They were outplayed for the most part though. Rinne vs world. That's the thing, Nashville never gets blown away even if they're outplayed. Managed to steal a road win they shouldn't have won, so it was closer to 5 games than 7. This year's Nashville is much better and balanced.
Preds fan coming in peace. While a matchup with the Blackhawks may have been more favorable for the Preds, I was hoping they'd get the Wings for the first round. IF this is to be their year it would be fitting for them to start a SCF run by going through the Wings first. I know Wings fans don't see it the same, but DET really is the Pred's measuring stick and greatest rival.
I think it will be a 5 or 6 game series win for the Preds. The key will be the first two games. The Preds will be under a ton of pressure to win those and preserve their home ice advantage. That's not something they're accustomed to. They're used to being the underdog on the road who surprises the opponent and steals one of the first two. Obviously, they're not as playoff proven as the
Wings, but last year's run and the addition of Gill makes them a much different playoff team from the prior playoff match ups with the Wings.
Preds fan coming in peace. While a matchup with the Blackhawks may have been more favorable for the Preds, I was hoping they'd get the Wings for the first round. IF this is to be their year it would be fitting for them to start a SCF run by going through the Wings first. I know Wings fans don't see it the same, but DET really is the Pred's measuring stick and greatest rival.
I think it will be a 5 or 6 game series win for the Preds. The key will be the first two games. The Preds will be under a ton of pressure to win those and preserve their home ice advantage. That's not something they're accustomed to. They're used to being the underdog on the road who surprises the opponent and steals one of the first two. Obviously, they're not as playoff proven as the
Wings, but last year's run and the addition of Gill makes them a much different playoff team from the prior playoff match ups with the Wings.
Here's to a good, hard fought series.
I love your optimism but alas, one playoff series win in your teams history doesn't give you a wealth of playoff experience, nor does adding Hal Gill.
The Red Wings projected line up for Wednesday night has 1402 playoff games of experience The entire Preds Roster has played 600 and that includes 150+ from Gaustad Gill and Kostitsyn.
First 4 games, both teams are healthy. During these 4 games, the Wings carried the play most of the game. Weber won 1 game for them (game winning goal was a fluke bounce, although Preds fans would have you believe it was a trick shot...that's what they were telling me on their board when they won that game). That is what it is.
Game 5, Nashville VS Detroit Griffons. Need say more? Game 6...No excuse for this one. Howard was rusty, the team in front of him was playing horrible, and Rinne stood on his head. Game. Set. Match.
From what I gather, most people are giving Nashvile the win based on the last 2 games. One game was VS an injured team, the other? They deserved that win.
I'm not predicting anything here because I don't know what Detroit team will show up. If it's the one we've been seeing? They'll just compete, maybe win. If it was the team we were seeing game 12ish-59ish (before injuries)? They'll dominate, but it's not a garanteed win. Rinne can steal games. Howard will have to be sharp. He's come a long way, though. I think he can match Rinne.
meanwhile, your typical red wing haters will tell you that we are awful, need to blow up the team, and will NEVER beat San Jose in the playoffs because we lost in game 7 last year.
This stuff goes both ways. A few bounces of the puck and we're out of round 2 last year and who knows what happens
This sounds like a series discussion so it's going to get moved to the series discussion thread.
As for this angle, the Preds have improved this year. One reason that PP is league-leading might be, you know, some of those Russian guys they added (like three). And their top D pairing has two guys our fans are constantly lusting after. They are a better team this year than last. They also have playoff experience.
I can't think of many reasons why the Wings would win given their atrocious PP and anemic scoring in general.
I was on a sports website today and was reading about the Wings vs Preds series. There was a quote from Mike Babcock.
“I used to think we wanted to finish strong,'' coach Mike Babcock said. “And every year I’ve been here it’s been more about being sure that you’re not injured going into the playoffs.''
Then someone pointed out, maybe the Wings were just keeping guys healthy and conserving energy. You saw the way this team played earlier in the year, very few teams were on their level, and that's what I think we will see this year in the playoffs.
I think this is exactly what has been happening and in the next two weeks we shall find out it if was.
I don't get why Rinne is considered an elite goaltender.
Rinne is elite. Skill wise, I think Howard matches Rinne, I really do. Rinne DOES have 5 inches on Howard. But that's just a testament of Howard's skill (being able to play BIG).
Howard has come a long way with one "X-factor", but Rinne still has him beat on: Clutchness. We are about to see if Howard has grown from last season.
What seperates the greats from the elites is the clutchness (is that even a word?) of their saves. Rinne has it, Howard has had a little bit of it in his rookie season. He had it in his sophomore season too, even though that was a down year. He has grown quite abit this year.
Let's see if he can match Rinne. I'll frank, this will be a goaltenders series.
Rinne is elite. Skill wise, I think Howard matches Rinne, I really do. Rinne DOES have 5 inches on Howard. But that's just a testament of Howard's skill (being able to play BIG).
Howard has come a long way with one "X-factor", but Rinne still has him beat on: Clutchness. We are about to see if Howard has grown from last season.
What seperates the greats from the elites is the clutchness (is that even a word?) of their saves. Rinne has it, Howard has had a little bit of it in his rookie season. He had it in his sophomore season too, even though that was a down year. He has grown quite abit this year.
Let's see if he can match Rinne. I'll frank, this will be a goaltenders series.
I don't think Rinne should be anointed a clutch goalie yet since he really hasn't done anything to earn that distinction. He's a 7m goalie that needs to basically be the Conn Smythe Winner or he's overpaid. Rinne cannot have a bad game in the playoffs, or he's overpaid. You look at players like Elliott, Howard, Schneider, Niemi and Quick - they all can match Rinne on any given night and some I mentioned had much better seasons and they come in at a much smaller cap hit and salary.
Rinne is an excellent goalie, I just don't think he's going to be 2003 Giguere. He's been extremely average the past little while being pulled 3 or so times. I think Rinne might be a better goalie than Howard, but not by much.
I'm picking the wings in 6 but I'm more concerned this year than I have been in 2 decades.
When was the last time we weren't confident going into must win games? Over the past 2 months, yes we've been banged up, but not so much for the past few weeks...and with playoff-type hockey being played lately, against playoff teams, we have lost most of those games.
We lack speed. It's evident when teams are out hustling us to pucks after dump-ins, etc. I just hope that was the wings wanting to get to the playoffs.
Now last year the wings turned it on at the start of the playoffs. They came out and I would consider that sweep of Phoenix a clinic for most of the time. We were up 4-0 before they could blink in 2 or 3 of those games.
Nashville is a worthy team, hungry, talented, etc. But they don't really have much playoff experience, and they just drew a playoff jaugernaut.
I'm not expecting much this playoff run, but I just can't bet against this team against the Preds...I can't do it.
I have to believe the wings will find a way to get to the 2nd round.
I love your optimism but alas, one playoff series win in your teams history doesn't give you a wealth of playoff experience, nor does adding Hal Gill.
The Red Wings projected line up for Wednesday night has 1402 playoff games of experience The entire Preds Roster has played 600 and that includes 150+ from Gaustad Gill and Kostitsyn.
I think we may have the edge here
I agree with you 100% In fact I said:
Quote:
Obviously, they're not as playoff proven as the Wings ...
My point is this Preds team has more playoff experience than they did the previous times they faced the Wings in the playoffs. I don't think the Wings can (nor do I think they will) take the Preds lightly and simply assume this is their series to lose.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dynheart
Take a look at the series as a whole.
First 4 games, both teams are healthy. During these 4 games, the Wings carried the play most of the game. Weber won 1 game for them (game winning goal was a fluke bounce, although Preds fans would have you believe it was a trick shot...that's what they were telling me on their board when they won that game). That is what it is.
Game 5, Nashville VS Detroit Griffons. Need say more? Game 6...No excuse for this one. Howard was rusty, the team in front of him was playing horrible, and Rinne stood on his head. Game. Set. Match.
From what I gather, most people are giving Nashvile the win based on the last 2 games. One game was VS an injured team, the other? They deserved that win.
I'm not predicting anything here because I don't know what Detroit team will show up. If it's the one we've been seeing? They'll just compete, maybe win. If it was the team we were seeing game 12ish-59ish (before injuries)? They'll dominate, but it's not a garanteed win. Rinne can steal games. Howard will have to be sharp. He's come a long way, though. I think he can match Rinne.
Datsyuk's goal with 5 seconds was pretty lucky. Great goal, no doubt, but a lot of things had to go exactly right in a very short time for him to get that - face off win, undress Suter (I don't think he ever found his jock off that one ), etc. By all rights that game should have gone to OT, just as by all rights the Wings should have won when they were up by 2 with just a few minutes remaining.
The Preds did beat a totally out-manned Red Wings team in March, but Detroit also got by a Weber-less Preds team in Dec. Sure, the Preds weren't missing as many pieces, but losing the captain and a top 5 NHL defensemen at the last minute (it wasn't until the morning skate that they found he was having concussion symptoms) will throw a team off.
I think this all points to a season series that's a wash and a playoff series that ought to be one of the most entertaining and competitive of the first round. Both sides have legitimate arguments as to why their team will win. I'll always have a nagging fear when facing Detroit, but I'm confident in this year's Pred's team.
I think this is exactly what has been happening and in the next two weeks we shall find out it if was.
Intresting. I had a feeling this is what they were doing. Are the Wings doing the whole bait and switch tactic? Let's hope they can flip the switch..., otherwise that tactic would have been a wasted one.
My point is this Preds team has more playoff experience than they did the previous times they faced the Wings in the playoffs. I don't think the Wings can (nor do I think they will) take the Preds lightly and simply assume this is their series to lose.
Datsyuk's goal with 5 seconds was pretty lucky. Great goal, no doubt, but a lot of things had to go exactly right in a very short time for him to get that - face off win, undress Suter (I don't think he ever found his jock off that one ), etc. By all rights that game should have gone to OT, just as by all rights the Wings should have won when they were up by 2 with just a few minutes remaining.
The Preds did beat a totally out-manned Red Wings team in March, but Detroit also got by a Weber-less Preds team in Dec. Sure, the Preds weren't missing as many pieces, but losing the captain and a top 5 NHL defensemen at the last minute (it wasn't until the morning skate that they found he was having concussion symptoms) will throw a team off.
I think this all points to a season series that's a wash and a playoff series that ought to be one of the most entertaining and competitive of the first round. Both sides have legitimate arguments as to why their team will win. I'll always have a nagging fear when facing Detroit, but I'm confident in this year's Pred's team.
While I agree that there are alot of bounces that go one's way in games, That datsyuk goal was pure skill. Are you kidding me? Two unbelievable passes to make that happen and then a fake by arguably the best puck handling player in the LEAGUE.
I would agree it would have been luck if Datsyuk shot the puck and it bounced off a skate or something, but on that play, no way dude.
With that said, I am extremely concerned this year, more than in many past years. I'm more concerned playing Rinne than I was with that Phoenix team last year and the year before...
Preds in 7. Wings need to get back to their pre-injuryfest performance in order to be the better team, and I think they will. But I don't think it'll be for a couple games and by then it will be too late. In the meantime, they'll be eaten alive on special teams, the road woes will continue, and the bottom-6 will continue to be a problem.
Definitely trembling in my boots because of his career .909 S% in the playoffs.
He's a good goalie...I just dont see him as light years better than Howard is all I guess.
I believe him to be the best goalie in the NHL. At least in the regular season. Howard can certainly match up to him but to not consider him "elite" is absurd.
While I agree that there are alot of bounces that go one's way in games, That datsyuk goal was pure skill. Are you kidding me? Two unbelievable passes to make that happen and then a fake by arguably the best puck handling player in the LEAGUE.
The goal was a thing of beauty. However, it also took David Legwand completely blowing his coverage on one of the passes, and the normally superb Ryan Suter somehow managing not to find someway to get in Datsyuk's way. Just like in the Detroit/Chicago game Saturday, we left the best player on the ice all alone, making you say "WTF were they thinking?"
I'm not going to go with the "you only won because we let you" line, but you have to admit Nashville completely dropped the ball. Still, it was a thing of beauty. That's what separates Datsyuk from a lot of other skilled forwards - when the other team makes the slightest mistakes, he can make them pay.
I believe him to be the best goalie in the NHL. At least in the regular season. Howard can certainly match up to him but to not consider him "elite" is absurd.
Why though? Similar career statistics to Howard. How is that elite? Instead of saying it's absurd why don't you give some reasoning?
They both play behind good defenses....Rinne arguably having two top 10 defensemen on his team in front of him. So if they both play behind good defenses and Rinne is "elite" and Howard isn't "elite" why are their stats so similar and why has Howard been better in the playoffs?
