Comments on: GameDay: @ Nashville (49-21-7, 105 Pts) 8:00 ET

By: Matt Saler

Matt Saler — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:40:33 +0000

Yeah, he’s looked good recently. I agree with you about the playoffs. I have a hard time believing all this scoring will just stop once the regular season is over. Playing with Bertuzzi is good for him, since he has a bit more room to do his thing. Maybe it’ll be best to continue that in the postseason.

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:31:40 +0000

Great to see Datsyuk still continuing his great play. I have a feeling he won’t be disappearing in the post-season this year.

By: Matt Saler

Matt Saler — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:14:52 +0000

Great assist by Bertuzzi on Datsyuk’s goal. Gotta love the deke around Zanon down low. Todd’s getting closer.

Nice play by Pavel, who put it in the net so smoothly on the flurry after that.

By: Matt Saler

Matt Saler — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:58:31 +0000

Justin,

Yeah, that was a nice play by Pavel and Todd both. Bertuzzi continues to look real close to scoring, but he seems to have contracted the Calder Syndrome: working hard and getting chances, but not being able to finish.

A very unfortunate great play by Nashville on their goal. Not much chance for anyone to stop that.

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:44:07 +0000

I just want to get past the second round this year :(.

Anyway…Bertuzzi gets his first point as a Red Wing, and it’s a secondary assist.

By: Matt Saler

Matt Saler — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 15:44:23 +0000

Gabriel,

I’ve always preferred Dallas myself, but I’ve come to lean towards Calgary. I don’t know if the Wings will underestimate the Flames because they are still a very dangerous team.

I’m fearful of San Jose because whether or not the Wings take them serious as an opponent, the Sharks have owned them this season and I don’t think it would be pretty.

In any case, I get the feeling that the hype on this team isn’t as high as it has been in previous years. That, coupled with the fact that the West is so even in the top eight that anyone has a chance to win and everyone knows it, they shouldn’t have inflated ideas.

You make a good point about their habit of playing down to opponents. If they’re going to continue doing that, maybe a tougher first round would be better for them. Hmm. Is fear of Kiprusoff, Iginla, Phaneuf and Company enough? The biggest consideration for me is the travel.

I guess there is no “ideal” team this season. No matter who they play, it’ll be tough, for a variety of reasons. As long as they go into the postseason with open eyes and realistic assessments of their opponents, the Wings should be fine. If they go in complacent and expecting to coast through Round 1, we can expect a short run, no matter who they play.

By: firebettman

firebettman — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 15:36:23 +0000

From what I’ve seen of Calgary lately, they look pretty darn good. They have a lot of guys who can score, some defense, physical players, and ol’ Kipper to top it off. And, they were pretty hot in March. It would also be a lot of travel for the Wings for a first round opponent.

I really hope we play Dallas or Minnesota. We’ve always had Turco’s number, and I just don’t think Dallas is that well-rounded of a team. Same for Minnesota. I think the Minnesota series we be more exciting, with two younger teams with lots of speed. I think the Wings’ experience and depth would pull them through the series without many problems, though.

Either way it shakes out, I can’t wait for the playoffs! It’s the most exciting time of the year…

GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!

By: JB

JB — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 15:22:22 +0000

I think we’re all in agreement. I hope the race for the middle of the pack shakes out the way Matt has explained and the Wings finish first (overall would be nice!). Megan you are so right about road vs. home this year. Kipper still scares me, but I would hope even gravity will be on our side this year. Thanks to both of you for lifting my awareness!

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 15:19:05 +0000

I’m not normally a superstitous person, but all of this talk about preferring the coldest or weakest team in the playoffs has me reaching for my lucky rabbit’s foot.

I might get shot for suggesting this, but I would rather the team go up against Dallas or even (he wouldn’t say it, would he?) San Jose, simply because they wouldn’t be underestimating thier opponent. It killed us against the Kings in 01, the Ducks in 03, the Flames in 04, and the Oilers in 06. (Granted the Flames were a second round contest, but this theory of a weaker team still applies.)

Each time Detroit has been considered vastly superior, and each time the season ends way too early. If you need more evidence, just look at their sloppy play against Columbus and St. Louis, compared to the game they played vs. the Ducks this last week.

They need a little more fear and I don’t think Calgary is going to do that for them.

By: Megan Hirdes

Megan Hirdes — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:36:32 +0000

Yes, the Wings would have to play Calgary if they finished first. But Calgary is not the same team they were a few years ago. They will also not be the hottest team going into the playoffs, as the 8th seed usually is. Edmonton was easily the hottest team going in, and had the hottest goalie in the league. Kipper is still a great goaltender, but he’s not as unbeatable as he was. We played Calgary four times this season, going 2-2. We lost both games on the road. Goals were even in the series, 12-12.
As far as home ice advantage, I’d usually say that isn’t such a big deal. But this season? The Wings are 19-15-4 on the road. They are 27-4-7 at home. That’s quite the difference. So, Yeah, I’d love home ice advantage.
As far as fourth place being the worst spot to be, I’d have to agree with Matt. There are currently three teams with 98 points, with Dallas currently in 5th because of a game at hand. That will be a fight to the end, and the hottest team will win it. That would mean that once again, we would be facing the hottest team going into the playoffs.