2nd Round

I'm very pumped for the next round of the playoffs. I don't think we could have asked for a better variety of series.

DETROIT vs ANAHEIM
We all know that the Ducks are not your average 8 seed. This features the only team the Wings have had consistent problems with in the playoffs this decade. It is also a matchup of the last two Stanley Cup champs. It's gonna be nerve-wrecking.

CHICAGO vs VANCOUVER
Neither of these teams has been to the conference final in many years, and one will be when this series is over. Each team features many 3rd and 4th line no-namers that will be looking to make a name for themselves over the next few weeks.

BOSTON vs CAROLINA
Boston will now have to prove to the NHL that they were a valid conference champion against a team that has a decent amount of players with Stanley Cup rings. Eric Staal has been on a tear, is one of the top 10 players in the league, and no one knows who he is because of the team he is on.

PITTSBURGH vs WASHINGTON
The series that the media, and many fans wanted to see. This will be a fast-skating series. Will VARLAMOV really compete with Marc-Andre Fleury? I personally want the Caps the win just so OV can piss off Don Cherry once more.

ROUND 2: Wings vs Ducks

This is going to be some series. The team that many Wings fans didn't want to play in the first round will now lock horns with the Wings in the second round. I watched a majority of the 6th game against San Jose, and I think that it's going to come down to how disciplined the Wings play. Anaheim was going after San Jose with tons of hits, and the Sharks would get in trouble with after the whistle penalties. Anaheim would then capitalize on the powerplay. The Red Wings are going to need to have a strong 1st period of game 1. Hopefully, they realize that the Ducks ARE NOT the Blue Jackets and have players that know what it takes to go all the way. If Holmstrom and Franzen can rile up Hiller a bit, I think the Wings can take this series. JUST STAY OUT OF THE PENALTY BOX!

Game 4: Red Wings 6 Blue Jackets 5

What a crazy-ass finish to a one-sided series. As I expected, the Jackets came out gambling, which created more chances for them. But it also created more opportunities for the Wings as well, and they capitalized more than Columbus did. Marian Hossa was the difference...his two goals were at a HUGE time. As for the penalty call at the end of the game, I'd probably be bitching up a storm as well if it happened to the Wings. However, I'd also be over it the next day and realize it was the right call on a stupid mistake.

So it's Anaheim or Vancouver next. We either get to deal with the Ducks, who have a red hot Jonas Hiller and players with Stanley Cup rings; or Vancouver, who is hungry to succeed with a very talented Robert Luongo. I have a feeling this might be a little tougher than Columbus......

Game 3: Red Wings 4 Blue Jackets 1

Nothing like shutting up a loud crowd one minute into the game. Way to go, Homer! For the third straight game, Ozzie turned away some nice 1st period chances by the Blue Jackets. Columbus will probably taking a lot of chances in game 4 with a nothing to lose attitude. Hopefully the Wings will be ready and adjust.

Game 2: Red Wings 4 Blue Jackets 0

More of the same from Datsyuk today. He has been a treat to watch. And if anyone (including myself) plans on doubting Osgood anymore, that's been put to bed in these first two games so hats off to him for showing us all again why he's the best goaltender in recent Wings history.

Anyway, I'm happy about the Wings "holding serve" in the first two games at home, but we all know how things have gone in the first round in recent years after the Wings go up 2-0 at home. Without the power play opportunities, the Wings and Jackets have been almost dead even in my opinion. The only difference is the Wings have been more disciplined on 5 on 5, thus drawing more penalties. The Jackets are going to be hungry at home and will be feeding off their crowd, so the Wings need to step it up on the road and make sure they don't come back home in an even series.

Game 1: Red Wings 4 Blue Jackets 1

The one thing I took away from this game the most was GREAT PHYSICAL PLAY. Pavel Datsyuk was A BEAST. I've never seen him play so tough before in his career! The officiating in the first period was awful, but I didn't think it benefited either team any more than the other. I was more pissed that it was killing the flow of the game early.

What was key was great penalty killing and GREAT GOALTENDING BY OSGOOD. He is the main reason the Wings got out of that first period unscathed. After that, the Wings clearly had the upper hand over the Blue Jackets. They were able to maintain presence in front of Mason, forcing the Jackets to get in his way as well and letting the Wings capitalize on the traffic in front. So, one game is in the books and the good guys win.......but expect Columbus to be even tougher in Saturday.

What a great crowd tonight as well! The Joe has a reputation for being a little dull in the first round of the playoffs, but there was a noticeable difference this time around.

WINGS/JACKETS

It's that time of the year! I'm pretty excited for this series for a few reasons.

1) A chance to build a division rivalry with this team (the only team we really don't have a rivalry with right now)
2) Low travel
3) I like to see different opponents in the playoffs. For instance, it was kind of a drag when the Wings were playing the Blues and Ducks EVERY year

That being said, this is going to be a tough series. The Wings are kind of stumbling into the playoffs (like they did in 2002) and all eyes are on Chris Osgood as if he is the sole determiner as to the outcome of this series (which I don't agree with after watching the last few games of lackluster skating and giveaways in our own zone). No one knows what Steve Mason or Rick Nash are capable of in the postseason because they just haven't been there, either.

So now we find out if the Wings have really been holding back all season and truly have been playing "bored," as some Detroit sports writers have speculated. If this is really the case, then I am going to be an optimist for once and pick the Wings to win this series.

WINGS in 6 (It's our favorite first-round series length)

Losses to CHI and NSH

I'm tired of watching meaningless regular season games in which the wings play 2/3 of the game and blow it in the end. I'm just ready for some playoff hockey to find whether or not the team is for real. As of now, it's down to Columbus or Anaheim for the first round opponent. I really think the series will be tough regardless of who we play, but I prefer Columbus so I can watch the Ducks and Sharks beat the hell out of each other in a playoff series. Beat Colorado tomorrow, St. Louis, and make this happen!

Absurd.............

Amazing..............

Red Wings 4 Sabres 1

Haven't got to say this much in 08-09: Osgood was outstanding tonight! The Wings still could have played better defensively, but it was nice to see goaltending be the deciding factor for the Wings (in a positive manner, that is).

Playoff Opponent?

It looks like it's down to Anaheim, Nashville, St. Louis or Columbus. I'll take any division opponent for two reasons. First, the obvious one of travel. Second, I don't think any team wants to play the Ducks in the first round right now. They have been playing very well of late and have a lot of players on their team that know what it's like to make a Stanley Cup run. Let's avoid that for one round.

Red Wings 3 Wild 2

A much more hungry and complete effort tonight that only looked close because of Backstrom. Welcome back to the scoresheet, Hossa! They needed a win to close out this tough homestand. Tomorrow night is going to be a tough game in Buffalo against a team that virtually needs a win to keep playoff hopes alive. After that, it's a similar game against the Preds then a home and home with the Blackhawks. Playoff instensity is in full force. Let's GO!

Blues 5 Red Wings 4

So it looks like the Wings are going to be the #2 seed, thanks to another hapless defensive effort and ANOTHER terrible first period. Who is responsible on this team for preparing for the next opponent? How many more games are the Wings going to skate around like a bunch of 45-year olds for the first 20 minutes? They knew they were going to face a well-rested team who is gunning for a playoff spot and still didn't come out ready. I don't get it.