wingsnut19

Just thought I'd get a thread started before I head off to get some sleep. I'll give my thoughts at some point tomorrow.

For now, I'll leave it at Wings in 7.

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Amoroq

I predicted a Detroit VS Rangers final, so I'm half right. Detroit in 6.

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careyprice31

Yep I agree. 6 or 7 game series. Both good teams.

and detroit wins the cup hopefully.

paolosmythe

wash your mouth out, traitor to the eastern conf!

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canadiancreed

Go Wings Go

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careyprice31

anyone got any soap?

xD

Wingtory

Sorry Eastern Conference, but this could get ugly fast. Wings in 5. Or 3. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are that good.

wingsnut19

This series is really difficult for me to call. The Pens are clearly the toughest competition we've faced yet in these playoffs, and I hesitated every time to predict a Wings win in each of the first 3 series.

Can Detroit really beat a lineup where you have to pick between defending against Crosby/Hossa or Malkin/Straka? And then, what happens when we don't get the DZH matchup against the top line like we want? The Pens are just overall a very difficult team to defend against.

Where Detroit can win this is on defense and in net. Fleury is a young goaltender, and is prone to making mistakes. Osgood is more weathered and more mentally stable. Plus he's playing the best hockey I've ever seen him play. I also think that people underestimate the defensive capabilities of Filppula and Franzen. Detroit essentially has 3 lines capable of shutting down the other teams offense. But they really need Franzen back.

So, basically the Wings just need to continue doing what they're doing, and do it at higher level than in the first 3 rounds. Cycle fast, put the puck to the net, and charge in/ get players in front. And play solid team defense.

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Wingtory

I hear what you're saying, but honestly, I think Calgary, SJ, Anaheim, Dallas, even Minnesota and a healthy Colorado might be tougher opponents than Pittsburgh. I don't think its under-estimating them, I just think the West is that much better. For Detroit, Nashville was a very tough team, and I think Pittsburgh will be similar to them, albeit with a more potent second line.

Detroit has been neutralizing the best and hottest lines in hockey for over a decade. Forsberg, Sakic, Modano, Hull, Thornton, Roenick, Weight, Tkachuk, Selanne, Kariya, Iginla, Bondra, Oates, Lindros, LeClaire...I'm not worried about all the star players. The Wings have a system and a style that will make it so it doesn't matter which line plays where. Certainly, Babcock will use his top line to get the best matchups, but the Penguins aren't going to flip the script on the Wings and out-possess or out-shoot the puck on them. No, the Wings will continue to do what they've done to almost every opponent over 98 games: Out-Shoot, Out-Chance, Out-PowerPlay, Out-Score, Out-Win.

This Wings team is dominant. I forgot that before the Colorado series. I forgot that again before the Dallas series. I even forgot it during the Nashville series, but they never did. They will win the series if they stay healthy. Two things to watch: The Pens will chip and chase, and that will not work. The Wings will hammer the Pens D, and limit their opportunity to start the break out. Misplayed pucks that didn't hurt them in the past wil prove tragic for the Pens in this series, as no team in the East has fourth liners like Hudler who are near the leaders in points!

Finally, compare the goalies. Fleury gives up rebounds, sometimes on purpose. I have a feeling the Wings can exploit that.

Dallas was the 2nd best team in these playoffs, and they are on the golf course.

wingsnut19

So far it seems you were right. That first game was not a good one for the Pens. The Wings really dominated play after the first period, despite the heartbreak of getting another goal called back on them. The score might have been close through 2 periods, but the game wasn't. Detroit really neutralized any Pens offense after killing those 3 consecutive penalties.

I have a feeling that the Pens are going to up their game in game 2.

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