They are the questions many Detroit fans are contemplating at this point in the season: With the playoffs a lock in the Western Conference, who is the best team for the Red Wings to play? Who is the worst? Who has the best underdog powers to take out the Wings? And finally, do the Wings have what it takes?
Well first, let me go through the current standings prior to games on 3/15/07 (remember the division winners are in seeds 1-3, standings show place, team, points)…
1 Detroit 99
2 Anaheim 96
3 Vancouver 88
4 Nashville 98
5 Dallas 87
6 San Jose 87
7 Minnesota 87
8 Calgary 84
Right now the West is a three team race, with Anaheim only 3 points out of the top spot, Nashville only two, and Detroit sitting in first. So it would be foolish for me to even explain why Detroit should or should not play the Ducks or Predators, as it is not going to happen, pending a miracle. So to answer all but my first query, I will do a team by team report, based on current standings. The number following the report is the order I would put them in against the Wings (1= hopefully, 5=scary thought)
Vancouver- They rely heavily on one of the best goalies in the league, Roberto Luongo. Good thing he has thrived on the pressure. Their defense has been good all season, and the weak offense was at least partially fixed with a deadline additions. Most of the offense will come from Naslund, Sedin, and Sedin. –2
Dallas- This team had all the necessary elements to be the Presidents Trophy winner, but team chemistry was low. They also had a good amount of injuries. The big part of this team is goaltending. Turco is another great goalie, but his postseason’s have been lest than stellar. The offense will win them games, while the defense is good enough to not cost them any. But again, this team is all about Turco. If he plays big, they could be Cup Winners. If not, it will be another playoff upset for them. –3
San Jose- If the entire team shows up, this will be the team to beat. They have two starting goalies, and two first lines. The defensive depth is not the greatest, but by no means bad. Offense will carry this team, and the star centers will be a big part of this.—4
Minnesota- I think this team has the most underdog power. They did it a few years ago, going all the way to the conference final, where Anaheim crushed them. They have a scary top line, but the youth of the team is a fear. Fernandez is a good goalie, but another playoff question mark. The defense is also young. The best bet for this team is to be underestimated, which is a large possibility.—1
Calgary- Probably the strongest team on defense, but somehow goaltending (Kipper) has been a question. I have yet to see a bad playoff series by Kipprusoff, so I will not count him out. The offense actually yields several good players as well, including Iginla and Tangay, a scary duo. I consider them the most balanced team.—5
So after all that, does Detroit have what it takes? Well, in a word, maybe. Every playoff in the West is a scary thought. Any team, including Detroit, has the necessary elements to win. I guess the only way to guess is to answer all the following with a yes. Can Hasek remain healthy and bring his ‘A’ game? Can Osgood provide good backup duties if Hasek falls? Will the offense play well together with all healthy bodies? Will all the offense even be healthy? Will Detroit play with the heart it seams to need? Can the defense stay in game form and not be a liability?
Well first, let me go through the current standings prior to games on 3/15/07 (remember the division winners are in seeds 1-3, standings show place, team, points)…
1 Detroit 99
2 Anaheim 96
3 Vancouver 88
4 Nashville 98
5 Dallas 87
6 San Jose 87
7 Minnesota 87
8 Calgary 84
Right now the West is a three team race, with Anaheim only 3 points out of the top spot, Nashville only two, and Detroit sitting in first. So it would be foolish for me to even explain why Detroit should or should not play the Ducks or Predators, as it is not going to happen, pending a miracle. So to answer all but my first query, I will do a team by team report, based on current standings. The number following the report is the order I would put them in against the Wings (1= hopefully, 5=scary thought)
Vancouver- They rely heavily on one of the best goalies in the league, Roberto Luongo. Good thing he has thrived on the pressure. Their defense has been good all season, and the weak offense was at least partially fixed with a deadline additions. Most of the offense will come from Naslund, Sedin, and Sedin. –2
Dallas- This team had all the necessary elements to be the Presidents Trophy winner, but team chemistry was low. They also had a good amount of injuries. The big part of this team is goaltending. Turco is another great goalie, but his postseason’s have been lest than stellar. The offense will win them games, while the defense is good enough to not cost them any. But again, this team is all about Turco. If he plays big, they could be Cup Winners. If not, it will be another playoff upset for them. –3
San Jose- If the entire team shows up, this will be the team to beat. They have two starting goalies, and two first lines. The defensive depth is not the greatest, but by no means bad. Offense will carry this team, and the star centers will be a big part of this.—4
Minnesota- I think this team has the most underdog power. They did it a few years ago, going all the way to the conference final, where Anaheim crushed them. They have a scary top line, but the youth of the team is a fear. Fernandez is a good goalie, but another playoff question mark. The defense is also young. The best bet for this team is to be underestimated, which is a large possibility.—1
Calgary- Probably the strongest team on defense, but somehow goaltending (Kipper) has been a question. I have yet to see a bad playoff series by Kipprusoff, so I will not count him out. The offense actually yields several good players as well, including Iginla and Tangay, a scary duo. I consider them the most balanced team.—5
So after all that, does Detroit have what it takes? Well, in a word, maybe. Every playoff in the West is a scary thought. Any team, including Detroit, has the necessary elements to win. I guess the only way to guess is to answer all the following with a yes. Can Hasek remain healthy and bring his ‘A’ game? Can Osgood provide good backup duties if Hasek falls? Will the offense play well together with all healthy bodies? Will all the offense even be healthy? Will Detroit play with the heart it seams to need? Can the defense stay in game form and not be a liability?
