Detroit (52-23-6-1) just missed out on the Western Conference title by a single point, however they got satisfaction by deciding who got into the playoffs in their game against Columbus. Home ice advantage will be a big key in this year's playoffs for the Wings, they boasted the best home record in the Western conference with only Buffalo and Atlanta boasting better ones in the East. The Wings were led by youngster Mike Cammalleri with 83 points, Thomas Vanek finished 2nd with 80 and veteran Chris Pronger contributed an amazing 76 points from the blueline. The Wings playoffs hopes lie with unproven goalie Marc-Andre Fleury but do boast a veteran backup in Chris Osgood. Though playing in 40 less games than Fleury, Osgood outshone the young netminder by posting a 2.51 GAA and .915 SV%. Calgary (41-37-3-1) stormed out of the starting gates under the goaltending of Kari Lehtonen, who made an early case for Vezina trophy winner. However a key injury to Lehtonen ended that hot streak and near the end of the season Calgary had to battle in order to make the playoffs. With the trade at the deadline, trading away some of their best players the Flames enter the playoffs led by Patrick Marleau. Marleau had 77 points in 79 games with the Hawks, Blues and Flames. Darcy Sucker (65) and Danius Zubrus (64) were second and third respectively. Though posting amazing numbers early in the season, Lehtonen proved he was human, slipping to a 2.85 GAA and .895 SV%.
Special Teams:
Detroit finished with the 8th best powerplay and penalty kill, both led by Chris Pronger who is undeniably the star of the Wings team. The only concern for the Wings is the amount of shots they allow, where they are placed in 18th.
Calgary is in the opposite direction, having the league's worst powerplay will not do them any favours in the postseason. Posting a pathetic 10% efficiency rate would cost them the series if they didn't post the 3rd best penalty kill. Though Calgary is one of the best disclipined teams in the league, they'll have to limit the penalties they take even more in the postseason.
In two regular season games this year, Detroit won the season series 2-0-0, outscoring the Flames 6-1. Colby Armstrong and Tuomo Ruutu led the charge against the Flames with 3 points each, while Brian Rafalski had the only goal for the Flames. Where the series will be won or lost for: Detroit - Won - Fleury maintaining a decent SV% while Pronger continuing his MVP play - Lost - Injuries or Fleury choking
Calgary - Won - Lehtonen returning to early season form, increase in production from depth lines - Lost - If Lehtonen cannot steal the Flames the games. Prediction
Though I think this could potentially be an upset, I cannot see the Wings going out this early. Detroit in 6.
Ive enjoyed the first two articles so far. Its nice when guys take one of the bigger events on their shoulders to write about. I know Aaron has already started his Entry Draft Preview article he wrote last year that he'll get out there a few weeks after the season is over. Some good stuff.
__________________
"With Sid on your team, anything is possible" - Mario lemieux
After a disapointing Game One loss to the Number 7 seed Flames, Detroit Head Coach Michael Therrien tore up the locker room and could be heard screaming at his players (in his dirty, broken English) from behind closed doors. He later addressed the media.
"I am not impress. It a pathetic performance. I am very disapointed we could not beat the Flame. We have a great season, and we come out and play like that...I honestly think they are trying to be the worst defense in the league. They should only make half their salary, because only half the team care. I am very disapointed..."
The coach did mention that there will be changes to the lineup. With the Injury to Burns, Cullimore makes it back into the lineup. During practice this morning, the teams two top defensemen were seen skating on different lines. Pronger was reuinted with Nycholat, and White was skating with Eaton. Pronger and Nycholat had quite a chemistry earlier in the season. Before his injury, Nycholat was enjoying a career season skating with the Norris contender, he ended up with 36 points in 60 games, was a +12, and had over 100 shots and 100 hits.
Hopefully, the team will respond well in game 2.
__________________
"Theres also talk of creating more room at the end of the rink by making the nets more shallow, which would be accomplished by encouraging them to spend all their time listening to pop music and reading Twilight books."
Coach Therrien's translator has been in bed with a bad back for the better part of a week, so he hasn't had much chance to make sense of the French/Canadien/English/nonsense that the coach speaks.
Expect the coach to be back after game 5.
__________________
"Theres also talk of creating more room at the end of the rink by making the nets more shallow, which would be accomplished by encouraging them to spend all their time listening to pop music and reading Twilight books."
Coach Therrien spoke with the local media after the game 5 win last night.
Question: Coach, can you tell us about the lineup changes after game 3?
Therrien: Well, you know, the pressure get to the player. We were dissapoint in Vanek, he wasn't playing like a top line player, so we move Sykora up there and he produce. That why we brought him in this year, and he now produce.
Question: How about Calgary, how do you think they will react?
Therrien: Well, the pressure all on them now. We won two in a row, and now their back against the wall. They goon it up in game two, and we respond with two win in a row.
Question: How about the poor play of Fleury?
Therrien: Well, the pressure on him now, too. He play better last game, but still not good enough for what we need. He young, and he learning, bu he need to step up and play better for the Redwing to advance to the final. Both he and Lehtonen are young, and the pressure get to them both.
__________________
"Theres also talk of creating more room at the end of the rink by making the nets more shallow, which would be accomplished by encouraging them to spend all their time listening to pop music and reading Twilight books."
I look forward to playing Columbus in the second round.
__________________
"Theres also talk of creating more room at the end of the rink by making the nets more shallow, which would be accomplished by encouraging them to spend all their time listening to pop music and reading Twilight books."
