. This team lost a lot due to injury, but the OT losses were more often than not due to a lack of heart. Hopefully they’re feeling like winning again.
LGRW!
Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 03/19/10 at 09:31 AM ET